Elderly cat and badly matted fur

[cuibozo]

Do i need to shave him? It's on either side of his tail and is really badly matted. He's a shorthair moggy (neutered) aged about 16.

I would get the vet to do it, their skin tears easily. He'll be a much happier cat for it.

your vet will do this for you it wont be pretty but it will be so much more comfy

Brilliant thanks! I was worried about hurting him. He won't appreciate it but has to be done

Don't try scissors, whatever you do. My old cat tolerated electric grooming clippers, but end result was a bit like the sheep dog on the Specsavers advert! Your best bet is vet or professional groomer.

Has he stopped grooming himself there?

I managed to detangle a friend's cat (by request!) by cutting through the knots half way down, ie leaving him with quite a lot of fur, but then the rest of the knot brushed out fairly easily. Took about a week of working in small 5 minute sessions now and again. Cat much happier afterwards, still had enough fur to look normalish.