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Help! My Cat Has Matted Fur! (How to Help)

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January 13, 2020 by Kristi Stone 23 Comments

If you have a cat with long hair, for some, it’s inevitable that they might get mats in their fur. From the time your long-haired cat is younger to the time she is old, grooming will be necessary. If your cat has matted fur now, follow the instructions in this article to relieve your cat from this issue.

Photo credit: Canva.com

We used to have a fantastic cat named Storm. We had her since 1996, for almost as long as we have lived in this county. She was a beloved friend and awesome mouser, and we really loved our old girl. She was a very healthy cat–I believe it’s probably because she had eaten a fairly steady diet of fresh meat in the form of gophers and mice for so very long. However, toward the end of her life, she had developed some really nasty mats in her fur.

Our Poor Senior Cat

Just like any other elderly being, Storm was no longer able to care for herself in the same way she always had. Though she was spry and could still hunt, she moved slowly toward the end and took it easy most days.

She was an outdoor cat, and she preferred it that way for quite a while. Her favorite place to lounge was on a chair by our front door where she could get plenty of attention, as well as have the freedom to move about where and when she wants to.

The first time I noticed a mat problem on Storm was about 4 years ago. She was still pretty active at the time, and we didn’t always see her every day. The mats on her were clumpy, very close to her skin, and pretty much covered her whole back. I could tell that they were uncomfortable, so I went to work on her with a pair of scissors, which was really slow going.

I worked for weeks to get those off her back, and thankfully it was spring, warm enough for her to be without some of her fur. It wasn’t the best way to remove the mats, and it sure was slow, but it did work. I was hoping this would be a done deal once I was finished, and that her former cat-grooming super powers would take over from there.

grooming tools for long haired cats
“I’m here for the grooming, but I didn’t say I was ready.” ~Storm

Well, that didn’t happen, and she ended up with another tangled mess of matted cat fur on her body almost as bad as the last one. With no real ideas except to return to the scissors method, I turned to my friend Sue from Paws à La Mode Himalayan Cattery for some ideas.

I figured that if anyone knew how to get mats out of a long-haired cat’s fur, Sue would since the breed she specializes in is a long-haired breed. She had some great ideas that have helped me immensely in freeing our poor old girl from her mat-prison.

Grooming Tools for Matted Cat Fur

  • a seam ripper – I use one like this, but any seam ripper will do as long as it is sharp
  • a dematting comb for cats, this is the one I have
  • Vetericyn, optional, for just in case you nick your cat by accident

What to Do When Your Cat Has Matted Fur

I tend to spend 10-15 minutes per day 3-4x per week if she will allow it. With the seam ripper, I am able to get under each layer of hairs, cutting them quickly simply by moving in a sideways motion.

There is not much room to work with if the mats are close to the body. With the seam ripper, it’s much easier to just get under layer after layer of the hair between the mat and the skin, resulting in a quick removal of the mat. I’ve used this method also on one of my chinchillas. It works like a charm.

It is prudent to watch closely while you are cutting, and to have some Vetericyn or some other wound care ointment or spray on hand just in case. Also, per my Himalayan cat breeder cat friend, Sue: in a situation where mats are covering large amounts of your cat’s body, be sure to wash your cat with Dawn soap twice to release the oils in those pores that were being suffocated by the mat.

Feel like a weight has been lifted? So did I when Sue shared these things with me. So go get yourself some grooming tools for long haired cats and get rippin (GENTLY, and with the seam ripper)! Wishing you all the best in freeing your senior cat of her rug-mats!

Filed Under: HOME & HOMESTEADTagged With: RAISING PETS AND LIVESTOCK

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Of Goats and Greens says

    August 5, 2015 at 4:37 am

    Thanks for the great suggestions! I have three long-haired cats and two of them have this problem. One even has had to go to the vets twice and come home with a “lion cut” which caused everyone to laugh at him — probably including his fellow felines! Naturally, I (and he) would like to avoid this again.

    I’ll be looking for these gizmos!

    (Hopefully the third never needs treatment — he never allows anyone to hold him for one second. I have to lure him into the cat carrier for vet checkups with food, and I think they’re afraid of him, too…)

    Reply
  2. Carey says

    August 5, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    We are having this issue with our one kitty now. I was able to cut most of it out but still have small pieces. Thanks for the idea of the seam ripper. Will have to try that for the rest.

    Reply
    • Mommabeans says

      March 5, 2020 at 8:03 am

      Use a seam ripper that has a comb on the end. When you’ve used the ripper end of the tool enough to loosen the mat from the skin you can gently and slowly use the comb end to get between the mat and the skin to comb it through. My cat actually LOVES the seam ripper with the comb. Especially in her “arm pits.”

      Reply
      • Kristi Stone says

        March 5, 2020 at 9:42 am

        I’ve not seen a seam ripper with a comb at the end! Thank you for the suggestion, Mommabeans!

        Reply
  3. Steph says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:26 am

    What wonderful tips! We’ve owned a few long-haired cats, and I wish I would have known these then! We tried a few different cutting tools, but I never heard the Dawn tip before- that stuff does everything!

