Getting rid of Knots?

baloneysmom

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My Bugsy has pretty long hair. All of my previous cats over the years have been short hair so donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t know much on this issue. I was getting a cuddle session from my guy the other day and noticed small knots on his bum area, neck and under arms. My first response to this was to think about getting a buzzer and shave the guy (not bald of course, but trim his hair somewhat so he never gets knots). Is this normal practice? Or is there some sort of product, brush thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s made for this?

I would also like to add that I had my boyfriend hold him while I cut his knots with scissors but its so hard to tell where his skin starts and I got scared. Thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s why I would like to know if there is another option.

Thanks! Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m sure Bugsy appreciates any information, that canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t be too pleasant.

Oh, one other question. If I did shave him can you go right over the knots? Or would that pull at his skin and get caught in the blades.

Thanks again!
 

missymotus

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If you cut them out, first slide a comb under the knot so it's lying flat against the skin then you just cut along the comb.

Shaving I would only get done by a groomer.

Many long hairs require daily combing to keep their coats nice, I used to use a wide tooth comb followed by a narrower tooth on my former long hairs.
 
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baloneysmom

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Great! Thanks so much for your answer. His knots are tiny now but i donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t want to wait until they get larger and pull at his pink sensitive skin. Right after work i will get a toothcomb! I only have a bristle one.

Thanks again! Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m sure my little Bugster thanks you too.
 

white cat lover

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I, too, learned through the seat of my pants how to groom a LH. Keeping a comb between the mat & the skin is good for clipping them out. I also comb (not brush, I hate brushes they make mats worse) her out daily. Albiet she about kills me in the process, but I do it anyways!
 

goldenkitty45

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If he needs to be shaved, take him to a professional groomer! Don't do it yourself. Cats have sensitive skin.

You need a fine toothed comb and a medium toothed comb and the cat has to be groomed every day or every other day. Very few longhair cats can get away with once a week or more between grooming - its a daily routine.

If you do it daily you won't have any knots to worry about.
 

mzjazz2u

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I never recommend using scissors for the very reason you mentioned. Comb under the mat or not. The skin is so thin, you can even get the skin caught up in the comb and not realize it. Try using a seam ripper to get the existing knots/mats out. Just pick away at them, gently with the seam ripper. And Better yet, in the future, start combing your cat out to prevent mats in the first place! Bugsy will appreciate it in the long run!
 

tab

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Originally Posted by mzjazz2u

I never recommend using scissors for the very reason you mentioned. Comb under the mat or not. The skin is so thin, you can even get the skin caught up in the comb and not realize it. Try using a seam ripper to get the existing knots/mats out. Just pick away at them, gently with the seam ripper. And Better yet, in the future, start combing your cat out to prevent mats in the first place! Bugsy will appreciate it in the long run!
i agree completely. when i was training to be a groomer i saw a couple of nasty wounds happen just that way.

also i would say to my customers 'you brush your hair every day right?' if this is done daily it is a 10 minute (if that) job that can be a pleasant bonding session for cat and owner.
 

courtney_ou

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patchy gets mats here and there by here collar and armpits (if thats what you call them on cats) i snip the bottom of it off with cuticle scissors or nippers with my fingers always inb/c her and the nippers. id cut my fingers before i cut her. once i cut the bottom off, i can usually work it out with my fingers or the slicker brush. (patchy's mats are always long like ringlets or dreads, not the big clumpy mats, though)
 
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