My Tabby

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
My Tabby
14
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 3:43pm

Hi,
I have a problem!My tabby,Elmo his fur is all matted!I've tried everything trying to get the mats out except shaving him.I really don't want to do that!I even put conditioner in his fur and that didn't help!Do I really have to shave him to get them out?HELPPPPPPP!

SINCERELY,
mom_bevy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 4:29pm
I use a seam ripper,just be careful and hold the fur close to the skin when you do it but it is better than a scissors


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 4:43pm

Thank you for your reply clw!!!!!!!!!I really appreciate it!So your saying to cut them off!That's what my son said to do.His fur will grow back in,right.Thank you again!

Sincerely,
mom-bevy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 5:07pm

*WELCOME* to Cats Mom_bevy.

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 5:07pm
Sometimes cutting out mats is the only thing you can do. The fur WILL grow back! A friend of mine adopted a 10 year-old long-haired cat when her elderly owner passed away, and her fur was just full of mats. She got a professional groomer to come into her house, and she ended up just cutting them out since they were so bad. A month or two later she was all fluffy again and completely mat-free!



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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 6:00pm
I know this is true but if you use the seam ripper carefully it cuts the mats very gently , if yoiu paractice and are careful and will not cut the skin like a scissors will as I would never use that. Also

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 6:15pm

Thank you unicorn,I figured that's what I'll have to do.
I appreciate you answering me!

mom

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 6:21pm

Thank you cat woman!I appreciate you answering me!
They arn't down close to the skin,I can grab them
if he would sit still long enough,

Thank you again
mom

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2000
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 6:27pm

How you handle mats in pets all depends on how bad the mats are? I agree with Cat that you need to be very careful using any kind of scissors or seam rippers as you could easily tear or cut his skin and then you will end up in the vet's office for sure. They have grooming tools at the pet store designed to deal specifically with mats called "mat splitters". They are much safer than the alternative particularly if you're not familiar with cutting/splitting mats from a cat's hair. But if the mats are clear down to the skin and the skin is pulled tight you shouldn't even use the splitter as a novice. If they are bad you need to take him to a good groomer and let them shave him down.

If he's badly matted he will feel much more comfortable just be shaved down rather than the time it will take to split mats and brush them out of a badly matted cat. They usually don't like to sit still that long. Once you get him shaved his fur will grow back of course but you need to get him on a regular grooming schedule to prevent the mats from recurring. Ideally brushing or combing him daily if long hair but minimum weekly. This will not only help prevent mats but hairballs as well.

One tip, don't ever bathe an animal that has mats. The mats must be split or brushed out first as the water will just make them tighten up worse.

Good luck, Lynn

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: mom_bevy
Fri, 08-26-2005 - 7:12pm

Hi Mom_bevy.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: mom_bevy
Sat, 08-27-2005 - 9:32am

Hi,
Thank you for your reply!
That's what I figured I had to do!
Elmo is an 8 yr.old tabby!Really loving cat!
He was my son's but he couldn't take him with him when he moved out of town
so I took him in.He is the brother to one of mine!When I took him in I had
3 cats of my own.Cali,Tabby and Susie!Well Cali died of old age a few months
later
and I still miss her.She was 14 when she died!I love my cats and they all sleep
with me at night.
Thank you again for answering me!

Sincerely,
mom-bevy

How do you do that thing with the watering can at the end of your message?
That is nice!

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