How to Take Matted Hair Off a Cat

Knots of hair that clump together, also called mats, can form anywhere on a cat's coat, causing it discomfort and pain. These masses of tangled fur not only look and feel unpleasant but can also lead to skin infections and lesions, according to Felinexpress.com. Common on long-haired and older cats, you can prevent mats with daily brushing. Remove matted fur from your cat to prevent health issues and improve its appearance and quality of life.

Things You'll Need

  • Detangling spray
  • Wide-tooth comb
  • Cornstarch
  • Fine-tooth comb
  • Scissors
  • Electric clippers
  • Witch hazel
  • Cotton balls
  • Cat shampoo
  • Leave-in conditioner for cats
  • Towel
  • Hair dryer
  • Soft-bristle cat brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray the cat with a detangling and conditioning spray and rub it through your cat's fur with your fingers, concentrating on the matted parts of the fur. Comb through the fur with a wide-tooth comb to distribute the detangler and isolate the mats.

    • 2

      Sprinkle cornstarch onto the isolated mats of fur that you cannot brush through with the wide-tooth comb. Rub the matted fur between your fingers and work the cornstarch down through the fur to the skin. Brush the mats again with the wide-tooth comb and switch to a fine-tooth comb for the mats that remain. Comb through the matted hair very slowly and gently to avoid pulling on the mat and causing your cat discomfort. To prevent pulling on the skin and hurting your cat, hold the hair at the base of the fur with your fingers while brushing it upward with the comb to break up the mat.

    • 3

      Slip the fine-tooth comb under a clump of matted fur that you cannot comb through. Position the comb so that it sits between the base of the mat and the skin. Clip the mat off of the fur with a pair of scissors. The comb will prevent you from accidentally cutting your cat's skin while trimming off the mats. Repeat for the remaining mats on the fur.

    • 4

      Trim away any mats that stick to your cat's skin, and you cannot get a fine-tooth comb under, with electric clippers. Calm your cat and allow it to become used to the noise of the clipper prior to using it to cut away the hair. Gently apply the clippers to the clump of hair, trimming it away a small amount at a time until you completely remove the mat from the skin. Apply witch hazel to the exposed skin with a cotton ball to soothe it.

    • 5

      Brush your cat with a fine-tooth comb after removing all of the mats. Wash it with a dime-sized amount of cat shampoo and warm water to wash the skin and ease any potential irritation that had formed under the mats. Rinse your cat with warm water and apply a leave-in conditioner specific for cats with your fingers through the coat and skin. This will help to prevent future matting and keep the coat smooth and clean.

    • 6

      Dry your cat with a towel and hair dryer. Brush the fur with a soft-bristle brush after the fur has dried.