Our Maine Coon, Charlie, needs to be groomed every day...some days he likes it, some not. I notice small mats on his tummy every morning, but by nighttime he has apparently groomed them out. If he really needs attention, my Mom and I work on him together...then his mood is not as important. He knows we are trying to help him.

I, too, think your best bet is to have him properly groomed and try to get him to enjoy a brushing...just do it very gently...they may look tough, but are very tender!

One of the ladies at the cat shelter has her Maine Coon shaved like the lion king--keeping his mane and a bob on his tale...my Mom refuses to do that with Charlie, although he seems to be suffering terribly in the 95 degrees we've had each day for weeks...AND our house is cooled...I'd hate to be him if we had no swamp cooler!

We cut Charlie's mats (if we have to) by getting as much out with a comb as we can...then Mom holds him and I put a fine-toothed comb under as much of the mat as I can and with fine, small, sharp scissors, try to cut it away. It works but you really need two people!

Good luck with your kitty...they're a lot of work, but oh-so-special!