Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.
How to get hard mats out of cat fur.
How to get mats out of cat fur.
As a cat owner one of the most helpful grooming techniques to learn is how to get mats out of cat fur it not only helps keep your cat looking cute but also help protect them from skin irritation coming from fleas and skin parasites.
See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.
To detangle cat fur examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers.
Use a metal mat comb for cats to detach the smaller tangles.
Mats are clumps of hair that form when loose hair gets tangled onto the rest of your cat s fur.
If you cannot untangle everything that way use a brush to gently break up the ends of the mat working inward.
Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work.
Start by holding the hair below the mat close to the skin and separate the tangled fur.
If the mat isn t too big or too tight the best way to tackle it is to work it apart with your fingers.
Cats are very good at grooming themselves.
It s more severe with long haired cats who have excessive fur that falls out.
Because mats can lead to conditions such as skin lesions skin infections and dirt debris and bacteria buildup its best to remove them as soon as you notice them.
Next apply an oil based detangling spray to loosen the fur.
When a cat s fur begins to shed the loose fur gets tangled up with the guard hair.
The help of a pet parent is often required to remove tangled bunched up hair.
If left for long your cat won t only look messy but he ll experience the following.
If this drastic step is necessary be sure to maintain a regular program of brushing and combing when the coat grows back to prevent future problems.
Really stubborn mats can be broken up with specialized mat rakes or by cutting the mat out with a pair of scissors.
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.
Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention.
Despite all efforts fur can often become seriously matted.
Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats.
In this video dr jones shows you the quick and easy way to remove you.
Mats should be taken out as soon as possible.