How to Groom Your Pet Without Pain
Cat matting damage your cat in addition to being unsightly. They can irritate the skin and infect it if they are not removed.
De-matting a cat is frequently a painful procedure for both the cat and the person conducting it. Take your time and try not to get upset if you can’t remove every mat at once.
Even while using this method to remove mats is the easiest and least painful option, it takes a lot of patience, so you might want to enlist assistance.
Before beginning
The majority of cats appear to groom themselves frequently, and this practice is not merely for aesthetic purposes. Licking their fur causes their sebaceous glands to produce oil to moisten their fur and helps cats keep healthy skin.
Usually, grooming keeps the fur clean and prevents the growth of fleas. However, if anything gets caught in a cat’s fur or if the cat doesn’t groom itself, mats may occasionally form. These hair clumps could cause pain to the cat. Some cat breeds are more prone to developing mats (Persians, Maine Coons, and other long-haired varieties).
If your cat has completely stopped grooming, you should take them to the vet right away as this could be an indication of a serious health issue. However, if there are any stubborn mats of fur in one or two places throughout the house, you should be able to remove them.
To keep the cat calm during cat mat removal, a firm hand, plenty of patience, and occasionally multiple people are needed.
What you need
Utilize a relthexed cat to start. You shouldn’t decide to remove a mat in the middle of a game since you run the risk of being severely injured by claws. Before starting, get the required tools:
- Scissors with sharp edges, a comb with little teeth, and an atomizer or conditioner
- Cornstarch-based cat food
Prepare the Matted Area
Use your fingers to gently rub some cornstarch or talcum powder into the mat area. Gently pull the mat away from the skin to see where the skin is.
If the cat still tries to attack you, stop and pat it while speaking in a soothing tone until it stops. Simply repeat this soothing motion if your cat starts to feel uneasy while receiving therapy.
Cut the mat
The bottom blade of the blunt-nosed scissors should slide along the skin as you carefully pull them along the skin into the mat while holding them perpendicular to the skin. The mat should be cut up. Make a clean cut while attempting to avoid tugging at the hair.
Give your cat a pleasant treat as you thank it for being patient.
After roughly moving the scissors over half an inch, continue cutting. As soon as you can, work the separated mats apart with your fingertips because any loose pieces will simply pull off.
Clean the Mat
Start by using the split section of the mat in your non-dominant hand to hold the base of the mat down with your thumb and forefinger to prevent the comb from tugging hair out of the scalp.
With a fine-toothed flea comb, begin at the very tip of the hairs and carefully work your way through the mat piece. Work your way down into the mat, often using only the first three or four pegs of the comb to remove especially stubborn places.
How to Prevent Cat Issues When De-Matting
Give your cat a final treat to cap off the day. Don’t try to remove the mats all at once; it may take several days depending on how terrible they are, and your cat’s cooperation and patience are required.
Any remaining knots can then be gently combed through on short-haired cats using a little slicker brush.
Serious matted cats require medical attention. After a brief anesthesia, all impacted mats are removed from the hair coats of the affected cats. If this drastic approach is necessary, make sure to maintain a regular brushing and combing schedule until the coat grows back to prevent subsequent problems.
Tips
- Never bathe a cat before removing a mat. Later on, you’ll simply encounter greater difficulties.
- If the tangles are small and haven’t yet “felted” or formed, you might want to try spraying a hair conditioner on them before combing. Instead of using an aerosol, use a pump-style spray to prevent startling your cat.
- To carry the cat and comfort it while you work on this difficult procedure, you should almost always have a helper.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your family pet, know the pet’s health history, and may make the best recommendations for your pet.
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