Self grooming device - cat can't reach back?! (weight, blood, food)

[miyu]

One of our cats (Russian blue) is overweight and it is hard to control his food portions because it is a multi cat household. Since a few months ago he started getting mats of hair on his back, probably because he can't reach over to groom himself. We cut off one of the clumps but another one started developing. He is living with my in-laws. Their job description does not include brushing cats.

I recall seeing a device in a pet store that has an arc of bristles tacked down to a base. I think the cat is supposed to scratch its own back with this device. But I'm not sure what it is called and how well it works.

Any products we can buy to help the cat groom himself? The weight issue is hard to resolve unless we separate the cats...

[Ohiogirl81]

I think they're literally called "arch groomers." I've seen them in Petco.

[catsmom21]

Imperial Cat 5415 Self-Grooming Brush

PS A vet visit and blood work would be a good thing, and a diet change to a canned diet would help too. So would some omega 3 fish oil.

[miyu]

Sounds all like good suggestions, thanks!

[MissNM]

Originally Posted by miyu

Any products we can buy to help the cat groom himself?

Our cat had a similar problem. He went out and got us!

We do a pretty crappy job though - he doesn't tolerate us brushing him.