How To Get Rid Of Matted Fur

These clumps of fur can be painful for the cat.

How to get rid of matted fur.

Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. Usually grooming keeps the fur clean and prevents fleas from taking hold. The author of the grooming industry reference guide notes from the grooming table has cleaned up dogs with fur so matted that the only solution was to cut off the entire coat which falls away in one piece like a pelt she says. Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work.

If you cannot untangle everything that way use a brush to gently break up the ends of the mat working inward. After waiting several minutes gently untangle the easiest knots with your fingers. You can easily get rid of the cat hair using other methods too. Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.

Why matted cat fur is bad. As clumps get larger they put pressure on your cat s skin making it painful to lie down. Liberally rub the cornstarch into the matted fur then slick the hair from the bottom to the top of the mat using a comb. Really stubborn mats can be broken up with specialized mat rakes or by cutting the mat out with a pair of scissors.

Healthy and tangle free cat fur allows for a continuous air flow to your cat s skin. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided. But sometimes if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming mats may form. Certain breeds of cats persians maine coons and other long haired breeds are more likely to develop mats.

Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting. Another matted dog hair remedy is cornstarch a good alternative if you re in a bind or don t have access to a pet store or time to wait for ordering the items above. Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats. Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.

See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats. You can also use a brush to brush the fur off. Next use a wide toothed comb to brush the ends of your hair slowly working upward to release the knots. In order to get rid of the problem you should be able to combine natural treatments and alternative treatments for removing the cat hair.

That degree of matting is extreme but all dogs can get tangles and knots in their fur.