Long Haired Kitten

[jchsasajs]

I have a 10 week old kitten with long hair and I have never owned a long haired cat before . I got him from the spca, he was born outside and captured around 6 weeks and brought into the rescue. I have only had him a couple days but he has some pretty tight matt’s around his neck and i am not sure how to get them out. I don’t want to do anything to traumatize him bc i know regular brushing will have to be a regular thing with his hair/fur. any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Flybynight]

What a gorgeous little fellow
I would maybe ask your vet for help with the initial demating.
For my long haired cat, what I have learned is use blunt ended pet scissors.
Hold the bottom of the mat to reduce tugging when cutting.
Cut into the mat to break it up. Then it can be pulled apart or cut further.
Some people use steel combs to break up mats.
My long haired cat, had several mats when I adopted him at a year and a half.
Now after removing the initial mats and getting used to being brushed he has remained mostly mat free.
Start slow with brushing and do it at a time he is resting. A few seconds to start then build up if he is nervous.
Let him sniff the brush before you begin.
Check for mats before brushing, as they can be under fur layers and will pull if brushed and that can make him nervous of being brushed.
My experience is, once the mats are gone and brushing becomes regular that he tends to stay mat free and now loves being brushed.

 

[rubysmama]

Awww... what a cutie pie.

About the mats in his fur, here's the links to a few threads on the topic that might have some helpful tips for you:

Indoor Only Shorthair with mats/knots in fur
Mats in fur twice in one week?
Matts in fur. (Mats?)