My cat has dreadlocks, How do I get rid of them. He won't stand still while I try to cut them off?

Answer 1

Take him to a groomer and get him shaved... if the groomer won't touch him take him to a vet they will but him to sleep and shave him. It really is important to get rid of them as I have seen some horrible stuff come from that exact thing.

Including maggot filled wounds you never knew about, very red and irritated skin from the knots pulling, literally pieces of skin hanging from the body. It can be very horrible and painful for the animal if not taken care of properly.

If you can't afford the groomer hold him by the scruff of the neck (this does not hurt cats as mean as it may look it usually relaxes them) and take an electric shaver to him it won't look as pretty at scissors but it is quicker and will help you avoid being mangled in the process.

Answer 2

Your cat's "dreadlocks" are patches of matted fur. I'm assuming it's a long-haired cat?

In any case, mats can be quite uncomfortable for a cat if they get bad enough--it keeps them from moving around properly. It can even result in the cat being injured, when it moves further than the mat allows it to, and some of the hair tears out. Ouch!

There are various products meant to detangle a cat's hair; you can find those at a pet store.

However, you say your cat won't stand still for your cutting his mats out; so it seems he would probably not stand still for your using one of these products (plus a long-tooth comb and a good pet brush) to detangle the mats.

You have two options, then. First, you can get your cat "shaved". A groomer will do this; and your cat should end up with its body hair cut to about a quarter inch in length. It will look weird, but your cat should feel a lot better; and it will grow out. If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, remember that it has lost its warm fur coat and should not be let out in the cold--cats can get hypothermia, too.

Your second option is a sedative. If your cat's matted fur isn't bad, and you are sure you could cut it out properly, and brush out the rest, if your cat held still for you; then you can get a feline sedative at the vet's, give it to your cat, and work on the fur while the cat is sedated. Generally the cat will be really groggy under a sedative, and thus easier to handle.

If you have a really skittish kitty, you might need to combine those two methods: Sedate the cat, then take it to the groomer's.

After you have gotten rid of the mats properly, it's time to start a grooming program with your cat. When the mats are gone and your cat has gotten a good brushing-out, grooming won't be painful for your cat anymore. That makes it a good time to train your cat to tolerate grooming.

Here's how:
1. Get some treats your cat likes.
2. Do the grooming when your cat is relaxed, and try to make it feel as much like normal petting at first.
3. Start slowly. You might have to start out just touching the cat gently with the brush in the first session. As the cat gets more comfortable, move on to the back fur, and eventually work on the chest, tail, and finally the legs and belly.
4. Give the cat treats whenever you groom it, to build a positive association. In fact, you may want to limit treats to grooming time only.
5. Save sensitive areas for last, when your cat has gotten very comfortable with your brushing it.

Once your cat is comfortable with your brushing it, you need to keep up with grooming. Depending on your cat's fur type, you may need to groom as often as every day, or be able to hold off for as much as a week. Persians and Himalayans especially need daily grooming, and are very prone to matting.

Grooming a cat isn't all that interesting to do once you and the cat have gotten used to it; so I suggest you do it while you are watching your daily dose of TV. Chances are there is a show that's on the same schedule as your cat needs grooming; so just running a brush over the cat every time that show comes on should keep you on the right schedule. Keep your cat's grooming supplies near your couch so you don't have to reach too far--but make sure your cat can't get at the treats, or it will almost certainly eat the whole bagful. :)

Keep up with grooming, and with regular 3-minute brushings, your cat should never have mats again. Good luck!

Answer 3

Take him to a certified groomer (hopefully in a vet's office). If your groomer works in conjunction with a vet, they can probably give him sedatives while they shave the mats off. Yes, that's right, in the vet world they call it a severely matted cat- not dreads. And he will probably have to be completely shaved.

p.s.- If you don't get them shaved off, the matts will begin to tear the top layers of skin away from cat's body and then your talking serious infection- or worse.

Answer 4

Whiskers are merely like your hands whilst it comprises experience of touch. they are surely composed of neurons so it would be particularly painful to minimize them, like slicing off a finger. They do improve back, yet until then, the cat might have some issues getting around, no longer for stability (think of ear there, organ of corti, inner ear, etc), yet they do use them to learn out their ecosystem, be sure width of openings, and inspect new products and are particularly reachable for buying around on the nighttimes. in case you do no longer comprehend if some thing is risky or no longer, it is extra helpful to experience it out with the whiskers and then upload a paw once you're especially useful it won't harm you.

Answer 5

Ha, ha, ha! I know just what you're talking about, and those nappy snarls do look like dreadlocks!

Take him to the groomers. Ask for the lion cut. It's really cute on cats. They shave everything but the head and the tip of the tail, and their feet. They look like little lions.

Answer 6

If you can afford it, take the cat to a professional groomer and let him/her deal with the mess. They have the harness, etc. and are used to dealing with problems like that and have the right skills, and you get off scratch-free.

Answer 7

Take him to the vet or the groomers

and after that make sure you comb him once every week at least maye once every 2 - 3 days

Answer 8

My cat did too. Her's just came right off. Take your cat to a groomer. And brush him every day, my cat loves to be brushed. And if you get it to work make sure to reward him!!!

Answer 9

The best thing to do is take him to a groomer and have it professionally done. They are way more experienced in doing things like this.

Answer 10

take kitty to a professional groomer - you may end up hurting the cat and then you'll really have a problem.