Matted fur

[kittiei]

One of my cats has some matted fur on her back on both sides of her. It's probably from rolling around on the carpet. I try to brush my 2 cats everyday but they only just recently are letting me do it without attacking the brush (they are 3 years old). They aren't long-haired but they aren't short-haired either.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting rid of the mats? I've tried cutting slits in them and brushing them out (I read that somewhere) but I think this bothers her because she gets mad and bites me.

Thanks.

[KittyGurl]

My cat, Snow, has mats in her fur. My mom will usaully cut them out. If you would like take your cat to a groomer and they will get rid ofthe mats. I hope this helps! Good luck.

[Freedom]

Brushing out mats requires time, patience, and involves some pulling. If the cats are only just getting used to being groomed by you, then you could lose some ground working them out yourself.

If you can cut them out, that will be faster.

Or locate a groomer. In most states, a dog groomer is NOT licensed to work on cats; they are two different licenses. But a few phone calls will help you find someone.

I didn't notice which state you are in. I took Vita in to PetsMart in Salem NH last summer when she got mats on her belly for the first time ever; she is 9 years old. I didn't need the wash, dry, fluff routine, just shave out the mats. I explained exactly what I wanted. It took two people, one to hold her and one to run the clippers along her belly area. We were in and out of the store in 15 minutes; I think it took longer to check out at the cashier's at the front of the store! And the best part? It wasn't me she was mad at, he he.

[Medusa]

Buy a tool called the Furminator. I found mine at Pet Supplies Plus. It's great, gets the mats out w/out pain and pulling. Get to the mats early, otherwise the closer it gets to the skin, the more difficult it will be to get them out. My Pidge is old now and she detests being groomed and her mats became so bad even the Furminator couldn't get them out. I had to have her hindquarters shaved.

[moosmom]

A lot of people I know with cats that mat up, have their cats shaved during the summer. It keeps them cool and gets rid of all the mats. As long as you keep it up from there, the mats shouldn't come back.

Mollie Rose was taught at an early age and loves to be comed. All I have to do is tap the comb on the bed, and she comes running.

I've never tried the Furminator but have heard nothing but good things about it.

I've tried the Shed Ender. It works but takes way too long.

[columbine]

Smudge enjoys being combed too. I clack the loop blade against the back of the slicker, and he trots into the kitchen and purrs at me. (Of course, then he wanders all over the place while I brush him, but that's just because he's happy!) The Furminator looks interesting - when Smudge gets mats, it's because they're down by his belly where he still won't let me comb him, but maybe I'll give it a try.

When I need to scissor a mat out, I just loosely place a dishtowel over his front paws, and he's less inclined to take a swipe at me (at least for a couple more seconds!) Sometimes if I see an incipient mat in his mane, he'll just let me work it out with my fingers. He has long, ultra-fine, ultra-fluffy fur, and this damp weather really makes it important to keep an eye on his coat. It's a lot neater since he's been getting 3V Caps in his food, though. He didn't need to be talked into that one, since it's fish oil!

Love, Columbine