Our regular grooming kit

(clockwise from far left)

• wide-tooth stainless-steel comb 1-inch teeth

• fine-tooth stainless-steel comb (aka "flea" comb) for combing on the face

• wide-tooth stainless-steel comb 1/2-inch teeth

• A brush that won't snag _ we recommend the Hartz Cat Slicker Brush... it's got nylon bristles with plastic safety tips. It doesn't tear the fur and actually gets down to the undercoat.

• A scissors-style nail trimmer - we prefer the model made by Four Paws; it has a plastic coated (comfort) grip and sharp stainless-steel blades.

• A razor-style letter opener for cutting through occasional knots and small mats in fur. Although Maine Coons don't mat easily, they do get knots, especially in their armpits. We used to use a wonderful (no-longer-available) device called a Pet Pic. Some of the razor-style letter openers work just as well - look for Presto Letter Openers at your office supply store.

For tougher knots, mats, and "cotton coat"

For the occasional heavier knots, mats, and "cotton coat", we also use a wonderful tool called a Matbreaker, manufactured by APC2000, Inc and available online from Cat Claws. The Matbreaker looks like a comb with 6 curved stainless steel teeth with sharpened edges. The teeth can be removed and reversed for left-handed use. We recommend buying two and setting one for left, one for right, so you can work on any mat! Replacement teeth are also available.

Look in the pet store grooming aisle for a comb with rotating teeth. These can work well to keep the knots away (though the don't work well on a stubborn "mat")

You may also have good luck woith something called an "undercoat rake". This tool has half-inch widely spaced plastic teeth and can work wonders to remove "low-lying fluff" before it knots!