My cat has matted fur,what should i do?

Question

He just started getting clumpy fur,the vets not much help what should i do?

Answer 1

DO NOT BATHE!!!!! This will only tighten the mats.

If your cat is already matted, shaving would be the most gentle option. to try to brush out mats is painful, and a cat's skin is so fragile and thin that you can actually rip or tear it by trying to brush out mats.

It may look silly, or you may like the look. Either way, it is what's best for the cat. Then you can start from scratch and keep your cat brushed if you find you don't like his new "style."

Answer 2

Give him/her a bath in luke warm water and gently brush the hair. I use baby shampoo with detangler for my cats. It is just because it is getting colder and the winter coat is coming in and the summer coat is shedding. When brushing the cat don't get rough the matted fur makes this skin soar and very sensitive and you want you cat to be comfortable, and not feel threatened. Talking to the animal i have noticed helps big time, they hear you calming voice and settle down. Let the cat know it is being good. Give it praise and a treat while combing and that should work. What ever you do, do not shave your cat. They have feelings to and in my expericnce when they loose there fur from shaving they get shy and sometimes quit eating. I have witnessed a few cats who were shaved because of matted fur and 2 out of the three quit eating and when you tried to hold them they would hide there face. They have pride in there fur and just like us women when they loose it they get imbarressed and some give up on life. Unlike us they don't know it will grow back. good luck

Answer 3

try work a brush slowly thru them a little bit at a time on a daily basis.
if it's hurting the cat to the point he fights you or it's not improving take it to a groomer to be shaved. As the fur grows back make sure to brush him every couple days.

Answer 4

Brush it or give it a bath then try brushing it. if that does not help with the matting then get the fur cut off and then once it grows back then make sure you brush it DAILY!

Answer 5

Bring him to a groomer do not cut them with a scissors. A scissors is dangerous because you never can tell where the skin is in that mat of fur. If you have a electric shaver you can even shave them yourself just be careful of there skin. Under his leg pits and by his parts you need to be very careful not to cut the skin because cats can not be stitched back up there.

Answer 6

If your cat is matted you should not give it a bath because it will make the matts worse and don't brush them out cause that is a waste of time and effort. The best solution is to bring it to a groomer and to have them shave it down. It is always important to always brush your cat every day or less depending on the cat. Here are some cat grooming informational sites:

http://mo.essortment.com/catgrooming_rxcb.htm

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_pets_other/article/0,,HGTV_3153_1392237,00.html

http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/storytemplate_process.cfm?story_no=127

Answer 7

Even if you use bandage scissors with blunted ends such as medical professionials use you can cut your cat's skin because you have to go so close to remove the mat.

You can take the cat to a groomer to remove the mats and ask to watch the procedure for removal with clippers (best and safest way). Then you need to start a good combing and brushing program with your cat and you can also get your own clippers when you are sure you know how to use them without injuring your cat.

Answer 8

You could start brushing them out very slowly, as mats are tiny knots that pull at the skin. They have special brushes at petsmart or petco for that. You could also get him shaved.
But from now on, make sure you brush your cat at least 2x a week.

Answer 9

Get a good cat brush and go to work on him. I like to use a comb and start at the ends and work back - it really gets the furballs off, but my cats hate it. I try to make it painless, but get too into the job. You can also look for a groomer, but I think they're expensive.

Answer 10

this used to happen to my cat too. not sure is same reason. you can try to brush it out....but they usually don't like it. if it's real bad down to the skin....when i've seen it, it was because of a skin disorder. some vet's will tell you to put olive oil on the fur and massage in. olive oil won't hurt them if they lick it. unfortunately it did not work for me....what worked was cutting the fur down as far as i could...then rubbed some oil on the skin. grew back fine.

good luck