So, I've got an old girl cat I've had for just over a year. She's lovely but she took a while to trust me, she's still scared of strangers.
I always cuddle her and am affectionate with her. But recently I noticed a couple of matted areas on her spine - not big areas but noticeable small lumps, she struggles to groom there. I thought it was a small job so I waited until she was a bit distracted and then I set to work "massaging" these mats into three tufts like a mohawk, making sure they were well away from the skin. Then I cut them off and brushed her.
I can't describe her reaction. She didn't struggle or meow or make any sound, she just went very, very quiet and almost limp, like she did once before in the vets. And when it was done, she just turned away. I think she absolutely knew that I was cutting mats off and now she doesn't trust me. I don't think it could possibly have hurt, because I was massaging them and cut them straight off, I didn't try to brush them out. It's just so sad to me, she won't look at me and she's not purring and I'm clearly in the bad books. Please tell me this will pass!