Conference misery::feline

I've never found brushing to be good for anything other
than smoothing the surface fur.  Try a thorough combing
once a week using a flea comb and combing against the
fur, from tail to head.  This gets all of the loose fur
all the way down to the skin, and if done at least once
a week should prevent knots.

					Larry
					  ~

    My Persian used to get occasional doses of Linatone on his food.  It
    made his hair feel so much softer & silkier and it seems as though it
    was more manageable.  (rather like a human using hair conditioner; less
    knots)  Aren't there conditioners available just for this reason?

    If you use a conditioner when you bathe him, then that will help cut
    down on dry fur and static, two things that make fur matt more readily.
    
    And I second the comb suggestion.  Brushes seem to increase static, but
    never get all the way through the coat.
    
    Jo

    Try one of those combs with the rotating teeth.  I have a Himalayan and
    although his coat isn't real long, it is thick and has a tendency to
    matt on the stomach and between the legs.  This comb really works well
    to loosen tangled fur.
    
    A good pet supply store should carry them.
    
    -Roberta
    

    Has anyone tried one of those mat combs that actually have
    sharpened teeth?   Nique has got some really gross mats,
    and while I've been able to remove a few, I think they
    are starting to pull, and they are causing her discomfort.
    
    Lynne
    
    p.s. she resists my attempts to get them off! (:

    Lynne,
    
    Have you tried spraying her with a little Show Sheen? I found it works
    really well on snarls/tangles. But if it's a tight mat that is close to
    the skin, I'd cut it off and brush the rest.
    
    As far as using one of those mat combs, I don't think I've seen one.
    Just the tiny metal bristle brushes which works well on my long haired
    cat.
    
    Roslyn

if the mat is tight to the skin, please don't cut it unless you are sure
you won't get skin...I'd suggest a visit to the vet to have the cat mildly
sedated and the worst knots shaved...it is really important to get them
off as they can be extremely painful - and a mat will aways keep growing
until it is pulling the fur just as if someone grabbed your hair and yanked
you off the ground with it - in short, it hurts!!

the mat comb with sharpened teeth can do real damage to pulled skin too,
it is only effective on mats that have not yet gotten to the skin...and
I've seen those using one of these combs really cut THEMSELVES and bleed
all over the cat/dog....

If you cannot comb the cat regularly, have you considered keeping her
clipped to approx. 1 inch length of fur?  Some folks do and the cats seem
to adjust to the clipping better than the painful mat removal that is
required unless you comb regularly.

    That's the bummer part of this....I have been brushing her!
    She lives outdoors, in the barn.  I knew she would get mats,
    so I've been brushing her.  Brushing has helped, but being
    an outdoor cat, into bushes, hay, bird hunting, etc. and
    getting wet from rain/dew made her get them faster than I
    thought...sigh
    
    L-

    I saw an ad in the current issue of Cats Magazine for a new product
    called MATbreaker, The Pet Lover's Dematting Tool.  It has six
    stainless steel blades that present a smooth, non-cutting edge to pet's
    skin and is reversible for lefty's.  For ordering information call
    1-800-255-8989.  No price was listed.
    
    Jo

    Can anyone help me?  I have two persain cat's (Miss Snuggles and Miss
    Tiffany).  They have very heavy long coats and are always getting
    knotted with the dry heat in the house.  I have a humidifiers going
    and try to brush/comb them often, but still no luck.  I have tried the
    lanolin spray, but I think the Miss Tiffany is allergic to it.  She
    scratches and sneezes after being sprayed.  I DO NOT want to have them
    shaved, especially in this cold weather.  Any suggetions???
    
    I live in the Ashburhham/Gardner area would love to find a good,
    reasonable, carring groomer if possible.  I don't like having them 
    put to sleep to be groomed, as most do.
    
    Thanks for your help.
    Denise
    DTN 241-3143
    WMOIS::LEBLANC_DEN
    OR
    DENISE LEBLANC @WMO

    There is another note on static problems/dry heat.  Keep the
    humidifiers going, and add a vaporizer if necessary.  Don't use a brush
    on their coats; use a wide tooth comb (I have a Himalayan and use the
    combs with the rotating teeth; picked it up for about $10 at a cat show
    and it works wonderfully), as brushes will only increase the static.
    
    Holly made a great suggestion in a previous note (as did Sue with the
    vaporizer!).  There is a product made by "Ring 5" called "Coat Gloss",
    which is anti-static.  I also purchased this at a cat show.  Just spray
    some on your hands and run them through the cat's coat, and it will
    greatly reduce the static electricity.  It feels very light and will
    not build up on the coat.
    
    This weather is the absolute worst!!
    
    -Roberta