Best way to remove matted hair from a cat

[Teletran]

Our cat developed some matted hair and I am wondering what is the best way to remove it. Does anyone have any secret techniques that would help?

Thanks! :)

[blackhawk]

longhair cat? widespread areas or small areas?

usually just start brushing lightly over and over to get tangles out and if its a placid cat you can cut the knots out

longhairs will get mat balls of shed inner hair but they usually come out with grooming

if its bad you can do the pet groomer or vet trip although it'll cost

[suzy.wong]

funny you should ask that! I had to take my long haired cat to the groomers last week to have her completely shaved. The lump of matted fur in the undercoat was so severe, that only shaving would remove it.

[joeyjoejoe]

funny you should ask that! I had to take my long haired cat to the groomers last week to have her completely shaved. The lump of matted fur in the undercoat was so severe, that only shaving would remove it.

I too loose the battle with hair mats. If I brush every day I don't think it would be a problem, but I just cannot keep up... and my cat hates getting brushed.

There's a products out there called the FURminator:
http://petgateway.ca/shopping/images/Furminator-cat.jpg

I believe it can range greatly in price $10 to $40, but I find that it works well in getting the small and medium mats out. Doesn't work so well on large mats. I will probably get my cat shaved again this summer. He seems to enjoy the less hair in the summer.

[joeyjoejoe]

Speaking of getting your cat shaved. Any recommendations for pet groomers in the South Etobicoke area?

I went to one on Lakeshore and Kipling. I ended up helping the groomer shave my cat, but the job he did was not very good. Lots of uneven spots. Also while my cat was getting groomed, I watched his aide groom a dog and she accidentally cut the dog. The dog barely reacted, but there was a lot of blood. So... I don't want to go back.

I'm thinking of either Anna's Pet Grooming or Grooming Tails... unless someone has any recommendations.

[suzy.wong]

Speaking of getting your cat shaved. Any recommendations for pet groomers in the South Etobicoke area?

I went to one on Lakeshore and Kipling. I ended up helping the groomer shave my cat, but the job he did was not very good. Lots of uneven spots. Also while my cat was getting groomed, I watched his aide groom a dog and she accidentally cut the dog. The dog barely reacted, but there was a lot of blood. So... I don't want to go back.

I'm thinking of either Anna's Pet Grooming or Grooming Tails... unless someone has any recommendations.

I assisted the groomer as well, with shaving the cat. He recommands that I comb her undercoat weekly, but she won't let me near her undercoat! So, I have to get her shaved every 4 months, but I'm only going to do it the beginning of summer.

[Mark77]

I used to just take the scissors and start cutting them out. Most cats will appreciate this once they get used to it.

I think I only ended up knicking his skin with the scissors once in the 3-4 years I had to do most of his grooming for him (he had kidney disease, so he simply wasn't making enough saliva to groom himself with).

Never had any luck with the brushes, etc. Most cats don't exactly have a shortage of fur. And at least with my little guy, he was reluctant at first to let me cut closer to his private parts, but after a while, he was happy to let me down there with the scissors.

[stealth]

I used to just take the scissors and start cutting them out. Most cats will appreciate this once they get used to it.

I think I only ended up knicking his skin with the scissors once in the 3-4 years I had to do most of his grooming for him (he had kidney disease, so he simply wasn't making enough saliva to groom himself with).

Never had any luck with the brushes, etc. Most cats don't exactly have a shortage of fur. And at least with my little guy, he was reluctant at first to let me cut closer to his private parts, but after a while, he was happy to let me down there with the scissors.

+1. Cut it out with scissors. Usually cant even see the difference.

[barrist]

our medium hair cat was matted really badly when we got him from the shelter. and he was pretty skittish so we ended up having to go the vet to have him shaved in the matted parts. he wouldn't let us near the sensitive areas (belly, tail area)

[penipitcher]

If you decide to use scissors, make sure you put a comb inbetween the scissors and the cat. When you pull up the fur, the skin can come up very easily and you might end up hurting your cat.

[Teletran]

We ended up shaving her and that removed the matted hair :)

Using scissors was scary because of fear of injuring the cat because of her jerking actions.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. :)

[Lucky Ducky]

For single mats, using sharp scissors, cut through the mat length wise, AWAY from the skin.

Then comb gently and cut through the mat at another spot, til you've got it all off.

Always cut AWAY from the skin, then you cannot cut the skin.

You cannot always cut close enough to remove the mat.

Can also try, have had great successs, with buying childrens' tangle remover, spray on pet, then comb gently.

If it's safe for children, it's fine for pets.

Just avoid the eyes, of course.

Detangling spray can be bought at any large drug store and is not expensive.

IF the mats are all over the cat/dog, shaving is the quickest way to get relief for both you and your pet.

[jb625]

The best and safest thing to use are thinning shears. I used to be a groomer and that is one tool that works great.