How to Remove Cat Matts

written by Lynn Paolillo, Certified Feline Master Groomer and Owner of Cat Naps Cattery

When a cat develops matting, there are only a few options as to how they can be removed: either they are shaved out completely or they are combed out. Cat mats are made upwardly of clumps of dead pilus, oily skin cells, and any goodies the cat has rubbed against on the flooring, under the bed or furniture, or fifty-fifty from outside. Considering information technology is primarily a mass of dead pilus, it can't be brushed out. It would be similar to trying to castor out a Brillo Pad. They also can't be cleaved autonomously or cutting through with scissors because information technology won't make the mat removal process any easier. Skin tin can also exist caught up inside the mat, which can be cut if using pair of scissors on the mats.

Do NOT use scissors, seam rippers, dematting rakes or other sharp tools as they tin can severely cut and harm your cat's skin.

DeMatting Sprays or Conditioners for Cat Matting

Since true cat mats aren't tangles, they won't benefit from brushing or using whatsoever sprays or "de-matting" products. These products are designed to make the hair slippery or smooth and then that the hairs can be brushed out without causing further damage, but since expressionless hair is already broken and damaged the sprays, creams or conditioners won't brand it easier to remove.

Adding in these types of products tin actually do more than harm than skillful on your cat's pilus. Dematting sprays can stay in the coat, which so can be licked when the true cat begins self-grooming later. These sprays ofttimes include fragrances, silicones and other ingredients that are not designed to be ingested by cats. Heavy conditioners tin can weigh down the cat'due south coat making it pasty and hard to rummage through, fifty-fifty after rinsing it out. And if you've ever tried to comb through a gunky glaze, yous'll know that cats hate it!

Does My Cat Need to Be Shaved?

These smaller mats on a short-haired cat (yes, even short-haired cats can get matted!) have the potential to be combed out instead of requiring shaving. However, this will depend on the cat's reaction to any combing.

These smaller mats on a curt-haired cat (aye, even short-haired cats tin get matted!) have the potential to exist combed out instead of requiring shaving. However, this will depend on the cat's reaction to any combing.

Now that nosotros've established cat matting can't be brushed out, sprayed out or washed out, what options are available? The 2 ways of safely removing mats are either combing them out fully or shaving them out with professional pet clippers. To make up one's mind which mode will exist safer and less stressful on your cat, your groomer will consider the following factors:

  • Size of each mat

  • Location and size of each matted surface area

  • Cat'southward historic period, pare status and behaviors

Not every cat will be a willing participant of mat removal, especially if the mats are large, tight and causing discomfort. Simply, cat matting will not go away on its ain. Information technology will demand to be removed earlier it can crusade further pain and damage to the skin. If y'all are uncomfortable with either of the techniques beneath, then the best thing would be to reach out to a professional true cat groomer near yous for the best options for your cat.

This is the same cat pictured above, after a gentle mat removal by Certified Feline Master Groomer Lynn at Cat Naps Cattery. This was done during a bath, blow dry and comb out. There are still some bald spots (shown by the discoloration in the coat)…

This is the same true cat pictured above, after a gentle mat removal by Certified Feline Master Groomer Lynn at Cat Naps Cattery. This was done during a bath, blow dry and comb out. There are nonetheless some bald spots (shown by the discoloration in the glaze), simply overall no shaving needed.

Combing Out (Small) True cat Mats

If the matting is minor, approximately the size of a nickel or smaller, then in that location is a good adventure they can exist combed out without needing clippers. A sturdy metallic comb that is at least 6-eight" in size will be the best tool for this job. Very small combs or flea combs have teeth that are as well close together to get the matting out without pulling as well much hair at the same fourth dimension.

When you accept the true cat sitting in a comfortable position, locate the mat and gently move the hair around it away so yous tin can focus just on the mat itself. Typically, these modest mats will only be attached to the true cat's pare with a handful of hairs underneath the mat. Sideslip your rummage completely underneath the mat, without getting any of the hairs around it into the rummage. And then use your non-comb hand to hold the skin above the mat firmly. Yous don't desire to pull the rummage and have the peel movement too every bit you lot won't go the mat out. If yous take done both of these things, you should be able to give one swift tug towards y'all to get the mat out. Information technology won't injure the true cat as long as you are property the pare abroad from you lot and y'all only take the hairs immediately beneath the mat in the comb. Almost cats will go agitated when yous endeavor to "pick" a mat apart, or if you aren't holding the skin firmly. Recollect of removing a bandaid. If you lot are trying to slowly selection it off bit by fleck it tin often be much more than painful than a quick removal with the right technique.

Sure areas of the cat'southward trunk may make it more than challenging to remove small mats by combing. They may have to exist shaved out fifty-fifty though they fit the size recommendations. These areas can include behind the ears, the sanitary area and effectually the genitals, armpits and any other sensitive areas for your true cat.

Remove True cat Matting with a Clipper

This sweet kitty needed a full Lion Cut to remove all the matting. This should only be attempted by a professional cat groomer or at a veterinary clinic.

This sugariness kitty needed a total Lion Cut to remove all the matting. This should only be attempted by a professional cat groomer or at a veterinary dispensary.

When matting is too large, too tight or in too sensitive an area, shaving may be the better option compared to combing them out. Combing tin can pull and rip the true cat's glaze, which is certainly very uncomfortable for their peel. A professional pet clipper with a #ten blade tin often remove the mats more quickly and without any additional tugging of the pare.

