Well apologies for not being around lately, Patch is doing fine, he is well and dandy! Just one thing bothering us at the moment...

Patch isn't exactly the most friendly cat even though we do try to socialise with him a lot..we introduced a brush to him (and have tried various different ones) since we first got him. We have a problem though, he isn't long haired, but he's not exactly short haired either..I'm not too good at cat breeds, but I'd guess he's in the middle.

Now of course, a cat with semi long hair (haha, i like that) who doesn't like a brush doesn't go well. He has very knotted fur in some places which is just so hard to get apart...we have tried brushing it but either he doesn't stay still long enough and attacks the brush or we just can't do it with the brush.

What do you think we should do?? We don't like the idea of shaving him ourselves, I think it could end in nasty results?? Would the vet be able to shave him and maybe give him something to calm him down?

Any ideas are greatly appreciated, thanks.

Jane

Have you tried a comb or slicker wire brush? These would be better than a bristle brush to help get through all the fur. If he already has some knots or mats, they do sell special tools. I think it's called a dematter or you will have to cut them out. If you do decide to have him shaved you may also be able to get it done at a groomers. Some will take cats, but call ahead first. I have often thought of shaving my cats for the summer, but that might send them off the deep end. We all know how picky they are about their little bodies :)

Have you tried a comb or slicker wire brush? These would be better than a bristle brush to help get through all the fur. If he already has some knots or mats, they do sell special tools. I think it's called a dematter or you will have to cut them out. If you do decide to have him shaved you may also be able to get it done at a groomers. Some will take cats, but call ahead first. I have often thought of shaving my cats for the summer, but that might send them off the deep end. We all know how picky they are about their little bodies :)

Thanks. Yep, we have tried a comb and didn't have much success...He has large areas where his fur is matted, is it worth trying to comb them out or will we never get them out? Do you know what a 'dematter' looks like? My "auntie" (dads cousin, but we call her our auntie) grooms dogs, so maybe we could try contacting her.

Thanks
Jane

I use a flea comb which the vet gave me. It works really well and Misty likes it much better than a brush. I have taken knots out of Misty also and she is semi-long as yours is. It's not easy getting matts out but I do a little each day when she does have them and the comb works altho she doesn't just sit there cuz getting the matts out are not easy and it probably hurts her a little.

I knew I saw this thing somewhere! Here is one available from Petsmart http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441813618&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025565&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1179231658528&itemNo=44&Nao=24&In=Cat&N=2025565&Ne=2

I have never had to use one but it might help you. I know this sounds mean, but when It comes to stuff that needs to be done for their welfare, I won't take no for an answer. I have a special bag I have used when dispensing oral meds and clipping nails. Usually now I don't need to use it as they have learned that I will get things done either the hard way or the easy way. You might try putting a harness or non-safety collar on him so he can't run off. Then get down to business. He won't like it, but my cats usually forgive me as soon as everything's over.

Thank to both of you ;)

I knew I saw this thing somewhere! Here is one available from Petsmart http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441813618&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025565&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1179231658528&itemNo=44&Nao=24&In=Cat&N=2025565&Ne=2

I have never had to use one but it might help you. I know this sounds mean, but when It comes to stuff that needs to be done for their welfare, I won't take no for an answer. I have a special bag I have used when dispensing oral meds and clipping nails. Usually now I don't need to use it as they have learned that I will get things done either the hard way or the easy way. You might try putting a harness or non-safety collar on him so he can't run off. Then get down to business. He won't like it, but my cats usually forgive me as soon as everything's over.

That looks okay, will try and find something similar here. He does have a harness and a collar but we havn't had much success with him wearing either. With a collar no matter how tight we put it (and of course we can't put it too tight) he manages to get his chin under it and it then strangles him...it is one of those breakaway ones but they never broke when it happened.

Thanks.

I have to comb my cats just a little at a time. So you might try short, more frequent grooming sessions. Start when he is resting/sleeping.

Also are you able to give him baths? If you get a cat conditioner or shampoo for long haired cats that can help very much with brushing them. We have a medium haired cat and we don't ever need to brush him because of tangles. We use a hariball control shampoo that has conditioner beads in it. It works great and we have never seen a tangle.

One of my neigbor's had her cat shaved for the summer, and she had it done at the vets.

They shave cats at my vet too.

You know, my cats HATED being brushed...and that made it real easy for me to slack off about it, because it wasn't fun at all. I broke down and bought a Furminator and it's awesome. Initially, they resisted but there's something different about the Furminator. They actually LIKE being combed, and it takes out tons of hair. It's great.

Before that, my favorite was the flea comb.