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It could be difficult for your long-haired cat to remove mats from its coat. Long-haired cats, therefore, require more frequent grooming than short-haired cats. For mats to be avoided, your cat has to be brushed frequently and bathed frequently. Grooming is the best course of action because mats can result in excruciating diseases and even death if left unchecked.

Part 1 – Brushing your Long-Haired Cat.

• Once per day, brush the cat. Compared to short-haired cats, long-haired cats require more maintenance. To avoid matting, they must be brushed every day. To completely brush the cat, you might need to brush it in little bursts throughout the day, choosing moments when the cat appears content. If your cat isn’t prone to mats, you might get away with brushing it every few days.
• Get your pet ready. Your pet has to be in a secure location. Although a table or the ground will do, an elevated surface is preferable. Moreover, a couch or a bed are options. Make sure your cat is relaxed as well. Petting the cat and chatting quietly to it will speed up the process. Before you start, give the cat a few good scratches to make sure it is pleased.
• Find the appropriate tools. The finest equipment for a long-haired cat is a wire brush, undercoat combs, and a flea comb. If you don’t have any other options, you can also use wide-tooth combs, which can be particularly helpful if your cat is losing fur due to seasonal shedding.
• Long and short teeth are seen on undercoat combs. They work well for releasing undercoat hair. When using a flea comb, you must first use a less fine undercoat comb before moving up to a finer one.
• Work your way down, starting with the brush. If the cat’s fur is especially tangled, you should first use a brush or wide-tooth comb to remove the biggest tangles. After completing that, you can switch to an undercoat comb. You can then switch to a finer undercoat comb and finally a flea comb.
• As a fine flea comb won’t fit through the coat the first time, you should begin by using brushes and combs with broader teeth.
• You might be able to begin by using a less fine undercoat comb if your cat’s fur isn’t too tangled.
• On the cat’s head and legs, use the finer combs.
• The cat should be placed on its stomach with its back to you at first. The cat won’t likely need to be held down in this position. Thoroughly groom the cat’s back, beginning at the head and moving toward the tail.
• Hold the cat down while it is turned on its back. Turn the cat over so that it is lying on its back with its belly visible once you have finished grooming its back. With one front leg closer to the table and one more in the air, position it slightly on its side.
• Using your thumb and other fingers, form a “V.” Pin the cat’s top half down by applying pressure to its bottom with the “V” angled considerably in the direction of its shoulder and head. This prevents the cat from biting you and helps keep it in place.
• Use your arm and elbow to hold the cat down as you move to the cat’s backside while lifting one leg with the same hand and brushing in between the legs.
• Consider line brushing. Make sure you’re reaching the skin by brushing in a variety of directions. As you brush the hair close to the skin, you can see the fur forming a “line” of skin. Make sure to collect the undercoat while avoiding scratching into the skin.
• With this technique, begin by brushing the cat’s back, then its sides, and finally its lower parts. Starting at the neck, you’ll move down to the tail.
• Concentrating on tangle-prone regions as you brush in even strokes. Any excess fur you find should be worked out.
• Try brushing the other way around. Brushing against the grain is an additional choice. You’ll be brushing the cat’s head in that direction. Gently comb out the head once you get there. Don’t forget the stomach and chest, either. Move the tail’s fur to either side to further spread it out. That makes brushing it off simpler.
• Be sure to focus on the trouble spots. For instance,    long-haired cats may develop mats on their bellies or under their arms.
• Make sure to focus on knotted areas and to get down to the skin.

Part 2 – Dealing with Mats and Tangles.

1. On matting and knots, try the powder. You can get rid of knots by using a small amount of baby powder. A little amount should be scattered onto the knot.
2. After that, start by untangling the knot using your fingers. Don’t pull on it; doing so would hurt the cat. Use a comb on it once you’ve separated it with a teaser.
3. Scrub the mats. Holding the mat close to the root is another approach to removing mats. As a result, the cat’s skin won’t be pulled by it. Then, pluck it out a little at a time using your comb or brush. This should allow you to comb through some matting.
4. Considering a mat splitter. A mat splitter is an additional choice. They are available at pet supply stores. The mat splitter basically chops the mat into pieces. It’s simpler to comb the mat out and remove the tangles without injuring the cat when the mat is broken up.

* In some circumstances, a plastic letter opener with a slot for the letter might be used in its place. A seam ripper could also be used.

