What is the best way to get major knots out of the fur of a long-haired cat?

Question

I have a long-haired Maine Coon cat, and he has some major clumps of knotted fur. Knowing how picky cats can be when trying to cut fur, would it be best to simply shave him? Or perhaps take him to a groomer? I don't want him to look like a shaved poodle, but that might be the only way. Any suggestions would be very welcome!

Answer 1

If the mats are "welded" to the skin, the skin will start to become very irritated, hold moisture and gather bacteria. It will then become raw, and later, if not addressed, may become a sore and become infected. Cat skin is very delicate and cannot be over stressed, overbrushed or over stretched. IF this is the case, then spot shave the mats out at a vet clinic or grooming place that has lots of experience with cats. Cats can become very crazy when threatened. Ask them to use their quietest clipper if the cat is spooked by technology (smile). There is a big difference in clippers. Maine coons are generally pretty cooperative as I understand the talk about them, so it may go just fine. The hair will grow back beautifully. Remember, hair is an important protection from the elements, and I would not recommend a total shave unless really necessary.

IF the mats are only topical and fairly narrow, use children's scissors with a blunt end (avoid stabbing your friend when he/she suddenly writhes) and pinch the skin so you can feel the skin below your fingers, thus creating a barrier of your fingers between skin and scissors, and cut across the mat. Don't try to get right to the bottom. Too dangerous. When you have some success, delicately pull the clump to spread it apart with your fingers to give it some air and break it up. you can do this for a while on the first try and come back later. I have done this on dog hair that is just as fine and silky as cat undercoat. It allows you to see the skin and work a little at a time.

A detangling spay made with natural ingredients (i.e. no harsh chemicals) can be sprayed on and massaged in to the fur - you don't need much, and then comb out one segment of the clump at a time. Remember you and kitty have time, so lots of work can be spread over many days. I find such projects are successful after kitty has been sleeping.

If the area has accumulated a lot of good old fashioned dirt, spot shampoo the area with a wash cloth (don't need to do the whole cat) and it will help you with your process. Clean hair responds better.

When you are ready to brush, light strokes only. If you want to do repreated strokes (more than 3 in one place), brush the hair over your fingers.

Crash course in dematting, my specialty. Good luck, and always do what is safe and pain free for you both.

Answer 2

You're very right to be concerned about those matted furballs. Left unattended, they can become quite dangerous to your cat's health!

I just took the scissors to my own maine coon mix yesterday. He is particularly sensitive on his belly and under his arms -- he doesn't even like to be brushed -- so naturally, that's where the furballs were.

I snipped as close into the furball as possible, making sure I was nowhere close to the skin. Then I took a cat comb and gently combed out the rest of the mat, which was then do-able, given that the knotted ends had been removed. I did this wearing a long-sleeved sweat shirt, as he doesn't like this one bit and he has all his claws! Keep in mind, this was NOT my first attempt at using scissors to cut cat fur. However, I can't imagine my own cat sitting still with the sound of a buzzing shaver near him.

What I did worked, and since the offending furballs were underneath him, they don't show at all. I have removed topside furballs from him in the past, and if you can get your cat to hold still long enough, you can snip the furball in a way that isn't obvious. You might enlist the aid of some unsuspecting friend or family member to help hold him still.

There have been times when I took him to the groomer, and I almost did again this time, but the $54 price tag motivated me toward the scissors once again. Claws and all.

BTW, my cat weighs about 15 pounds, so wrestling him is worthy of video taping. So if your coon is a big guy, and you're not used to grooming him yourself, that $54 price tag might actually be an investment in education while saving you a trip to the ER for stitches.

Answer 3

I have a long-haired cat who gets mats occasionally and though he likes to be brushed and combed he hates my working on the mats. I have had the vet techs simply use the clippers to take out the really stubborn ones.

Sometimes shaving the cat down is the best way to start if the cat has many of them. It doesn't harm the cat and with the warm weather coming he won't be uncomfortable (the mats are). Then a good program of combing on your part can prevent them forming in future. I have a comb with swivel teeth that I got at the pet store. This doesn't bother my cat when I use it as it doesn't pull as badly as a regular comb.

Answer 4

Do not shave your cat! That is the worst option to do for a long-haired kitty. If you shave it bold than the hair wont grow back right. If you want to get ridd of knots, their are certain types of shampoons that can untangle the knots. once you wash the kitty, than use a comb a slowly and neatly string out the knots little by little. I hope this works for you. It worked with my cat.

Answer 5

My mother in law has a Maine Coon and has similar problems. She took him to a vet and had him sedated and his belly only shaved (the one part he won't let her brush) - she also had his teeth cleaned and his claws trimmed at the same time - a bit of an overhaul :-) He will allow her to groom the rest of him, especially if she bribes him with treats as she works. This way, you don't end up with a shaved looking cat, only one with a shaved belly.

Answer 6

If you want to groom him yourself, you will have to work very gently. Start at the ends of his fur and work in.

But if you decide to let a professional groomer take on the job, ask for advice. Shaving might be easier, though I agree it would give you a funny-looking cat.

After that, groom him every day to keep the mats out.

Good luck!

Answer 7

it depends how tight the knots are. if it's matted to the skin then it will have to be shaved at the groomers. cats have very thin skin. it paper thin so if the knots are to tight and your cat is getting stress out or irrigable from get the matts out you will have to get him or her shaved. most people have there long hair cats shaved liike a lion. it's call the lion cut it is a very popular cut with long hair cats. it will be easer maintenance for you and the cat.

Answer 8

Unfortunately there is no easy way to remove them without causing him alot of discomfort.They are impossible to brush out and if you cut them ,you risk cutting him too.The only way to do it is shave him and then keep up with the brushing when the fur grows back.If you do nothing it will cause him pain because the fur will keep twisting and will twist his skin as well.Good Luck!!!!!!!!

P.S. He may need to be sedated first, so check with the groomer.

Answer 9

i used to have the same exact problem with my coon.....until i switched foods and within a month his coat was easier to comb through. its been a year and no clumping....i switched to eagle pack i know it has alot of omega fatty acids that are good for the skin and coat. maybe it had something to do with it, maybe not. there are over the counter liquid supplaments that help with this issue, you add it to their food. but i think switching to a better food is better anyway.

Answer 10

You might just haveta shave your cat and then start grooming him frequently when his fur starts growing back