No matter how long your cat's coat is, it can be prone to become matted.Matting is uncomfortable for the cat as it tugs and pulls on the skin, and it prevents it from licking and conditioning it.If matting is allowed to become severe, it can form a shell over the cat's body that becomes a welfare issue.It's better to prevent a matted cat from forming in the first place than it is to cut away matts.
Step 1: Mated hair prevention should be practiced early on in your cat's life.
Many people have problems because they didn't groom their cat's coat in the past.As the cat gets older and needs a little help, they are not familiar with what you are trying to do and can resent the tugging and pulling on their skin.It can become dangerous to continue when the cat spits or hisses.In an ideal world you would plan ahead and get the cat used to being groomed and accept it as a pleasant experience from kittenhood.This involves short daily grooming sessions with lots of praise and a treat.The more brushed she is before she reaches 18 weeks of age, the more she accepts it as normal.
Step 2: Make sure that your cat is well groomed.
Cats lose hair all the time.The cat tends to the shed hair on your sofa and clothes.Older cats that are stiff can have trouble getting to all parts of their body.The shed hair sits in place and doesn't have to be moved.You can usually tell if your cat has this problem because the coat is dull.Pull the hairs away from the felted area if you grasp some of the hair tips.
Step 3: There are cats with long hair.
Long-haired cats have a soft coat that is easy to tangle.The areas where fur rubs on fur are the first places to get knotted.The fur can also mat up when the cat is sleeping.Persians, Birmans and Himalayans have silky, fine hair that is prone to matting.The long-hair cats should be brushed and groomed more often.
Step 4: A short-haired cat needs to be groomed.
A rubber hand mitt is a good choice for short haired cats.The motion of a cat being licked by another is mimicked in the Zoom Groom.The Zoom Groom is a rubber grooming tool that draws out shed hair from the coat by using a tongue to pull out the dead hair.Many cats will purr ecstatically while they have a spa treatment and this is a great way to keep a short-haired cat's coat from becoming knotted.There are not hard metal teeth to catch against sore joints and the grooming tool is soft.If you start using one in kittenhood, the cat will look forward to his or her daily grooming sessions and it will have a glossy coat to boot.
Step 5: A long-haired cat needs to be groomed.
If you want to prevent matting, invest in a well-made cat rake and long-toothed comb.Rakes are made of metal and are good for brushing long hair.Long-toothed combs allow you to comb deep into your cat's fur and comb through small mats before they get too large.Both items can be found in retail stores.If you want to tease out tangles, use the comb first and gently comb through the coat.If you want to prevent tugging on the skin, you have to work above your fingers.Start at the top of the knot and gently separate it until it begins to fall apart.Work a little deeper.It's helpful to use your fingers rather than the comb to open the mat.You can comb through the tangle if you keep working gently.
Step 6: Your cat needs to be groomed frequently.
mats can still be untangled if you groom your cat every day.Before mats occur, begin a regular brushing regimen on your cat's coat.If you work with your cat daily, he or she will get used to being brushed.Start getting your cat as a kitten when he or she is young.
Step 7: comb the undercoat as well as the top coat
The undercoat is where mats begin as tangles.Rakes can penetrate down to the under coat.The rake helps to remove fur from the soft undercoat, which can lead to tangles.
Step 8: Prepare your cat to touch.
Cats are hesitant to be brushed because they are not used to being handled by humans.Slowly get your cat used to being touched by you.If your cat doesn't like your touch, you need to find another time to pet it.A cat that doesn't like being petted may have a time in the day when it is more open to it.
Step 9: You should brush slowly and gently.
If your cat doesn't like being brushed, you should try to get them used to it.The cat should be petted until it relaxes and purring.The smooth side of the comb should be gently passed over the cat's coat.The comb is almost indistinguishable from a stroke if you follow it with your hand.Give the cat a treat and end the session on a high if you repeat this a few times.This will build up the cat's tolerance of comb and having its body touched in general.This approach works best if the coat is not tangled.If the coat is already knotted, it is a good idea to get the cat used to being brushed.
Step 10: If you can't get the cat to comb, kill it.
If you want to get rid of a knot before it causes a problem, scruffing the cat.Use your non-dominant hand to grasp the cat's scruff so that you can use your dominant hand.It's where the mother grips her kittens when carrying them that has a subduing effect on the cat.The adult cat could be injured if the cat is lifted off the ground completely.The scruff stops the cat from running away.
Step 11: Look for cat-hair mats.
The clumped fur of your cat is not painful when you touch it.If you work down to the bottom of the lump, you can see the hair fibers between the skin and mat.
Step 12: If possible, avoid cutting mats.
The need to cut hair from your cat's coat is caused by mats, which can be difficult to comb out.It can take months for the cat's coat to return to normal.It's important to learn how to prevent matted cat hair before it happens to keep your cat looking and feeling his or her best.
Step 13: If you decide to cut out a mat, be careful.
If you can't untangle a knot, you may need to cut it away.Proceed with extreme caution because it's easy to cut the skin instead of the knot.The skintents upward when you lift up the knot to get it clear.You can cut across an elevated piece of skin when you slice across the base of the knot.
Step 14: Cut large mats with scissors.
If you can slide a comb between the knot and the skin, it will act as a shield.In areas where the hair mats are tight, pay close attention to not cutting your cat's skin.
Step 15: The cat should be taken to the vet if it gets too bad.
If your cat has mats on it, take it to the vet.If in doubt do not cut.Professional clippers that can shear away the knot with a reduced risk of cutting the skin are available at the vet clinic.Your vet knows how to remove mats.
Step 16: Remove matted cat hair by brushing over it.
This will help to keep the area free of mats.Your cat will neglect the area if it has been matted before.Make sure that you brush it out on a regular basis, as you should get all the way down to the undercoat.