Long hair matting problem

[orion]

Hello, experts!

I've got a long haired 1yr old (suspected) Main Coon who's hair at the base of the tail/lower back and behind the ears is matting to the point that it cannot be brushed out. Now, admittedly, I don't brush her regularly (read: rarely) so I'm wondering if the matted parts should just be cut out, or just leave it alone.

Any real problem with a long-haired indoor cat being somewhat matted ??

[**Sapphire**]

My EJ is long haired & I've had some of the same problems with him. What I have done in the past is cut out the knots. If the knots are too close to your cat's skin, then do it in "slices" like 1 time you brush him cut a little bit of the knot/mat. Then when you brush him again cut a little more of the knot/mat.

With long haired cats you do have to brush them regularly. I brush my boy 2 times a week. 1 day my guy will brush him & the other day I will brush him. Sometimes that's not enough, it all depends on how much he cleans himself & plays around the house.

[orion]

Thanks - I'll give that process a try.

:hello:

[**Sapphire**]

Your welcome. :) Let me know how that works for you hun. If the mats are too much, you may have to take your cat to a groomer to have him/her shaved or the mats cut out.

[nenella]

Hi Orion, Just a word of warning! Only use round headed scissos the 'best' are childrens nail scissors they are small & more controlable (you will therefore not harm your cat by accidentally cutting his skin) the all 'metal' looking scissors are the better quality & cut better/last longer. Let us know how you get on? it's a long process & you need to cut a little at a time or you risk traumatising the cat Knots/mating of the hair can realy 'hurt'.
But if it the matting is really attached to the skin & hard to cut away for you then you need to take him to a professional to be sheared. As sapphire says above
(Now is a good time as it is the warmest part of the year) This is usually done by putting a cat under anesthetic.
keep us posted on which way you decide to cure your poor Kittys problemthe problem