My friend Angie's other cat is a rescued Persian named Kaiser who had never been combed or brushed in his first years. So he had horrible mats when she kidnapped him (it's a different story) at the age of 2 or so. The first time he had to be shaved under anesthesia because no comb would have managed, the poor boy couldn't walk anymore

Since then, he gets shaved in summertime and he really likes it. He looks a little strange but he climbs on the trees and seems to enjoy it that he is more mobile -he definitely is not embarrassed. And from stroking Kaiser, I know how MooShoo must feel: like a suede hot water bottle.