How can I unmatte my mother cats fur?

Question

My mother passed away and I took her cats. Two of them have verly bad matted fur. These cat had pretty and soft furs until about 6 month ago. I would like to get them back.

Thank you all. It looks like taking them to a groomer is the key. I love these cats greatly and want the best. Since winter is coming I think I wait to spring to do it.

Answer 1

The best bet is to shave them. The fur will grow back just as soft as it was before and it wont take that long either. We recently had to do this to our cat because she got into some pine tar (NIGHTMARE!) Some people will also shave them in the summer to help keep them cool.

Answer 2

Worst case scenario you'd have to shave them and let it grow back and keep up with it. Other wise you could try buying some hair detangler even if it's for humans, or cat conditioner leave in kind and then try to brush it out. you may be able to trim their fur without shaving them completely to take care of the worst of it. It may take a week or so, work on it a little each day. Buy some detangler shampoo and so on. Good luck!

Answer 3

I went away for a few months and my cat became very depressed and stopped grooming herself. Her fur became very matted (which can be very painful) so I took her toa professional who shaved her. Her hair grew back quickly and beautifully.

If you can't afford a groomer try Johnsons&Johnsons baby detangler, but make sure you wash it out completely.

Make sure you brush them at least 15 mins a day.
You should also ask the vet if these are signs of depression since you did mention they just lost their mommy. Just a suggestion.

Answer 4

Sometimes it has to be cut off so you can start fresh. They need to be brushed a lot so it won't mat. If I go away for 2 days, I come back and my cat's fur is matted like she'd been neglected for a month, even though my mom comes over and feeds & pets her. So I really think that stress can cause increased matting.

Answer 5

I have long haired cat that is her mattes aren't too bad, I trim them off with a scissors. We have had to shave her though, and the new fur comes in soft. Try to stay on top of brushing them once you get the mattes removed to help prevent it in the future. Mine gets hers when she loses her winter coat.

Answer 6

it takes awhile but you can do it alittle at a time. hopefully they are cooperative... find the matts with your fingers and pull as much hair back from it as you can, with small scirrors, nose hair trimmers work good, cut into the matt. careful not to far,, maybe hold your fingers under so not to get the skin. then pull apart the hair you cut. just keep doing that for awhile, but stop when the cat gets tired of it and do more later. cutting into the matt will also help so the cat can do some itself. in just 6 months you shouldnt need to shave them completely, but maybe you do, i havent seen them.

Answer 7

Shaving is the best way to go. We had a persian and she used to get matted a lot. She was 18 (and blind!) and she found it very stressful to be cut. She would bite and scratch. Once they have been shaved try to brush them whenever you can to reduce the matts.

Answer 8

Shave them, they'll love it. My cat acts like she's all that when I have her shaved every spring. It grows back really fast and it will be just as soft and pretty.

Answer 9

Have them professionally groomed. Most matted fur is difficult to untangle without professional help. If you want to do it yourself, try human hair conditioner; although it will probably make them itch and they'll try to scratch your eyes out in the process! Good luck. :)

Answer 10

If you can swing it financially it is best to have a professional groomer take care of it. Then you can start over with them and do the brushing and combing necessary to keep them in good shape.

Maybe the stress of your mother's illness and death caused them to stop grooming themselves as they normally would.