Hey all. Another question to you knowlegable people.
I have come back from uni to find my long haired cat in a bit of a state. Happy in him self but just his coat is in an awful condition. My parents and sister brush him but he is getting the most awful mats. His fur just seems to be really greesey and he has loads of dandruff all over. They are not the usual small mats that he sometimes gets but they tend to be sausage shaped if you know what  I mean. I have had to cut them out but when brushing the rest of him it seems like the mats are only occuring because he is so greasy. This cat has a main coon type coat but perhaps a bit softer and used to never get matts and we only brushed him once a week now he needs brushing every day and still gets matts.

He is only 5 so I am not really sure what is going on. Any tips? I thought perhaps a bit of talcom powder whilst brushign may help but didn't want to use it if you all thought a trip to the vets might be in order? Just I would like the vets to see his coat as it is not when it has been degreesed to get the best diagnosis if that makes sense.
Thanks
Anna

P.S just reread the beginning and it sounds like  my parents arn't taking care of him but they are brushing him every day. I think it has been a gradual change and that is why they have not noticed it so much but I have as I havn't seen him for a month.
Sorry

Hi Anna

Does this cat go outside? Outside cats get such a thick winter coat you usually DO get dandruff (because the skin can't breathe) and a greasy coat -the greasy coat is to make it water proof! My stud cats that have to live in outside catteries get like this. What's needed is hard work. Brushing is no use for a longhaired cat I'm afraid, it's COMBING that is needed, with a metal comb -the so called moulting combs which have both long and short teeth are the best. It's a must to get all the way down to the skin as otherwise there will still be mats underneath. And yes baby talcum powder (Johnson's is best) is what we do use for grooming longhairs- rub it into the coat and then groom it out again.

More than anything though, after a thorough grooming session, this cat will need a bath -and maybe several (a week apart) as all the grease and dandruff is unlikely to disappear after just the one bath.

The other possibility is of course that the food is not agreeing with him. A couple of yeas ago I tried out a new food on my cats and within a few weeks they all had dandruff and greasier coats, so I changed back.

Oh thanks Goldmali  (I was hoping you would reply :) :) :) )
Yes this cat is out from about 4am til about 8pm  so outside loads. I suppose this coencides with the really cold spell we had a couple of weeks ago. I use a comb with him and just keep him till he is all done but my parents are a bit soft and don't want to make him do anything he doesn't want. I will make sure they do it properly. I thought it wouldn't be anything too serious but just wanted to check. I am not looking forward to washing him though not sure how he will like it but I will give it a go. Thanks. He has been on the same food for a long while now so I don't think it is that but It is worth considering.

I must seem like an awful animal owner co s i am always coming on here and askign stupid questions
Sorry

I must seem like an awful animal owner co s i am always coming on here and askign stupid questions
Sorry

No question is ever stupid - if you don't know the answer you have to ask someone who does :)

I often ask questions as it really would be stupid not to ask and live to regret it :)

To me asking questions is a sign of a responsible owner :)

Just remember, get all the mats out before bathing him ;) otherwise they just get worse ;) and maybe you need to give your parents a lesson in grooming Right Down To the Skin ;)  so many people think they are doing a great job and are just skimming the top of the coat, usually just on the back and forgetting the animals sides and underneath etc. ;)  The moulting comb Goldmali recommended will make a HUGE difference :)

You sound like a concerned, loving owner to me, if you werent you either wouldn't have noticed or wouldn't have bothered asking ;)

I'll always have the greatest respect for people who ask questions to make sure they do the best for their pet. :)