One of the best things about (most) cats is their soft fur. Patting them is enjoyable for us and our furry friends and personally, it is one of the highlights of my day. However, sometimes, no matter how much we try, their fur gets out of control, resulting in matting. If your cats are suffering from matted fur, please read on to see our tips on how to remove matted fur on cats.
What is Matted Fur?
Matted fur is common in long-haired cats. All cats have a soft undercoat that helps them stay warm and an overcoat that protects their fur from certain elements such as dust and dirt. Cats shed their undercoat at times, which can get all tangled up in their overcoat. This is the main reason to always brush your cat: to remove the shedded fur so that it does not get all tangled up and turn into mats. Different particles such as dirt, dust, and cat litter can get into your cat’s coat, and when they lick and groom themselves, and they can make matters worse by wetting it and tangling it around.
How to Remove Mats From Cat Fur
The first thing that you have to know before we discuss this is you should never use scissors when de-matting a cat’s fur. You could easily poke or cut them accidentally, causing a wound or even an infection to your beloved cat. Follow these tips to make sure you do the de-matting the right way:
- Some matted fur can be removed by gently brushing your cat’s fur. Remember to be gentle and do not tug on your cat’s fur, as this can potentially hurt them.
- Before working on a troublesome spot, make sure to start first by calming your cat down. Do not stress your cat out by forcing them down, instead, choose a time when they feel completely relaxed.
- If the mats are thick and tightly knotted, try using a wide-toothed comb or a mat remover just like these on Amazon.
- If you feel like the mats aren’t coming out and your cat is starting to feel pain, then use a mat razor comb to cut the mat out. These are usually equipped with recessed blades, so make sure to be extra careful with them.
- Try to go under the mat and cut it out gently. Do not pull too much, as this can hurt your cat.
- If all else fails, it might be time to take your cat to the veterinarian to have the mats shaved off. Do not shave the fur yourself, especially if you are not sure how to remove matted fur. Have a professional do it to give you peace of mind.
Mind Your Cat’s Diet
Believe it or not, your cat’s diet can affect the way their fur grows out. Dry food has been linked to matting and dulling the cat’s fur, so make sure to occasionally switch their diet to wet cat food. You can still feed them dry food, just make sure to mix it with a variety of wet food. You can also add some fish oil to your cat’s diet to make their fur shiny, soft, and mat-free.
Conclusion
Make sure to brush your cat’s fur regularly to prevent it from matting. This is especially important after giving them a bath, as their fur can easily get all tangled up when it is wet. Use a wide-toothed comb to brush their hair and make sure to be gentle when doing so to avoid stressing your cat out. Matted clumps of fur are not only unattractive. They can cause pain and stress to your kitty, so it’s best to start to remove them at the first sign. The longer you wait, the worse they will get. Have your kitties experienced matted fur? What have you done to solve the problems? Let everyone know in the comments!
Featured Image Credit: Helen Sushitskaya, Shutterstock
