How to get rid of mats on a cat - PLEASE HELP!

[wyoDreamer]

We have a barn cat with semi-long hair that is covered with mats. Is there anything I can do besides shaving him to get rid of the mats? It is really bad - on one side he is a solid mat from behind his front leg to in front of his hind leg.

I have tried to tease the mats out, but his fur came with and he ended up with a bald spot. Who knew cats were not attached to their fur very well, lol.

Our barn cats are really friendly, but will only tolerate so much ... they have all their claws and are not afraid to use them.

 

[JanetMarie]

When There's a Mat on Your Cat

There he was in the barn,
Sitting there doing no harm.

History is that the cats came from near and from far,
They all had arrived:
Fat cats, skinny cats,
Short cats, tall cats,
Furry cats, smooth cats,
Cats, cats, cats!

And a cat with a mat!
What is with that!?

They arrived and they said "Please give us some food."
"We see that you're busy, and may not be in the mood."

I've been busy, I thought with so many chores,

I haven't paid much attention,
Is there a mat cutting invention?

Although tired, I mustered the strength and went to the market,
There at the door were some food and some blankets!

As I walked through the market I found some gloves,
I thought "I may get scratched as I give him some love."

Then I came across something, there in an isle,
I looked and saw that it was glowing brightly for awhile.

It was a mat cutter, just for pets,
I excitedly shouted "This I must get!"

I paid for the items and rushed out the door,
Sigh, what a simple life, there must be more.

In the barn the cats all got their snack,
Then it was time to groom the one with the mat.

I put on the gloves to prepare for a fight,
And the miracle happened, the cat was alright!

He was more than alright...he purred and he purred, and I snipped and I clipped, and used the mat cutter,
"He loves it!" I said, "He's a purring lover!"

As time went by, the mat was no more, and it will not return,
Because I have the mat cutter!

by: JanetMarie

 

[JanetMarie]

At this point it sounds like you need to cut off all of the mats, or shave as you said.

In the future to prevent it from happening again, would you be able to spend some time every day brushing and or combing him? Having a mat cutter as part of your grooming tools helps.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Totally... not helpful... I'm being. But my answer to matted hair on a cat: I will never willingly have a long haired cat in my possession!!!

 

[Rammy]

Use cornstarch. I buy the cheap $1.00 box from DG called Clover Valley. Work it into the matt and comb out. Do this outside as it gets messy. Ive combed out very matted Yorkies with it. It absorbs the oils which cause the matting.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I will take my tiny sewing scissors out there tonight and try to trim off the mats, leaving as much hair underneath as I can. It will probably take a week or so, but it will bet done. I feel so bad for him - but why didn't he self groom?!? My indoor cats groomed themselves all the time - I cleaned up enough hair balls to prove it.

 

[Hinotori]

Have to shave.

Luke mats every spring when he turns into a short haired cat from a long haired one. I can brush him one night and when he comes in the next day bam mats. I don't fully shave him. Just the mats, but then he will sit there and let me take care of the ones on his neck. He lays on the back of the chair for the armpits and lower chest.

Modern cat clippers are fairly quiet and work well. I just had to order a new pair because hubby stole them to use on his beard. *sigh* he likes them better than the beard trimmers he's had.

 

[Marie2020]

We have a barn cat with semi-long hair that is covered with mats. Is there anything I can do besides shaving him to get rid of the mats? It is really bad - on one side he is a solid mat from behind his front leg to in front of his hind leg.

I have tried to tease the mats out, but his fur came with and he ended up with a bald spot. Who knew cats were not attached to their fur very well, lol.

Our barn cats are really friendly, but will only tolerate so much ... they have all their claws and are not afraid to use them.

Hello

My lad showed up with Matt's and i just had to cut them out and used a natural oiled soap with a little essentials oils. He wouldn't put up with being bathed so I used a flannel and water then brushed him. He purrs like crazy when I wash and brush him now

 

[Beekissed]

Incredible! I loved it!!!

Wyo, there's something called Cowboy Magic, a spray and all the LGD people who have GPs swear by it for getting mats and burrs out of dog's long hair. Could be work a shot to use the spray and a mat rake each day, working at it on the surface each time until you've got it all out.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/cowboy-magic-super-bodyshine-320606-5800413?store=784&cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-5800413&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgtWDBhDZARIsADEKwgPGzHMEiZ8t0RPjJX1r1Oa8f2KrtW7Yqzfxd9SR3m5ILbjreZTG93IaAr4CEALw_wcB

 

[wyoDreamer]

Thanks for the replies! I knew someone would give me advice.