# Adopted stray kitty has matted hair **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 2, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028 "2005-02-02T19:47:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/21 "2005-02-03T00:15:13Z")
Let me elaborate: for $35 - $40, kitty was shaved, bathed, and re-shaved to give a more finished look. She would trim the hair on the feet, hair, and head with scissors so the cat looked well-trimmed and not just scalped. She also did toenails, too. Somebody else might just shave the cat and hand it back to you for $15. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/22 "2005-02-03T00:22:41Z")
It’s not that hard to prevent cutting skin. Get a fine toothed metal comb and work it under the mat, or at least a portion of it. Cut the portion above the comb. Easy peasy. The mat tool works well too, but can irritate the cat. You may still want to consider a groomer at first if the cat is prone to scratching and biting, but eventually you can do it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![bat312](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c77e96/32.png) [@bat312](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bat312)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/23 "2005-02-03T03:19:31Z")
> [@Rebekkah](#): > > Oh, and I forgot! Post a pic if you can, I (at least) want to see the kitty 🙂 Please help me with my ignorance, how do I paste/link to a picture? ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/24 "2005-02-03T17:09:10Z")
If you go to [picturetrail.com/adam88](http://www.picturetrail.com/adam88), and click on the photo album titled “Straight Dope”, you can see a pic of **bat312** ’s matted kitty. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/25 "2005-02-04T15:42:00Z")
> [@sturmhauke](#): > > It’s not that hard to prevent cutting skin. Get a fine toothed metal comb and work it under the mat, or at least a portion of it. Cut the portion above the comb. Easy peasy. Thanks sturmhauke - saved me a bit of typing to say just that! We foster kittens for the RSPCA and the last litter (4) we got were very matted (long-haired). A pair of blunt-ended scissors, and either the finger technique or slipping a comb underneath (depending on the size of the mat) means no cutting of kitties. As was said above too, you don’t need to get the whole thing in one go, you can comb out remnants or the kitty will work on it itself if you get it started. I’d also second having a second pair of hands, and a towel if needs be. We’ve found that if I hold it quite tightly while my gf snips, it is more reassuring for the kitten - also means I can make reassuring noises whilst she concentrates. FWIW, our litter was rehomed a week or two ago looking absolutely gorgeous! Most of the credit to them as they kept themselves pretty immaculate after we’d tidied them up. ---
**Author:** ![Jillyvn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Jillyvn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jillyvn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/26 "2005-02-04T16:56:55Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#): > > If you go to [picturetrail.com/adam88](http://www.picturetrail.com/adam88), and click on the photo album titled “Straight Dope”, you can see a pic of **bat312** ’s matted kitty. What a darling! thanks for the kitty fix ---
**Author:** ![moonstarssun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@moonstarssun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonstarssun)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/27 "2005-02-04T17:43:36Z")
A long-haired adult stray appeared on our patio a couple of years ago. My in-laws adopted him and had all of his health problems taken care of, but still had to deal with matted fur full of dirt, leaves and burrs. They opted for having him shaved, and now they brush him daily. He’s a beautiful cat, and the daily brushing really helped them bond with him. Your new kitty is adorable! I’m glad you took in a stray. ---
**Author:** ![Rue\_DeDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028/28 "2005-02-04T17:48:41Z")
If you take your cat in to your vet and say that you “rescued it as a stray and the coat is just a trainwreck, what do I do?” with big ol’ Bambi eyes they might take him back and chop the mats out for you. For nuthin’ maybe. Vets can be nice that way. As long as they’re not too busy. If this is a first cat, and you don’t know how to restrain them and the whole grooming thing is new to you, I’d go with a professional. It’ll save grief all the way around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopted-stray-kitty-has-matted-hair/288028.md?page=1)