How to Detangle Cat Fur

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1 Removing Tangles and Mats

2 Preventing Tangled Fur

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Article Summary

Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Approved

Cats have earned a reputation as effective self-groomers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need your help in staying clean and healthy. Old, infirm, overweight, and long-haired cats in particular are more susceptible to tangled fur, which can become clumped mats or knotted dreadlocks. These tangles are not only unsightly, they can also cause discomfort, facilitate skin disorders, or harbor worms, mites, or other pests. While preventing tangles through regular brushing and examinations is the best way to go, there are options for removing matted fur at home. If all else fails, or if you are unsure of your ability to remove the tangles safely, consult a professional groomer or veterinarian.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Removing Tangles and Mats

1. 
   1
   Keep your cat calm. Removing matted fur can be a time-consuming and potentially painful process, and many cats will not respond well to it. It is essential that your cat starts out calm (such as after a hearty meal) and remains so as you remove the knots and tangles. It is better to halt the process and resume at another time than to force a scared or angry cat to submit to the removal of tangles.

   • If you have regularly groomed your cat from an early age, it is more likely to accept the tangle-removal process. If your cat refuses to allow the process without clawing, scratching, running away, etc., it is best to turn things over to a professional groomer or veterinarian.
2. 
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   Locate and examine all mats. Some tangles, like the dreadlock-type that can appear on the back or sides, can be easily visible. Others, however, can be lurking in concealed areas; but these are at least as important to remove. Look for tangles in areas such as behind the ears, around the groin area, between the back legs, behind the front legs, under the collar, and around the anus.

   • If the tangle or mat is very large — say, bigger than the end of your thumb — it is probably best to have a professional handle the removal. If there are any signs of irritation or injury to the adjacent skin, contact the cat’s veterinarian.
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3. 
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   Work out the tangles with your fingers. The first tool to try in removing tangles is conveniently located at the end of each of your arms. Use your fingers to detangle minor knots, loosen larger tangles, and separate mats into smaller, more manageable pieces. Working with your fingers is likely to be less painful and stressful for your cat.

   • Some experts advise using detangler sprays or shampoos before attempting to remove tangles; others don't think they help much. If you choose to use them, make sure to use detanglers meant specifically for pets — not humans.
   • Sprinkling a little cornstarch or talcum powder on the knotted area may help in the detangling process.
4. 
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   Try to brush out the tangles. Before moving on to more specialized equipment, you can try (after using your fingers) to brush out mats and knots with a regular cat brush or wide-toothed comb. Grasp the fur closest to the skin and below the tangled area with your free hand, in order to limit tugging on the skin. Use short and quick, but gentle, brushing motions. Brush toward the end of the hairs (and away from the skin), but start at the end of the mat farthest from the cat’s skin and work your way back into it.

   • Don’t force the matter, however. Yanking at matted fur with a brush will not make your cat happy, and your cat will in turn make sure you are not happy. Move on to other methods.
   • While some “cat people” may not want to hear this, How to Brush Mats out of Dog Hair provides some good pointers that are applicable to felines as well.
5. 
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   Use specialized tools for stubborn mats. If your fingers or your normal brushes can’t work through the tangles, there are a wide range of options still available to you. Different people swear by different tools (for instance, the “Furminator,” to name one popular branded brush), so a trial-and-error process may be in order for you. Of course, you can also consult your groomer or vet for advice as well.

   • Tools known variously as mat rakes, mat breakers, or mat splitters can help break up large areas of matting into smaller, more manageable pieces. They have a sharp edge in between the teeth, and require a sawing motion to work through the mat. They are generally safer than other cutting options because the sharp edges are not exposed, but caution should still be practiced, of course. Once you’ve reduced the mat to smaller pieces, go back to using your fingers and/or brushes and combs.
6. 
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   Cut out mats when all else fails. While the most certain way to get rid of a stubborn tangle or mat, cutting should usually be your last option. Not only does it give your cat a bald spot that may take months to fill in completely, you run the risk of injuring your cat. Cats have thinner, gentler skin than humans, and can easily be cut by scissors, blades, or even the friction from clippers. If you are at all hesitant, take your cat to a professional.