At that place are techniques that  need to be used to do this safely however. Clippers tin as well do damage to frail cat skin if non used appropriately, and sometimes information technology may even be unavoidable no matted how experienced the person clipping is. Clipper blades are sharp and are designed to cut. If the cat'southward peel wrinkles or gets caught up within the teeth of the clipper bract, the skin can become nicked and even bleed. Because cat's skin moves when they walk and stretch, even pocket-size cuts tin rip and expand into larger wounds. Whatever skin injury should exist seen or discussed with your veterinary for appropriate treatment.

Fifty-fifty though at that place are risks with shaving, some mats can but be removed this way. The clipper must sit down flat on the cat's skin and the cat must be prevented from moving or fluctuant (without causing them additional stress). Only modest areas should be worked on at a time, and just areas that you can fully see should be clipped. Cat matting tin pull bits of peel upwards into the mat, hiding information technology from view and making information technology very easy to cut.

When Should I Take My Matted Cat to the Groomer

In many cases, matting should but be removed by a professional cat groomer. They are trained in how to reduce stress during handling, preparation and mat removal. If you are uncomfortable using the in a higher place techniques, aren't sure where to kickoff, or if your true cat is responding negatively when yous bear upon or endeavour to comb out the mats, then calling a pro will be your next step.

These mats are being removed during a professional cat grooming appointment. The cat is elderly with thin, delicate skin and had matting all over. This level of severe matting removal should only be removed by a professional groomer or a veterinaria…

These mats are being removed during a professional cat grooming appointment. The cat is elderly with thin, delicate skin and had matting all over. This level of severe matting removal should just be removed by a professional groomer or a veterinarian.

Your groomer volition evaluate your cat when you go to drop off, so they can assess the status of the matting, your cat's pare and torso status, how they react to being handled, etc. They'll use all of this information to determine the all-time course of action to safely remove the matting, what your groom will include and how much it will cost. Large and severe mat removal can go expensive (fifty-fifty into the hundreds of dollars depending on your area and the type of groomer you lot visit), so it is best to schedule an appointment as soon every bit you lot detect any issues in your true cat's coat.

In some cases, the groomer may determine that the safest option for your cat will be to meet your veterinary for a groom under anesthesia. This comes with its own set of risks and costs, but for some cats it may be the only option if the true cat becomes also stressed during a normal grooming date, the mats are very severe or the cat becomes aggressive during handling or grooming. Each groomer has a different approach to cat grooming, and then it tin can exist beneficial to seek more than one stance. However, brand sure to be up front with the groomer about your cat's status and previous behaviors when making any appointment and so you won't be surprised or disappointed if the options or pricing is different the day of the appointment.

What Happens Afterwards My True cat'due south Mats Are Removed?

 Whether combing or shaving, many mats will go out a baldheaded spot backside once removed. This is caused by the matted pilus pulling at and damaging the pare. There can fifty-fifty be areas of redness, irritation and fifty-fifty bruising uncovered during the mat removal. This is all normal and should heal on its ain without additional treatment. In rare cases of astringent matting, there can be open up wounds, fleas or other parasites, lesions or other skin issues underneath the matting that are only revealed after it is clipped off. Any of these should be checked by a veterinarian for treatment.

In some cases of mat removal, a hot spot can develop a few days later. This is caused by the cat licking itself over and over again in the same spot. Cats do this because the matting is pulling tightly on the skin and in one case the mats are removed, the peel is more sensitive, sore or itchy. If a cat begins licking an area obsessively, it can plough into a hotspot from self-mutilation.

Areas of redness caused by tight matting is revealed after shaving.

Areas of redness acquired past tight matting is revealed after shaving.

What is a Hot Spot? Sometimes referred to as clipper burn, this is an area of irritation that develops a few days after mat or excess glaze removal. When the pet licks itself over and over in one area, the peel becomes blood-red, wet and even a bit weepy. Clipper burn is not an actual fire caused by heat, just irritation of the skin similar to razor burn from shaving. Sometimes information technology is caused by a short blade or i that needs sharpening, but in virtually cases of mat removal it is caused by licking or scratching by the pet later on the appointment.

Hither are some tips for preventing a hotspot or area of clipper burn from developing:

  • Put a cone or due east-collar on the cat temporarily to prevent them from licking or scratching. Your cat should return to normal behaviors within a few days and shouldn't demand the cone later that.

  • Have the cat wear a tee-shirt or onesie to encompass the sensitive areas that are most prone to irritation. One time the hair begins to abound back 1-3 weeks after, then a shirt is no longer necessary.

  • Foreclose matting with regular training services. The best way to eliminate the adventure of irritation is to help your true cat maintain a clean, mat-free coat.

  • Do NOT use any sprays, ointments or medications unless directed by your vet.

Removing matting on a cat can exist very challenging, but in many cases your local professional person cat groomer can offer assistance. Sure cat breeds, colors and coat types can be more prone to matting, but every cat tin be susceptible to mats (yes, even curt-haired cats!). Check out our article How Exercise Cats Get Matted? for more data and view our grooming articles for how to prevent your cat from developing mats by getting on an appropriate grooming schedule.

If you are looking for a professional cat groomer, we recommend Certified Feline Chief Groomers (CFMGs) with the National Cat Groomers Institute. They accept a map of both members and CFMGs available by clicking this link.