Me again

Am begining to wonder how i've managed to keep my cat alive for the last 18 years without this forum!!!

My persian cat, Oscar, has got badly matted on his rear quarters. To say that he HATES being groomed is an understatement. I literally have to pin him down. As soon as he sees the towel that I put him on, he's off...under the table, the bed anywhere.

One side I have managed to sort out and was in the middle of sorting his other side out a few weeks ago. The evening of the day i groomed him he collapsed and fitted. No cause has been found for the fitting, but I did wonder whether the grooming stressed him out and may caused this (he has a heart murmer as well)

He's had to have a bath this morning as his rear end was messy - and that's not gone down well either - he still smells a bit (a damp cat smell).

He desperately needs a good groom but most places I have contacted won't touch persians as they say they are too agressive (!?). One place who offers a cat grooming service said that their groomer is allergic to cats

He's still badly matted where I only started to make in roads and I just don't know what combs or things to use. I am contemplating trying some clippers

Am sure with the weather getting warmer he would feel much better if I can get his coat sorted out.

Any tips/advice gladly received

where-abouts in the country are you?

if he gets so upset about grooming, may be worth having a word with your vet about tranquilisers for him? and I would see if you could get him an all over clip - he'll be comfier, you'll be less stressed and maybe you can re-introduce him to grooming with less stress from the short coat and with lots of fuss and treats as with the short coat it will be less of an ordeal

I'm near Ely in Cambridgeshire.

When he had to have some of his teeth removed last year the vets clipped him whilst they had him under anaesthetic. I don't really understand why he dislikes it so much as I've brushed him since he was a kitten in order to get him used to it.

Will talk to the vets or ask whether the nurse would clip him for me when I take him in to get his claws clipped.

Yes, I think it would be best if your vet could have him in and do the clipping under sedation, at least it will be quick and they can monitor him, given his age and heart murmour. I think anything you try at home, or even if you can find a groomer, is just going to stress him even more.

Once he's been clipped, like Indysmama mentioned, you can start from scratch. When I groom cats like Oscar, I start by stroking all over with a small piece of sheepskin for the first session, then, next session I'd use the sheepskin again, but then introduce a comb for every other stroke - after that I'd just slowly build up to using both comb and slicker brush for a full grooming session.

All the time I'm grooming reward with treats and never pin a cat down to groom - I just allow them to move around on the table (its easier to have them up at your level to groom - so, worktop, dining table etc - with bathmat to stop slipping) and just groom the bits I'm presented with lol! As soon as you start to pin them down, they feel trapped, and want to get away. It does work this way, it just takes time and patience, but you need to start with a coat isnt matted, otherwise it is painful for the cat to try and groom the knots out and they just associate grooming with pain.

Hi Jayne,

Have you tried different grooming devices? I used to use one my cat hated, but I purchased a furminator, which I now swear by. She still quite wriggly, but I don't have to apply so much pressure with this device, so can pretend to give her a quick stroke, but actually give a quick once over her fur!! Tonight I managed to get the last knot off her back end - result!

However, it's true what Ambercat says, that it's far less painful for the cat to start with unmattted hair, so she can associate it more with attention and stroking than hairs being ripped out, and the grooming should be subtle. Just do a little each day, than trying to tackle it all at once, and gradually it should start to untangle as new hair comes from underneath.

Also my cat is hyperthyroid so can be irritable at times, and they are renowned for being unkempt and not grooming themselves. Don't want to worry you, but if you do go back to the vet, just maybe mention there's no underlying problem here.

Good luck, hope you get her coat sorted soon...

Molly isn't particularly happy with grooming either, but I try and make a game of it. I have the furminator, a brush and a long tooth comb thing .... I will let Molly play with the brush, she does love to chew on it, whilst I use the other bits on her. I do sometimes end up chasing her round the living room brushing what I can I tend do do it for as long as she will allow, as soon as she's had enough she lets me know!! so little and often is the key

Also as for the washing of the bum area, Molly has the same problem with long hair and mess, rather than try bath her I use Wahl no rinse foam pet shampoo. You foam it up in your hands and rub it in so there is no need for water. She much prefers this method.

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Hi

Thanks for advice. Funnily enough the vet did think that Oscar had hyperthroidism (not sure how she came to that decision as she never asked me about his behaviour etc - I've since moved vets!), he was tested for this but his thyroid function came back as normal

Oooo will have a look for Wahl, admittedly I've not had to wash him for ages because of a toilet accident, he's been a bit poorly recently and I think his tummy has taken a while to get better....that and because I've been so concerned about his eating I've been feeding him anything and everything

Hi Jayne,

It is a shame you live, so far away.

You need to try and track down a Groomer that specialises in Feline Grooming alot of them are willing to travel, the trouble is alot of Dog groomers do not really understand the Pattern lines or have the specialist slings and restraints for Cats so they tend to steer away from them.

The most tender part on a Cat to get matted is the hind quarters, even with out you touching him the matts will be causing him a little discomfort, so pulling him around trying to free the matts can cause him alot of discomfort and stress. Also not sure if he is 18 or one of your other Cats are 18, however older Cats find it uncomfortable having their legs pulled apart, due to their hips getting stiff, so find it better to be in proper sling and groomed from underneath whilst standing.

You have to be careful using clippers on the inside of the hind legs the skin is extremely thin there and it is easy to tear the skin with a pair of clippers,if you can find someone and if your boy is bad it might be wise asking for a "Lions Cut" it is not the most attractive look but it is the best way to get him back on track, this will allow you to begin a grooming routine with him without him getting stressed due to Matts and Tatts.

Hope you get your boy sorted out Goodluck

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Jayne just realised you are Near Ely,

Give Joe Magri a call, I would imagine he will be able to help you he is an amazing groomer, and is very accomplished with Cat grooming .

http://www.kitzndogzgrooming.co.uk

He no longer actively grooms but I would imagine he can point you in the right direction of who does in your area.
Hope this helps you out

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