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#1
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Fix Matted Fur?
Well, I haven't posted in here for awhile.
Those who might remember my infrequent postings might also remember Bubba the Maine Coon. Unfortunately, Bubba has crossed the bridge due to complications from advanced cardiomyopathy. It's strange to admit, but losing him hit me harder than the past loss of family members and extremely close friends. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to be able to home another Maine Coon from the local shelter. Rascal is a ~5 year old female who could easily be Bubba's sister in the way of looks, although she is of course much smaller. She's a real sweetheart. When I first got Bubba, the fur on his belly was extremely matted to the point where I had to have his belly shaved. Rascal is also extremely matted, but more on her back than anywhere else. I'm hoping that there is a way to deal with the mats short of giving her the Lion cut at the start of cold weather season. Some of the mats are huge. She was at the shelter for a month or so before I adopted her, but I'm guessing that it took much longer than that for her to get in such poor condition. Why have a longhaired cat and not keep it combed? Ideas? |
#2
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Fix Matted Fur?
"Claude V. Lucas" wrote : Unfortunately, Bubba has crossed the bridge due to complications from advanced cardiomyopathy. It's strange to admit, but losing him hit me harder than the past loss of family members and extremely close friends. I just wanted to say that I am really sorry about Bubba. He was a beautiful boy and among the most loved cats I have seen. |
#3
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Fix Matted Fur?
In article ,
cybercat wrote: "Claude V. Lucas" wrote : Unfortunately, Bubba has crossed the bridge due to complications from advanced cardiomyopathy. It's strange to admit, but losing him hit me harder than the past loss of family members and extremely close friends. I just wanted to say that I am really sorry about Bubba. He was a beautiful boy and among the most loved cats I have seen. Thanks much. I appreciate it. |
#4
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Fix Matted Fur?
"Claude V. Lucas" wrote in message ... Well, I haven't posted in here for awhile. Those who might remember my infrequent postings might also remember Bubba the Maine Coon. Unfortunately, Bubba has crossed the bridge due to complications from advanced cardiomyopathy. I'm very sorry. Regrettably, HCM is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in Maine Coons. It's strange to admit, but losing him hit me harder than the past loss of family members and extremely close friends. I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way and there's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that I'll feel that way again. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to be able to home another Maine Coon from the local shelter. Rascal is a ~5 year old female who could easily be Bubba's sister in the way of looks, although she is of course much smaller. She's a real sweetheart. I think adopting a 5 year-old is wonderful! When I first got Bubba, the fur on his belly was extremely matted to the point where I had to have his belly shaved. My newest cat, an abanonded and abused longhair, had rock-hard mats when I trapped him. He wasn't brushed for months or possibly years. http://maxshouse.com/Mine/Sly/Sly_mats.jpg http://maxshouse.com/Mine/Sly/Sly_B4+After-3s.jpg Rascal is also extremely matted, but more on her back than anywhere else. I'm hoping that there is a way to deal with the mats short of giving her the Lion cut at the start of cold weather season. Some of the mats are huge. She was at the shelter for a month or so before I adopted her, but I'm guessing that it took much longer than that for her to get in such poor condition. Why have a longhaired cat and not keep it combed? Ideas? Just brush her everyday. Not only will it keep her coat from matting and skin healthy, it will also strengthen the bond between the two of you. Congratulations and Best of luck with Rascal. Phil |
#5
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Fix Matted Fur?
My sympathies on the loss of Bubba. IME, it IS harder to lose a pet
sometimes than a person. Your pet is there, day in and day out, without judgement. I can't think of anything short of shaving it and maintaining the new growth. If the matts are that bad, they're probably quite painful and need to be removed. Shaving is the quickest and kindest option. Rene |
#6
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Fix Matted Fur?
In article ,
Phil P. wrote: "Claude V. Lucas" wrote in message .. . Well, I haven't posted in here for awhile. Those who might remember my infrequent postings might also remember Bubba the Maine Coon. Unfortunately, Bubba has crossed the bridge due to complications from advanced cardiomyopathy. I'm very sorry. Regrettably, HCM is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in Maine Coons. Thanks. I had read about HCM, but I had no clue that Bubba was affected until he was very sick. With 20-20 hindsight his overall lack of energy should have been a big hint. I'm a bit concerned about Rascal too. She's *way* more energetic than Bubba was but she has the same general build even though she's around half his size. Is HCM a problem with females as well? I'm going to take her in for her post adoption checkup today and I'll definitely mention this to the vet... She's not as obviously fat as Bubba was either, but I don't think I'll be free-feeding her. It's strange to admit, but losing him hit me harder than the past loss of family members and extremely close friends. I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way and there's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that I'll feel that way again. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to be able to home another Maine Coon from the local shelter. Rascal is a ~5 year old female who could easily be Bubba's sister in the way of looks, although she is of course much smaller. She's a real sweetheart. I think adopting a 5 year-old is wonderful! She seems to be extremely happy to be out of there... 5 is barely past adolescence for a MC, supposedly, and she acts like it. She's a little rocket around the house compared to Bubba. When I first got Bubba, the fur on his belly was extremely matted to the point where I had to have his belly shaved. My newest cat, an abanonded and abused longhair, had rock-hard mats when I trapped him. He wasn't brushed for months or possibly years. http://maxshouse.com/Mine/Sly/Sly_mats.jpg http://maxshouse.com/Mine/Sly/Sly_B4+After-3s.jpg Rascal is also extremely matted, but more on her back than anywhere else. I'm hoping that there is a way to deal with the mats short of giving her the Lion cut at the start of cold weather season. Some of the mats are huge. She was at the shelter for a month or so before I adopted her, but I'm guessing that it took much longer than that for her to get in such poor condition. Why have a longhaired cat and not keep it combed? Ideas? Just brush her everyday. Not only will it keep her coat from matting and skin healthy, it will also strengthen the bond between the two of you. Rascal's mats seem to be worse than those in the "before" pic. Mostly on her back & tail. I've been brushing her a bit and she seems to like it until I pull on the mats too hard. I'l be patient but I'm sure it's not comfortable for her. Congratulations and Best of luck with Rascal. Thanks much. |
#7
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Fix Matted Fur?
