home Audience 12 How can you get rid of mats from a cat? What are mats in cats and how to deal with them Why does an old cat have mats

How can you get rid of mats from a cat? What are mats in cats and how to deal with them Why does an old cat have mats

Long-haired cats attract with their beauty, grace, independent and affectionate disposition. But sometimes owners don’t even think about whether they are properly caring for the fur of their demanding pets. But this is an extremely responsible occupation. Otherwise, the cat’s tangles will not take long to appear. Grooming is extremely important for the appearance of the mustache.

When breeding long-haired breeds, the emphasis was on the quality of the coat and the importance of caring for it. And sometimes cats with unnaturally thick and long hair are simply unable to care for it on their own. The fur becomes tangled and faded, forming tangles.

The formation of mats is one of the most common problems of long-haired cats, which causes a lot of inconvenience for both the animal and their owners.

Coat problems are caused by the following factors:

The coat is constantly renewed and lost hairs must be removed in a timely manner. If this does not happen, they become entangled with the growing hair, forming a thick, tangled bundle - a tangle. They most often appear on the neck, behind the ears, under the paws and on the tail.

It is worth saying that short-haired cats can also encounter this problem. But this is a fairly rare occurrence and is often preceded by contaminated fur and the animal’s reluctance to take care of itself due to poor health.

Reasons for deletion

It is important to remove clumps of rolled fur as quickly as possible, since during play the animal may accidentally catch it on other objects or pull it deliberately to get rid of the obstacle. As a result, the cat will be injured, and touching the tangles will be associated only with discomfort and pain, which will make it much more difficult for the owner to remove them.

If you constantly comb your animal, you will be able to notice the formed tangle in time. Even when stroking it, it immediately feels like something rough and unnatural among the silky fur. The removal procedure is very unpleasant, but necessary, focus on this.

How to properly remove mats from a cat:

If the lump has appeared recently, try to disassemble and stir it with your fingers.
To try to preserve at least some of the fur, try cutting the cat's mats along the hairline and combing them out with a fine-tooth comb, trying to separate the old fur with your hands. The lumps usually adhere very tightly to the fur, so it is important to first secure the animal (you may have to involve an assistant) and act carefully so as not to injure the pet.
For these purposes, you can purchase a mat cutter - a special device with blades that facilitates the process of removing matted wool.

If the animal is categorically against such measures, the mat can be cut off, but then a not very beautiful bald spot will form in its place. When there are a lot of tangles and they adhere tightly to the skin, there is no point in trying to remove them yourself. Save your and your cat’s nerves, contact specialists at a grooming salon.

Prevention education

To avoid the appearance of tangles, it is enough to provide the cat with proper care for its long hair:

The animal needs to be combed at least 1-2 times a week, and for some – daily.
Try to use conditioning shampoos that prevent tangling and make combing easier.
During bathing, shampoo should be applied with stroking movements along the growth of the coat, and for drying, it is enough to rub it over the coat several times without rubbing it with a towel in different directions.
The use of special antistatic agents for the care of cats allows you to remove static tension, due to which falling hairs become tangled with living hairs and ensure softness of the fur. It is only important to choose the appropriate product at the pet store, taking into account the breed, length and thickness of the coat.
Some owners practice using a hair dryer to dry the animal after bathing, which helps prevent the appearance of lumps caused by improper drying and to properly comb the pet.
Provide your pet with a balanced diet.
As a supplement to the diet, use special additives designed to improve the quality of the coat.

To comb your pet, it is important to choose the right comb, taking into account the length and thickness of the coat, and also to accustom him to this procedure from an early age. Timely removal of tangles should become a habit and be the norm, not an emergency measure.

If, despite proper care, the hair continues to roll into clumps that cannot be untangled, you should have your cat's health examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause of this phenomenon.

Video review about grooming care for cats

Still have questions? You can ask them to our site's in-house veterinarian in the comment box below, who will respond to them as soon as possible.

