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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Flip

Original poster

Stroppy long haired mog who hates being groomed and matty bits of fur. Any advice?

18 replies

flippinada · 03/05/2013 21:24

Just that!

I got him when he was around a year old from a friend of a friend. He's always been quite "nervy".

He's a very handsome cat but it is nigh on impossible to groom him as I don't think he was socialised to it as a kitten and if you go near him with trimmers he goes nuts.

I have managed some cursory tatt maintenance by getting DS to bribe him with cat treats but this is no good for getting out the bigger mats.

Is there any way to manage this other than a trip to the vet? All suggestions welcome!

OP posts:

Bearandcub · 03/05/2013 21:32

Shave it and coat in varnish...?

cozietoesie · 03/05/2013 21:36

It may need to be the vets and sedation, I think. Has it occurred to you, though, that his reluctance to be attended to may be because his mats make him sore in places? Perhaps once they're all removed, he'll improve from then on?

Original poster

flippinada · 03/05/2013 21:39

Err..why would I put varnish on a cat?

OP posts:

Moomoomee · 03/05/2013 21:41

I used to get a very lovely cat groomer round to my house to cut my Persians hair really short once a month. I could never get him to sit still myself and resorted to crawling around behind him trying to get cursory brushes in on his bum

Original poster

flippinada · 03/05/2013 21:43

Oh I hadn't thought of that cozie. It didn't occur to me as he is not keen on grooming at all (done by me, I mean, does it quite happily himself) so I just assumed it was that .

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 03/05/2013 21:44

We got a rescue long haired. Used to have to trap her in the smallest room and almost sit on her! Ended up drugging her on catnip. She now loves being brushed. She also loves to rub her face on us to mark so I would offer her a comb instead. We also use a wide tooth comb. Teeth rotate so they don't get snagged in tangles. If your cat is seriously matted it may be a trip to the vets to detangle under anaesthetic.
(You don't mean electric trimmer surely? Noise would send my cat batshit!)

Original poster

flippinada · 03/05/2013 21:46

Moomoo that sounds like me!

I read about something called a scaredy cut clipper, has anyone heard of that and know if it's any good?

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 03/05/2013 21:46

A cat licking themselves must be a very different sensation to a person combing them. Have you ever had a knot in your hair and tried to comb it out? Ouch!

FloresCircumdati · 03/05/2013 21:48

My sister has her cat trimmed every year to 6 months. At first it was at the vet's, then a pet groomer visited, and now she has her own electric clippers and does it at home. The cat gets treats and very gentle treatment and she's gradually trained him over the years not to fight it. he still has to be held, but he doesn't struggle.

Original poster

flippinada · 03/05/2013 21:48

No, I'd never be able to get near him with an electric trimmer!

He's not seriously matted, no.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 03/05/2013 21:48

I'd be cautiously optimistic, flippinada. When I acquired Seniorboy at 13, he was totally unused to grooming and claw tip nipping. He now quite enjoys a groom and tolerates having his claw tips cut. I worked him round by doing the grooming as part of a love in every evening, starting off with just a little bit very gently, mimicking stroking - and then working up to more areas over a few weeks.

The claw tip nipping is not his favourite so I just catch him when he's in a sleepy mood.

Original poster

flippinada · 03/05/2013 21:49

Yes wolfie I see what you mean. Ouch.

OP posts:

Original poster

flippinada · 03/05/2013 21:56

That sounds like a good idea cozie he does love his fussing.

OP posts:

Lovethesea · 06/05/2013 21:07

The furminator comb is brilliant for long haired cats. Pulls out tons of underhair and loose hair. Huntercat has a matt very occasionally but it comes straight out with the furminator. Amazon do them.

Original poster

flippinada · 06/05/2013 21:11

Thanks lovethesea. I've ordered a matt remover so I'm going to give that a go and see how it works with the flipcat. I think I have a furminator lurking about so will see if I can dig it out.

OP posts:

Lovethesea · 06/05/2013 21:22

I like the catnip idea too - dump a ton in front of him then go for it while he is blissed out.

It's that or show him a shaved cat on youtube and threaten him with clippers!

Original poster

flippinada · 06/05/2013 21:34

Good idea; I hadn't considered catnip..I'm actually wondering why not!

Laughing at the idea of showing a shaved cat on Youtube...

OP posts:

HansieMom · 10/05/2013 17:10

Our (snarly) cat has to be sedated to be groomed. He gets a lion cut and looks adorable. Another of our cats is sweet and loving. I took her to vet to be done as it is convenient. She allowed her back to be done but then got stressed and tried to curl up when they tried for tummy, and when people came in to hold her legs she got more stressed. I do not blame her. They called and told me and suggested sedation which was done.

Another time, I took her to Petsmart and she seem kind of shell shocked when I picked her up. Now I know why. Poor baby.

When their hair is shaved off, they feel velvety. It is a nice break for a long haired cat to not have all that hair to groom.

Flip