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?

"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.

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.

"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

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

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.

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

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

"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

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.