anyone have hints for grooming long-haired cats?

[Lisa]

I was invited for dinner last night by the people whom I sometimes cat-sit for.

In the past couple of months, kitty has developed fur mats (only fingernail-sized, but they're in sensitive places like behind the ears, under the chin, and on the tummy).

He's a 2-year-old Ragdoll who gets brushed at least once a day. Bad teeth or other health problems don't seem to be playing a role (just had a clean checkup). I am wondering whether the tangling is due to a thicker winter coat, since he was fine during the summer.

Has anyone else here seen a similar situation, and what (aside from shaving the cat) have you tried?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. The fine hairs of their winter coat become entagled

with regular length hairs. I simply cut them off my rag doll..she does need to be brushed daily in winter to keep them from getting matted..but they get matted beyond repair and can be painful for the cat too.

[mmm]

2. cream corn starch...

work it in, separate those tangles with your fingers
and comb them out.
Sometimes you have to clip out that matted fur (be gentle).
Do it as soon as you find them, eventually those tangled mats pinch the cat's skin (when they become dreadlocks you end up with rasta-kitty).

[tomreedtoon]

3. Although I don't own a cat...

...I helped my friend Elaine pick up a pair of cats in Miami, about four hours away, from a lady who was dying of cancer. She couldn't keep grooming them, and the local Humane Society wouldn't take them. Elaine did, and found them good homes.

One of the cats was so matted (because the poor lady didn't have the strength to comb) that Elaine had to simply cut the hair and shave the poor critter. She said it was better than trying to untangle the hair and cause the cat tremendous pain.

She's a hell of a nice lady. Unfortunately, she won't vote because, as she says, "it only encourages them." Which I suppose is like saying, "don't cut the matted hair on that cat. It only encourages the hair."

[kanrok]

4. I think the natural way is best

Lick them.

[Lisa]

5. thanks everyone!

I guess they don't sell grooming devices under the name "cat-a-comb", eh?

[put out]

6. A suit of armor? Chain mail gloves?

A mask, goggles? A taser gun? A tarp? I know; a shot of whiskey and a rebel yell, when you're done.

[trof]

7. Flobee?

[put out]

8. You go first, and please take photographs.

Combine it with a wet/dry vac. We'll make a zillion $.

I'm in.

[trof]

9. I've always wanted to try it on Ace.

I have a mental image of trying to peel him off the ceiling.

[trof]

10. also, see this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=578063

[Capn Sunshine]

11. I recommend those Igea things

here's our Persian after treatment: