Cat with matted hair

[BigWhiteRabbit]

Our cat is getting older now, he's 12. He's also quite large (not because we over feed him but others in the neighbourhood might) and, very fluffy.
Now he's getting older he's struggling to clean himself and his hair is getting very matted. What should I do? He hates being groomed by us, it's terrible for all concerned.
Should he be completely shaved? Seems a bad option too, especially in this weather.
I'd be grateful for advice, I'll take him to.the vet too but interested to hear what others might say. Thanks

I would take your cat to the vets. Mats are painful. Presumably he doesn't tolerate brushing?

We had an old lady (25! and completely insane) who had this problem, exacerbated by the fact that she was very grumpy and didn't like people much. How we did it- my partner, who she tolerated, sat at her head end, made soothing noises and stroked her head, while I used a flea comb and my fingers to very gently tease out the maths, more or less as I'd untangle knots in my own hair, ie holding the fur near the skin so it didn't pull. If you went anywhere near her with a brush she'd run away.
It might be worth trying to distract yours with something like lik-e-lix, too, or use that at the end as a reward/bribe. Good luck!

I have two hairy Maine coons. The female never gets matted but the male seems to go in phases. Currently he’s quite matted and will only tolerate being brushed for a few minutes, especially as the worst mats are on his hind legs and close to his bits! So I’ve got a cat groomer coming. She’ll sort him, and if parts need shaving then it’s a chance to really get on top of brushing to stop it happening again.

I get my DD to give dreamies and I shave them off! She’s a right ratty one but this works!