Matted cat hair!
 

I have a short hair indoor cat. He's about 6yrs old. On his back there
is about 4 or 5 little clumps about the size of my thumb. It's matted
and tangled. I tried to use a brush and comb but ts just too tangeled.
Im thinking about trying to wash/shampoo it out. Last but not least I
guess I can cut it out. Any ther suggestions? And does anyone have
info on how matting happens? I dont understand. One day his fur looks
great and next day I find clumps of matted hair. Maybe I need to brush
him regulary.

Yes you need to brush him.
Keep a brush by the couch where you
can easily reach it when he hops in your lap,
and give him a five minute brushing daily.

Shampooing will only make them worse, and
the cat is not likely to care for it either.
Get some rounded scissors and cut the matts out.
Or, take him into the vet, or a cat/dog groomer,
hold onto him, and let them shave that area.
Only takes minutes.

The thing to remember is that matts are very
uncomfortable for the cat.

If you are brushing daily, you will notice
when a matt begins, and can snip it right at
the start. Don't try tugging it undone with
brush or comb, that just hurts the cat, and
makes them fear brushing etc instead of enjoying it.

Are you feeding the cat a high quality food?
Unusual for a short haired cat to matt.


(mark) wrote in message . com...
I have a short hair indoor cat. He's about 6yrs old. On his back there
is about 4 or 5 little clumps about the size of my thumb. It's matted
and tangled. I tried to use a brush and comb but ts just too tangeled.
Im thinking about trying to wash/shampoo it out. Last but not least I
guess I can cut it out. Any ther suggestions? And does anyone have
info on how matting happens? I dont understand. One day his fur looks
great and next day I find clumps of matted hair. Maybe I need to brush
him regulary.

Yes you need to brush him.
Keep a brush by the couch where you
can easily reach it when he hops in your lap,
and give him a five minute brushing daily.

Shampooing will only make them worse, and
the cat is not likely to care for it either.
Get some rounded scissors and cut the matts out.
Or, take him into the vet, or a cat/dog groomer,
hold onto him, and let them shave that area.
Only takes minutes.

The thing to remember is that matts are very
uncomfortable for the cat.

If you are brushing daily, you will notice
when a matt begins, and can snip it right at
the start. Don't try tugging it undone with
brush or comb, that just hurts the cat, and
makes them fear brushing etc instead of enjoying it.

Are you feeding the cat a high quality food?
Unusual for a short haired cat to matt.


(mark) wrote in message . com...
I have a short hair indoor cat. He's about 6yrs old. On his back there
is about 4 or 5 little clumps about the size of my thumb. It's matted
and tangled. I tried to use a brush and comb but ts just too tangeled.
Im thinking about trying to wash/shampoo it out. Last but not least I
guess I can cut it out. Any ther suggestions? And does anyone have
info on how matting happens? I dont understand. One day his fur looks
great and next day I find clumps of matted hair. Maybe I need to brush
him regulary.

Laura R. ) writes:
circa Fri, 04 Jul 2003 23:28:56 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
wombn ) said,

AHA! ok. So, smooth guard hairs tend to have less matting, right?
Cuz that girl seems to have none at all.

Generally, yes. When you see a cat with mats, it's not the guard
hairs that are getting matted, unless they're getting caught
incidentally into the knots. It's usually the underfur that gets
wadded up because it's not as slippery or coarse.

Sorry for joining this thread late, but is there a solution for badly
matted fur?

Our newest female is badly matted and it's getting harder and harder to
remove them.

--
Collector of Vintage Computers
http://www.ncf.ca/~ba600/

Laura R. ) writes:
circa Fri, 04 Jul 2003 23:28:56 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
wombn ) said,

AHA! ok. So, smooth guard hairs tend to have less matting, right?
Cuz that girl seems to have none at all.

Generally, yes. When you see a cat with mats, it's not the guard
hairs that are getting matted, unless they're getting caught
incidentally into the knots. It's usually the underfur that gets
wadded up because it's not as slippery or coarse.

Sorry for joining this thread late, but is there a solution for badly
matted fur?

Our newest female is badly matted and it's getting harder and harder to
remove them.

--
Collector of Vintage Computers
http://www.ncf.ca/~ba600/

"mark" wrote in message
om...
I have a short hair indoor cat. He's about 6yrs old. On his back there
is about 4 or 5 little clumps about the size of my thumb. It's matted
and tangled. I tried to use a brush and comb but ts just too tangeled.
Im thinking about trying to wash/shampoo it out. Last but not least I
guess I can cut it out. Any ther suggestions? And does anyone have
info on how matting happens? I dont understand. One day his fur looks
great and next day I find clumps of matted hair. Maybe I need to brush
him regulary.

Are you sure he's a short hair?? Haven't met a short haired cat with mats
yet.

Whatever his fur type - regular brushing will help. Treat your cat as you
would yourself - and here's hoping you brush your hair and teeth regularly.

"mark" wrote in message
om...
I have a short hair indoor cat. He's about 6yrs old. On his back there
is about 4 or 5 little clumps about the size of my thumb. It's matted
and tangled. I tried to use a brush and comb but ts just too tangeled.
Im thinking about trying to wash/shampoo it out. Last but not least I
guess I can cut it out. Any ther suggestions? And does anyone have
info on how matting happens? I dont understand. One day his fur looks
great and next day I find clumps of matted hair. Maybe I need to brush
him regulary.

Are you sure he's a short hair?? Haven't met a short haired cat with mats
yet.

Whatever his fur type - regular brushing will help. Treat your cat as you
would yourself - and here's hoping you brush your hair and teeth regularly.

i have a longhair. the only way which I have found to prevent mats is
to comb daily and more than once if possible. I keep combs in
strategic spots around the house, near his favorit perches, that I can
take a swipe at him often.
I use the comb with metal, rotating teeth and draw if thru the coat
verrrryy slowly.
good luck.
val

i have a longhair. the only way which I have found to prevent mats is
to comb daily and more than once if possible. I keep combs in
strategic spots around the house, near his favorit perches, that I can
take a swipe at him often.
I use the comb with metal, rotating teeth and draw if thru the coat
verrrryy slowly.
good luck.
val

Have the cat shaved.
Easier on both cat, and person.
Lasts a good many months too.



Sorry for joining this thread late, but is there a solution for badly
matted fur?

Our newest female is badly matted and it's getting harder and harder to
remove them.