When someone adopts a kitten, they expect that the little cat will grow into a large and beautiful four-legged friend with silky hair. But in order for an animal to grow and develop properly, it needs to be properly cared for. Sometimes cats and kittens develop mats on their fur. It is impossible to ignore this, and sometimes it is even dangerous.

Reasons for the formation of mats in cats

A mat is a dense lump of matted wool. Long-haired cats are more likely to develop mats. Mats are formed from undercoat hairs (thin, short, almost “downy” hairs) that were not removed in time.

Persian cats are prone to matting

Imagine a situation where chewing gum or plasticine got into your hair. The hair gets tangled, stuck together, and trying to clean out the Velcro is very painful. In cats, such “sticking” can occur due to oil or glue getting into the fur, for example.

In addition, the coat can become brittle and brittle due to poor nutrition (for example, lack of vitamins). This is how the split ends of the undercoat become tangled and turn into tangles. And finally, the main reason for the formation of lumps is improper care of the cat's hair. Cats should not be washed with shampoos intended for humans. Sometimes after washing a pet (even with cat shampoo), the owner rushes to dry the cat as quickly as possible. Improper drying of a cat after bathing also leads to matting of lint. The wool can be blotted with a soft towel rather than rubbed.

Why are tangles dangerous?

if you ignore the formation of tangles, this can affect the health of your pet

Mats spoil the appearance of your pet. They make the cat look untidy. Professional breeders can ruin their reputation if a purebred cat looks unkempt. And even if the pet is a simple domestic cat, but with tangles, it will be unpleasant to stroke it. However, in addition to not being aesthetically pleasing, pets with mats are at risk of diseases:

How to comb a cat's mats

tangles can be dealt with by combing or cutting

People who have little experience caring for furry cats may not think much of the appearance of balls. Some believe that it is enough to simply cut off the tangle that appears. But in fact, a cat's fur can change after a haircut. The coat may change shade and/or texture. Such changes are undesirable for purebred cats. Therefore, if possible, you should try combing them first.

My grandmother's cat (Musya) was very fluffy, although she was a mongrel cat. The cat often walked outside, and because of this, she developed tangles on her neck and stomach. This began to happen especially often after the age of 15. Old Musya was no longer so flexible and could not comb them herself. The cat's hairs were soft and thin, and this made them seem even more fragile. That's why we were afraid to comb it ourselves. In the evening, the grandmother took the cat in her arms and stroked it until it fell asleep. The grandmother sorted out the tangle with her fingers by touch. Sometimes this took several hours, but the cat was not hurt. Only once did Musya have to be cut when she came home covered in burdock thorns.

Classic combing and cutting

You can comb out the mat using any fine-toothed comb.

To comb a tangle with a comb, you need to follow the following sequence:

Wait until the cat is in a good mood.
Lay the cat down so that the formed lump is clearly visible.
Talk to the cat and pet it.
Place one hand just above the mat (to secure the skin).
Using short, gentle movements, run the comb through the tangle until it is divided into several parts.
Comb each part of the tangle in the same way.
Stroke the cat in the place where the lump used to be.

This method is good for removing 1-2 tangles. It is important not to make any sudden movements, because if you pull the skin, it will hurt the animal. Combing should not turn into torture. If there are several tangles, and it is not possible to comb them with a comb, you can cut them off using scissors. In such cases, the mat is cut lengthwise. Try to do this as carefully as possible so as not to injure your pet. The halves of the cut lump can already be disassembled by hand, and the remaining tangled hair can be removed with a comb. In this case, it is possible to preserve the neat appearance of the animal (when the mat is cut off at the root, bald spots remain). In addition, you can purchase a special anti-matt product (sold in pet pharmacies). With the help of such products, tangles are removed even more easily.

sometimes it is advisable to go to a special salon

If there are too many mats (and they are large), the cat needs to be trimmed completely. Usually the “fluffiness” is left on the head, paws and tail (the cat becomes like a lion). If the animal owner has experience in grooming cats, you can carry out this procedure yourself. If you are afraid of harming your pet, you can contact a cat hairdresser (grooming master). In such a salon, they will not only remove tangles, but will also advise how to care for the cat so that matting does not happen again.

