How to clear up fur and stop matting?!

[Symposium]

My cat is getting hard lumps of matted fur and I don’t know how to deal with it. I thought we were doing well with brushing him regularly but recently he’s been getting these stubborn knots. I’ve tried a special de matting comb and it cleared one side quite well but the other side the knots are just too tight and it’s pulling. I’ve been as gentle as possible but now he’s hating being combed at all as it must be sore. I’m so worried about it as I’ve read that if not removed it will only get worse and become a big problem for him.

I take mine to a groomer and get him clipped as his hair matts easily once it gets longer.
You could try little round ended scissors and snip out what you can extremely carefully

Cat Four gets matted fur on her rear end. I bought an electric trimmer and keep the fur there short.

I did wonder about trying an electric trimmer but he’s very sensitive to noise so I think he would bolt before I could get it near him.And I think I’m too nervous to try scissors as the knots are so close to the skin. If I went to a groomer, how would they do it? Would it be electric clippers anyway? I’m just thinking I don’t want to traumatise him . I never realised it would be so tricky to look after this adorable ball of fluff!

A vet nurse could groom him, the vet could give him a calming tablet. Is he longhaired.

When the vet did it for me it cost a fortune as they sedated him. The groomer used clippers and no sedation. If the matts are close to the skin sometimes only clippers will work. I wouldn't attempt it myself as cat skin is very thin and fragile

I bought a Wahl clipper. It’s very quiet and she handled it well. It’s a two person job. We used scissors to clip off the mats and then the trimmer.

Thanks everyone, I’ll have a think if I could manage with someone to help hold him and some small quiet clippers.

Depending on the vet, they MAY prescribe a very small dose of Gabapentin (mild sedative), if you explain that the knots are causing health issues and clipping distresses him a lot.

You hold him, the other person trims. Cat Four is only calm if I hold her. If your boy is sensitive, he’ll need you.

Our elderly boy doesn’t tolerate being held but will allow short dematting sessions if one brushes and the other provides a constant stream of dreamies. We tried several combs and brushes but the dematting brush with the rounded flat blades works without pulling the fur, it deals with the dense undercoat.

My shorthaired cat started getting these recently, she’s only 6 and not had them before. I use a Furminator and lots of strokes/treats. The furminator practically shaves it off slowly.

Try one holds and the person snips with sectors leaving the bit near the skin so you dont cut the cat, then usually you can just use your fingers to gently rub/ seperate out the small bit that's left.

Never use electric clippers or scissors yourself to remove matts, OP. Under all that fur, cats apparently have especially thin and vulnerable skin. One slip and you risk cutting the skin. I'd have a vet nurse appointment to get the matts out (with gabapentin on advance if needed). I've recently had to do that with my cat. The shedding should reduce now that summer is over. Between my cat and I we've kept it under control since the nurse and had no more matts.

Thanks everyone. I’ve not tried anything else yet. I’ve got an appointment next week for his 6 month health check up at the vet, so I’m going to ask about it then and take it from there.

Forgot to post this before! Here he is

He’s gorgeous! Hope you get the mats sorted out soon, good luck 🐈

Oooh, the fluff!! 🧡

Ginger and fluffy! Too beautiful!

Hi @TheGirlOnTheLandingwhich brand is this please? Would you mind posting a link to it, or similar, please?

I use this one, it’s amazing how much comes out. Vet very keen on them too.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_health/cat_furminator/291301

They do a larger size as well.

@Timeforabitofpeacesorry, I just got a notification for your question now! It was this one Magic Dematting Comb for Dog & Cat – Pet Deshedding Tool for Removing Loose Undercoat, Knots, Mats – Dog Brush for Grooming – Dual Sided Undercoat Rake [[https://amzn.eu/d/ghMtOsc amzn.eu/d/ghMtOsc

Thank you!