How to Treat Seriously Matted Fur on a Cat

Cats are very good at grooming themselves. Despite all efforts, fur can often become seriously matted. When a cat's fur begins to shed, the loose fur gets tangled up with the guard hair. Once this mat occurs, more fur continues to collect, creating a significant mat. Mats should be taken out as soon as possible. If mats are not removed, cats become susceptible to skin infections, skin lesions and even lice. The best way to prevent a serious mat from occurring is to brush your cat's fur daily.

Things You'll Need

  • Classical music
  • Cornstarch
  • Scissors
  • Toenail clippers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Play classical music to relax your cat.

    • 2

      Apply constarch to the mat. Massage it into the hairs with your fingers.

    • 3

      Pull the mat up, without pulling on the skin.

    • 4

      Cut small pieces off the top of the mat, to be sure that your cat does not get cut. You are not trying to cut out the entire mat, just loosen it enough to comb it out.

    • 5

      Comb out the mat once the fur has been loosened.

    • 6

      Remove the whole mat with a toenail clipper, if removing small sections of the mat does not loosen it enough to pull a comb through it.