My longhaired cat has big matts. I need an easy way to get rid of them without causing stress. Suggestions?

Question

I don't want to get him shaved and have tried cornstarch....I don't know if it will help this time.

Answer 1

Honestly if they are big mats, the only way is to have a vet sedate him and shave him.  Combing them out is painful and sometimes not possible.

Answer 2

I bought some child-proof (or the kind that you can give to little kids) scissors to use on my cat every now and then. I have to sneak up on her when she's too sleepy to put up much of a fuss, and then snip away any unwanted mats. It's safe and harmless.

Answer 3

I cut them out when the big guy I have is sleeping.  I put my fingers against his skin and cut them out. I make sure that I cut against my fingers so that if I accidentally cut anything I cut my own fingers.  I also pet him and talk to him or have someone else do that so I can really get at the matts carefully.  He is a stress ball and there is no way to take him to get shaved and no way shave him (the sound of the buzzer scares him).  You can get a sedative, but my big guy's stomach is too sensitive.  Sometimes he looks like a mess after I cut the clumps out, but it's so good for them to cut them out.  Good luck!!  

Answer 4

my friend has a  a long hair try using a wide tooth comb and if not have a porfessinal groomer  take care of it

Answer 5

You want it fast, and safe.  And if cheap, so much the better.  And, removing the mats will make him feel so much better, and looks don't matter.  I have posted a link to what I have used, as it is cheap, fast, and quick.  The protected blade is very sharp, and you cannot cut your cat.  The point allows you to poke through the mat, and you can slice it off in pieces.  And they are available many places, sometimes given away free by companies with their logo on it.

You do not have to get it removed at the skin line;  just follow up with combing.  The best type to use is one either designed for long haired cats, or at least one with prongs.  A simple brush does not get off the undercoat.

Answer 6

Ask your vet for a sedative.  Then comb out what you can, cut off what you can't comb out, and the job is done.

Answer 7

First, get him in a mellow mood, rubbing and massaging him until he's putty in your hands. Then use a wire brush and start at the end of a tangle, working your way up. Remove hair from the brush as it accumulates.  Large mats must be shaved out.  You can do this yourself with the help of a friend and an old towel. Just keep talking sweet words to the cat.

You must understand that long hair cats require daily grooming, including their undercoats.

Rather than sedate him, take him to a professional cat groomer and get the mats shaved out.  Then faithfully groom daily and bathe him often.

Answer 8

I had a long-haired cat for many years. I paid once to have the vet sedate him and shave the cat. The cat became very ill and I almost lost him. After that I picked up some cordless rechargeable shears at Walmart and used those to keep my cat groomed. I started out using it only on the areas where he matted up the most. Later, as he got used to the idea of it, I began shaving him twice a year in a "lion cut."

He actually seemed to enjoy the cut after all was said and done. The clippers were Wahl brand (I think) and ran very quiet. They worked great and did not scare the cat. If you are unsure about spending too much money, you can also try some of the less expensive beard trimmers. They are small and give you just enough power to get the matt at the skin line.  

Answer 9

You will have to gently cut them off.  

Answer 10

just cut them out is probably all you can do.

Answer 11

We regularly have cats in to sedate and clip. The vet may be able to do this for you. They may need to clip him completely though if the mats are really big. Otherwise maybe just grooming the odd mat out may work.

Answer 12

They are usually painful and are so tight to the skin it pulls.  They are difficult to get out because you can easily cut the cat being so close to the skin.  The best solution is to have him shaved and if you can keep up on the brushing you will not have to do it again.  

Answer 13

If they actually are matts, shaving is the only thing for them. Or, they can be pulled out with a comb if the cat is sedated. Either way, she's going to end up partly bald - but if you comb her daily from then on you can prevent it happening again!

I've never known a cat to be dematted concious without causing large amounts of stress.

Chalice