How to Cut Pet Mats

Grooming a pet is one of the crucial responsibilities of a pet owner. A cat or dog with long hair needs to be brushed and combed daily. If you do not do this, the hair easily gets matted. When your pet's hair does form a mat, it can carefully be cut out without injuring your pet or drastically changing the fur's overall look.

Things You'll Need

  • Comb
  • Brush
  • Cornstarch
  • Scissors
  • Hair clippers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a brush and comb to try and get most of the mat loosened. Sometimes a pinch of cornstarch worked into the mat can help release the tightness of the mat.

    • 2

      Use the scissors to cut through the thickest part of the mat. The object is to cut part of the toughest part of the mat without making a bald spot on your dog. Take your comb and slowly try to remove the mat you cut with the scissors.

    • 3

      Comb the mat as far as you can, up to the knotted area. Hold the comb at this point, then take the scissors and cut the hair along the comb, being sure not to be too close to the skin.

    • 4

      Clip the mat with clippers if your pet's mat is very tight and too close to the skin. First use your brush and comb to completely segregate the mat, turn on your clippers and carefully shave just around the matted area. Lift the mat up slightly while clipping so that you do not have to clip right against the skin.