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Why does the fur on my long-haired cat tangle up so much? I thought that cats groomed themselves, but I have to brush her all the time and still can't keep up.
I know it may seem like a lot of work, but you should try to comb your cat on a daily basis (or at least every few days). The undercoat of a long-haired cat tends to remain underneath the top coat when the cat sheds... and this is where mats and tangles start. By frequent combing (with a good comb, to make sure to get out that undercoat... brushes don't do the trick), you can keep your cat's hair from getting out of control. Not a lot of people have the time to keep up with such a schedule, which is where cat groomers come into the picture. Ideally, you should comb your long-haired cat as often as possible, and schedule professional grooming every three months or so. If you fall behind on the combing habit, your professional cat groomer can often help you (and your cat) with coat problems and matting... and hopefully, you can avoid ever thinking about the next question -- clipping your cat's hair.
My long-haired cat has gotten so badly matted that normal grooming is no longer possible. My veterinarian told me that she would need to sedate him and shave off most of his fur! Is there something else I can do?
Absolutely. In fact, I'm one of those groomers who prefer not to traumatize my kitty clients by shaving them bald. (Yes, those 'lion clips' -- where the body is clipped short and the mane is left natural, the tail is shaved and the tip of the tail has a tuff of hair left, like a lion -- can be cute... but would you want one, yourself?) In many cases (and even with some of the most badly matted coats), the hair can be worked out and thinned out, rather than shaved off. In some extreme cases... yes, the cat will have to be partially shaved or given a 'lion clip'... but a trained cat groomer should be able to do this without requiring any kind of sedation for the cat. Gentle handling techniques are important, plus your groomer should have a bit of 'cat sense' and be aware of when kitty needs a break from their beauty treatment. I feel it's important for a cat to have a pleasant grooming experience, as this will make future grooming sessions easier for both cat and groomer. Yes, grooming can be fun. (Well, at least I think it's fun.) There are actually some kitties who seem to like it, too. Really!
I have a short-haired cat that gets matted. Why would this happen to a short-haired cat?
It can happen for several reasons. One common one is age (also illness) or weight... sometimes when a cat is older or not feeling so well, he doesn't have the energy for all that grooming. And overweight cats have energy problems, too. Plus they might not be able to reach certain spots anymore. One of my cats had dental problems (gum infection) last year, and that also slowed down his grooming habits. Not to mention that when you transfer yucky stuff from the mouth to the fur... that doesn't tend to do a great cleaning job. Also, just as humans have oily skin and hair, so do some cats... and this can cause matting of the fur too. This is why cats (even the short-haired ones) sometimes need grooming appointments.
My cat can't be groomed. She attacks me when I try to brush her/clip her nails. And she's already scared away two groomers I tried to take her to! What can I do now?
Even my mother's cat attacks me when I try to clip her nails... and I tend to think she likes my company otherwise. Cats can really fight about grooming, it's true. I won't lie to you. However, it's usually a matter of reassuring them, offering a calm environment, and approaching them as you might want to be approached if you were a cat. They're not sure what your intentions are, and you can't tell a cat (verbally) about what you plan on doing. There is a lot to take into consideration, and even then... a groomer is at risk for getting scratched or bitten. It's part of the job... but you can plan for it and make the experience better for both groomer and cat. Each cat comes from a different background and experience, and how they react to humans is directly related to that. Certain body language, eye contact, vocal tone, gentle touch... can greatly help the grooming of a cat. Each cat is an individual, and an independent... respect them and they will often respect you.
Okay, I can hear some of you laughing... but look, I've been around cats my whole life. It really does work most of the time! Still, cat bites really hurt. This is why many people (and most groomers) stay away from grooming cats. I'm one of the loony ones; I'd much rather deal with an angry Himalayan than a vaguely-miffed Schnauzer. I've groomed both dogs and cats for over a decade now, and I've always had a way with cats more than anything else. I've groomed cats that tried to eat other groomers, and had no problem making friends. It could be luck, it could be some kind of kitty energy-field, it could be the way I smell (or don't smell), or any number of things. I guess it varies from groomer to groomer. Terriers (maybe I smell of cats?) dislike me. Cats love me. I guess cats love cat people.