Matted Fur Remedies

Baby Oil

26 User Reviews
5 star (20) 
  77%
4 star (1) 
  4%
3 star (1) 
  4%
1 star (4) 
  15%

Posted by Joe (Burlington, USA) on 04/23/2008
★★★★★

The idea of Baby Oil to rid my cat of matted fur worked great! Chyli, a jet black himmy, had numerous clumps hanging from him like saddle bags on a horse! This episode was the second of this. The first time this happened to him, we had our vet shave him. She could find no health reasons for the clumping, other than his age (16 years), and may not be as nimble when it comes to him cleaning himself due to his age. Not wanting to shave the poor guy again, I tried the baby oil and the mats fell off on their own. His fur grew back to its normal long silky texture quickly and he has not had any clumping in the last 8 months.

Replied by Jc
(Gulf Coast, Mississippi)
03/23/2018

Curious as to how much baby oil did you use on the cat? Did you use cotton ball or put it on your hands? Did you pour it on the cat and rub it in? Anybody?

Replied by Marilyn
(California)
08/11/2018

How much baby oil do I use to get the knots out need help asap thx u

Replied by Wendy
(Columbus, Oh)
08/14/2018

Pour a small amount (the size of a nickel coin) into your hand and massage the oil into the matted area of fur. Concentrate on the worst mats first.


Baby Oil
Posted by Linda (Long Island, NY) on 03/27/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I tried this method on my cat, Blondie. Unfortunately, it was not effective, and we have quite an oily mess to clean up. I'll be bringing her to our vet so he can remove the mats. :( Had hoped to avoid shaving her -- you know how self-conscious our cats are about their appearance.

Replied by Susan Yip
(Phoenix)
12/31/2017

I use thinning shears to thin out/shorten the hair in areas prone to mats. You still need to be careful not to cut the kitty, but you don't necessarily have to cut down to the root of the fur. Once thinned out, then you can brush out the remainder of the mat. It leaves the fur looking a bit more natural than shaving or cutting with scissors.


Baby Oil
Posted by Linda (Long Island, NY) on 03/15/2008
★★★★★

I read your brief article and the few comments on using baby oil to remove matted fur knots from dogs and cats. I'm delighted to find an alternative to shaving my cat's fur. 1. Where can I find the original article commenters referred to? How much do you use - any directions for applying? 2. How do you keep from getting the oil all over your house while doing this cure? 3. Would pure mineral oil would work just like baby oil (isn't baby oil just mineral oil with fragrance added)? Big thanks, Linda (and "Blondie")

Replied by Minta
(USA)
10/13/2008

Like Linda from Long Island, I would like to find the original article about using baby oil for matted hair. Do you soak it? Do you just rub it in all over? Do you just rub it in at the base of the mat? It would sure be nice to have more than one remedy article posted at a time!

Replied by Arleen
(Sackville, Ns, Canada)
03/17/2010

I am also wondering, if baby oil is scented mineral oil, why we wouldn't be using the mineral oil instead. it's "more natural" and i would think safer. my cat is 20, and as other ppl mentioned with their older cats, that they aren't as flexible to clean themselves. her fur sheds downward and then balls, so she has a sadlebag that has now moved toward her stomache, one on her leg, the weight alone making it hard to walk, and a huge lump we noticed today under her tail which will interfere with her toliet duties eventually. when she was a kitten we had to have her behind shaved. usually the fur would fall off in the spring in sheets. (probably because she was able to groom). am sending the dh to the drugstore 2morrow, i will probably try the mineral oil first. if it doesn't work, i'll try the baby oil. if your cat is able to groom, i would do what someone suggested and get a cone..better safe than sorry.

Replied by Delilah
(Never Never Land, Universe)
08/24/2010
★★★★★

Yes, Mineral oil DOES WORK! I was desperate because my baby had a really ugly mat right near the base of his tail. (He cried if I even touched it... But fortunately tolerated the mineral oil application)

Had to apply mineral oil twice - but it does seem like it just 'fell off' - amazing!!! TIP: one good way to apply: I used a latex glove - poured the oil onto the finger of my gloved hand - applied to entire mat (above and underneath) - SEVERAL applications at once to thoroughly saturate... Waited a day, and the evening of day 3 (last night actually, re-saturated)
- an hour ago he came prancing in, with his old 'bounce in his step' and the mat was GONE! Found it on my bed, actually. :) SO HAPPY!!!

Replied by Diane
(Miami, US)
05/09/2014

Thanks for the baby oil advice! I rubbed a generous amount on each of my older (and fat) cat's back where I couldn't comb the mats out ( well - I could if I wanted lots of cat scratches on my hands) . Anyway - I watched her for a couple of days to see if she would bite or clean the oil and mats off ( as someone thought might be happening) but I never saw her once trying to groom her back ( which would be sort of impossible for her anyway)-- but what I did notice was little clumps of the hard fur here and there around the house. I just looked at her fur and it's perfect again! I did trim the clumps first - being very careful to not cut close to her skin. Now I have to figure how to wash the baby oil out without getting scratched to death!!! :)

Replied by Jena
(Los Angeles, California)
09/28/2015

My cat is on old and chubby pre owned cat. He is about 8 years old and suddenly has these huge matted knots by his back side.

