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Is your kitty’s beautiful coat plagued with mats? Mats are tangled clumps of fur most common in long-haired cats.
Matting comes from grease and dirt buildup that traps shedding hair in your cat’s coat and causes tangles, says Christiana Spurlock, certified feline master groomer and owner of Classy Claws mobile cat grooming.
Matted fur can have several root causes, from old age to an underlying illness. However, it’s possible to manage—and even prevent—matted fur in cats, either by yourself at home or with the help of a pro.
Below, get the details on how to get your cat’s fur back to its usual fluffy glory.
How To Detangle Your Cat’s Matted Fur
If you catch mats early, you may be able to de-tangle them at home, explains Amber Carter, board-certified feline veterinarian and owner of CatVetLife. The following steps can help you throughout the grooming process.
1. Gather your tools
Matting can be tough to work out with just your fingers. So, Dr. Carter recommends working with a de-matting comb or brush. A specialized tool, like a Furminator de-shedding brush, could also help get the job done.
“Never use scissors to cut mats out, as the skin can easily be caught up in the mat and be cut by the scissors,” Dr. Carter cautions. Instead, you can use grooming clippers to shave away mats that resist combing—but you may want to leave that to a pro, especially if you’ve never done it before (more on that below).
2. Get de-tangling
With your tools prepared, you can start the de-tangling process.
Tip: It’s a good idea to trim your cat’s nails first!
- Start by settling your cat somewhere comfortable, like on a tabletop or your lap.
- Try to isolate the mat and slowly use your comb or brush to break it apart. Take care not to tug too hard and pull your cat’s skin.
- If you need an extra boost, you can either wet your brush or sprinkle talcum powder over the knot. But Spurlock recommends not using waterless shampoo or oil. These products can build up in your cat’s coat and inadvertently lead to more knots.
3. When to get help from a pro
In some cases, you (or your cat) may not feel comfortable with at-home mat removal, especially if you can’t remove the mats with brushing alone.
If the matting is severe and close to the cat’s skin, the only humane option is shaving, Spurlock says. She recommends consulting with a professional groomer for shaving. As with scissors, you could easily nick your cat’s skin with clippers if you’re not careful—and even if you’re extra careful, your cat could pull away at just the wrong moment.
4 Reasons Why Your Cat Might Have Matted Fur
So, why does your cat have matted fur in the first place? According to Dr. Carter, one of the following factors could play a role.
- Age: Older cats may have joint conditions, like arthritis, which can make it harder to groom themselves properly.
- Fur Length: Long-haired cat breeds, like Maine Coons, are more prone to matting than their short-haired counterparts.
- Weight: Overweight or obese cats may have a tougher time bending to groom certain spots on their body, like the area around their tails.
- Illnesses: Sick cats often have less energy, which often means they’re less likely to groom themselves. Cats with dental diseases may also lose interest in grooming due to the discomfort in their mouth—which is, of course, their main grooming tool.
Can matted fur cause health problems?
Matted fur isn’t just unsightly. It can also have an impact on your cat’s quality of life.
“Matted fur can be very painful if the mats are large enough or tight enough to the skin,” Dr. Carter says. “Even after the mats are removed, there can be irritation or sores on the skin.”
Left unchecked, chronic matting in pets could also contribute to health problems, including:
- Skin irritation and infections
- Parasitic infestations
- Chronic ear or eye infections
- Constipation or impaction
How to Keep Your Cat From Getting Mats
The best way to prevent mats? Catch them before they form. That usually means establishing a regular brushing routine.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests brushing long-haired cats every other day and short-haired cats once per week. However, that’s sometimes easier said than done.
Many cats don’t enjoy being brushed, as a 2020 study involving 10 Maine Coon cats found. The cats involved in the study displayed stress-like behavior, including aggressiveness and withdrawal, during brushing sessions This was true even for cats who were socialized to brushing early in life.
But if your cat won’t tolerate much brushing, you can support the health of their skin and coat in other ways:
- Regular professional grooming: If your cat has issues with matting but doesn’t like being brushed at home, Spurlock suggests taking them to a professional groomer every 4-8 weeks. The grooming session will typically involve a regular bath and brush-out to remove shedding fur and de-grease your cat’s skin.
- Change their haircut: For long-haired cats, Spurlock says a change in haircut could also combat matting. For example, a teddy bear cut is one style for long-haired breeds that helps cut down on tangles.
- Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids can support a cat’s skin and coat health, among other benefits, says Dr. Carter. Many cat foods come already supplemented, but you can also give your cat omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Just remember to consult your vet before introducing anything new to your kitty’s diet.
Matting is more than a bad fur day. Cats with matted fur can feel itchy and uncomfortable and may even develop medical issues, like sores on their skin.
If your cat has a few mats, don’t despair! A little patience and a good brushing session could help you de-tangle smaller mats at home. If you’re dealing with stubborn mats that are especially tight on your cat’s skin, calling a professional may be the best option for your cat (and you!).