In article ,
Rene S. wrote: My sympathies on the loss of Bubba. IME, it IS harder to lose a pet sometimes than a person. Your pet is there, day in and day out, without judgement. I can't think of anything short of shaving it and maintaining the new growth. If the matts are that bad, they're probably quite painful and need to be removed. Shaving is the quickest and kindest option. That's what I thought. I just hate to leave her without a coat in the cold season. Thanks Claude |
#8
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Fix Matted Fur?
On Nov 4, 5:59*pm, (Claude V. Lucas) wrote:
Well, I haven't posted in here for awhile. snip I'm hoping that there is a way to deal with the mats short of giving her the Lion cut at the start of cold weather season. Some of the mats are huge. She was at the shelter for a month or so before I adopted her, but I'm guessing that it took much longer than that for her to get in such poor condition. Why have a longhaired cat and not keep it combed? Ideas? Hi Claude, I have a medium/long haired siamese who doesn't believe in self grooming, idiot that he is. Total Diva this one. He gets really bad mats every season change and this is how I deal with it. I use a wire brush with tip protectors and the rubber thing the wires set in so they move. On really bad mats and be VERY careful here, I will cut the mat vertically with a pair of scissors being careful not to cut kitties skin. Depending on the size of the mat I might make several cuts. Then I will LIGHTLY coat the area with some olive oil (NOT BABY OIL not conditioner - keep in mind anything you put on the hair will end up in kitties tummy) to help the brush work through the hair. It makes the hair more slippery so that the brush can slide through easier. It seems to work better if you attack the mat from the side (gently, always gently) rather than down the center. Anyway it works for me. Use teeny, tiny strokes over the top of the mat and them working from the base of the mat upwards. Eventually it does come free. I usually only try to do one small area at a time, because my kitty absolutely hates to be brushed which is why he's in the mess he's in to start with! If all else fails, get out the barber shears... DWMeowMix |
#9
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Fix Matted Fur?
"Claude V. Lucas" wrote in message
... Well, I haven't posted in here for awhile. Those who might remember my infrequent postings might also remember Bubba the Maine Coon. Unfortunately, Bubba has crossed the bridge due to complications from advanced cardiomyopathy. It's strange to admit, but losing him hit me harder than the past loss of family members and extremely close friends. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to be able to home another Maine Coon from the local shelter. Rascal is a ~5 year old female who could easily be Bubba's sister in the way of looks, although she is of course much smaller. She's a real sweetheart. When I first got Bubba, the fur on his belly was extremely matted to the point where I had to have his belly shaved. Rascal is also extremely matted, but more on her back than anywhere else. I'm hoping that there is a way to deal with the mats short of giving her the Lion cut at the start of cold weather season. Some of the mats are huge. She was at the shelter for a month or so before I adopted her, but I'm guessing that it took much longer than that for her to get in such poor condition. Why have a longhaired cat and not keep it combed? Ideas? Oh, Claude, I am *SO* sorry to hear that about Bubba! I know your heart is broken, and I know exactly what you mean about how hard it is to lose a furry baby. He'll be missed by us here also. Have you tried your Furminator on Rascal? Hugs, CatNipped |
#10
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Fix Matted Fur?
In article ,
DWMeowMix wrote: On Nov 4, 5:59*pm, (Claude V. Lucas) wrote: Well, I haven't posted in here for awhile. snip I'm hoping that there is a way to deal with the mats short of giving her the Lion cut at the start of cold weather season. Some of the mats are huge. She was at the shelter for a month or so before I adopted her, but I'm guessing that it took much longer than that for her to get in such poor condition. Why have a longhaired cat and not keep it combed? Ideas? Hi Claude, I have a medium/long haired siamese who doesn't believe in self grooming, idiot that he is. Total Diva this one. He gets really bad mats every season change and this is how I deal with it. I use a wire brush with tip protectors and the rubber thing the wires set in so they move. On really bad mats and be VERY careful here, I will cut the mat vertically with a pair of scissors being careful not to cut kitties skin. Depending on the size of the mat I might make several cuts. Then I will LIGHTLY coat the area with some olive oil (NOT BABY OIL not conditioner - keep in mind anything you put on the hair will end up in kitties tummy) to help the brush work through the hair. It makes the hair more slippery so that the brush can slide through easier. It seems to work better if you attack the mat from the side (gently, always gently) rather than down the center. Anyway it works for me. Use teeny, tiny strokes over the top of the mat and them working from the base of the mat upwards. Eventually it does come free. I usually only try to do one small area at a time, because my kitty absolutely hates to be brushed which is why he's in the mess he's in to start with! If all else fails, get out the barber shears... The more I look at her the less I want to deal with the mats myself. We're going in for a vet checkup today or tomorrow and I'm leaning towards getting pro help. I don't want her to associate *me* with the inevitable trauma that a major de-matting will bring. She seems to like being brushed, so I don't think there will be a problem keeping her clean once we get her cleaned up. Thanks, though. |
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