Cats out of wack

[kody and lumine fan]

My cat toothless is loosening her mats but not in the way we expected her to... she is going bald around her neck and she is a maincoon
...is this normal for a maincoon

 

[Fishychix]

The skin can get sore and inflamed under the mats, possibly even leading to infection. The yellow stuff you saw could have been pus, a sign of infection. That's why it's important to groom regularly, even daily. In a perfect world we would start them out as kittens and they would learn to love and expect it. However, all is not lost. Does she tolerate petting? Pet with a brush or comb in your hand. Don't try to get the mats out at first, it will hurt, just like if you had a tangle in your hair and just yanked a whole knot of hair from your head. Your goal is to teach her to accept and enjoy the brush or comb. So as you pet her, occasionally use the tool to stroke her instead of your hand, at random. Gently. As she tolerates it, use the tool more often. Start with her head or neck, just one stroke with the tool out of every three or four with your hand. Gradually use it on her shoulders, then her back, then her sides. Over time, use the tool more often. Eventually you will just be brushing her. Note, when using the tool, lift the hair up and away from the body, do not scrape the body with the tool. Good Luck! (This will take TIME! So be patient and do it every day.)

Excellent advice! Im glad someone else took the time to type all this out. My mainecoon, 16 yrs old this July, loves/tolerates being groomed. Depending on if he has any mats. They are quick to form so keeping a close eye out really helps. Long haired cats are also prone to ringworm. It wouldnt hurt to take your cat to the vet for a check. Mine had a weird spot on his tail where the fur just came out. After the vet check, he had at least 7 ringworm spots. Most wouldnt have been found, and able to be treated, without the vet visit. I wish I had those pix on my tablet for your reference, but I do have plenty of his regular fluffiness I love to share.
By the way, mainecoons have shorter fur on their necks and shoulders, so having any mats there sounds off. They're usually under the front arms and between the back legs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What a cutie! And thanks for the validation. ❤

 

[Fishychix]

What a cutie! And thanks for the validation. ❤

No problem! Im really terrible at explaining things
Georgie says Thank You

 

[BigBlueHen53]

No problem! Im really terrible at explaining things
Georgie says Thank You

Lol, I have the opposite problem, I explain things to death!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Well she isn't the one to sit still for grooming

Then you'll need to figure out a way to get her to hold still. Long hair and thick furred cats have to be brushed. They Mat far faster and easier than short haired cats.

The mats are growing heavy and just using gravity to pull out, leaving the bald spot

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The skin can get sore and inflamed under the mats, possibly even leading to infection. The yellow stuff you saw could have been pus, a sign of infection. That's why it's important to groom regularly, even daily. In a perfect world we would start them out as kittens and they would learn to love and expect it. However, all is not lost. Does she tolerate petting? Pet with a brush or comb in your hand. Don't try to get the mats out at first, it will hurt, just like if you had a tangle in your hair and just yanked a whole knot of hair from your head. Your goal is to teach her to accept and enjoy the brush or comb. So as you pet her, occasionally use the tool to stroke her instead of your hand, at random. Gently. As she tolerates it, use the tool more often. Start with her head or neck, just one stroke with the tool out of every three or four with your hand. Gradually use it on her shoulders, then her back, then her sides. Over time, use the tool more often. Eventually you will just be brushing her. Note, when using the tool, lift the hair up and away from the body, do not scrape the body with the tool. Good Luck! (This will take TIME! So be patient and do it every day.)

 

[Mutchi]

The skin can get sore and inflamed under the mats, possibly even leading to infection. The yellow stuff you saw could have been pus, a sign of infection. That's why it's important to groom regularly, even daily. In a perfect world we would start them out as kittens and they would learn to love and expect it. However, all is not lost. Does she tolerate petting? Pet with a brush or comb in your hand. Don't try to get the mats out at first, it will hurt, just like if you had a tangle in your hair and just yanked a whole knot of hair from your head. Your goal is to teach her to accept and enjoy the brush or comb. So as you pet her, occasionally use the tool to stroke her instead of your hand, at random. Gently. As she tolerates it, use the tool more often. Start with her head or neck, just one stroke with the tool out of every three or four with your hand. Gradually use it on her shoulders, then her back, then her sides. Over time, use the tool more often. Eventually you will just be brushing her. Note, when using the tool, lift the hair up and away from the body, do not scrape the body with the tool. Good Luck! (This will take TIME! So be patient and do it every day.)

Great info! (big paragraph)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Great info! (big paragraph)

Lol, yes I do tend to wax eloquent.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

That means I talk a lot, lol.