You can often spot cat-owners when they pull a lint-roller matter-of-factly out of their backpack to run up and down their clothes, or perhaps when they arrive at work in a dark suit and immediately fasten a strip of tape around their hand and start dabbing at bits of fur on their pants. Shed fur is just a part of life when you live with a cat. However, there are things you can do to improve the situation somewhat.

Keeping your cat’s coat in good shape can be an important way to make your little companion happy and comfortable. The first key is, of course, good nutrition. You’ll notice, on regular veterinary visits, that the vet can tell a lot about the cat’s health just by seeing how shiny and healthy the coat is. Much of that good health comes from within, from the food consumed.

You also need to do your share when it comes to your cat’s grooming by brushing it regularly. Try out different kinds of cat grooming tools to see which are most effective. Many cat owners swear by a brushing tool called the FURminator, which seems to go deeper and pull out more loose fur than other brushes. But whatever tool your cat tolerates best, every bit of combing and brushing you can manage on a regular basis will be a help.

But even with frequent combing, sometimes you will notice that mats have formed. These can accumulate in places where the cat can’t easily groom: the base of the tail, the inside of the back legs, and so on. Mats can also arise in spots where the cat lies down, for example, along their right side if they most often lie down on that area.

What should be done about these? They shouldn’t just be left to keep growing. Some mats get so tight that they painfully pull the skin, and sores and even infection can develop under and around them. Sometimes you can work them out, and sometimes you have to cut them.

However, if you get too close to the skin with scissors, you could cut the skin itself, and you don’t want to risk that for poor kitty. One surprisingly good tool for dealing with mats is a small, shielded razor-style letter opener. Sometimes these can be slipped right under the mat, and the razor edge inside will slice through the fur.

The most important thing is that the cat’s coat is kept in good condition. By combing and keeping it mat-free, you can help lessen hairballs, stimulate healthy growth, and give your kitty a beautiful coat it can be happy about.

When it comes to keeping your pet happy and healthy there is nothing more important than proper grooming. Whether you take your pet to a professional groomer, do the job yourself, or call up a mobile pet grooming service, you are demonstrating your love and affection for your pet. Learn more about how to care for your pet at the Pets Grooming site.