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How to Get Mats Out of Cat Hair? The Simple Method How

Published by Annie Anderson
Last updated: January 20, 2024

Caring for your cat will not only mean feeding it, but it entails giving your cat the loving attention and affection!

Your cat’s fur is also another important part to take care of as well, as he both sheds and tangles up his fur for various reasons! You might also ask,” Should you bathe cats for him to untangle his fur?”.It can be such a pain to attempt detangling it, but fortunately, there are methods you can follow on how to get mats out of cat hair easily!

If you’re wondering what matted hair of a cat is and how to remove it and prevent the mat from happening again, read on as I talk about the things you need to know about matted hair.

What is Matted Hair of a Cat?

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What is matting anyway? It’s tangled clumps of fur around your cat’s body! It comes from the loose and live hair from your pet’s body, which ends up clumping together due to lack of brushing, or improperly grooming your cat.

Matting doesn’t only happen to cats, but dogs as well. They can be found on the outer part of your cat’s fur, but there will be times it can go even deeper, which is worse as it’s unnoticeable to the naked eye.

You might think that matting is fine on a cat, as they will be able to prevent it from grooming. But that isn’t the case! If you leave your cat’s fur to clump together, it would be IMPOSSIBLE for him to remove it himself. Worse, you will need to shave his entire coat because the tangles can get too intense and painful to remove.

What Causes Matted Cat Hair?

What causes matting in hair anyway?

The main reason why your cat experiences matted hair is due to lack of grooming. If you do not brush your cat’s hair properly or leave it as is for an extended period, then your feline friend will suffer from the clumps due to shedding and leaving the excess fur on his skin.

Other times, it can be from accidents due to playing outdoors. Your cat may roll into sticky areas or play too intensely, which ends up with tangles all around him once he gets home.

Your cat will usually experience matted hair on hard-to-spot areas where it isn’t usually groomed, such as behind the ears, the groin, into his arms or around the collar area. It’s more severe with long-haired cats who have excessive fur that falls out!

If left for long, your cat won’t only look messy, but he’ll experience the following:

  • Irritation or skin infections because of the extra fur weighing him and his skin down
  • Pain because of trying to brush the tangles
  • Skin inflammation
  • Anxiety from the pain and skin inflammation
  • Excessive hairballs – This can lead to your cat’s intestine for blocking because of the hairballs your cat will lick

How to Get Mats Out of Cat Hair Easily?

The matted hair on a cat is a huge no-no, but there will be times that it’s inevitable. It will be painful, but it’s best to remove it as soon as possible.

Prepare the following materials:

  • Blunt scissors
  • Fine-toothed comb
  • Spray bottle of conditioner
  • Corn starch or baby powder
  • Treats for your cat

Follow these steps to properly remove the mats from your cat’s hair:

  • Make sure that your cat is relaxed. Play with your cat for a while and slowly ease him into the brushing session. Doing this will help prevent your cat from clawing you!
  • Apply a bit of powder (cornstarch or talcum powder) in the matted areas of your cat, brushing it with your fingers. Use a bit of conditioner by spraying it on SMALLER mats.
  • Pull the mat away from the skin, so you know where your cat’s skin is. Do this step gently so as not to harm or shock your cat.
  • Get the pair of scissors and cut the mat away, making clean cuts. Do you best not to pull your cat’s hair as you cut, as it might make him squirm!
  • While cutting your cat’s mats, give your cat some treats to ease his discomfort and allow him to stay.
  • Continue separating the mats and cutting it away from the skin. Take away any loose hair carefully.
  • Once you have removed most of the mats, use the wide-toothed comb and brush your cat, focusing on the matted area until it fully removes. Remember to do this slowly and gently.
  • If you are unable to remove all the mats because of a jittery cat, then you can give him a treat and let him go for a few hours or repeat the session again for another day until all mats are removed. It’s best not to push your cat to the mat-removing session.

There you have it! You will need to be patient because your cat will be uncomfortable and the mats are a bit difficult to remove. Be sure NOT to bathe your cat beforehand, or it will be harder to remove the mats. Also, you might need some help while keeping your cat calm!

If ever the mats are too vast and painful to tangle, then it’s time to have it checked by a professional to either remove the mats or shave his undercoat if it’s too much of a problem.

Tips on How to Prevent the Matted Hair From Coming Back

Now that you know how to get mats out of cat hair, how can you prevent it from happening again? Here are some tips to follow:

  • Always keep an eye on your cat’s coat. Make sure to brush it at least a few times a week. You can check if he has mats when touching and feeling his body. If he hisses or feels irritated, then chances are he’s suffering from tangles around his body.
  • Use the proper tools when brushing your cat’s hair, using a rubber brush for short-haired cats and a long-tooth metal-wired brush for cats with longer hair. Remember to groom the undercoat and hard-to-reach spots as well.
  • If your cat doesn’t like brushing, have him get used to it through touching him at first. Give him some treats or praise your cat while brushing, so he knows that it’s safe and a good routine. When your act hates brushing, then scruff your cat so he can sit still.
  • Have your cat professionally groomed and checked by the veterinarian a few times a year to make sure that he’s free of mats.

In Conclusion

Your cat will require constant care, especially when he’s got a lot of furs to maintain! This will entail daily brushing to avoid the tangles and mats from happening again because it isn’t only painful, but unattractive to look at! So you should try for the best brushes for cats.

I hope that this article CORRECTLY shows you how to get mats out of cat hair easily and with minimal pain as possible. Now that you’re fully knowledgeable on what to do you can now successfully remove those mats and tangles your cat suffers from today!

Do you want to ask something or share your tips on how to get mats out of cat hair, then post your comments below. I will appreciate all the thoughts and suggestions you have to give!

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