• Removing the worst mats A really difficult tangle would require cutting out. But, you must use this technique with extreme caution because it is simple to cut the skin. Gently remove the tangle from the skin. Before cutting, make sure you can see where the skin is, and then carefully cut as far away from the skin as you can.

* For this procedure, a mat comb or razor comb can also be used. It is a comb made to remove mats while you brush the fur.

* You’ll require expert assistance if your mats are truly awful. The cat might require shaving.

Part 3 – Bathing your Cat.

1. Every month to a month and a half, give your cat a bath. Without routine bathing, long-haired cats will develop mats and tangles. Both greasy and loose hair are factors. Moreover, bathing and blow drying the cat’s hair prevent tangling. As a result, it’s a good idea to periodically bathe your long-haired cat.

* If you don’t feel comfortable giving your cat a shower yourself, take it to a cat-friendly groomer.

* Also, always brush your cat before showering it to ensure that you remove any excessive fur beforehand.

    2. First, trim the cat’s nails. A cat bathed might leave you with severe scratches. When getting a bath, many cats will fight back. To avoid pain and bleeding, it is therefore better to clip the cat’s nails before bath time. Also, if your cat scratches you, it can escape and you’ll have to catch it again.

* You can use a human nail clipper to cut nails, but cat-specific clippers might perform somewhat better.

* Lift up each paw one at a time while attempting to keep the cat under your arm. You might also ask someone to help you hold the cat down. A cat situated on a table might allow you to work on the nails.

* The paw should be in your hand. The paw will lengthen if you gently press the paw’s front and back at each pad. Make sure you don’t cut the sharpish pink vein running down the nail—when you clip off the nail’s tip.

* Starting with the front paws, trim as much as you can. You might have to return later to get the remainder.

3. Play with your cat before you go. Your cat will become more relaxed if you play with it, which will make bathing easier. Choose the cat’s favorite toy, then play with it until it shows signs of exhaustion. You can start showering after you’ve given it a little more wear and tear. It will be more at ease during the bath if you comply with this.

4. Prepare the tub and your cat. A rubber mat must be placed inside the tub to prevent your cat from sliding around. Instead, you might use a sink, but a rubber mat is still required. Moreover, it requires about 4 inches (10.2 cm) of warm water. Besides that, carefully insert cotton balls into your cat’s ears to prevent them from getting wet.

5. Give your cat a bath. Use a container or cup to dispense lukewarm water on your cat. A spray nozzle is an additional option. To avoid getting it in the cat’s eyes, nose, or ears, make sure you’re not pouring it directly on the cat’s head. The cat will just be upset by that.

6. Shampoo the cat. Use a cat-specific shampoo because your shampoo can be too drying for the cat’s skin. Rub the shampoo into your cat’s fur after combining approximately 5 parts water and 1 part shampoo. It is preferable to begin at the top and work your way down. Once more, avoid getting soap in the cat’s face.

7. Wash the cat completely. After massaging the soap into the skin, rinse it off. Water can be sprayed upon the cat using a spray hose or a cup. If you don’t remove all of the soap, the cat will itch as a result, so make sure you do. Rinse continuously until the water is clear.

* Just wet a washcloth and use it to gently clean the cat’s face.

8. Comb the fur off. Like wool, fur can become extremely knotted mats that may need to be removed if you leave it damp without combing it. Be careful to comb out the cat’s fur twice: once while it’s still wet and once after it has fully dried. In this manner, you avoid mats developing after the bath.

9. Dry off your cat. Begin by wiping off as much wetness as you can with a large towel. To prevent your cat from getting cold, try to work somewhere that doesn’t have a breeze. Also, you can turn a blow dryer to the warm setting (the lowest setting before cooling). As it blows the hair out in all directions, the blow dryer can help to prevent tangles. Your cat might not enjoy the sound, though. If not, simply use the towel to dry it off as much as you can.

10. Speak positively about your cat. Your cat deserves a treat after going through such a horrible event (for both of you!) (and you may need to be, too). Show your cat a lot of love. Also helpful is a tasty treat. Use whatever you like to compliment the cat on a job well done.

TIPS :

* Look for any symptoms of a problem, such as lumps or scars, as you groom your cat. Moreover, keep an eye out for fleas so you can treat them if your cat needs them.

* WARNING *

Make sure to take your cat to the clinic for treatment if its fur has an infection.