Nasty tangles!

[jusjim]

Originally Posted by doodlebug

I cut mats off Holly all the time. But you have to be very careful. I take a wider tooth metal comb and wedge it in between the mat and her skin, then cut the mat off the top of the comb. There may be a little matted fur left, but that usually combs out very easily once it's been cut. She has so much fur it's not even noticeable.

I like the comb idea. I wish I'd known it when I was clearing Missy's matts a couple of years ago. But does it have to be a metal comb?

[jusjim]

Robin's tangles could be normal. There are some good suggestions posted. I like Doodlebugs'. Remember, if Robin objects, that you don't need to do all of them in one go. Missy had some nasty matts when I got her, and I took about two weeks getting rid of them. But now she seems to be happy they've all gone, and is quite patient when new ones start and I have to clear them.

[doodlebug]

Originally Posted by jusjim

But does it have to be a metal comb?

I've never tried anything but metal. I would think that the metal tines would penetrate the base of the mat easier than plastic, sometimes it's a little tough to wedge it in. That is also the reason I use a wide tooth comb. But try it...whatever works....just to get something between the skin and where you are cutting to prevent cutting the skin.

[Marcia]

Originally Posted by rightsaidfed

If may be true that they can, but the ones I've talked to won't. Even places that advertise as a "pet groomer" just do dogs. I asked one why they don't advertise as a dog groomer if they don't do other pets, and I think she just got annoyed with me. I'll keep looking I guess




Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

Maybe they are afraid of getting bitten - a valid fear! I got bit once and ended up in the hospital for a week!! They had a hard time getting the infection under control and were talking amputation!!!

Try offering to muzzle your cat while they shave. A muzzle is harmless for the few minutes it takes to do the sani-trim and actually helps to calm the cat down. The process is in and out here.

[dwhygienist]

This was a great thread for me. Charlie , the main coon mix I hope to adopt(as long as his FIV/FIP is neg)is full of everything from tangles to a mat that covers his rump. I spoke to a groomer recommended by my vet ( same parking lot) and of course I'm not rushing him there as soon as he comes home, I found a cat mat detangling comb on amazon. The first two weeks we will have bonding grooming sessions

[Luvmyfurbabies]

When I cut mats, I grab them between my fingers and start at the tip of the mat and slowly work my way towards the body. While doing this I try to spread the mats with my fingers to loosen them up. This way I never have to get right up to the skin where a disastrous situation could happen. I think the disastrous situations happen when people start at the base of the mat.

[3gatos]

I just had to comb out a couple VERY small mats from behind my little kitten's ears (he is a medium hair) today and I used a plastic comb. But they were very, very small. The only thing is that he got terrible static cling from it! LOL! His hair was standing on all ends when I got done, he looked ridiculous, but was none worse for the wear, LOL!

[bluemilk]

Well,I cut out his tangles and he IS a much happier cat!