How to Unmat Cat Fur

Mats are tangles of hair, and any cat can get them in its fur. Cats with long fur and semi-long fur can develop mats, but cats with short fur can also develop mats if their fur is thick enough and dense enough. Mats create unattractive knots in a cat's fur and they can trap dirt underneath them, close to the skin. Un-matting a cat's fur requires time and effort, but it ultimately keeps a cat healthier.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat brush
  • Fine-toothed comb
  • Clippers or scissors
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Instructions

  1. Separating the Mat From the Fur

    • 1

      Brush the cat thoroughly. Small mats can be removed with a very thorough brushing, and this may be enough.

    • 2

      Slide the fine-toothed comb through the cat's hair and underneath the mat, lifting the mat from the skin. This separates the mat away from the cat's skin, making it safer to cut.

    • 3

      Slide the scissors or clippers between the mat and the comb, letting the comb act as a barrier between the scissors and the cat's thin skin.

    • 4

      Snip the mat away from the rest of the cat's fur.

    Shrinking the Mat

    • 5

      Examine the mat. If the mat is very bulky or it is lying too close to the cat's skin, shrink the mat before proceeding.

    • 6

      Open the scissors and insert one blade into the mat.

    • 7

      Angle the scissors up and away from the cat's skin.

    • 8

      Locate the tips of the scissor blades before you cut, ensuring that you are not snagging the cat's skin between the blades. The skin on cats is very thin, and even a small snip can lead to a great deal of bleeding.

    • 9

      Snip the mat, dividing it and making it smaller. Separate the mat from the fur with a comb and snip it away.