Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

My 9 year old Maine Coon Cat's hair gets matted up and has to be shaven about every 6 months. I do a pretty good job keeping it brushed but inevitably after a while, he gets mats and clumps in it that I can't get out. His hair is like cotton...not soft at all. Is there anything I can do to soften his hair up so that it doesn't get so matted up and so difficult to brush? Thanks!

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

I had a Maine Coon for 14 years so I know exactly what you're talking about. My kitty used to get horrible mats on his belly and under his arms (front legs) until I got a dematter at Petco...it was in the dog section with all the brushes. it looks like a metal comb with a handle on it, but the blades are actually little razors (hard to describe) and would just rake through that fur like nobody's business. He didn't mind it at all, but he sure used to get pissed off at me if I tried using a regular comb or brush (probably because it took so long). So, I would get one of those. Also, there's a rubber "glove" with nubby things on it that you can get that doesn't look like it will do ANYTHING but it really is good for removing all that extra fur before it can turn into mats. Get those 2 grooming devices and you'll be all set.

BTW, my vet also told me to NEVER EVER try to cut a mat out of the cat's fur with scissors...if you nick his skin even a little bit it can lead to a BIG cut...their skin isn't like ours and doesn't "close up" around a little cut, so even a small wound can lead to big problems.

Good luck!!!

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

Introduction

A Maine Coon is a big beautiful cat that makes a wonderful family pet. But you must be prepared to maintain a long coat if you decide to make a Maine Coon a member of your family. Follow these steps to learn how to groom your Maine Coon.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need

Slicker brush

Metal comb

Toenail clippers

Pet shampoo

Absorbent towels

Blow dryer

Steps

1Step OneBrush your cat's coat thoroughly at least twice a week. Use a slicker brush and then go through his coat with a metal comb to make sure you have gotten all of the snarls out of his hair. If you start to notice a lot of tangles and matting, brush him more often.

2Step TwoClip his toenails at least once a month. This will protect your furniture as well as keep him from getting ingrown toenails. If you start when he is a kitten, it will make the job a lot easier for both of you.

3Step ThreeBathe your Maine Coon whenever he develops an odor or looks greasy. Gather the supplies and fill the sink with only a few inches of water. Put your cat in the sink and hold him securely while you wash him.

4Step FourSqueeze the excess water from his coat to speed up the drying time. Wrap him in several towels to keep him from getting cold. Brush him so his hair dries nicely.

5Step FiveBlow dry your cat, if he will let you, to make him look nice and fluffy. Blow dry on a cool setting to prevent him from overheating.

6Step SixGet professional help if your Maine Coon cat gets severely matted. Mats hurt when they are brushed out and can cause skin irritation. A professional groomer will use clippers and shave badly matted areas. Your cat will look a little funny at first but it the most humane way of dealing with a matted coat.

Tips %26amp; Warnings

If your cat gets aggressive when you groom him, hold his scruff so you have more control of his face. It won't hurt him and it will keep you from being injured.

Introduction

Grooming your cat regularly with a brush or comb will reduce the occurrence of mats in the fur. Unfortunately, many cats wind up with matted fur because they hate to be groomed. Here's how to deal with the problem, which occurs most often in longhairs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

Manicure Scissors

Hair-ball Treatment

Kitty Treats

Steps

1Step OneAttempt to remove the fur mat after the cat has eaten. Cats tend to be more relaxed after meals.

2Step TwoAdopt a calm and soothing demeanor as you approach the cat. Have your manicure scissors hidden in your pocket as you pet the cat.

3Step ThreeOnce the cat is relaxed, try to work out the fur mat with your fingers. Pull out the scissors if that doesn't work.

4Step FourSnip down the middle of the fur mat, far from the skin. It's quite easy to snip the skin accidentally on longhaired cats, so work carefully.

5Step FiveSlowly work apart the fur mat with your fingers. Snip away a little more if necessary. Reassure the cat in a soothing voice as you snip. If she becomes upset, stop and come back to the task later.

6Step SixOnce you've worked apart the fur mat and it's clearly away from the skin, cut it off.

7Step SevenReward the cat's cooperation with a kitty treat.

8Step EightIf the cat has several fur mats, remove them at separate times. The cat will quickly lose her patience after you remove the first fur mat. Build trust with a gentle approach and kitty treats to make future encounters easier.

9Step NineBring the cat to a professional groomer if the cat is unapproachable, if the fur mat is in a delicate area or if the mats are extremely tangled.

10Step TenPurchase a hair-ball treatment at a pet store to help your cat eliminate a troublesome hair ball. Or feed the cat butter or a can of oily sardines

Introduction

Fur knots are painful to your cat. They pull the skin underneath and can cause irritations and abrasions. Removing them is often difficult as the area is sensitive.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

Scissors

Comb

Coat detangler

Steps

1Step OneChoose a time when your cat is calm or sleeping.

2Step TwoLocate the mat with your fingers.

3Step ThreeGentle slip one blade of the scissors between the skin and the fur mat.

4Step FourCut the mat, being careful to cut perpendicular to the skin.

5Step FiveRepeat steps 3 and 4 as needed to reduce the mat into smaller sections.

6Step SixOnce the mat is in small sections, use your fingers or a comb sprayed with coat detangler to gently tease the mats out.

Tips %26amp; Warnings

A second pair of hands to keep the cat calm can work wonders.

Simply cutting the mat into smaller sections helps relieve the stress on the skin under the mat. This removes much of the pain the cat feels.

If the mats are bad, take several days to slowly cut and remove mats.

Always stop when your cat gets stressed.

Never cut the fur mat parallel to the skin as it is all too easy to cut the skin.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

I have same prob. w/my long-hair cats.

Someone suggested rubbing on some olive oil or safe conditioner on the areas known to easy mat up,.. but I have not tried it.

I only cut off the matts when the cat is distracted each time it forms.

Gd. luck.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

You should brush a medium haired cat once a month. If you have a long haired cat, you should brush it daily.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

Add some fish oil to his diet.

Don't bother buying food that has fish oil in it - that's been processed along with the food until it's just about inert.

Get some type of fish oil, like salmon oil, and give some to your cat everyday.

Per my vet, this helps with hairballs too.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

try a leave in conditioner. do a test spot someplace on the cat to be sure not allergic. or try brushing with something like no more tangles.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

You may just need to brush more often. You might also try changing his food - something with more amino acids and/or salmon oil may condition the coat from the inside and reduce the mats.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

Add a little bit of Cod Liver Oil (just a little) or Linotone (linotinic?) to his wet food once in a while -- in fact, how is his food? Is it premium food or inexpensive store bought?? Food could play a big role in fur and hair issues. My Cee Cee (LH) and Big Bad Baby Twinkle (MH) both had wiry harsh hair when I first got them (and I also brush them every day) - after eating quality wet food their hair is now like silk.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

You need to brush it every day!!!!!!!!

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

I'm not sure, but I do know that inability to groom itself properly in the rear end can be a sign of obesity. If your cat is too fat to reach it's hind end and groom, then you get mats that are out of control.

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

buy a cat rush at a pet store and brush it eveyr once in a while. my cat loves it

Any remedies to stop cat's hair from getting matted?

Try Nair.