Thread: Matted fur

Sidney was a complete non-matter until about a month ago. A tiny mat appeared in his armpit (legpit?) which I got out with the FURMINATOR (sorry, but it does need capitals!). The next day another one had appeared and before I could completely remove it I had to clear up the bloodbath, then Sid escaped. I read on the web that getting mats wet was a BAD idea, but Sidney is very independent and wouldn't listen to me.

So, for three days we battled. I stripped out chunks of mat, he licked them back with a vengeance.

On the fourth day, I looked up cat groomers. £70 for a full de-mat.

On the fifth day, I rang the vet. I signed the paperwork to have the little fur-ball sedated - he was wearing a breastplate of solid mat from chest to groin - and the vet and his nurse got out the clippers. Within 10 minutes the job was done - no sedation, he just let them clip it all off. £27. From the top and side he looks unchanged, but when he rolls on his back he looks like a raw pork sausage! Even better, he has polka-dots where his fur is speckled!

It is starting to mat again around the edges, so rather than have a completely bald cat (which h as not yet been completely ruled out) it's FURMINATOR time again. I hope that if we can get rid of the undercoat and talc him up, then the problem is over.

(We think the trigger was the daily baths he had for a month due to covering himself with ear-mite ear drops - I have not yet found a conditioning shampoo or cats which can do the job.)

Quick question - my own hair is pretty fine and mats easily and I keep on top of it with Moroccan Oil. Anyone know if its safe for cats? I don't lick my own hair, so I'm not sure if it's edible!