Pitmats

Toby loathes pitmat removal

                Toby has a pitmat infestation.  We were staying ahead of it until he grew up, turned all independent, and would no longer sit still for a good hair brushing.  Since he’s the only long-haired animal we have ever had, we didn’t realize this would become such a problem.

                Are you wondering what a pitmat is?  “Pitmat” is how we affectionately refer to the mats of fur knotted up under Toby’s armpits.  When I was a child, my mom used the term “rat’s nest” to describe my unkempt long hair as she attempted to smooth it out.  I imagine she was often tempted to cut out the snarls rather than deal with my wiggling and complaining.  Pitmats pretty much operate the same way.

                Removing pitmats requires Toby to sit very still, as a patient caretaker gently tugs at them with a wire comb or brush.  My husband is fairly successful at it, but this is a high volume task and Toby squirms away long before he’s finished.

                We’ll keep working at it this winter while he’s indoors most of the day.  Once spring comes he’ll be too busy outside to let us fuss with him.