I brush my kitties everyday of course the long haired one (the one who needs brushing) doesn't like it done on her belly and arm pits (where she needs it most) Is there a product that I can spray on that will help those areas from becoming so tangled? I noticed today a really matted piece between her back legs, I can't seem to get a comb or brush through it so I cut some of it out, she just will not sit still long enough for me to do a good brush job down there...HELP!!!!

A “wire slicker brush” for cats will untangle those stubborn mats in your kitty’s fur. It is best to start from the end of the mat working your way towards the base of the hair. A slicker brush will not only detangle a mat but will also help remove any dead hair. As you brush your kitty, pay close attention on the amount of pressure you apply, because the tines on the brush can scratch the skin even on a thick-coated animal.

If you find that you are still having a bit of trouble with the mats petsmart does sell a detangler/ conditioner product.

Kitty, you may want to try getting a "line cut" for your cat.

Basically you take her to the groomer every few months and they cut the hair on her tummy short leaving the rest long. Usually it only costs 5$ or so...

That's what I have to do with my persian. Although, I can't take her to the groomer. She will NOT let anyone touch her but me, so I take her over to a friends house and hold her while they run the clippers down her tummy. It usually only takes a couple of minutes and then the hassle is over for months. It's nice.

Kitty,
One of the things that I've found is the reason they don't like being brushed in these areas is because that's where the tangles form and, well, it hurts. I comb Lydia every day - but sometimes she gets them and what I use that works well and doesn't hurt her is a seam ripper.

You can buy these at any store that sells sewing supplies - you can put it right into the matt and cut it withoug pulling as you would with a brush. They are seldom able to be brushed through and it only rips it out anyway..

I find the seam ripper works better and is safer than scissors as well.

Cool, I'll try it, I sometimes brush her several times a day and do it it as lightly as possible, she seems to like it best when cat napping, but those areas get so tangled even with everyday brushing and combimg. I went to petsmart and bought a spray on detangler and a new comb. The line cut may be what I have to do, I'll just make sure they hear LINE cut and not LION cut, lol, had a friend who took her persian to get one and the poor cat came out looking like a lion.

I called around to find a place that does cats, they all wanted anywhere from 45-60 bucks!!! I went to beauty school, guess I can do it myself!

I have a Maine Coon cat that would stroke out if you even attempted to brush the matts off her belly. Odd but, she isn't a shedder. Her coat is long and slick. That part isn't tangling at all. She doesn't need to be brushed even. That belly is a completely different story.

Being humane to this cat, I would insist that she be tranquilized for any grooming to remove fur matts on her belly. Her fear reaction is so intense, I don't want to be the one guilty of doing something horrible to her.

My husband thought he could get away with it. I kept telling him she wouldn't let him do it. She would have to be strapped down like the Hannibal guy first. I kept telling him not to even try. I know how the cat is. Don't do it. Guys can do anything, right? I had to physically separate the two. It was getting ugly.

Cat grooming depends a lot on the individuals tolerance level. I have had cats that would let you do anything. This one is a good cat. But, she is different. Give me a groomer so that stranger can be the bad guy and enough tranquilizers to tame this cat, then I will attempt fur matts!

LMAO, men, figures, our kitty cats back is really smooth too, I think the tummy gets so messy because they lay on it all the time and of course she likes her back and head brushed. I did get her brushed pretty well this morning, she was still groggy from a nap in the sun, I also got the one mat cut off. WildFlower, if anyone gets a tranquilizer it will be me!

I hadn't thought that one out. I was too busy trying to groom a wild cat. Hand me a few of those while we are at it. I can just hear the howls of indignity!