In very advanced cases (or if the cat does not allow itself to be cut), the procedure can be performed under general anesthesia. In any case, the cat will be grateful for getting rid of the unpleasant lumps.

I am categorically against haircuts as an option for getting rid of hair. I have 2 Persians, and with normal daily care they practically do not need hygienic haircuts. If the wool falls off in certain places, I try to untangle it, but if this is completely impossible to do, I cut off the tangle itself. A hygienic haircut is encouraged only if the animal is very neglected. The honest truth is that the color and structure of the coat may change after a haircut.
JuliRien, forum user

http://mauforum.ru/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=60770&start=30&view=print

Video: how Persian cats are cut in salons

Hair cutter for cats In addition to the classic methods of removing tangles, there are also more modern ones. One of the fashionable trends is such an invention as. This is a special device with which you can quickly and painlessly remove a matted lump. The hair cutter is similar to a comb, but instead of teeth (the number of teeth is from 4 to 12) there are thin blades. When choosing a webbing cutter, you can try to save money by choosing a cheaper model. But the chosen model must suit your pet (depending on the length of the fur, choose a mat cutter with long or short blades). In addition, other factors need to be taken into account:

number of teeth;
tooth length;
blade material;
tool handle.

If your cat is well cared for, the risk of matting will be low. In such cases, a device with a small number of teeth is suitable. And if the animal is prone to forming lumps, you need to choose a knot cutter with the largest number of teeth. In addition to the frequency of the blades, you need to pay attention to their length. To care for a cat with already large mats, a device with long teeth is suitable. In an attempt to save money, be sure to pay attention to the material of the blades. Coil cutters cannot be sharpened. If the blades become dull, the device will have to be replaced, so it is advisable to choose a device with blades made of high-quality steel. The handle of the device should be ergonomic (comfortable, rubberized). The device packaging must be intact. If it seems to you that the package was opened before you, treat the device with boiling water.

the blades of the vertical webbing cutter are located perpendicular to the handle

For medium-sized cats with large mats, a vertical mat cutter with a small number of blades is suitable. And if the cat is large, then to remove mats you need a device with the maximum number of blades. The horizontal webbing cutter is convenient for frequent use. Externally, this device looks like a vegetable peeler. The teeth are located parallel to the handle of the device. Round-shaped blades are sharpened so that one side of the blades is sharp and the other is dull. Thanks to this, the knot cutter becomes safe to use. The length of the blades can also vary.

Horizontal webbing cutters have blades with rounded edges

However, vertical and horizontal webbing cutters are not very suitable for processing hard-to-reach areas (ears, paws, etc.). And the animal may not allow a “terrible object”, for example, to the groin. In such cases, a teardrop cutter is needed. This device is smaller than other webbing cutters. This device has a round shape and only one blade. You can easily hide it in the palm of your hand, and at the first opportunity, remove the tangle without your pet noticing.

drop-shaped tangle cutter is convenient for cutting tangles in hard-to-reach places

However, it is not enough to simply choose and buy a webbing cutter. You need to trim matted lumps in such a way as not to harm your cat. Using a tangle cutter is not difficult, but to do this you need to know a few rules:

Before you start brushing, you need to calm the cat (give a treat, pet it).
You can ask a family member (whom the cat treats well) to hold the animal during treatment.
While holding the cat, you need to start combing out the tangles according to the hair growth. It is important not to press the blades on your pet's skin to avoid damaging it.
To make the procedure easier, you can use a special spray that will soften the hairball and allow you to comb out the mat much faster.

It should be understood that the tangle cutter is intended for removing tangles, but not for daily combing. Using the device too often can damage your pet's fur. Therefore, you need to try to prevent the formation of hairballs.

Prevention of tangle formation

To prevent tangles from appearing, the cat needs to be looked after daily

To avoid the hassle of removing tangles, you can simply prevent their formation. To do this, you need to make it a rule to devote some time every day to caring for your cat. Pets with mustaches need to be combed. If the animal came into the house while still a kitten, then it needs to be taught to use a comb right away. The daily procedure will become a habit, and when the cat grows up, there will be no problems with combing. However, you cannot simply comb a cat with your own (“human”) comb. Each pet should have its own toiletries. For a cat, you need to select a comb depending on the type and length of hair. For young cats and kittens you need to purchase a brush. Artificial bristles (for example, nylon) have an antistatic effect and do not “cut” the hair to the skin.

