Himalayan, matted hair

Question
Hi,  I know shaving is an answer to matted hair but is there an alternative.  She has such beautiful hair.  Thanks Ann

Answer
My mom has a beautiful Maine Coon that is, in a term heard in the cat fancy, 'Dripping with Coat'. She once took him to a groomer for a simple trim, and ended up with a lion-cut - which, as a Himmie owner, I'm sure you've heard of. I think the only one more upset than my mom was the cat. It took almost a year for the coat to come in. Now she found a wonderful groomer who does what she described as a Cat Version of a Poodle Puppy Clip, where the longest hairs are trimmed, but he still looks like a Maine Coon. If you cannot remove the individual mats yourself, interview a groomer (or several, until you find one who is comfortable grooming cats, since some great groomers specialize in dogs), who will trim your cat, mostly around her britches and under her legs.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you also need to groom your cat every week (and this is coming from someone with a sheltie and 4 Maine Coons that are all in desperate need of a good brush-out...I know, my bad). Himmies and Persians can be pretty high-maintenance with regards to their coats, but once the first scary brush-out is done, the once-or-twice weekly comb-out will be easy, and your cat will look even more beautiful. She might also remind you when it's Comb-Time, and if you keep her brushes and combs in the same place, she might sit next to it to remind you that it's time for the Salon. Plus it's a great way to bond even more.

Invest in a really good quality comb; groomers call it a Greyhound Comb. Also get some inexpensive baby powder, and a slicker brush. Don't bother with a soft brush since it won't do anything (though this works great if you have a shorthair cat). If the mats have not yet reached the skin - believe me, your kitty will let you know, try to slowly comb out the mat. If too late, or the mat is too big, it/they will need to be cut.  Gently use it to reach to the skin to comb out the undercoat and to ease out tangles in the longer hairs. When I used to show my Maine Coons, I would 'poof' them with a little bit of baby powder to ease on the static cling. Don't tug too hard on the hair, though you might need to put some muscle into the combing. Since she's a Himmie, I'm assuming that she's also laid-back (not like my guys, who are easily distracted), so if she's up for it, roll her on her back (as she sits, of course, on your lap), and carefully comb out the fur on her belly and legs, and on her chest. Finish with a wonderfully over-priced pet cologne.

I like Himmies. If it weren't for Hubby's worry about a 'foo-foo' cat, we would have ended up with one rather than the Purring Golden Retrievers - which I love, too.