matted fur

[IMstacie]

I gave 4 cats - all inside cats.  Two of my cats (7 yrs) are brother & sister.  I picked them up as kittens from a shelter so they are mixed breed.  They have long fur that mats very easy.  I bath them and brush them with very little success. I have never seen fur like these two.  I actually shave both of them from time to time to remove the matts because they get so bad.

Does anyone know of anything I can do to remove matts short of cutting and shaving the fur.

[IMstacie]

Thanks.  I was hoping a new product would have surfaced.  I've only had to shave each of them once several years ago.  I think I will have to do it again as the matts are just getting away from me this year.  I just can't keep up.  These two cats are very close to feral so they are difficult to groom on a daily basis.  I've had them since they were nursing but they are still very skiddish.  They are beautiful cats, the male weighs about 25 lbs. and he is not overweight - just a big boy.

[Sarajmt]

When I still had Mousey, who was a Maine Coon, I had to brush him 2 times a day. More during shedding season.  Any mats close to the skin, you'll need to take her to a vet or a groomer.  You can cut out some of it but be careful not to cut her skin.  The vet can sedate which may be needed to shave some cats.

I've never had much luck with the "furminator" and those types of combs.  I just use a regular cat brush.  I use the same one on my Golden Retriever.

One thing I've always found helpful not only for furballs but their coat as well is petroleum jelly.  I've never had a cat who did not like it naturally.  If yours doesn't like a put a dab on the paw.  She'll lick it off.

Good luck with your little sweeties!
Sara

[nancyjac]

Cats with long and thick coats need to be brushed daily so that mats don't get a chance to form to the point where the can't be brushed through.  Bathing them may actually make it worse as wet fur will clump together.