I brush my cat with a brush. Although Khosya has already grown up and turned into an adult, capricious cat, she is not going to give up the brush. She rejects other combs. And since Hoshi has short, smooth fur, you don’t need to change the comb. The only thing I don't like about the brush is that small hairs get stuck in the bristles (the depth of the tufts). Sometimes I have to comb Hoshin's brush with a simple plastic comb.

Additionally, you can purchase a rubber (massage) mitten. This little thing will help comb the fur even after bathing (before it dries). But a mitten cannot replace proper combing. Combs are suitable for daily hygiene. The tips of the comb teeth are rounded, which facilitates painless combing. Combs can be of any length and width. This comb will help identify fleas if any appear. If you like both combs and brushes, you can purchase a double-sided comb (brush). For very fluffy cats with long hair, a slicker is needed. The slicker resembles a brush, but instead of bristles, thin metal teeth (with curved ends) stick out of the rubber pad. Slickers are needed to comb out fluff, but it can only be used to care for cats with healthy, good fur. If your pet already has tangles, the slicker cannot be used.

If possible, you can buy a furminator. This is a special device (comb-trimmer) for combing out the undercoat. Not the most budget option, but using such a trimmer saves time. Furminators are sold for different types of cats (kittens, short-haired, long-haired).

Photo gallery: types of combs for grooming cats

brushes are ideal for kittens or short-haired cats
Instead of a mitten, you can use a special attachment for your hand
the longer the guard hairs of the animal, the denser the comb teeth should be
In addition to a double-sided brush, you can also use a double-sided comb. The longer the cat’s fur, the longer the teeth of the Furminator slicker should be - this is one of the most expensive “combers,” but also one of the most effective

In addition to brushing, you also need to bathe the cat. Of course, you don't need to wash your pet every day (only as needed). Cats with long hair find it difficult to lick their “coat” completely (especially if there is dirt on the fur). Do not wash your cat with regular shampoo or soap. There are special shampoos and conditioners for animals. After shampooing, the coat may not dry properly, which is why conditioner is needed. Some pet stores also sell dry shampoos for animals. Owners of long-haired pets need to have one (in case the water is turned off and the cat gets dirty). Dry shampoo will not solve all problems, but dirt will be eliminated, static tension will disappear, and the coat will become more manageable.

Some cat breeders dry their pets with a hairdryer after bathing. This procedure must be carried out extremely carefully (air heating should be minimal). This drying can be done while simultaneously brushing the cat with a massage mitten. In this case, the wool will dry correctly and completely.

And also do not forget about proper nutrition of the animal. After all, the formation of tangles can be caused by poor wool quality (for example, dryness, brittleness). This can happen due to a lack of vitamins. Your veterinarian will help you choose the right food supplement.

Mats in representatives of the cat family are densely matted lumps of animal hair. The trouble is that many owners simply do not pay attention to them, believing that tangles are a common occurrence for cats with long hair. Common people believe that their pets can cope with this problem on their own.

What it is?

Koltun (trichome) is a special condition of a cat's coat, which consists of matted, compacted lumps of fur that resemble felt to the touch. Most often, serious mats occur in old or sick pets (they can be a sign of a serious illness). This happens much less often with young cats, since they devote a lot of time to high-quality care of their fur and put a lot of effort into keeping their fur neat, in order to remove their odor and become invisible to prey, because cats are excellent hunters.

Causes

Hair mats in pets can appear for many reasons.