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      August 7, 2015 at 7:23 pm

      It sure does, Steph! Thanks for your visit!

      Reply
  4. Debbie says

    August 7, 2015 at 9:55 am

    I have been owned by 6 Maine Coons over the years. When it comes to removing matts from cats of any age, I can only say “mustache trimmer”! The little travel size battery operated mustache trimmer fits unnoticed in the palm of your hand, the better to sneak up on your cat. Battery hums on the quiet side and doesn’t bother cats. You cannot nick thin cat skin no matter how close you “shave” them. You can hold trimmer and flip the battery on with one hand while holding cat with other hand. It is very safe and easy – for the cat and the owner.

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      August 7, 2015 at 7:23 pm

      Oooh neat idea, Debbie! I did try it with a small trimmer that I had, but I think it might have been too dull. Fantastic tip!

      Reply
  5. Jennifer says

    August 7, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    Great tip, Kristi! My old cat, Joe, passed away two summers ago and he was almost 21. We have a new sweet kitty, but I do miss him. Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!

    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:57 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! I’m sorry to hear about Joe, it’s always sad to lose our fur buddies. Glad you were able to get a new baby! 🙂

      Reply
  6. casey says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    I don’t think it would have ever occurred to me to use a seam ripper! What a great idea! #heymomma

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      August 8, 2015 at 7:12 am

      Me either! My friend Sue has all sorts of fantastic ideas for doing things. She’s a smart lady. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kelly says

    August 12, 2015 at 4:28 am

    As, you have a pampered kitty. I’m sure she loves you for taking care of her so well. Great ideas! Thanks for sharing with us on the Homestead Blog Hop. I hope we see you again today. Pinned and shared.

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      August 15, 2015 at 7:43 am

      Hi Kelly! Aw, thanks for saying that. The truth is, we could be doing better by her, but she is so independent that she refuses to allow us to. We have to force care on her now that she needs it since she has been taking care of herself for so long. Thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  8. Patty says

    April 14, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    4/14/18 – My 15yr old cat had 3 spots of matted fur on her back. I was trying to figure out how I was gonna get them off her, so of course I Pintrest it and seen your post so I tried the seam ripper and it worked great . Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      April 14, 2018 at 2:52 pm

      I’m so happy that you could use the information! I know–the seam ripper is a complete game-changer!

      Reply
  9. Kathi says

    August 31, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    How did you know I needed this right now? Our overweight cat can no longer reach his back to groom himself and has mats very close to his skin. I used to breed Maine Coon cats so I’ve dealt with mats before, but it’s been a good number of years… and I don’t have a dematting comb any more. (I know, poor thing should lose weight but we have two other cats – one a kitten – and they need food out all the time.)

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      September 4, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      I get that, and honestly, cats are known for caring for themselves quite well, so we kind of forget they need us for more than food and water! I’m glad you can use this information, Kathi!

      Reply
  10. Nashla says

    July 7, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    Thanks for the idea of a seam ripper and also a moustache trimmer mentioned. I have a beautiful 5 year old boy kitty and he is pretty big with long hair and he cannot reach to clean himself and has big clumps of matted fur on his back and belly. I am o devasted because he is so afraid to ho anywhere and he s a nervous fellow so please tell me how I could use the seam ripper to unmat him myself at home then I would be releived and so would he. Which type of seam ripper and how you use it to get rid of them terrible mats on my beautiful kitty. Thankyou and please explain about the moustache trimmer also.

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      July 12, 2020 at 6:30 am

      Hi Nashla! All of the tools I used for my kitty are linked in the article, and the super simple instructions are there too! I didn’t mention a mustache trimmer in the article, but someone did in the comments. I’m assuming you could use something like the link below, if it wouldn’t scare your kitty. Hope this helps get your kitty free of the mats, and you feeling better about this!
      https://amzn.to/38SOyzd (affiliate link)

      Reply
  11. B Miller says

    May 1, 2022 at 7:24 pm

    If you cut into the. Mat several times you will get rid of it. It is better than try ing to cut it off.

    Reply
  12. Melissa says

    May 20, 2022 at 1:28 pm

    Please do not try this. As a vet tech, and a groomer please do not risk it. I just patched up a cat that had a hole cut out of its throat the size of a nickel. Do not fo this. Momma is crying too

    Reply
    • Kristi Stone says

      May 20, 2022 at 1:52 pm

      Thanks for your input. I got this information from a person who ran a Himalayan cattery at the time I published this post, and this is the method she used. It also worked very well for me. But I do understand where you are coming from, and hope people will perhaps read your comment to see another side.

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Kristi!

A little about me….For the past 6 years, we have lived on a scant acre in Southern California. I am the wife of the greatest guy ever….also a veteran ex-homeschooling mom of 3, grandma of 1, and fur mom of many!

Besides writing, my hobbies are gardening, herbs, crafting, scratch cooking, food preservation, goat breeding, and teaching all of these things here, to you, on Stone Family Farmstead’s website.


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