Cat Owner's Manual › Chapter 6: Cat Grooming › Removing Mats and Tangles From Your Cat ›

Removing Mats and Tangles From Your Cat

Mats are created when dead hair deep in the coat becomes entangled with fast-growing new hair. They usually form very close to the skin and can be quite painful. To disentangle one, first (if possible) place a comb between the mat and the feline's skin, to serve as a barrier against accidental cuts. Then use a seam ripper on the outside of the matted material, working your way toward the center as the hair loosens. If the mat cannot be entirely removed, cut out the remainder with scissors (placing a comb between the hair and the cat's skin will protect the animal from accidental cuts and nicks).

cautionCAUTION: In cases of severe matting, the cat may have to be partially or completely shaved. This procedure should be performed by a competent groomer. If your cat aggressively resists grooming, a veterinarian may need to remove the matting after placing the cat under anesthesia.

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Chapter 6: Cat Grooming

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Corn starch is very helpful in removing mats and knots. Just rub some corn starch into the fur, then gently comb or brush it through. It works kind of like hair conditioner, plus it's all natural.

purred by Kate Benjamin on Jun 10, 2008 AT 9:12 pm PDT
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I have a Himmie who gets these "close" matts, and they have been slowly 'peeling' back by themselves. I have gooming clipper/shears, but cannot get them to shave close enough, thru the matts. I also try to cut with 'nubby' scissors, vertically, thru the matts, to separate them, somewhat. Moochy has the equivalent of a "Bad Haircut"! But without another person to hold her, while I shave her, it is difficult. (Moochy is declawed, by the way, by a previous owner) She is very 'wiggly' and can still bite!

purred by Carol Heartburg on Jul 8, 2008 AT 6:08 am PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!