The cat is rarely or never brushed, so in a very short period of time dense tangles form on his fur.
During shedding, the cat does not immediately comb out the old fallen fur.
The pet is sick with something.
An animal cannot get rid of tufts of fur or hair that keeps falling out on its own. The reason for this is excessively thick fur.
Lack of vitamins, which often leads to a malfunction in metabolic processes in the cat’s body. Dandruff may appear on his fur, which, in turn, can strongly glue the hairs together when the pet licks them.
The depressed state of an animal when it has no time to care for itself.
The cat is washed with the wrong shampoo, for example, not with a product specifically designed for animals, but with regular shampoo for washing human hair. In this case, the wool becomes very lathered, which leads to its clumping, which is why tangles begin to appear.
The cat is too lazy, clearly suffering from obesity.
The pet is not eating properly and is showing signs of vitamin deficiency (the fur is falling off and there are more and more lumps).
There are some sticky substances on the wool (this could be jam or paint that accidentally got on the wool).

Why are they dangerous?

In the future, she will associate this incident with pain or fear. In such cases, cats begin to resist every time their owner tries to remove tangles from their fur.

If you don’t get rid of old wool on time, then with each new day the number of tangles will only increase. Then moisture will accumulate under the fur, which will lead to the appearance of ulcers and inflamed areas.

How to delete?

Pesky tangles can be removed from cats' fur using the following popular methods.

If the lumps are not yet very large, you can try to carefully comb them out. To keep your pet from worrying and being afraid, you need to place it on its side or on your lap and pet it. This needs to be done so that he calms down, trusts you and does not break out. First, you should carefully comb your pet’s sides and back, then move on to the neck and chest, and complete the process by combing the front legs and tail. It is very difficult to get rid of the lumps that are on the cat's stomach and hind legs.

The most important thing is that the animal does not feel pain while combing, then it will not bite and bother you.

Big tangles are best trim carefully along the hair growth, after which it is carefully combed.

If there are too many tangles and they cannot be simply combed out, then the matted clumps should simply be cut off to the ground. To carry out this kind of manipulation, you need to act very carefully: the skin under the fur of cats is very thin, so it is easy to damage. Tangles are most often removed with scissors; you can use a regular hair clipper or a special device for cutting hair. Bald spots will completely heal in 2-3 months. A haircut will ease the condition of a cat suffering from mats.

At the pet store you can buy an interesting device, which is commonly called a tangle cutter. This is a special comb with blunt ends and blades between the teeth. Using this device is completely safe for your pets. When choosing the most suitable webbing cutter, you can save money by purchasing a cheaper model. But in any case, the chosen model should ideally suit your pet in all respects (a mat cutter with long blades is chosen for long-haired cats, short blades are perfect for pets with a small amount of hair). In addition, when choosing, other factors should be taken into account:
- number of teeth;
- their length;
- the material from which the blades are made;
- device handle.

To effectively combat long, tangled hair, there is a special comb - the Furminator.. It will help you quickly get rid of lumps and will become simply indispensable when brushing your pet on a daily basis.

The process of removing lumps can be quite lengthy. And your pet obviously won’t really like it. Many cats simply don’t give in, they begin to fight and break free, anticipating your interest in their fur. For this reason, it is best to comb tangles in a couple: one person will hold the animal, the other will comb it. If the cat is overly nervous, then it is better not to inflict trauma on his delicate psyche and get rid of the tangles step by step, over several days, and not at once.
Only the areas with the longest fur need to be trimmed. It is best not to touch the cats' paws and heads.
Until you completely solve the problem of lumps, washing your cat is strictly prohibited. The thing is that after water procedures, the lumps become even more difficult to comb out.
After you have brushed your pet, its fur must be treated with any antistatic agent, for example, a special spray for untangling tangles. The product will help to gently untangle hairs and prevent new tangles from forming. Reviews on its use are mostly positive, but only in cases where the process of matting has not been severely advanced.

The spray is a must for pets with soft fur. Using it, you can quickly and completely painlessly remove tangles.

Prevention

The formation of such unsightly lumps is much easier to prevent than to unsuccessfully and for a long time fight with them. To care for a long-haired pet, you should set aside a certain time every day - no less than half an hour. The animal needs to be combed regularly.

