Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! I am looking for some help with my kitty Fluffy. He is a dlh, and while I try to keep him combed out, it seems no sooner do I set the comb down, and a matt pops up somewhere! Under the arms and groin are prime spots, and also for some reason, he gets them on each side just above his haunches. Any suggestions besides brushing and keeping him combed?? I have read about using talcum powder, and am not sure what purpose it would serve, or what help it would be, but I am open to anything. I have clipped his matts out before, and he tolerates it, but I would really like to stay away from needing to if possible! HELP!?? Thanks!

I don't have much to say, except that the same happens with Bob. I've heard about talc, but I'm not sure if it would work as people claim.
Yesterday actually I was about to buy a dematter comb (it has little blades to cut through the mat) but my cat being the way he is I am sure someone would get hurt (probably me) LOL! If your cat seems to tolerate being combed and trimmed (and CAN stay still for a while), then I think I could recommend buying the comb.
Right now Bob has his butt and rear legs slightly trimmed, but as soon as the weather gets warmer, he is getting a lioncut!
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Bob, Daisy, Karla and the Goldfish

>>Right now Bob has his butt and rear legs slightly trimmed, but as soon as the weather gets warmer, he is getting a lioncut!

My cat, Simba, gets a lion cut at least once, but sometimes twice a year too. I think that he looks pretty fancy-smancie with it. In addition to taking care of the mats, which he usually doesn't get too many of, it cuts down on the shedding in the house and is cooler in the summertime in Iowa's high humidity.

Here's a photo of him right after he got a lion cut a couple of years ago. This picture of him shows the $29 cat tree that I got at Walmart. The tree is still in good condition.

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

Ok, I am jealous...my Walmart doesn't have any cat trees, much less a fairly nice one at $29 dollars!! What a steal, and it looks like it is well appreciated too! I don't know about getting him a full lion clip, he only has a couple of problem areas (ok, more than a couple...sigh). I don't mind clipping them out, but like I said, seems I no sooner do it, and there is another right where I took the one out! Maybe he just likes having them (doubt it!) Oh well, will just keep brushing him and clipping them out I guess, until I break down and decide to get him a fancy haircut! By the way, do you find the hair grows back as nicely?? I have heard that once it is shaved, it is never quite the same...and he does have a gorgeous (albiet slightly matted) coat.

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Mia Liger Fluffy Banzai Smudge Hazy
& Midas ~ Golden Retriever and honorary cat

>>Ok, I am jealous...my Walmart doesn't have any cat trees, much less a fairly nice one at $29 dollars!! What a steal, and it looks like it is well appreciated too!

Are you absolutely certain that your Walmart doesn't have any of these cat trees because many Walmarts do carry them. They are in the pet area and are not in plain sight...you have to look clear up on a top shelf. They're in a box completely unassembled, of course. A coworker of mine told me about getting one for her cat and where I could find them. I went that very day after work and then couldn't find them so I asked a sales clerk about them. He showed me where they are and also got it down for me and carried it out to my car. They are floor to ceiling and only cost $29. You can't beat that! The cats have had it for two years now and usually sit on it to do squirrel and bird watching, especially in the Spring and Summer.

By the way, do you find the hair grows back as nicely?? I have heard that once it is shaved, it is never quite the same...and he does have a gorgeous (albiet slightly matted) coat.

Well, he did originally have a white body but after the first short clipping, it grew back in a orangish color like his legs, tail and the points on his ears. He looks a lot better when it's clipped and rather wild and unruly when it's not.

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

I will double check on the cat tree at Walmart, I am pretty much look at everything they have in the pet section, but I may well have missed it. Will look again, and also ask this time.

As for the lion clip, Fluffy and I will talk it over, and see what we come up with. Perhaps even modifying it so his belly and "arm pits" are shaved clean would help, we'll see what happens. If I do clip him down (or have it done...), will surely take a pic of him and post it!!

Thanks for all your help!!
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Mia Liger Fluffy Banzai Smudge Hazy
& Midas ~ Golden Retriever and honorary cat

Dang...$29 cat trees??? I take it you are NOT in New York! LOL.
I'll have to double check my Walmart as well. I have never seen any cat trees there either. Hubby and I usually make our own since they are simple enough to make, but for $29 I'll save the time & energy.

As for the long hair matting....I havea similar problem with Maddie's fur. She tends to mat under her arms and along her belly between her legs. Some mainecoon breeders at a cat show I went to a few years ago told me to rub some corn starch into the mats and they easily untangle (if they are not already tightened too much)and I can comb some through her fur to prevent matting. It coats the fur and makes it kind of silky and it really does work on Maddie. They advised against talc though because they said the cat could breathe it in. I'm careful with the corn starch though but at least when she grooms herself, I don't have to worry about it harming her. The other thing that helps is the grooming glove. I guess it helps prevent matts because it gets the dead fur off before it has a chance to get all tingle dup in there.
Purrs,
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Munchie

...Maddie is hissing at me because I forgot to post her picture with my reply.

Purrs,

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Munchie

>>...Maddie is hissing at me because I forgot to post her picture with my reply.
>>
>>Purrs,>>Munchie

Oh my goodness, Maddie is just gorgeous!! I'll trade you the $29 cat tree for her.. heeheehee.

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

Uh Ruby, I don't think so. Maddie is her daddy's pride and joy. But we got some rescues who look just like her!
Purrs,
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Munchie

Alright, we will give the cornstarch a try. Poor Fluffy is going to looks like a dalmation by the time I am done for sure, but we'll give it a try!! I am not sure how tight his matts are, but I have the clippers ready if I need to use it, he is pretty good about it, as good as a cat can be about something vibrating and cutting off fur can be I suppose. ::looks around:: Now where the heck did he head off too??? hehe...
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Mia Liger Fluffy Banzai Smudge Hazy
& Midas ~ Golden Retriever and honorary cat