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

Original poster

Matted fur

8 replies

annlee3817 · 14/10/2023 00:43

My cat has some large clumps of matted fur, never been an issue before, she's a short hair, but had a month of being really poorly to the point the vet thought she was at the end of her life, she is an older cat at 13, but then made a rather miraculous recovery. We're wondering if it's because she wasn't grooming herself when she was poorly. I've tried to comb it, but she's not particularly keen and it will take some work, Any tips for helping get the Matt's out?

OP posts:
caringcarer · 14/10/2023 01:02

annlee3817 · 14/10/2023 00:43

My cat has some large clumps of matted fur, never been an issue before, she's a short hair, but had a month of being really poorly to the point the vet thought she was at the end of her life, she is an older cat at 13, but then made a rather miraculous recovery. We're wondering if it's because she wasn't grooming herself when she was poorly. I've tried to comb it, but she's not particularly keen and it will take some work, Any tips for helping get the Matt's out?

Use a dog detangle spray and just do a small bit at a time so not to stress your cat. 13 is not for a cat at all. I had one that lived to 21.

DramaAlpaca · 14/10/2023 01:03

My DS adopted an elderly stray with badly matted fur. We got our vet to check her over and give her a good grooming to get rid of the mats. I think it might've been done under sedation. She was like a new cat afterwards.

OhDoSitDownAndShutUp · 14/10/2023 01:05

13 isn't that old. My last 2 cats lived to be 19.

I bought a dog grooming tool from Pets at Home (or whatever it is called nowadays). It's got little blades in the teeth (obviously, it won't hurt an animal's skin). It cuts through matts with no effort. £10 very well spent

silentpool · 14/10/2023 01:10

I get the clippers out and the cat likes that far better than having the matting brushed out. I don't want to pay for grooming so I have him used to getting haircuts at home.

Original poster
annlee3817 · 14/10/2023 04:58

It's old for her breed apparently,, I do know it's not old old, which is why I said older, my last two were "21 and 22 when they died. Ah great, will nip to pets at home later today :)

OP posts:
marshmallowfinder · 14/10/2023 05:45

Older cats can find it painful to twist round to groom, due to arthritis, decreased mobility etc. Just something to bear in mind/seek pain relief for. I use quiet, cordless clippers (loads on Amazon) to gently and painlessly remove mats one by one. Brushing and combing will be too uncomfortable.

mathanxiety · 14/10/2023 06:22

Get a hair scissors and a bag of treats.

Give the cat a good, gentle brushing or scritching for a while to relax her.

Cut the mattes very carefully without pulling up the fur. You can go at the from the outer edge snip by snip or dive in at the roots.

Give the cat a treat when your session is over.

My cat is a very fluffy beastie who moults twice a year, and develops mattes as a result.

Original poster
annlee3817 · 14/10/2023 20:40

Thanks all. Will take note of the above and give it a go, finding clumps of fur over the house, so clearly bothering her

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