How to Get Rid of Matted Cat Fur

Did you know that cats have about 60,000 to 120,000 hairs per square inch? It can be hard to maintain even for reputed self groomers like cats!

A common problem with cats is matted fur, and de-matting is not a fun thing to do for you or the feline. The best way to get rid of it is by helping your cat change their grooming habits. If that does not work, you can step in with the right tools, techniques, and a lot of patience.

Although cats regularly clean themselves, they are prone to skin disorders and discomfort resulting from unkempt fur. Hence, they need our help despite their effort at cleaning themselves well, making it necessary to understand how to get rid of matted cat fur.

This article will help you with grooming and caring for your kitty. So, read on and help your fur kid live the best life!

What You Need for Removing the Mats

Before beginning the de-matting session, it is vital to prepare since ignoring this can guarantee you some claw attacks. Hence, prepare yourself, your cat, and another person for help if required as you approach your kit.

Then, gather some tools that can help you make the process easier. Some of them are listed below:

  • De-matting/Fine-tooth comb
  • Spray bottle
  • Cornstarch
  • D scissors or blunt end scissors
  • Your kitty’s favorite treats

A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Rid of Matted Cat Fur

Making sure your cat is calm during the process is crucial. Therefore, it is important to pick your cat up for the sessions at the right time. So, refrain from intervening during their playtime or meal times.

Step #1. Prepare the Matted Area

Start with sprinkling cornstarch in the area of the mat. If you do not have cornstarch, you can use talcum powder. You can gently work the powder around your fingers after you dab them across the matted area.

When you apply the powder, remember to pull up the mat away from the cat’s skin. Furthermore, make sure your kitty stays calm through this step by speaking to them in a soothing voice and taking breaks when necessary.

Step #2. Cutting

Next, cut the mat using de-matting scissors or blunt-nosed scissors. You will have to hold them perpendicular to the skin and slide the scissors into the mat. Also, ensure to make a clean cut and do not pull the hair when you cut it.

Move up the scissors and slowly cut again. Then, separate the mats with your hands and repeat this process until you remove the mats entirely. You can also pull the loose pieces away without any tools slowly.

Step #3. Combing

Combing is crucial and requires patience since you have to ensure your cat does not experience any pain. You can use a de-matting comb or any fine-tooth comb to use on the matted area.

Start the step by gently working through the mat piece from the hair tips. Then, move down into the mat as you work and increase pressure across stubborn sections. Plus, you must ensure you do not hurt your cat in this process since they can get aggressive and try to run away.

Alternate Mat Loosening Treatments

Powdering and cutting may not always work. Moreover, the matting of a cat’s hair may not always be so bad that it requires cutting. You can use many alternative methods to loosen and eventually remove the mats.

Many kitties simply do not tolerate the entire process as well. So, here’s how to get rid of matted cat fur using natural methods:

  • You can apply some virgin coconut oil on the matted area to loosen the mats and then remove them using a comb.
  • Baby powders can do the trick of loosening the mats like talcum powder.
  • You can use any vet-recommended cat shampoo and conditioner as well.
  • A humidifier can loosen up staticky matted fur in the winter.

Grooming Behavior

Before getting rid of matted hair in your cat, it is important to understand their grooming habits. All the healthy cats groom themselves regularly and thoroughly. If you are a lucky pet parent who gets to spend a lot of time around cats, you would have noticed this.

They lick their fur to maintain hygiene and healthy glands that can produce oil for lubricating the fur. It will also prevent fleas from increasing their infestation. However, cats can neglect their grooming instincts which can lead to the matting of the fur.

Unkempt hair and coats can be very painful for kitties. It is especially more serious in long hair feline breeds like Persian, Siberian, or Maine Coons. Further, these long-haired breeds are more likely to develop mats than others.

If your fur kid is not grooming at all, it can be a symptom of a serious illness. Therefore, it is advisable to go to your veterinarian before taking up the matter in your own hands.

Causes of Matted Cat Fur

Matting generally occurs in parts where the cat can not easily reach. It includes underneath or behind the chest area, behind the ears, the armpits, and below the tail.

It can also occur in areas where cats can reach if they are having some difficulty. Some of the causes are listed below:

Dust and dander: If your cat lives in stuffy places, it can accumulate dust and dander. It can affect both long-haired and short-haired kitties. So, self-grooming may not be enough when there is too much dust.

Shedding

Shedding can cause entanglement of hair in the coat and lead to matting. Hence, it is important to notice if your cat is losing more hair than normal.

Excess Weight

Generally, overweight cats find it harder to groom themselves. Therefore, they need special care in terms of nutrition as well as grooming.

Sickness

Many kinds of sickness in cats can lead to fur matting. One of the most common problems that can lead to excessive matting is a dental problem.

Neglect

Many house cat breeds such as Persian, Himalayan, and Siamese require a high level of care. So, if you are not providing enough attention to their hair and coat health, it can lead to unhealthy matting of the fur.

Final Verdict

It is vital to collect all the things you need before starting to remove the mats. You do not need any fancy de-matting combs or scissors since the technique and patience matter more than the equipment.

Alternatively, you can also go with natural methods if you can not make your cat stay calm for long enough to remove the mats.

It would be best if you paid attention to your cat’s grooming behavior often to prevent any matting or skin allergies. Also, one of the vital tips on how to get rid of matted cat fur is to keep the hair dry before you start.