   • A razor comb (also known as a mat comb) works like a regular comb but has recessed blades that shave away the hair. Use the same kind of short, quick motion you use with a regular comb, and make sure you counter any tugging with your free hand and always brush away from the cat’s skin.
   • Hair clippers can make quick work of mats, but make sure not to rub against the cat’s skin. The friction and even the heat of the clippers can damage feline skin.
   • While scissors seem like the obvious choice, they are not usually recommended for non-professionals. The risk of cuts or punctures is simply too great. If you do use them, always make sure you have a comb or your fingers between the scissor blades and the cat’s skin.
7. 
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   Let a professional handle the job. It is worth repeating: if you have any doubt about your ability to remove a tangle or mat without harming your cat, do not attempt to do so. Knots often occur in sensitive areas, such as on the abdomen, under the neck, or around the genitalia. Don't risk a mistake that could have serious consequences.

   • Any good pet groomer deals with tangled fur on a daily basis, and should be able to take care of the problem in most cases. Veterinarians also regularly remove mats, and should be consulted especially when there is any concern about a skin condition or other problem related to the tangle.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Preventing Tangled Fur

1. 
   1
   Know your cat’s needs. A young, active, healthy cat with short hair is likely able to keep itself well-groomed and to need limited assistance with tangle prevention. Alternatively, an old, overweight, long-haired cat is likely to require regular (even daily) brushing attention to prevent knots and matting.

   • How to Prevent Matted Cat Hair contains substantial information on proper grooming for tangle prevention.
2. 
   2
   Brush your cat regularly. Even if you have a cat that grooms itself effectively, creating a regular brushing routine will make the process much easier and more comfortable should it become necessary later on. It is best to start as soon as possible with a young kitten, in order to make brushing a normal (and, ideally, an enjoyable) routine.

   • Brushing a short-haired cat is a fairly straightforward process, and can be managed with any number of brush types, although many people prefer the “oven mitt” brushes with rubber teeth. Always brush in the direction that the hair lays.
   • Long-haired cats require more specialized tools, such as a “cat rake” (a wide brush with small metal bristles) and a long-tooth comb. Use both tools in order to reach both the surface hair as well as that buried deep underneath. Gently comb the hair on the abdomen and neck upward toward the chin. Then, make a part down the middle of the cat’s back and comb down each side.
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   Bathe cats only as necessary. Your feline is unlikely to dispute this point: cats benefit from regular grooming, but not normally from regular bathing. Bathing, especially if not followed by immediate and thorough drying, is more likely to create new tangles and matting. Generally speaking, only bathe your cat when it is overly sticky, smelly, or dirty.

   • There is no shame in letting a professional groomer deal with “kitty bath time.”
4. 
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   Catch tangles early. Even with regular grooming, tangles and knots will happen, especially with long-haired cats. That said, the easiest tangle to remove is one that has just started, so check regularly, even daily, while grooming.

   • Focus particularly on typical problem areas like the groin area, backside, under the collar, behind the front legs, between the back legs, and behind the ears.
   • Use your regular tangle exams as an opportunity to check for any injuries or damage to the skin as well. Look for cuts, bruises, bumps, swelling, redness, etc. Contact your vet if you find anything out of the ordinary.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Is coconut oil safe for cats?

  

  Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
  Veterinarian

  Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

  

  Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

  Veterinarian

  Expert Answer

  Yes coconut oil is safe for cats in very small amounts. No more than 1/2 teaspoon per day is recommended.

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• Question

  Can you get a cat's hair cut?

  

  Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
  Veterinarian

  Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

  

  Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

  Veterinarian

  Expert Answer

  Yes, many people take their cats to groomers to have the cat's hair trimmed or clipped.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  Can I get my cat shaved?

  

  Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
  Veterinarian

  Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

  

  Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

  Veterinarian

  Expert Answer

  Yes some people need to shave their cats in order to remove mats or to prevent mats from forming.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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