How to Get Matting Out of a Longhair Cat

Long-haired cats need daily grooming, especially if they have fine, downy fur. Some of them shed all year-round and shed even more during warm seasons. The undercoat comes loose and sometimes become entangled, eventually forming mats. Matted hair can lead to health and hygiene problems. Bacteria can grow in matted fur, resulting in skin irritation, fungal infections and parasites. If you leave mats alone, they can lead to difficulty walking. If tangles occur around the rectum, they can prevent the cat from urinating and defecating normally.

Things You'll Need

  • Cornstarch
  • Comb
  • Seam ripper
  • Toenail clipper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Play with the cat for a while to wear it out. If you have an outdoor cat, let it wander outside for a while. Wait until the cat becomes tired and falls asleep.

    • 2

      Sprinkle a pinch of cornstarch on the mat and gently rub it in.

    • 3

      Hold the matted fur up away from the cat's body without pulling the skin.

    • 4

      Use your fingers or a comb to separate the base of the mat from the skin.

    • 5

      Pick at the mat gently with a comb or a seam ripper, slowly loosening the mat. Work from side to side to minimize contact with the cat's fur and keep it still for longer. When the whole mat has come apart, comb the hair from the root to the end a few times to remove any loose hair. This prevents loose hair from becoming entangled again.

    • 6

      Use a toenail clipper to cut the mat if you can't loosen it. Hold the mat as far away from the cat's body as possible without pulling its skin. Place the blades of the toenail clipper against the base of the mat, as far away from the skin as possible. Cut from the edge of the mat, working slowly through the entire mat.