Cat WWYD

katiewhompus

I feel incredibly stupid and incompetant asking this, but I will anyways.

Demon is a long haired cat and her winter fur is coming in. In the past I've been able to sneak up on her when she's asleep and cut away a lot of the fur on her rear, but in the new house I can't sneak up. As a result she's starting to get matted around her back legs and butt. I've managed to comb most of it out (resulting in lots of scratches) but there's still a piece I can't get. Cutting it off is not an option because it is so close to the skin and to her bum that I would risk cutting her.

Here are my options
1) Continue trying to brush it out which just pisses her off.
2) Get a dematting tool and try to use that to cut through the mat, then brush it out
3) Take her to a vet and ask if they will shave out the mat and possibly her butt/hind legs.

H is leaning towards the vet, but I feel like a total moron bringing my cat to a vet for a freaking mat and like they will judge me. (I will not take her to a local groomer because I do not trust them after an indicident that happened at my Psmart)

anna.oskar

Option #3 - i always take my pets to have someone else do the dirty work.  My cat's hate it but they won't blame me if the vet/groomer is the evil one that tortures them 

jasmineh7777

Vet. Definitely vet.

tidetravel

I've always just shaved them myself.  Do you know any guys that shave their own heads with clippers?

sarah0725

Oy. I have no advice, but you just made me very glad that I have short haired cats.

barrelbabe004

We used to have to cut cockaburs out of my long haired outdoor cat.  My mom and I would just hold onto him and the other one would cut.  He got used to it after the first couple of times.  He never enjoyed it, but did tolerate it.
If that's not an option then I'd go to the vet.

neelynicole

I've been the victim of many scratches from cat hair trimmings. Definitely go with the vet. Then kitty can be piissed at the vet for a while and you only for a short time.

aprovencher21

I'd totally go to the vet.  I'm not good with the grooming aspects of my animals.  After a traumatic experience clipping Lexus's nails I don't even clip the dogs nails myself.....yes I am a breeder who has all of her dog's nails trimmed by the vet.

allisong23

A groomer might be cheaper than a vet. If you go all out and get him completely groomed, they usually cut the fur around the bummie area so it won't mat as quickly. It will also have the added benefit that they can clip his claws really short, shorter than you may be comfortable doing yourself.

katiewhompus

My problem with using a groomer groomer is a bad experience I had when I was working at PSmart. A 5 year old cat dropped dead on the table (with no fault to the groomer) and I had to be the one to call the owner and give her the news. After that I've been worried about taking an animal somewhere where a vet isn't immediately present for any sort of grooming.

Aprov, that makes me feel better actually. That's part of my hangup I think. I worked at a pet store for 3 years, this should be a non-issue, but it is.