Hi there. I'm in Los Angeles and my cat Daisy, a beautiful MC, has a terrible matting problem that recurs every year in summertime. She simply refuses to clean herself and, yes, we do not brush her as much as we should to keep up with the shedding. We must get better at this.

Unfortunately, we cannot take her to the groomers to remedy the problem as she has a bit of an 'attitude,'to say the least. (She currently has one shaved strip down the back - a frightened groomer turned my 'lioness' back to me, saying she was too ferocious to handle!) While a pampered housecat that we got as a kitten, she is not the friendliest of creatures, despite her docile name.

We have taken her to the vet before to have her shaved under anethesia. Given the negative effects of the process - not to mention the $100 price tag - I'm thinking of shaving her at home. Given how thick her fur is, I want to make sure we get a clipper that's strong enough to cut through cleanly AND quickly. I'm thinking of an Oster #5 two-speed or the Andis AG.

Does anyone have any reccommendations for me? I could really use some help here!

Thanks very much. - Susannah

P.S. For those concerned about the negative impact of shaving - Daisy positively loves it! After a shave, she preens as if she is the most gorgeous creature on the planet!

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2000

Answers

Susannah,

Glad to hear that Daisy likes being shaved! Does growing out seem to itch at all? Does the new growth maintain its original color?

Sokie's allergy of some sort causes itchy ears, neck, and abdomen. Vet says no other problems. The only thing a flea-comb grooming finds is a slight dandruff. She and Circe get canned & dry ProPlan, and we're looking for a canned lamb/rice of the same quality. They get hot, altho indoors at 74 degrees. In the cooler months we keep the windows open. Shaving seems like a great idea. Also, does anyone know a healthy way to add oil to dry skin that would be ok if licked off?

Thanks, Linda

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2000

COMB THE DAMN CAT!

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2000

I am writing from Sterling Heights, Michigan. We have (2) female Coons. One with the standard shaggy coat that matts easily. I too use a comb with flexible teeth. The brand is "Untangler." Can be used on a dog too. Patches has a smooth coat similar to a mink coat and needs very little grooming. You must brush regularly. I find 2X a week. If Kristi gets really bad, in the late fall (Once we've had a frost & the fleas have died.) Kristi and Patches go to the groomer, a friend of mine. It takes 2 of us but she brushes all the undercoat out, clips her rear end, and around her paws. This usually lasts all winter and I do again in the spring before the fleas are back. They look great. Another product I found at a cat show is made by House of An-Ju anti-stat,conditioner & detangler in a mister bottle. Spray where the mats are and use the Untangler comb and they come right out. If the cats are being, uncooperative, I enlist my husband's help. It is best to take them while they are sleeping.

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2000