Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My oldest cat, Henry (4 and 1/2)is handicapped. He has very short front legs and cannot jump. He is Himalayan and has very long fur. Everytime he goes to the vet (his 'annual' is early January)they ask if I mind if they shave his butt, because of the long fur he tends to get litter-filled mats there. I always say yes. Well, now that shedding season is upon us, I noticed his underside is full of several (somewhat loose) mats. He also has the 'butt mats'. Now he doesn't like to be handled. He likes to be petted, but when you try to pick him up he will either dig his claws into carpet or 'back up' if he's on a smooth surface. I can pick him up tho, because he's small (right under 8 lbs.)and tends to walk slow due to short legs. Last night I picked him up and worked on some of the mats. I got some off fairly easy, but when he started digging his claws in and biting on my wrist, I let him go. I feel I can continue this (some, like the 'butt mats' may need to be cut with safety scissors)I may need a little help with the butt. But should I? Do you think I'll traumatize him too much? Or will shedding take care of things eventually? There's quite a few and he never got this bad in previous years, just an occassional butt or ruff mat that I removed. It would probably take a few sessions, but I don't want him to start avoiding me.

Shedding is only going to make the mats worse. You need to either bring him back to the vet and have them shave him or try to remove the mats yourself. But if you do try to remove them your self be very careful mats some times have skin stuck in them.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

You say he likes to be petted. You could try to groom him without actually picking him up. Sort of petting him with a soft brush, and if you do this every day or ever so often he will get used to it. May best to start when he has been shaved and the fur has grown a little. Then it will not hurt. Reward him with a small treat every time he lets you groom him just a little. This will not help you now, but perhaps later.

Regards from Anne and Johnny and Ronja (the two Norwegian Forest Cats)

Since the cat doesn't really like being groomed, I recommend you have either the vet or the groomer deal with the mats. Cutting mats off can be dangerous!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

After the mats are gone try brushing him when he is eating. This is what we do with Evil Patches. She is so busy eating she doesn't notice.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker