When you are faced with caring for a long-hair cat, the mat game can be a challenge to overcome. The problem with cats of questionable ancestry is when it is shedding season, their undercoat hairs will start to pull out but without help, many of these hairs stay put. This causes the newer hair coming in to wrap around the undercoat and create mats.
Very few stray cats are willing to sit in a kitty spa for what we would consider to be “pampering” a clip, a bath, a manicure, a good grooming. They look at this process as a form of torture. A personal experience a few years ago, which led to the loss of a beautiful feral’s life taught me that playing tummy games on long-haired kittens and even older adults can mean the matter of life and death. My socialized boy fought the bath at the groomers. He inhaled so much water (they used a dog shampoo on him, not a cat-only brand) He got the toxic substance (tree-tea oil) into his system and died in my lap three days later. I am not trying to bring the tone of this blog into the grim kingdom, but this is a reality when you expect (as I mistakenly did) that just because the cat(s) are fine with you, they will be accepting of others. So, I started the tummy wars:
Lay the kitten (or cat) on it’s back. In the stray kingdom, this move is an open invitation to war so you must move cautiously. Prior to battle, stray cats will roll over on their back or side. Although in the dog world, this is considered a sign of submission. The cat kingdom has other ideas. On his back, the cat has his full arsenal prepared (claws and teeth). He is armed and ready.
When you begin tummy wars, have a long-handled soft brush (human brush is fine) a zoom groom, a pair of bandage, or blunt scissors and some tasty treats. When kitty rolls on his back, touch him gently with the long-handled brush. If he rolls back over, that’s fine. This is after-all a game. Roll him over gently again, don’t get rough or you will go to war.
When he finally tolerates the touch of the brush give him a treat. Let him be. If he walks away, let him go. If not, proceed again. Keep doing this several times daily. When he accepts a light brushing, bring out the Zoom Groom and use that on him. Stray cats love the Zoom Groom. This rubbery brush gives a good massage and a “feel good” feeling.
If at any time, he draws his front or rear legs up (to rabbit kick you) stop playing the game. Give him a treat and leave him alone. Proceed by watching his signs, quit when he gives you the first signal that this is inappropriate touching for him. From time to time, bring out the scissors and just lay them near his tummy. Open the blades around him. He needs to get used the sight and sound of the blades. As he grows, he will enjoy this interaction with you.
On a better note, you will also be able to find mats easily, remove them carefully either with the blunt-edged scissors, or a seam ripper. If you sense that his fur is out-of-control (Persian crosses fur mats every time you look at them) you can also start running a pair of clippers near him. Get him used to the sound in case you do have to make a trip to the groomers. Keep the game fun, reward with treats or a good game of interactive play at the end. It sure beats having to scruff a cat, try and keep him from moving, biting, escaping or scratching.
Some of my cats when they see the carry case I put together with grooming tools inside, they automatically roll over on their tummy waiting for this time of bonding. I have also found that running the clippers while they are eating their meals soon desensitizes them from the sound of the buzzing.