Overweight, matted fur, dandruff Lily

[Davis Family]

Davis Twin boys:

Our cat Lily suffers from a lot of problems, most of them I think can be linked to her being de-clawed. We regret making that decision now, because she seems to have been left emotionally scarred and always sort of neurotic. She's well over a healthy weight, and we think because she's fat she can't reach all the fur on her back when she cleans herself. This has resulted in small spots of matted fur and a lot of dandruff on her back.

Our parents can't afford even a trip to check Lily at the vet, so our mom tries to use a metal-or-plastic comb/brush on her. Even with my brother, my mom and I holding her down she always gets out. If we held her down any harder we'd probably really harm her. She absolutely hates it when our mom combs her, because it probably pulls on the skin and hurts really bad in certain parts. We hate to hear her in a lot of pain. Is there anything we can do that won't hurt her as much and we know will help?

[Karen]

Try making a "kitty burrito" - wrap her entirely in a towel, so her legs are bound in near her body, then just push the towel back to expose the matted area. With clippers, shave off the matts - they are probably tugging and bothering her already, making that area even more sensitive when you try to help by combing it out. The person holding the "burrito" can murmur comforting words, and try to keep some of her attention away from the indignity at the other end of the kitty.

Once the mats have been cut off, it'll look peculiar but be more comfortable for her, and the fur will grow back. Then you can work on her weight problem with the dreaded d-word "diet!"

[AmberLee]

And exercise! Does she have a game she particularly likes? Even 5 minute sessions, done daily, can get her heart rate/motabilism pumped. (Yes, I'm a human who believes exercise is a pair of 4-letter words, but I'm slowly becoming a believer..) And the focused playtime does the cats so much good.

[jenluckenbach]

I see her predicament a lot as a pet groomer. And the combination of extra weight, the dandruff and the mats go hand in hand.
The mats are hair that was meant to shed but didn't. It WILL comb out. Get a shedding comb. It is a metal comb with alternating long and short teeth. Then use a "picking" motion instead of combing with long strokes. (keep this saying in mind....inch by inch it is a cinch, yard by yard it will be hard). You can only do a very small section at a time.
You can also usually work those mats loose with your fingers. But whatever you do DO NOT USE SCISSORS You will cut her delicate skin and then you will have an even more expensive vet bill.
If you cannot get them out go to a groomer. I know you claim to not have money, but this is VERY bad for her skin and health. The mats prevent air from reaching the skin, and the mats themselves pull and hurt (probably even more than the combing of them out).
After they are out you need to brush her regularly. This will catch the shedding hair before it can mat. She may also need a change in food as this is the most common cause for the vicious cycle of weight gain, dandruff and mats.

[Davis Family]

Ok, thanks a bunch for the advice!

[smokey the elder]

My long haired tortie Bosoun developed some mats, and she didn't like it when I combed them out, but appreciated the aftermath. Good luck with your kitty!

[Davis Family]

A person our Mom works with let her borrow this one kind of comb, and when our Mom combed Lily, she fidgeted a lot less and even seemed to like it a little. It also pulled on the skin less. So Lily's doing much better now, and we'll try to remember to comb her more often! Thanks for all the suggestions and advice

[jenluckenbach]

Oh, I am so glad it worked for you. I could not do my job if it weren't for this one little comb!