montanawonder
Montana
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Joined: 07/16/2008
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I like read this stuff. Everyone gives great coments. So here is a question to anyone. I have a 24yr old cat. She is still Playful as ever. She has long hair and over the last few weeks she really started to get knotts in here hair. So like in the past I shaved your. And now she sleeps with my wife and I. I only had to shave about half of her body. Agian the same area I have done in the past. And in the past she never sleeped with us. So why now. Thnaks.
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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24 years old? Wow, what an excellent testament to your good care!
Many times as my cats have aged they are less likely to groom themselves properly so they get knots in their coat. Brushing every day will help keep them down but won't completely cure the problem. We have a 16 year old cat now that has kidney disease as well as thyroid challenges and her coat is a mess no matter how much I try to keep her brushed. She is still a happy cat and loves to sit on our laps & purr so we try to make life as comfortable as possible for her.
If you are concerned about the new behaviors & lack of grooming, a trip to your vet might be in order. Perhaps the new habit of sleeping with you has something to do with her age, or the fact you shaved her and she needs the warmth. Cats do love to be warm & cozy. Whatever it is, take good care of her like you have done for so long, enjoy her and cherish the times you have left with her.
Best wishes!!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle....
Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
Our toys: Sunline T2499 & ProCraft Fish & Ski
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Wanderlost
Texan displaced to Northern Virginia
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Joined: 10/29/2004
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Our 22-year-old was going through some serious health issues recently. She started sleeping as tightly up against us as she could. As her health improved and she gained weight (raw food diet), she moved back to her favorite spot on the carpet.
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi
Alexander the Grrreat--tuxedo cat
Madeline Kaht -- gray lady
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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montanawonder wrote:I like read this stuff. Everyone gives great coments. So here is a question to anyone. I have a 24yr old cat. She is still Playful as ever. She has long hair and over the last few weeks she really started to get knotts in here hair. So like in the past I shaved your. And now she sleeps with my wife and I. I only had to shave about half of her body. Agian the same area I have done in the past. And in the past she never sleeped with us. So why now. Thnaks.
I agree with the fact that she might not be grooming as often as a younger cat, henceforth the rough coat.
Funny to read this, yesterday I had work done on my MH and the resident cat at the dealership sauntered by, barely.
Her hair looked just like you described and they said she was 24 years old also. Other than a little bit of arthritic she continued walking across the bays in the service department while the mechanics waited to pull in MH's until she got to the other side.
It was heartwarming to know that she had caring owners and a good life as the greeting committee at the RV dealership.
Sounds like your little guy has the same sweet life.
* This post was
edited 07/16/08 07:10pm by rockhillmanor *
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 BlueOx Aventa LX
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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juliev
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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My son has a 16 year old long haired kitty. He's had problems grooming himself in the past few years as well and gets some pretty impressive knots and mats in his fur. I think it's just harder for them to get to all the right places. We do have him shaved twice a year (late spring and late summer. It's obvious after a shave that he's much more comfortable because he always acts like a kitten again. He will also go back to sleeping on my son's head after a shave. Before the haircut he'll sleep on the cold tile on the bathroom floor.
Julie
_____________________________________________________________________
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
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vickiebec
Pahrump, NV
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Joined: 09/19/2005
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I had a white cat that would get greasy knots in his fur. I would use a flea comb to get them out. Don't know what caused it because he was young. It would come out in globs with the comb. Would love to see pictures.
Vic & Vickie Becker
On the road
2004 Bounder
Socks the cat
2007 HHR and 1995 Teal Goldwing
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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there is some spray that helps to keep hair from tangling if you use the spray then brush often it helps.its hard to keep a white cat looking clean and white all the time.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
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crouseman41
Blanchard ok
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Joined: 09/21/2004
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We have a 13-year old long-haired cat "Firestone" (so named because he was a feral kitten found in a stack of tires - his mother moved all the other kittens and abandoned him)who will no longer groom himself. When we took him to the vet to get his shots and health certificate for this trip, we asked that the groomer there try to get the mats out of his fur. Firestone is so cantankerous that the vet called back and asked us to come back and get him out of his crate so he could be evaluated and get his shots - never mind any grooming!! We bought a grooming tool called "Furminator" - it's a brush-like comb with a cutting edge in it. Used carefully, it will aid in removing mats - you just have to do a little at a time and not get too close to the cat's skin. We figure Firestone will be a handsome fellow again by the time we get home in November or December - but he'll still be as grouchy as ever.
Dale & paulette Crouse
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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Firestone should meet our Fang. Sounds like they're made for each other. Fang is an older woman though, and will be 19 in a month.
She hasn't visited the vet in a decade or so ... too mean! Vet told us she was the most cantankerous cat he had in his practice. Of course, she's a sweet prissy cat at home. Loves to RV though, and just enjoyed another 4 week vacation to Yukon!
* This post was
edited 07/25/08 08:42pm by sue.t *
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
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