You should accustom your cat to a special comb when he is still very young. At a tender age, he will quickly get used to it and at a more mature age you will not have any problems with combing.
Remember that you should not use your own comb to brush your cat. You will need to select a personal hygiene item for your pet, and its choice should depend on the type and length of its fur.
You can buy a special brush for kittens. It is better if it has unnatural bristles that have an antistatic effect.
After washing your pet until it is dry, a special massage mitten takes excellent care of its fur. However, it cannot completely replace a special comb.
You can use a comb for combing every day. It has rounded ends so this process will not hurt your animal. These combs can be any length and width required. When combing with this comb, you can even find fleas if your pet has them.
For very fluffy cats, use a slicker brush. The slicker resembles a brush, but instead of the usual bristles, it will have small metal teeth with curved tips. This device is suitable for preventing tangles in animals that have healthy fur.
Also, the pet should be taken to the veterinary clinic from time to time for a professional examination. This will not only allow you to detect the appearance of ill-fated lumps in time, but also prevent various diseases.
A cat with long hair should be cut before summer.
In addition to your pet's diet, it is necessary to use special supplements or vitamins designed to improve the quality of its coat.

The healthy and well-groomed fur of a furry pet is a source of pride for a caring cat owner. Owners of long-haired beauties pay especially careful attention to the appearance of the animal. Breeds such as Siberian, Persian, Maine Coon, Bohemian Rex, Neva Masquerade are the most demanding in terms of coat care. Mats in cats with long hair are the animal's hair matted into dense clumps, worsening the aesthetic appearance and health. Short-haired breeds are less likely to have problems associated with the formation of mats in the coat. Their fur falls off, as a rule, due to the contact of adhesive substances (varnish, paint, resin, glue, etc.) on the animal’s body.

The process of formation of tangles in an animal is associated with the natural processes of dying off the hairs of the coat. Such hairs get tangled in healthy fur, intertwine between them, bunch up and fall into dense formations - tangles. Localized in the armpits, on the thighs and abdomen, and on the tail. Healthy animals with short and medium-length hair themselves cope well with the problem of dead hair. Cats carefully lick their fur, removing dead hair. Long-haired breeds bred by humans are not able to cope with their luxurious coat on their own.

How to remove mats from a cat yourself

Cat Grooming Tools

The procedure for removing matted fur does not require fuss and haste from the owner of a furry pet. Before you comb out your cat's mats, you need to dissolve the dirt that led to the formation of the lump. For this purpose, special care products are used for long-haired cat breeds. They allow you to painlessly untangle tangles, make it easier to comb matted fur, and dissolve dirt. Many products have hypoallergenic properties, which is important if your pet has allergies or hypersensitivity of the skin.

How to comb a cat's mats painlessly is one of the important issues in caring for pet hair. Special devices come to the aid of the owner of a long-haired animal - combs with long teeth, tangle cutters. When choosing the first device, you should pay attention to the safety of the teeth to prevent injury to the cat’s delicate skin.

Hair cutters have various modifications, but all of them are easy to use and safe for the animal.

How to remove mats from a cat

It happens that the condition of the coat is in a neglected state, in which case the tangles have to be cut out with sharp scissors (manicure scissors, with sharp curved blades) or shaved using a special animal clipper. This manipulation of the cat should be carried out with an assistant who will ensure the pet's immobility and safety.

In some cases (restless animal, neglected condition of the coat), you can contact a grooming salon for qualified help.

To learn how to trim a cat's mats, watch this video:

Getting rid of cat tangles is much more difficult than preventing them. To do this, you need to regularly comb the animal's fur with a comb with long, non-sharp teeth. To care for shorter hair on the paws and head, a short-toothed comb is suitable.

Bathing a cat is an effective way to keep its coat healthy. To wash your animal to prevent the formation of hairballs, you should use special anti-matt shampoos. Such products reduce the electrification of the fur, moisturize and smooth out the cat's hair scales.

Beautiful and well-groomed fur of a pet is important not only for exhibitions and aesthetic perception of the beauty of the animal. This is an integral indicator of the cat’s health and well-being. Helping your pet care for its fur, preventing the development of mats and removing those that have formed is the task of a loving and caring owner of a fluffy cat.