Here's How To Get Rid Of Your Cat’s Matted Fur
Before it gets worse 😫
Parents of cats with long hair have probably been in this situation before: You’re running your hands through your cat’s coat when you happen upon a lump in the fur. Perhaps your cat has even swatted your hand away when you investigate.
This dreaded clump of fur is a mat, and it’s not pleasant to live with or to work out of the fur, but mats simply must be removed before they become a bigger problem.
But how exactly does one remove matted cat hair while keeping their limbs intact?
The Dodo talked to Dr. Laurie Hess, a director of veterinary medicine at Petco, and cat groomer Julie Matthes, owner of Feline Fancy, which services the South Shore of Massachusetts, about the causes of mats in cat fur and the best method of removing them as painlessly as possible.
What does matted fur mean?
Matted fur is much different than your average snarl or tangle. Rather than a small knot that can be easily worked out of the fur with a standard cat brush, mats are more mass-like and can be so densely packed with loose, tangled hair that they’re actually hard at the center.
And they can even lead to larger issues than just tangled fur. The tension mats create on the skin is painful and can even lead to infections and sores if left untreated, since mats can attract parasites or bacteria.
“Leaving mats unattended can cause pain and health problems, so it is important to keep your cat’s coat healthy and tangle-free,” Dr. Hess told The Dodo.
Causes of matted cat fur
“Cat fur can become matted for a variety of reasons, such as rubbing of their collar, shedding, entrapped litter or stool, or just normal movement,” Dr. Hess said. “Age is another factor in mats, as your cat may not be as flexible as when they were younger to be able to reach back and groom themselves.”
But, as Matthes told The Dodo, “[the] biggest cause is lack of grooming by owner.”
The longer your cat’s fur is, the more likely it is to tangle and mat. Pet parents of long-haired cats should stay vigilant and be on the lookout for matted cat hair during daily pets or grooming sessions.
How to get mats out of cat fur
Though mats can look (and feel) like a big problem, they can be worked out of your cat’s coat quite easily if you’re willing to put a bit of patience into the process. Here’s how to effectively remove matted cat hair.
- First, start pulling the mat apart with your fingers. Don’t yank or pull too hard at the mat since it can cause more pain or stress on the skin. Dr. Hess suggested applying a pet-friendly detangling spray to loosen the fur even more.
- Next, break out the comb. A metal mat or flea comb will work best. “Start by holding the hair below the mat, close to the skin, and separate the tangled fur into smaller pieces,” Dr. Hess said. “Be as gentle as possible, and apply short, fast strokes so there's less pulling of the skin.”
- Continue to work at the mat with the comb, giving your cat breaks if needed. Cats can get overheated and stressed during situations like mat removing, Dr. Hess noted, so read the room while you work away, and let your cat catch her breath if she needs to.
- Don’t resort to snipping the mat with scissors. “Never try to cut out a mat,” Dr. Hess said. “Cats have very delicate skin, and with mats forming close to it, it's easy to miscalculate and cut too deep.”
- Never bathe a cat with matted fur. “If you have one of those exceptional cats that allow you to bathe them, do not bathe a matted cat,” Matthes said. “It only makes the mats tighter and harder to remove.” Remove any mats first before bathing.
- Finally, if the mat is putting up too big of a fight, consult a professional. Sometimes you have to admit defeat when it comes to mats in cat hair. If you’re unable to remove it with your fingers or a mat comb, then it’s time to call in a groomer or vet.
How to prevent matted cat fur
The easiest way to keep mats out of your cat’s fur is to prevent them from forming in the first place. To do that, you should brush your cat’s fur daily, every other day or once a week.
“Add regular brushing and combing into your pet’s routine,” Dr. Hess said. “During this time, run your fingers through their coat so you can feel any clumps of fur below the surface that need immediate attention,” especially near their hindquarters, where stool and litter can get clumped in matted fur.
If and when you feel a mat in its beginning stages, remove it sooner rather than later so it doesn’t become a bigger problem for both you and your cat — literally.
But Matthes is more than aware that some cats will not allow you to brush them. “In those cases, you will need a professional groomer,” she said. “Me, as a groomer, would rather brush out a cat every three months than have to shave it every year. Keep this in mind if you have one of those kitties.”
Mats aren’t fun for cats or their parents. But taking immediate action either at home or with professional help will keep mats at bay and help both you and your cat live a much more comfortable life.
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