Portia is nearly 19... still alive and slapping me. Still purring and pottering round the garden .
But..she has stopped grooming herself. She has some arthritis and is definitely stiffer in the mornings. She is a semi long hair but it's fine and silky and we have never ever had to groom her..18+ years knot free!
Now suddenly it is matting, I think she is simply too old, tired and stiff to bother. We managed to hold her and cut and comb some out tonight (I have the claw marks to prove it!) but she hates being held.
Is there any way to make this easier? We groom Ophie daily and well, we all know about Obie and his shave of shame, but Portia is a tiny frail old lady and I don't want to distress her, but I don't want her fur to matt as it will pull at her skin and she is very old!
Any tips gratefully received!
BTW she does have Metacam for pain relief but it has to be used sparingly as it gives her the runs!