He has long hair and will not let me comb or brush him since these mats appeared. Any suggestion on how to apply the oil?

Replied by Soazburrolady
(Southern Az)
09/28/2015

One of my kitties has the type of long hair that mats easily (also a senior gal). I brush her at least once a day, but occasionally the mats form in spite of that. I prefer coconut oil to mineral oil as it is not harsh on the digestive system, tastes good, and works like a charm to soften the base of the mat. I just put it on my fingertips and massage it into the mat. The next day the mat combs right out without being painful. And coconut oil can actually be beneficial to the overall health of your cat. The best to you both.

Replied by Om
(Hope, Bc Canada)
09/28/2015

Jena (Los Angeles, California) ---

Mineral oil is a petrochemical product that has no business in bodies. Just recently I read of adverse effects of this oil on GreenMedInfo. For my cats I use coarse ground grains of coconut oil.

Always read up on things before you use them.

All the best .. and leave it on over night and check in the morning. Namaste, Om

Replied by Om
(Hope, Bc Canada)
09/29/2015

Correction --- coarse ground grains OR coconut oil.

Sorry for the slip. Om

Replied by Barbara
(Concord, Ca)
11/15/2015
★★★★★

YEA on the oil part, but used olive oil instead of baby oil, since it tastes better when my cat licks it and probably better for her anyway.

My successful method:

Put a small amount in a shot glass and pour it over a small area on cat, then use Q-tip to massage it in between the clumps and on the skin where possible. Within 24 hours the clumps were gone, between the oil and her licking the oiled area. After a few days she'd lick off most of the oil. By doing a small section at a time, your whole cat doesn't need to be soaked in oil, and can work on a section at a time. Worked for mine! Good Luck! Also, my vet said either olive or coconut oil would be fine.

Replied by Kit Thachuk
(Vancouver, British Columbia)
08/20/2016

Hi Diane: Isn't technology today a miracle.

I just read your letter re: baby oil to remove your cats fur lumps. Have been caring for a badly neglected Main Coon cat for 3 wks. & have been trying everything to help him get rid of these big fur lumps he is carrying around (10 yrs. old). Have been applying baby oil for past 3 days (1 lrg. lump at a time)slowly trying to get his trust and feel comfortable with me. Did you find a solution to get the oil off the rest of his hair...it is a mess. Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,

Kit

Replied by Suseeq
(Sydney, Australia)
08/20/2016

Hi Kit, use spray coconut oil. It doesn't matter if it is ingested by the cat and it is nowhere near as messy. Only spray knots, work through with fingers, then comb out - easy peasy.

Replied by Tina Marie
(Orlando, Fl)
08/21/2016
3 posts

I would suggest coconut oil instead and let him groom himself. My cats love coconut oil.

Replied by Mary
(Central Ny)
03/11/2017

Had to chime in here when I again saw a cone mentioned. Maybe that IS the way to go, I really don`t know, but, cats with long fur and matted fur problems could possibly benefit from licking the oil. They may have fur clumps in their intestines that could be helped moved thru their body. In this area it is recommended by a groomer to occasionally give your cat Vaseline to lick off Ur finger to clear fur balls in their system. My cat is 19 and I am so very grateful for this column and all your comments. Started w/the Baby Oil already. I had no idea just what a terrible mess she is as extremely skiddish. BTW I not only think this was caused by her aging and less eager to groom, but, that new canned cat food WITH GRAVY! Unfortunately, she loves it. Grooms herself right after eating and think the gravy dries on her. She hates being brushed (just her face and head - bath is def out! ).

Replied by Bernadette
(New Zealand)
04/21/2017

Just flannel wash him, no soap, just gentle flannel wipe with pure water. It takes time but the oil will go. Soap etc too toxic

Replied by Lia
(Ottawa)
06/09/2017

Olive oil!! Perfect! Thank you!


Baby Oil
Posted by Joseph (Burlington, NJ) on 01/26/2008
★★★★★

Regarding BABY OIL FOR CLUMPED HAIR, this method is a miracle. My Himmy Chily was a matted mess! He's 17 years old. All efforts failed to remove his clumps. Until the Baby Oil came along. It's true. On the second day there were clumps all over the carpet. Chily was acting more of his spry self. It took two more applications, but he enjoyed each one more than I thought he would. His fur is quickly returning to it's former grace and he is most happy for it!

Replied by Linda
(Nj)
02/13/2016

My feral kitty has horrible big mats on his back, he will NOT let me near them, no vet either. and I cannot afford a vet anyway, any solutions? Can I give him a piece of Xanax to make him sleepy so I can cut them off??? HELP!!!!

