Pet Lovers

[ScenicMaine]

Both my sr. girls, Fluffy & Ginger (Ginger especially) are getting nappy areas.  I'm told this happens with sr. kitties sometimes.

Ginger was always cooperative when I wanted to groom her.  Now, not so much.  She now has nappy areas on both sides of her ears & also both sides of her hip area near the tail.  Difficult to groom her without the tools getting caught in these areas.

Fluffy - was never cooperative!  I've had the vet shave her underbelly in the past.  The last time, she was so combative with both the Vet & Tech. they couldn't shave her.

Anyone else have difficult cats have any recommendations?  At 18 yrs. each, I've not wanted to take them to someone as it stresses them so much.  Thank you for your input.

[NickNack]

@ScenicMaine   By nappy, do you mean matted?  Henry gets mats, too, and I use a rake to get them out.  I ordered it from Amazon.  I have the 

GoPets Dematting Comb with 2 Sided Professional Grooming Rake for Cats & Dogs

[Luvitorleaveit1]

I ordered the same rake too from Amazon.  My cat Fire is older now so she is not so cooperative when it comes to me grooming her.  I have taken her to the groomer to shave her fur but just have not had the time.  Fire's hair has become matted underneath so I have been using the rake.  I manage to take care of her topcoat between cutting and the rake.

[ScenicMaine]

@NickNack @luvitorleaveit 

Thank you both.

I suppose matted is the better description.  Ginger's ear matted areas are different, they're thinner & longer.  I cut one side once & she didn't like it - it grew back again.  Then, her other ear got a few more.

I use the furminator first, then a wire brush.  I'm going to try grooming Ginger again soon as I'm afraid it could get worse.  Fluffy's matts are on her tummy area.  They aren't bad yet.

I'll just see how it goes, thanks again.

[NickNack]

@ScenicMaine   The furminator is just for loose hair.  It doesn't help mats at all.  The rake really does a good job on mats.  Sometimes all you can do is cut them out if they're too bad though.

[ScenicMaine]

@NickNack 

Maybe I'll try the tool you're using.  How does Henry like it?  

[noodleann]

My big fat ginger boy has a very dense undercoat that tends to mat where he can't reach to groom. I use flea combs or any comb with closely spaced teeth to groom him regularly and to go after knots. But he really loves to be curried with a slicker. I bought one by Safari and he adores it. It has a button on the back that you press to make the slicker needles disappear so the fur and fluff can be easily removed. I do have a biannual sanitary shave done at the vet's office as well, but it sounds as if you're getting pushback there.

If my boy didn't enjoy his grooming sessions, I'd try to bribe him with food because he's the most food-motivated cat I've ever known, or else I'd try to turn it into a petting session. But whatever I did, I'd keep it brief so I didn't overstress him.

Small flea combs are easier to control than longer combs with handles. Maybe that would help keep the comb from getting into sensitive areas.

Good luck.

[Sammycat1]

Buy an electric cat shaver yourself on Amazon and tackle the mats yourself. Just be careful and shave the mats a chunk at a time, starting with a piece at the top working more closely toward the skin--not the opposite...painful for them! Also, shut the trimmer off for a bit when you get close to the skin because they do heat up a bit the longer they're on. Also don't trim to the skin.

I got a reasonably priced one earlier this summer when our sick cat Fay Wray stopped grooming. Between a gentle brushing, hypoallergenic wipes to gently clean her coat every day and the shaver/trimmer, she felt 100% better.  

[NickNack]

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@ScenicMaine wrote:

@NickNack 

Maybe I'll try the tool you're using.  How does Henry like it?  

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@ScenicMaine   I highly suggest it.  It has two sides.  You use the side with the least amount of teeth for the mats and the other side for regular grooming.  It doesn't hurt Henry, and he's pretty much fine with it for the most part.  When I first got it, he had about six mats.  I used it on two a day until I got them.  He still gets mats, and I just keep it out and use it regularly.  If they're bad, you'll probably still have to cut some of them.

Like noodleann, I have the Vet do a potty patch when I take him in annually.  I make sure she does it long and wide.  She doesn't get super close but close enough to make a difference.

[hayseed00]

@NickNack  That is the best tool ever, our two cats have very nappy fur and this little gizmo works great and the cats like it.