How do I fix my cats matted fur?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 21, 2026
If your cat's fur becomes matted, you can try to brush or comb it out using your fingers or a mat breaker. Mat breakers are smaller than typical grooming brushes and can sometimes detangle mats that are not too tight. However, you do not want to cause your cat any pain or the stress of a prolonged brushing session.
How do you detangle severely matted cat hair?
Sprinkle a little cornstarch or talcum powder in the area of the mat, and gently work it around with your fingers. Gently pull the mat up away from the skin, so you can see where the skin is. If the cat resists, take a break and speak in a soothing voice, petting the cat until it relaxes.Why is my cat's fur suddenly matted?
So matting of the fur may be your first indicator that your pet is anemic, isn't breathing well, has kidney failure, is diabetic, has heart disease or even cancer. It is your cat's way of showing you he/she isn't feeling well. Stress will also influence grooming habits.Does matted hair hurt cats?
Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. The mats can become uncomfortable and even painful for your cat. Some mats with develop with regular movement (at top of left), and others build up over time without grooming. They also cause skin irritation and infection.How do you get thick mats out of a cat's fur?
If the mats are thick and tightly knotted, try using a wide-toothed comb or a mat remover just like these on Amazon. If you feel like the mats aren't coming out and your cat is starting to feel pain, then use a mat razor comb to cut the mat out.How To Remove Cat Mats!
Does Olive Oil remove matted cat hair?
Dry Skin & Matted FurHowever, many cat owners absolutely swear by using olive oil topically on cats. Not to combat dry skin, but to remove pesky matted fur! To do this, use a syringe (the non-needle kind) to apply olive oil to the base of the matt as close to the skin as possible, gently rub it in, and then—poof!