If this drastic step is necessary be sure to maintain a regular program of brushing and combing when the coat grows back to prevent future problems.
How to get matted hair out of cats.
See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.
Knowing the causes and prevention.
If her fur is bad enough that the mat is just one giant stretch of knotted hair that s a situation that probably calls for a professional as shaving her fur might be necessary.
Although matted cat fur is commonly found in long hair cat breeds short haired cats can also develop mats in their coats.
Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time.
Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.
In cats that suffer from dandruff the hair is usually deeply rooted in the follicles and can actually make the cat s fur look even thicker.
Removing matted fur can be a time consuming and potentially painful process and many cats will not respond well to it.
Saturate the matted hair with hair conditioner.
Gently rub the affected area to remove the matted hair.
The conditioner softens the hair and creates a slippery surface making it easier to untangle.
Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats.
The reason mats develop is that cats naturally shed their dead outer fur to make room for newer hair to grow.
Imagine keeping all that fur under control.
If your cat doesn t like brushing have him get used to it through touching him at first.
But every once in a while their hair gets tangled or matted.
Did you know a single cat has about 130 000 hairs per square inch of their body.
Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.
For the most part cats do a great job on their own since they are excellent self groomers.
Rub the conditioner into the matted hair with the tips of your fingers.
To get rid of matted cat fur soak the area with warm water.
Use the proper tools when brushing your cat s hair using a rubber brush for short haired cats and a long tooth metal wired brush for cats with longer hair.
In such cases it may be necessary to administer some form of topical shampoo that will get rid of the dandruff problem and prevent further matting.
Remember to groom the undercoat and hard to reach spots as well.
Use a commercial hair conditioner made for cats.
If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself.
Allow the area to dry before taking a bath.
Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work.
Mats are clumps of hair that form when loose hair gets tangled onto the rest of your cat s fur.