How To Unmat Cat Hair?

Mats aren’t solely unsightly, but they can lead to skin irritation and infection if not removed on time. De-matting isn’t a fun experience, but it’s vital for a cat’s well-being.

Mats can be removed by cutting, shaving, or combing. You should evaluate the case severity to determine the best course of action.

Sometimes, the best option is to seek a professional groomer’s or veterinarian’s help. Remember that preventing mat formation is easier than de-matting, so don’t neglect your cat’s grooming routine.

What You’ll Need

Start by gathering your supplies – blunt-end scissors, a fine-toothed comb, cornstarch, antiseptic solution, a gauze, and cat treats.

Choose a wooden or metal comb that won’t break easily. Use a six to eight-inch comb because small combs have too fine teeth that remove too much fur.

Cornstarch is necessary to loosen the knot. It works like dry shampoo and helps the comb glide through the mat. Alternatively, you may use baby powder or dry shampoo for cats – anything that will absorb hair oils and grease.

Don’t use oils or conditioners to remove a mat from a cat’s hair. Such products can be helpful for detangling hair because they make it slippery and smooth, but mats aren’t tangles.

Hair in mats is already broken and dead, so conditioners don’t make the job any easier. Conversely, conditioners and oils can worsen the situation, remaining in the coat and making it greasy.

Antiseptic solution and gauze are required to stop the bleeding if you accidentally hurt your cat. Even if you use blunt-end scissors, there’s a chance that the mat is located too close to the skin and will leave a lesion.

Start With a Calm Cat

Don’t attempt to remove a mat from your cat’s fur when it’s full of energy or is anxious. De-matting isn’t a pleasant procedure, and your cat is unlikely to be patient as you pull its hair out.

Play with your cat beforehand to drain its energy. Cats tend to become sleepy after a meal because they prefer to digest food in sleep, so you can wait until your cat has had breakfast or dinner.

However, ensure that your cat remains receptive to treats. If your cat has recently gone lost and found, had an unpleasant vet visit, got acquainted with a new pet in the house, or was on a long trip, postpone the procedure.

Your cat should be in a good emotional state. Some catnip can be helpful, but only if your cat ingests it – sniffing catnip has the opposite effect, making cats hyperactive.

If your cat resists during the procedure, take a break and talk to it in a soothing voice. Pet your kitty and give it some treats or catnip for patience.

Note that catnip only works for about 10 minutes, after which cats become tolerant to it for several hours.

Prepare The Matter Area

Sprinkle some cornstarch or baby powder onto the matted area and gently rub it into the mat with your fingers. Carefully pull the mat with your fingers to see how close it lies to the skin.

Apply cornstarch liberally because it’s necessary to remove excess hair oils. Don’t use human dry shampoo to avoid causing skin irritation.

Cut The Mat

The best way to get rid of a mat in a cat’s fur is to cut it off. Cutting a mat is quick, so your cat won’t become impatient and anxious. Furthermore, you won’t need to pull your cat’s hair, causing discomfort and pain.

Cutting is the only option for large and tight mats, the size of a nickel or bigger. Begin by carefully pulling the mat with your fingers. Slide the scissors along the skin into the mat. Hold scissors perpendicular to the skin.

Then, cut the mat and give your cat a treat. Repeat the procedure if necessary – usually, you can only cut about half an inch at a time. After cutting the entire mat, gently comb your cat’s fur to prevent tangling.

Comb The Mat

You may comb a mat out if it’s small and not too tight. Start with your cat sitting comfortably on your lap. Then, locate the mat and move the hair around it away to ensure it doesn’t get in your way.

Slip the comb under the mat without getting any hair around the affected area into the comb. Then, use your second hand to firmly hold the skin underneath the mat. Give a soft yet firm tug towards you to get the mat out.

Combing shouldn’t hurt if you hold your cat’s skin strong enough and are quick. Most cats become irritated if the owner tries to detangle a mat bit by bit because slow mat removal causes discomfort.

Never attempt to comb out a mat located too close to the skin or a large mat because you may pull out too much fur and cause pain to your pet.

Know The Don’ts

Knowing how to remove matted cat hair isn’t sufficient – you should also know the don’ts of de-matting cat fur. Never bathe a cat before removing mats because it will worsen the situation, making the hair even more tangled.

Don’t discipline your cat during the process because you will draw negative associations with grooming in general. Remember that the procedure causes more discomfort for your cat than for you.

Know the difference between tangles and mats, and don’t attempt to detangle a mat using hair oil or conditioner. If your cat has several small mats, don’t remove them all at once unless your cat sits patiently.

Don’t use scissors too close to your cat’s skin. Never use sharp-end scissors. If you accidentally cut your cat, spray antiseptic to the affected area and apply pressure with gauze to stop bleeding.

Sometimes, a hot spot develops on the affected area after mat removal because a cat may groom itself excessively. Never use any sprays or ointments on the hot spot unless prescribed by a vet.

When To Seek Professional Help

In some cases, mats pose a severe threat to feline health, so you should know when to seek help for cat hair matting. A pro knows how to make the procedure less stressful and how to get rid of a mat without hurting a cat.

If the mat is too large to be combed out or cut off with scissors, is close to the skin, and you can’t slip scissors under it, or your cat responds aggressively to your de-matting attempts, consider seeing a professional groomer.

Professional help may also be necessary if a cat has multiple mats because manual mat removal will take much time. In this case, the groomer may use clippers to shave a cat.

Don’t shave a cat with matted fur yourself because a non-professional may make matters worse. Clipper blades are sharp and may cut the cat’s skin if used incorrectly.

The groomer will evaluate the case severity and determine the best course of action. Professional cat mat removal can be expensive, sometimes costing hundreds of dollars, but it’s worth it.

In some cases, the groomer may advise having the mat removed by a veterinarian under anesthesia.

Anesthesia has its risks and adverse effects, but it’s the only option for cats that are too stressed or aggressive and don’t respond to calming medications.

Preventing Matting

Matting is prevalent in longhaired cats because their hair is prone to tangling and knotting. When a cat sheds its undercoat, dead hair becomes caught in the top coat, forming a mat.

Matting is especially common in places on the feline body that involve much rubbing – between the legs, on the collar, or the chest.

A mat left unattended can be problematic, causing discomfort and leading to skin condition development.

For this reason, owners of longhaired breeds should know how to prevent matting in cats. Regular brushing is vital to preserve a cat’s coat quality, prevent matting, and timely spot fleas that may hide inside the fur.

Longhaired cat owners should establish a grooming routine to make their pets accustomed to the process. Many cats enjoy being brushed because a comb scratches hard-to-reach places, and slow movements resemble petting.

The best brush for a longhaired cat is a slicker brush or a pin brush that brushes both the top coat and the undercoat. A regular fine-tooth comb is suitable for longhaired cats without undercoats, such as Birman cats.

De-shedding brushes are helpful during intense shedding seasons when a slicker brush can’t remove all dead hair from the undercoat.

As for how often to bush a longhaired cat, the answer depends on a particular cat’s lifestyle, coat quality, and the season. Some cats may suffice with weekly brushing, whereas many need to be brushed daily.

Cats need more frequent brushing during seasonal shedding in spring and autumn. Cat owners residing in states with cold winters may notice that their pet’s coat becomes fluffier in the winter months, which also requires extra attention.

Although brushing is sufficient to prevent matting in most cats, some may benefit from bathing or a professional haircut.

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