[PJ]

Red, I've had many long haired cats, and have found that giving them butter or olive oil, or some version of these, will help the hairballs go on thru their systems and come out the other end just fine. Depending on their individual taste, I would mix it with their food or some yogurt, or something else they liked.

Also to remove the matting, I would massage some oil or butter into the mat to loosen it. For the most stubborn mats/tangles, I sometimes had to cut them off, carefully using blunt little scissors. Mine all seemed to like being gently groomed, although some had spots that they didn't want to be brushed. I never did a lion cut, I hope you don't have to.

Good luck!