Grooming Mats from a Cat's Coat?

Dear Dr. Meek,

I have an outdoor barn cat. He is now one year old and has grown very long and thick hair (fur?) which has become quite matted. Will these 'mats' shed off or should I sedate and shave him before the hot days of summer?

Thank you,

Mellissa

Dear Mellissa,

Thank you for your timely question. With spring officially here, our long-haired feline friends are once again starting their winter coat shed. We have two long-haired cats ourselves, one of which we have to shave occasionally, and the other de-mats himself. So, I guess to answer your question, it depends on the cat. If the mats are very thick and closely attached to the skin, it would probably be best to shave off the mats. Cat skin is very thin and easily cut, so take care when clipping the mats off. If he is quite difficult to handle, the best thing would be to bring him into your local veterinarian and have them sedate him and clip off his mats. The problem with mats is that grass seeds can get caught in them and start to cause wounds or abscesses under them before you really know anything is wrong.

I hope that has answered your question. Looking forward to the hot days of summer myself!

Cats Outside Overwinter?

Hello Dr. McGraw and Dr. Meek,

Do you think cats would be OK outside in the winter if they have a small heated outdoor cat house to be in when they chose. They would still be fed of course.
This would be in Coeur d’Alene, but the winters are pretty similar…

Thanks,
Mariah

Hello Mariah,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. To answer your question, as long as your cats are not hairless cats, they should be fine outside during the winter if you provide:

• a warm place for them to sleep -- a heated kitty house would be fine if they like to use it --access to a garage would be even better
• fresh water it is important that the water not be ice-covered or frozen
  
• food (of course!)
  
• and a place to go potty (cat's do not really like to walk in the snow or dig in the snow to go potty -- so a litter box when there is snow would be greatly appreciated!)
• It would be best if they were outside over the fall as well so they could grow a thick coat of hair. Strictly indoor cats tend not to grow a really thick haircoat over the winter, and so to throw a cat outside when it hasn't been accustomed to cold nights would be kind of cruel.
  

As I am sure you are aware, outdoor kitties have greater chances to get injured by vehicles, neighborhood dogs and cats, and wild animals. We recommend that cats be kept inside if possible. I realize that in some cases it is not possible, and that some cats just prefer to be outside.

Hope that answers your question!