My 4 year old Maine Coon has developed very very bad mats on her tummy. They are very close to the skin. She is very skittish and antisocial and I know that taking her to the vet would be an extremely stressful experience for everyone. So any tried and true home remedies would be much appreciated. Thanks!
2006-07-14 12:58:40 · 14 answers · asked by scissor-girl 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Start with a relaxed cat. Don't suddenly decide to remove a mat in the middle of a play session, or you'll suffer serious damage from claws.
Sprinkle a little cornstarch or talcum powder in the area of the mat, and gently work it around with your fingers.
Gently pull the mat up away from the skin, so you can see where the skin is.
Using sharp blunt-nosed scissors, carefully slide the scissors along the skin into the mat, holding them perpendicular to the skin, i.e., the bottom blade slides along the skin.
Cut up, into the mat. Make a clean cut and try not to pull the hair while cutting.
Give your kitty a small treat and tell him what a good kitty he is to be so patient.
Move the scissors over half an inch or so and repeat steps three through six.
You should be able to start working the separated mats apart with your fingers now, and loose pieces will easily pull away.
Start with a separated section of the mat. Using your left hand, hold the base of the mat down with thumb and forefinger, so the comb won't pull hair out.
Using a fine-toothed "flea comb," gently start combing through the mat piece, starting at the very tip of the hairs. Move down as you work, occasionally using only the first 3 or 4 tines of the comb, for stubborn sections
Give your cat another treat and stop for the day. Depending on how seriously matted he is, it may take several days to tackle them all, and you need his cooperation and patience, so don't push it all at once.
Tips:
Never bathe a cat before removing mats. You'll only have worse problems on your hands.
For small tangles that haven't yet formed "felt", try spraying with a hair conditioner before combing. Be sure to use a pump-type spray rather than aerosol, which will scare your cat.
This tedious procedure will almost always work better if you have a helper to hold and comfort the cat while you work.
2006-07-14 13:15:44 · answer #1 · answered by hellokitty11704 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a persian who used to get mats all the time. I would cut them as close to the skin as I could. If you don't feel like cutting them, then you can shave her. Also if she gets to stressed than I recomend buying Rescue Remedy to give to her. You can get it at CVS Pharnacy, The Vitamin Shoppe and a lot of vets sell it to. I have used plenty of times when my pets have been stressed or scared and it is safe for them to take. After you have all of the mats off, you should brush her everyday with a wire brush.
2006-07-14 13:28:36 · answer #2 · answered by Sara Beth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a tiny battery operated razor I found at petco. It uses one AA battery and it is tiny and not loud so it won't scare her so much, go buy it and use it, I have the same problem at times, never use scissors!!!! Yes, this razor can get right to the skin. Some vets will take it off. This tiny battery operated razor is in the dog section and has a pic of a small dog on it, but you can use it on your kitty. Don't bother with those plastic attachments, they will just get in the way and poke your cat. Those knots will get bigger and hurt. Keep kitty combed and brushed.
2006-07-14 14:55:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cutting the mats with scissors would probably be the quickest solution. You could also try using some kids' shampoo with built-in detangler to get the dirt out and help with the brushing; it really depends on what is causing the mats. If they're filled with burrs, then scissors and a trip to a vet/groomer is probably your best bet.
2006-07-14 13:05:39 · answer #4 · answered by lotsayorks 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Ragdoll cat. She gets the same kinds of mats occasionally. I take her to the vet and he uses a professional hair trimmer to shave the mats off without cutting her skin. That's the thing. If you try to do it yourself, you may cut her! When you take her to the vet, put her head under your arm so she can "hide." She'll do fine then. I brush my cat daily to avoid as many mats as possible.
2006-07-14 13:02:52 · answer #5 · answered by Wiser1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have worked on my Persian by pulling the hair apart from the mat as close to the skin as possible - WITHOUT pulling the skin, very tender. We usually just got her shaved, she was antisocial too, but she was much more comfortable once she was done!
2006-07-14 13:03:22 · answer #6 · answered by absolutedejavu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate when that happens! This is very extreme, but my dad shaved our white persian cat! It worked, and of course her fur all grew back, But she looked like something out of Dr. Seuss! All he left was that little tuft of fur at the end of her tail.(and she looked pink!)
2006-07-14 13:06:02 · answer #7 · answered by Scorpius59 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
boiling water, only dip the cat in there for 5 or 10 seonds at a time. Then take the cat to the vet.
2006-07-14 13:00:57 · answer #8 · answered by Pnty Rmvr 2 1 · 0⤊ 8⤋
i have a very hairy cat and i use dog clippers. invest in a good pair of shears. get heavy duty ones though or they get hot as you are shaving.
Mind You... cat shaving is not an easy task. the cat is NOT going to like it. its reccomended that you always shave your cat with a friend - one to hold the cat ... the other to shave.
2006-07-14 13:01:48 · answer #9 · answered by a_muse@prodigy.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HI,,, i have a maine coon also,,,,,,, the best thing is to try and cut them as close as you can,,, or just take him or her to the vet... and bite the bullet.....
good luck.....
2006-07-14 13:02:48 · answer #10 · answered by eejonesaux 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