Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

My poor boy has been scalped!

54 replies

dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:44

My 2 year old long haired cat had got matted and after searching about for a cat groomer (hardly any in my area - had to travel 25 minutes to get to them) he has been and got scalped! I try to brush him but he runs away and then his undercoat is so dense you can't get a comb or brush through it.

Since coming back my other cat has been very suspicious of him and has hissed and run away from him. Do you think he will eventually accept him again as his brother?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:46

Stupid thing won't let me attach pictures

OP posts:
Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:48

I've done the after before the before, sorry

My poor boy has been scalped!
My poor boy has been scalped!
OP posts:
Bookworm4 · 09/03/2019 17:49

Have they only done top of coat if underneath is still thick?

Bookworm4 · 09/03/2019 17:50

Dear God, that's awful, did you question the groomer?

Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:51

I was explaining how it got matted in the first place. He has some tail, face and leg fur left but the rest has been shaved

OP posts:
Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:51

How is it awful?

OP posts:
BayandBlonde · 09/03/2019 17:53

He is beautiful with both hairstyles Grin

I have two short hairs so don't suffer with the same issues (well actually I have a very hairy Shetland pony so can kind of relate!).

If I take my placid cat to the vet and leave the diva home alone, when we get back diva cat will attack and ignore placid cat for a good day. Although she soon gets over it and all is happy again.

I'm sure your boys will be fine

PineappleTart · 09/03/2019 17:53

Aww he'll just smell funny from the groomer, other cat will be fine

Dafspunk · 09/03/2019 17:53

Oh my god, poor cat.

Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:53

You would not have got a brush through the matting so it's easiest to take it off and start again. My other cat doesn't recognise him now though but I'm hoping he will settle down and accept him again

OP posts:
BayandBlonde · 09/03/2019 17:54

If he was matted, clipping it off is the best option. It will grow back.

It's a bit like people questioning me why I clip my Shetland naked! It's because his coat gets so thick, it makes him sweat and itch.

Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:55

I'm sure there's someone on here that takes their maine coon to get shaved a couple of times a year as he refuses to be groomed

OP posts:
BayandBlonde · 09/03/2019 17:56

@dementedpixie is this the first time he has been clipped?

Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:57

Yes it is. If I can keep on top of it he will just need to go to the groomer to get tidied up

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 09/03/2019 17:57

I used to have to take my persian for a lion cut a couple of times a year. He looked ridiculous. And every time I would swear that I wouldn't let it get to that state again, but it always did. I'm sure your boy will be more comfortable now.

Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 17:59

It's so hard when the fur is long and dense. You brush and then they go out and roll in some slugs and sticky willies and the hair is matted again!

OP posts:
BayandBlonde · 09/03/2019 17:59

@dementedpixie as the cat neuter said, he probably feels ten times better.

I do know trying to separate the hair to brush the undercoat then the main coat is a nightmare, especially if they aren't fans of being groomed.

TheSassyAssassin · 09/03/2019 18:01

I used to clip my long-haired girl throughout the summer months for a few years before she died because she struggled with heat exhaustion. As with your pic, I would leave her head, legs and tail but would take her body hair off totally. Took her to the vets like it once and they were v impressed and asked if I wanted a job there clipping! Grin Anyway, it will absolutely grow back and will be as luxurious as it was before so don't worry too much OP Smile

ChandelierSail · 09/03/2019 18:02

Clipping is much easier for them. He'll be fine. It'll grow back.

Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 18:04

He was licking himself ages when we got home. Probably the first time he's managed to clean properly in months. His under chin fur used to get caught in his mouth and then he'd choke on it. I worry he will get cold now. He's lying on my dining room chair next to the heater!

OP posts:
TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 09/03/2019 18:04

Groomer here. If the coat is badly matted then clipping is the quickest and kindest option rather than spending ages trying to brush out matts which can be very painful! Try to get him used to being brushed now that he is short again, it could be that it was uncomfortable before and that's why he'd run away.

As for the other cat, he'll be fine!

mimibunz · 09/03/2019 18:07

He probably feels better! He’s adorable, btw!

Original poster
dementedpixie · 09/03/2019 18:07

Why are there so few cat groomers about? There are lots of dog ones but no cat ones. I had to travel 25 minutes to get to the one I went to that I found via Facebook.

OP posts:
TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 09/03/2019 18:13

Because grooming a cat is far trickier than a dog, even the most well behaved of cats!

WhoGivesADamnForAFlakeyBandit · 09/03/2019 18:17

We used to have our long haired cat clipped under GA. Moved to a new vet and tried to book in for the same thing. He said there was absolutely no need for any anesthesia, he'd never heard of something so ridiculous. Of course he could clip a normal domestic cat. In all of his years of experience etc etc. Feel free to try without, I said.

Reader, he changed his mind Grin

So 25 minutes and no drugs sounds great.