If you have a feline at home, you will know how important it is for him to groom his body and especially his fur, an activity in which cats spend a lot of time throughout the day. The results are noticeable: surely your cat is always clean, and his fur is soft to the touch.
There are short-haired cats and long-haired cats, and for both types personal grooming is extremely important. However, the difference in coat makes this job more difficult for some than for others. Long-haired breeds, such as the Persian or the Himalayan, sometimes need a little human help to undo the knots that form in their fur.
That's why at Animal Expert we want to show you how to remove knots in long-haired cats, so that you have the necessary tools and knowledge to help your feline in his bathing routine.
Why remove knots from cat fur?
Combing the cat to remove excess hair scattered on furniture and other areas of the house is an activity that is probably common for you, so removing knots from the cat's fur will not be a chore complicated.
You may be wondering why you should eliminate or prevent the formation of knots in your cat's coat, because these are not only unsightly, but also they could cause an injury to the skin when the cat jerks while washing to try to undo the knot by itself, even irritating the skin. That is why it is so important to pay attention to the state of the cat's coat.
Where do knots form?
A cat that is not short-haired can have knots in any part of its body, although some areas that are difficult to access for the animal when grooming they are more likely to tangle the hair. These are:
- Armpits
- Behind the ears
- Behind thighs
How to prevent the formation of knots?
Before having to resort to eliminating annoying knots formed in the feline's fur, it is best that you learn how to prevent them. Sometimes knots form even in semi-long hair, so your furry friend's hygiene routine becomes insufficient. Now, if you want to prevent the hair from getting tangled, try the following:
- If your cat has longhair, you should brush him every dayfor 5 minutes. Do not worry, doing it is very easy and will end up becoming a pampering for him. Use a metal toothbrush and then a round metal comb.
- If your cat has a medium or short hair, brush 1 to 3 times a weekwith a rubber comb.
Whether long or short, when you brush your hair you should do it beyond the thickness of it, to prevent internal knots from forming. Lift the upper layer of hair and brush the lower layer, taking care not to hurt the cat's skin. At the end, offer a prize to the kitten for its good behavior. It is important to establish the grooming routine from when he is a puppy, so that the cat gets used to it.
How to remove knots?
If the knots have already formed, you will have to apply yourself to the task of undoing them to prevent the cat from hurting itself.
Follow these steps:
- Try to open the knot with your fingers being careful not to hurt the cat, to separate it as much as possible. You can soften the knot with a conditioner. Apply it and wait for it to dry to start untangling.
- Try to untangle the knot with a close-toothed comb, without pulling on the fur. Start at the ends and work your way up.
- Insert blunt-tipped scissors carefully between the knot and the skin to cut it.
- Cut as many knots as you can, always with the tip of the scissors facing out. If there are too many, remove them in several sessions.
- Brush all the fur correctly.
While performing this routine, you must remember:
- Never pull the hair, you will only hurt the cat and won't let you comb it again.
- Don't force the situation. If after a couple of knots the animal gets tired, let it go and continue the next day.
- Be very careful when using the scissors, you don't want any accidents.
- Both the prevention and elimination routines are best done on dry fur.
- In extreme cases, it may be necessary to shave the animal's fur due to the large number of knots. Leave this job to the hairdressing professionals.
