Extremely Matted Cat Living In Basement Is Completely Unrecognizable Now

When The Big House Cats got a call from a concerned family member about an overweight cat, they were eager to find out more. The family’s dogs didn’t get along with the cat, Bandit, so he had to live in the basement. Over time, Bandit’s care got away from the family, and they realized he needed help.

Despite being full, the rescue knew they had to help Bandit, so they agreed to take him in and found him an emergency foster. When Bandit arrived in their care, they were shocked to discover huge mats all over his body. He barely looked like a cat at all. “[It was] the worst matting we had ever seen on a short-haired cat,” Kristine Seguin of The Big House Cats told The Dodo. “It was very difficult for him to move freely due to the tight matting.”

Before they could do anything else, Bandit’s rescuers had to free him from his matted fur. They took him to a vet, who sedated him and worked for an hour to carefully shave him down. By the time she was done, he was unrecognizable. “When he was recovered from his sedation and back at the rescue, he had some difficulty walking, but we suspect it’s because the muscles were so tight and used to being in one position,” Seguin said. “Now he had freedom, and his body wasn’t used to that. A few days later, and he’s moving more freely and comfortably!” After a few days in the rescue’s care, Bandit’s personality began to emerge. He seemed so much happier and more comfortable than when he arrived. His rescuers are confident that he’ll continue to feel better and better, especially as he sheds the extra weight he’s carrying.

“He is doing amazing, so gentle, really loving and mild-mannered,” Seguin said. “Happy to receive love, join in play with the other cats and loves his new bed.” Once the rescue confirms that Bandit’s diet is working and he starts to lose a little weight, he’ll be ready for adoption. They can’t wait for him to find his forever home and are confident he’ll make the perfect addition for one lucky family.