• Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
Search
Close
Facebook-f Instagram Youtube
mobilebcr
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
Menu
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
Home Articles by BCR

Mats

BCR by BCR
December 23, 2017
in Articles by BCR
12
0
Joseph Lion Dread Locks
10
SHARES
199
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Why does the cat have mats?

Most exotic cats live to be 10-12 in the wild and in most other captive situations.  At Big Cat Rescue our average age, at time of death, is 18 and we have had some tigers, leopards, bobcats, ocelots and others live into their mid twenties.  One cat lived to be just shy of 30 here.  If you multiply their age by six, you get roughly the human equivalent, so an 18 year old wildcat is roughly the same as you being 108.  As we age, we become arthritic, we lose muscle mass and we sleep a lot.  It’s the same with cats.

Many of the cats rescued by Big Cat Rescue have been declawed, so they can’t use their claws to comb out mats.  Most of the cats at Big Cat Rescue are over the age of 12 (60) and at this writing 34 are over 15 (90), 25 are already over our average age at death of 18 and 21 of our cats are over the age of 20 (120).  Most of our cats can’t fully groom themselves.

We do try to help them with their grooming by using telescoping back scratchers.  Some cats won’t let us touch them.

Sedation is very dangerous for big cats and we don’t knock them out unless it’s really, really important.  They can die under anesthesia or suffer strokes that leave them debilitated; especially when they are old and fragile to begin with.  Some longer furred cats get so matted that we do have to sedate them occasionally because the knots begin to pull their skin, or because they are in areas that get dirty from food or feces, causing a health hazard to the cat.

Other mats, like those in Joseph Lion’s mane, are just surface mats.  They may not look pretty to us, but they aren’t pulling his skin and they aren’t getting crud stuck in them.  If that changes, we will sedate and shave him.

If you are new to Big Cat Rescue, thank you for taking the time to come to this page to learn about us.  Our goal is to end the practice of keeping big cats captive as pets, props and for their parts.  You can help us do that at BigCatAct.com

Letter to the Management

December 21, 2017

Dear Sir/Madam:

Recently some of my subjects seem to be very concerned about my hairstyle. Fear not. As King of BCR, my subjects look to me to set the standards here – and that includes the latest and greatest fashions and hairstyles. I must always keep things fresh and new.

Now, we all know that I can rock the Bon Jovi big hair look (1) and the Captain Jack Sparrow chin ponytail look (2) and even bed head (3).

Joseph Lion Dread Locks

For the new year, I am trying something new. Those things you refer to as “mats” in my hair are just the start of some dreadlocks! I know some people think dreadlocks are dirty. That is just a myth! Dreadlocks are only dirty if you don’t take care of them and wash them.

I know many of my subjects will want to volunteer for that job, so I will probably need to do a contest and pick a few winners. Unless, of course, Dr. Justin wants to volunteer…

It takes about 6 months to make good dreads, so you will be seeing those “mats” in my hair for a while, but

Don’ worry – everytin gon be irie, mon!

Sincerely,

Joseph Lion

(Sent via Lori D., Secretary to the Cats)

 

Previous Post

December 23 2017

Next Post

Groom a Big Cat

Related Posts

Jinx_Leopard_Big Cat Rescue_ BrittanyMira
Memorials

Jinx

December 24, 2022

Jinx, Male Black Leopard Exact DOB Unknown estimated 1999 Arrived August 2015...

SaberToothSleuth
Articles by BCR

Saber Tooth Sleuth

December 23, 2022

Roar out to protect wild cats!

Kekoa rehab bobcat
Bobcats-Rehab

Kekoa bobcat

July 23, 2022

Kekoa (pronounced Keh-Ko-a),Hawaiian for "the warrior"MaleDate of birth: May 24, 2022Date of...

Next Post
Groom a Big Cat

Groom a Big Cat

Leave a Reply

  • Facebook Comments
  • Default Comments (0)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Recent Articles

  • A jaguar’s tail never sleeps. Manny jaguar at Big Cat Rescue. March 20, 2023
  • Sunday rolls. Dutchess tiger at Big Cat Rescue. March 20, 2023
  • Gorgeous Dutchess tiger at Big Cat Rescue. March 20, 2023

Recent Comments

  • Owen Sanchez on Rare ocelot comes to the Tallahassee Museum on June 13
  • ANIL DAHAR on If a lion and tiger got into a fight, who would win?
  • bryan Christopher kirshon on Catfight
  • Jayden on TJ
  • Deb Quimby on AR Zoo Broward

Big Cat Rescue is accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries

We are Certified by Independent Charities of America as a “Best in America Charity”

About Us

  • Big Cat Rescue Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big cats may be the King of Beasts, but without you they can’t survive.

© Copyright 2023 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Cleantalk Pixel

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.