Rough Ruff Times!

[Fozzie]

I waited ages for Mufasa to grow a lovely long ruff and it finally arrived over the last few months (pics below). Now it seems that he keeps getting his tongue caught in it lol! Everytime he goes to groom himself the 'ruff hair in tongue' problem leaves him almost gagging and seems to result in him giving up sometimes. We have been on holiday for two and a half weeks and my in-laws were cat sitting. On our return his ruff had huge knots in it (probably caused by under brushing and this tongue problem) my father in law mentioned that they had 'rescued' him from his tongue several times! Sadly the only way to remove the really huge knot was to cut it out which has left a bald patch . Is this a common problem and does anyone have any solution apart from shaving him competely!!

[Antonia]

I know the problem. Our little Minnie has a mighty ruff and a tongue like sandpaper. Like Mufasa she often gets her tongue stuck in her ruff (or her ruff stuck in her mouth). I don’t want to clip the ruff, so I just comb and brush very often. But usually within an hour the little knots and wet patches are back again.

[Fozzie]

Aww! It's so worrying when they appear to be struggling because they are stuck to themselves! Sounds like it's something you just have to help with - I wonder how Maine Coon's got on in the wild??

[Antonia]

They probably got on looking very unkempt.

[mc-becca]

I know what you are all saying . . . my poor Dakota chokes on his beautiful Ruff regularly (he's 5 yrs old now). We have to comb it daily, or his chest gets very "nappy" and knotted! It takes them so long to grow it too! Oh yes, and we have cut out the knots sometimes (and he gets bald spots), but it fills in quickly now. I've never attempted trimming it - as I love his beautiful maine . . . er, ruff!

[cooncatbob]

I use a comb with roller tines called an "Untangler" works great, Samantha never had a problem with her Ruff, her problem was alway with her britches which she didn't like comb and which would frequently mat up.