My Cat Has Matted Fur, What Can I Do?

“Help – my cat has matted fur, what can I do?”

If this is you, don’t panic.

There are simple steps you can take at home to remove mats, and prevent them reforming in future.

In severe cases, you may need to ask a groomer to help you remove mats, so that you can start a new coat-maintenance regime from scratch.

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Why does my cat’s fur get matted?

Cats are famously attentive to the condition of their coats.

You’re probably familiar with the sight of them meticulously working over their fur with their tongue, square inch by square inch.

When they spend so much time grooming, it seems impossible that a single hair could end up out of place. Let alone a whole tangle of them.

But yet, mats are a fact of life for lots of cats. And some kitties seem more prone to them than others.

Here are some of the factors that make cats prone to matted fur:

A long coat

This one is obvious.

Cats with long coats have a bigger job to keep on top of them.

Even the most scrupulous feline can end up overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work to be done every day.

Long coats are also more likely to trap debris such as kitty litter or burs off plants, which are difficult to remove and trigger the genesis of a new mat.

Old age

Like us, lots of cats experience a decline in mobility as they get older.

Joint problems commonly associated with growing old, like arthritis, can make reaching some areas painful.

So an old cat who use to be able to prevent mats by themselves, might start needing a little help.

Obesity

Obesity is a growing problem for modern day pets.

As many as 1 in 5 pet cats in the United States are estimated to be overweight or obese.

Cats who carry extra weight might start to find that some areas of fur move out of reach. Without regular grooming, these areas become prone to mats and tangles.

Brachycephaly

Brachycephalic cats have flat faces – for example Persians, and Exotic Shorthairs.

The shape of their skull and jaw bone is completely different to that of their wild ancestors.

There are many health implications of this. One is that flat faced cats may have difficulty completing their own grooming, so they become more prone to mats.

My cat has matted fur, what can I do?

Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty of removing mats from a cat’s fur.

This job is best undertaken by two people – one to hold the hold and reassure the cat, and one to operate the tools.

Step 1

Bring some treats, or give them a little catnip first, if they enjoy it.

If it’s possible to wrap some of their limbs in an old towel, and still leave the matted fur exposed, this may spare you some scratches!

Step 2

Start by using your fingers to tease apart the mat as much as possible.

You’re aiming to release any fur from around the edge, which isn’t fully matted in yet. And to loosen up the mat enough to get a comb or scissors into what’s left.

Work slowly – if the matted fur is pulling in the skin, then poking at it probably hurts!

Step 3

For mats which aren’t too densely formed, you might be able to completely unravel them next, using a metal comb and working in sections.

This ergonomic grip handled comb*(paid link) is the right kind of tool for the job. The design gives you close control over what you’re doing, and makes it easy to judge the pressure you’re exerting against the skin.

And this double-sided comb*(paid link) is a good alternative, if you prefer the style.

With either comb, start using the wide-set teeth first, and only use the narrow teeth as a finishing touch.

Step 4

For more stubborn mats, a specifically designed dematting tool might be more effective.

For example this dematting rake*(paid link).

Step 5

If a mat is too solidly formed to get a comb into it, you may need to cut it out of the coat with scissors.

Choose a pair with short blades and rounded tips*(paid link), to avoid injuring the skin.

Cut matted sections off fur away a little at a time, rather than in one go (which is more likely to pull painfully against the skin).

Step 6

With the mats removed, give the whole area a once over with a slicker brush*(paid link) to remove loose, dead hair.

There’s no point leaving them there to become the start of a new mat!

Will bathing help with removing matted fur?

There’s no need to try and wash your cat before you attempt to remove mats from his coat.

In fact it will only make the job harder!

Most cats hate water, and getting them wet makes them agitated, so it’s harder to work on their coat.

Also, cat’s fur is somewhat porous. If you get it wet, the shafts absorb some of the water, and become stretchy.

Try to imagine getting a knot out of a rubber band, compared to getting a knot out of a piece of string – it’s much harder!

However, you can buy cat safe detangling sprays, such as this one*(paid link) to help you work.

Always choose a product designed specifically for cats. Cats will ingest any residue left on their fur next time they wash themselves, so products designed for humans or other animals aren’t safe.

Dealing with extremely matted fur

Sometimes there is matted fur, and there is really matted fur.

Cats’ fur can become heavily matted for all sorts of reasons.

If their fur is long, it’s easy to miss mats deep in the undercoat. You might even be brushing the top coat on a regular basis, and not realise that the undercoat is getting more and more tightly matted next to the skin.

When a cat’s fur becomes very densely matted, the mats start to pull on the surface of the skin.

Removing the matted fur can be a relief, but it can also be uncomfortable for them, as the skin which was being held taut finally gets released and blood rushes back to the area.

Cutting away large areas of matted fur can also be time consuming, and keeping a cat calm for that long can be difficult.

So for severe cases of matted fur then, it is usually best to enlist the help of a professional groomer, or even a veterinarian.

They will have the tools and the experience to deal with a badly matted coat.

Preventing matted cat fur

Prevention, as they say, is better than cure.

And once you’ve removed mats from your cat’s fur the first time, it’s likely you’ll be feeling pretty motivated to not have to do it again.

Luckily, preventing mats can be a pleasure and not a chore!

It’s as simple and straightforward as running a brush through their coat every day.

You can plan to start a new routine of it. Set yourself a reminder every day for a month, so it becomes as habitual as cleaning your teeth.

Or, you can leave a brush by the spot where your cat most frequently joins you for a cuddle. It might be on the sofa after dinner for example.

Then when you’re both settled, the brush will already be at hand, ready for a quick once-over.

If your cat isn’t used to being brushed by you, start small at first. Just a couple of sweeps somewhere easy to reach.

Then gradually build up to brushing them all over. Make sure that you brush right down to the skin.

This habit is also an invaluable opportunity to pick up on other issues, such as lumps, bumps, cuts, cysts, or abscesses, and to get veterinary attention for them promptly.

My cat has matted fur, what can I do? Summary

The occasional mat or tangle in their fur is a fact of life for lots of cats, and certainly most long haired ones!

It is possible to remove most mats with a few simple tools and a bit of patience. For severe matting, ask a groomer or a vet to help.

Keeping up a regular habit of brushing your cat’s coat for them will prevent more mats forming in future.

Do you have any tried and tested tips for dealing with matted cat fur?

Tell us what works for you in the comments box down below!

Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

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References

Tarkosova. Feline obesity – prevalence, risk factors, pathogenesis, associated conditions and assessment: a review. Veterinarni Medicina. 2016.