COMBING

 

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Persians generally have too much hair to keep a beautiful coat without some help from you!! It is important to groom particularly well under the arms, tail, back of legs and belly, as these are the area most likely to matt.  A good grooming routine is something that should be started early on, preferably when your cat is a kitten. If done daily, the experience is quick and less stressful on you and your feline friend! Comb your cat’s coat daily. The size of the comb or brush depends on the coat of your cat. You want the comb to glide through the coat easily without pulling (ouch!). I use a wide tooth metal comb for the ruff, armpit areas and behind. Once the wide tooth comb can easily brush through the hair, switch to a fine toothed metal comb and repeat.  Make sure you brush the hair in sections, brushing gently to the roots rather than just brushing the surface. While you are brushing your cat, look for mats of hair, but don't pull on them with the comb or brush (another ouch!), just use the tip of your comb like a pick and slowly work it out a little at a time.  For mats that cannot easily be teased out I use a seam ripper, (available at any sewing or craft shop) be sure that your comb is under the matt, so that you do not accidentally stab your pet with the seam ripper. You will find that the seam ripper easily separates the matt into smaller manageable tangles that can be combed out.  Using a wire grooming brush remove all dead hair, I don't brush the tail more than once a week, because I find that brushing the tail removes to much hair and reduces it's fullness. Stud tail is caused by an excess of grease in the tail hairs, and is common in unaltered adults. It does affect both sexes! Cornstarch or baby powder applied here and left on the coat for 5 minutes before brushing out will help to reduce the oil.

 

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