She has mats on he back and they're really bad. I took a mat breaker to them and fixed it all up but a few days later, they were coming back! She always makes the other cats groom her and she never does it herself. This may be because I found her outside(we live on a farm) and took care of her because her mom is irresponsible. Any suggestions? I think I'll give her a bath, but she's super skittish and its going to hurt.
2007-03-13 03:11:40 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
1) your answers do not have to be so rude.
2) she is a VERY SHORT HAIRED CAT! Less than 1/2 inch
3) since she is so short haired, she does not require grooming everyday. I've had cats for 17 years, I think I know what to do!
I was just wondering why she would be getting mats so bad, like diet or just plain lazyness. She is healthy, eating fine, active, playing and all the other stuff. She has not changed one bit, except suddenly she's aquiring mats on her back like crazy.
Next time you answer a question, be a little bit nicer.
2007-03-13 05:02:12 · update #1
Read the details too. My mom and I are both groomers, so we know what we're doing. I took a mat breaker, you know, one of those combs with blades on them? I took all the mats out, and they came back. So its obviously something else and she has short hair, so its not that she has long hair. Even when we did have long hair cats(4 of them) they never had mats and were only groomed once a month or less.
This is why I am concerned.
2007-03-13 05:05:24 · update #2
I agree that folks shouldn't be so rude when giving you advice. Ignore that...
I had this problem awhile back with my short haired cat.... not so much with mats, but she did look terrible when she stopped bathing.
It turns out that she had eaten a toy and she had messed up digestive issues... and eventually she coughed it up. It sounds like this isn't your problem because the cat is happy, healthy, and eating. It could be possibly be a psychological disorder, as well..... I would take her to the vet for a full evaluation and see if she needs any anti-anxiety meds (yes, they do exist).
I wouldn't give her a bath unless she REALLY REALLY needs one. It is an upsetting experience for both you and the cat, so I would let that be a last resort. :) Hope this helps!
2007-03-13 06:44:51 · answer #1 · answered by KittyOwner 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Brush her and remove the mats (they sell special combs with blades on them to cut away mats that are hard to get out). Brush her daily. Don't give her a bath, the water will make the mats worse. One of my cats is prone to matting, he's long haired and hates being brushed or combed. If he wins the fight (and I end up shedding blood) I admit it, I give up. When he gets matted badly, I haul him off to the groomer and she gives him a "lion cut" shaves everything except his head and tip of his tail. He mopes around for a few days until he gets used to it, but I must say he looks absolutely adorable ;-)
2007-03-13 11:47:36 · answer #2 · answered by RanaBanana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your cat is getting mats on her back that would suggest that she has long hair, which you need to brush daily to keep the mats out.
Mats in long haired cats have nothing to do with them not grooming themselves.
In fact I have a friend who has a long haired cat and when the cat grooms she actually causes her own hair to mat from licking it...so it MUST be combed at the very least every other day.
2007-03-13 11:41:18 · answer #3 · answered by gracieandlizzie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YOU have to brush her EVERY day!!!!!!!!
Its your fault, not the cat's fault.
Cats are domestic animals, not meant to be outside on a farm- like in the story books.
You also need to buy the right comb for your cat - a comb with rotating teeth works best for long hairs who gets mats.
Like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-rotating-fine-tooth-comb/dp/B0006HRA82
i don't recommend bathing.
2007-03-13 10:16:01 · answer #4 · answered by Chloe 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe if you keep her groomed everyday she will start to care about how her fur feels. She may have given up because of not feeling well. Does she eat and behave normally? Most cats do bathe themselves and don't have to be taught, unless they are sick or wormy.
2007-03-13 10:19:06 · answer #5 · answered by peach 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you need to take her to a GROOMER AND CUT ALL THE MATS OUT' THEN START BRUSHING HER DAILY...CATS DON;T DO BATHS GOOD ...USUALLY WHEN CATS DON;T GROOM THEY ARE ILL AND CAN'T OR DON'T
2007-03-13 11:14:47 · answer #6 · answered by Cami lives 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have had the SAME problems, just take it to the vet or groomer and have it cleaned!
2007-03-13 10:21:11 · answer #7 · answered by Ashley_Nicole 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Give her a good brushing.
2007-03-13 14:02:58 · answer #8 · answered by ndtaya 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