Wicked Cat, Flickr
The Right Grooming Tools Make a Difference
According to B.J. Fox, a prominent breeder of Persians and Himalayans in Greenbriar, Ark., one should use a professional steel comb on long matted hair, not a brush. Fox, who worked for many years as a pet groomer, prefers using a 7.5" steel fine/medium comb. A different grade may be better suited to your cat's coat.
Combing Techniques
As a pioneering breeder of chocolate and lilac Persians, Fox has seen her share of mats in her cats' hair. She offers this tip: "The end tines of the comb will be your friend if you use them properly. Start at the end of the hair shaft at the mat and hold the base of the mat so that it does not pull the skin of the kitty. Gently use the end tine of the comb to separate the mat and dislodge it so that you can begin to work it loose, little by little, until you can get to the skin."
Fox adds, "Don't grab your kitty and comb from top to bottom, because it will hurt her." Begin by using a wide-tooth comb and then graduate down to the wide end of the fine/medium comb.
For cases in which a cat's hair is badly matted, Fox advises pet owners use a wide-tooth comb to remove as many mats as possible, paying close attention to areas behind the ears, under the front "armpits" and between the back legs. "Once you have dislodged the worst matted hair with the wide-teeth," says Fox, "then bathe the cat. While the soapsuds are on the cat, use your comb, starting at the rump area of the body and work forward. The soap acts as a lubricant." Whatever you do, don't wet the cat when there are still big knots because the water will only make them worse.
When Combing Is Not Enough
If you are dealing with severe mats, Fox recommends using peanut butter or butter on the fur as a last resort. She says, "If your cat will not allow you to finish, that's okay. The peanut butter or butter still tastes good to her and acts just like a hairball remedy. Even better, it is a natural conditioner to the coat and can later be shampooed away with a degreaser."
If after trying these methods, your cat's coat still seems hopeless, it is time to go to a professional groomer. There is a chance, that the cat will have to be shaved, but fur grows back quickly, says Fox. The full or partial shaving will give you a "fresh start at proper grooming."
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I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I DID TRY AN BRUSH MY CAT AND SHE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH ME DOING IT THIS WAY:} I NOW COMB HER WITH OUT HER GETTING UPSET:} SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR GIVEING OUT YOUR ADVISE! IT WAS THE BEST.
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when your cat gets really bad matting before you go to the groomers there is one more thing to try. after trying to brush the mats out use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the mat into sections and try to brush it out again section by section and if all else try and cut them out your self but cutting as little as possible while still trying to brush them out. its good to have help doing it this way but i usually works and is cheaper the going to the groomers.
You know what Jock. If you don't like cats, avoid cat articles, and...if you really do that to a cat I hope you're severely molested in prison and sent to death row for animal abuse. Apes are the worst ^_^
You are one sick jackass.
I would love to meet you and hold a shotgun to your head. Then let's see what you have to say. I depise people who hate animals and would have no trouble letting you have it. You are one sick S.O.B.
Makes one wonder how Jock treats his wife and kids.
How could he possibly have a wife and kids? No one in their right mind would marry him, let alone have his kids!
What do you do when the cat won't let you brush them, or touch them other than the head area? Groomers are expensive...on a regular basis...so that's out of the question.
I have my cat shaved into a lion cut every spring. She hates the process, but when she gets home she poses and looks for people to show off. She is so adorable.
Maureen...One of my cats is like that .I have to get my son to hold him while I shave his butt area and along his sides.....Start with a soft brush and go along his head and the sides of his mouth brushing back untill he thinks it won't hurt.Try this for awhile ....when mine was a kitten,he was thrown out of a car and had both injured back legs and feet....I had to put booboo medicine on his feet and he was in allot of pain....I think that's why he is like this ....plus ,I used the wrong brush on him in the beginning and it pulled.....I keep trying a little at a time.......
I've had several long hair cats, and when they start to shed, there's always some matting despite my best efforts, especially as the cat gets older. A foolproof trick I've always used is one of those letter openers that they give out in various places as promotional items. They have a hook with a razor on the inside, and you just hook it carefully around the matt and pull through and it takes just that portion of the hair out, and is barely noticeable.
You now what SOB I hope that do the same thing to you!!!!! I have a pesty neighbor just like you and i wish many times to do the same
The best trick is CORNSTARCH. Put the brush or comb in cornstarch and it will glide through the fur. Brush away any residue cornstarch, but don't worry if the animal ingests it--cornstarch is a food product.
This works and no expensive or harmful chemicals involved.
A shotgun you sick BASTARD
Jock - your last name just has to be Strap!
Keith - That does sound like something someone totally braindead would do for fun. So we can't help you.
I think you are confused about your gender thats why you think you have to hurt a cat to be manlike.........CONFIDENT MEN don't talk like you.......if you ever hurt an animal I guarantee it will come back and bite you in the ass.You are going to have bad luck and its going to follow you wherever you go.......
Cornstarch is good for their hair ...it also cleans the fur.....This is the right way to do knots so the article is right on....make sur you hold the bottom of the knot so it doesn't pull the skin.....I Have a couple of long haired cats ....I have to shave them sometimes ....In the summer it's worth it........
let's not pay any more attention to keith....the only kind of woman he can rope in is drunk and lost her front teeth........