Julie
(Illinois)
03/11/2016

I rescue feral cats who cannot be handled. My experience with mats is this.. they will eventually come off. I used to trap them, take them to a vet for sedation and have them shaved. The mats would return and in some cases be worse.. they will come off themselves, may take awhile.

Replied by Bernadette
(New Zealand)
04/14/2017

No Xanax not the best. Put in cage and get vet to sedate and sort. Please never ever cut unless you get a fine tooth comb near skin and then hair at end however you need to be soo careful as many times you could end up cutting your precious fur baby and will end up paying heaps to get them stitched.Their pain and your finances will suffer. Good luck

Replied by Bernadette
(New Zealand)
04/21/2017

Lather lather coconut oil to base and the whole Matt. Never ever cut unless you have fine tooth comb and then cut on top but even then you have to be super super careful. If you slip could end up cutting the cats skin terribly. Just keep the oil up and then when oil makes a mess in other places then just flannel of with just pure water never soap as toxic. Good luck.


Baby Oil
Posted by Vicki (Orchard Park, NY) on 11/11/2007
★★★★★

My Himalayan cat Sophie was so unahppy with so many mats. When I read and tried your suggestion of baby oil - we were all very relieved. The only challenge we faced was getting her to hold still wrapped inside a large towel. Needless to say, Sophie wound up with baby oil all over her. You advice was true! within several days a couple of the mats did fall our. The huge ones did need an extra application to work. My mom, who is skeptical about everything, was amazed at the success. In any case, after about a month of looking pretty unhappy and a bit oily, she was as proud as every about her new look. For the first time in the three years we have had her (she was a pre-owned cat, she now allows us to pet and groom her. Thanks for making Sophie and her family so happy.


Baby Oil
Posted by Pat (Kissimmee, Florida) on 07/21/2007
★★★★★

My cat had two large hair mats and no matter what my husband I did to remove them our cat just would not let us near them. We tried the baby oil on one of them and much to our amazement it was off in two days. So then we put some baby oil on the other one and also in two days it was gone. We cannot express how happy we are and also our cat is even happier. Thank you so much.We really did do alot of fretting about his mats and never realized the problem would be so easy to get rid of. Again thank you so much.


Baby Oil
Posted by Heather (Cranston, Rhode Island) on 07/05/2007
★★★★★

My long haired calico developed matted fur in a section on her back near her tail, i tried everything, brushing, buying expensive so called detangler from the pet store... NOTHING worked. i read this about the baby oil and the results are amazing.. within 2 days, a mat on her back the size of a half dollar completely loosened from her skin where it was once attached, and now, the 3rd day, it is barely hanging on!! i was skeptical at first because i didnt want to make her sick because i knew she would lick that spot after the baby oil was applied.. but she was fine! thanks for the advice!!


Baby Oil
Posted by Michelle (Las Vegas , Nevada) on 04/29/2007
★★★★★

Baby Oil is the ultimate best cure for clumped hair on dogs or cats. I had a cat that would not let you touch her she was so completely miserable from this matted up hair that was the size of my hand it was pulling on her skin and making her uncomfortable and very mean. no scissors no electric anything just get baby oil and squirt it on the matted fur generously and the animal does nothing the baby oil loosens the hair off the skin and the clump in 4 days just drops right off. baby oil didn't make any of the cats or dogs I have encountered sick they were so relieved and comfortable it didn't matter to them that now there is a bare spot where the fur was i mean it drops and loosens immediately within 4 days or less there will be no more matts but very happy cats. you may want to test an area just incase your pet is allergic to something somehow. it is amazing. some animals may be embarrassed if there all matts and they become but naked. I never had a complaint yet. thanks please let me know what you think.


Baby Powder and Conditioner

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Kay (Menomenee, Wi) on 03/10/2009
★★★★★

cat matts: I found that baby powder works pretty good and maybe some conditioner put that in the matt to loosen it and bath your cat after your done.


Butter

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Patty Wilfert (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 10/05/2015
★★★★★

I was so happy to find this site with the perfect remedy to my 2 year old Maine Coon's ever growing Matt problem.... Between back legs and 'arm pits'. Had him shaved about a year ago, did not have to be anesthetized then, but this time had reluctantly scheduled to have him shaved, but anesthesized. I then looked for alternatives and found YOU....did the preliminary clipping with new blunt nosed grooming scissors purchased from Amazon. I then used a dropped filled with olive oil and rubbed into Matt with fingers. Some matts took a couple applications..lout soon, all were gone! Now, it is fall again, and hair is growing longer and new matts started forming....but I tweeted the matts with a tooth brush, with Benji lying on my lap, belly up.

Then I got the bright idea after trimming Matt as much as possible, to just moisten mt fingers with a little soft butter....voila...the matts disappeared within one day! ( and I think less messy than any oils, plus the kitty must've enjoyed his buttery job, licking his fur! ). Good luck to everyone who tries BUTTER, I think it's the perfect solution to Matt removal.....that no groomer would ever tell yu about!


Coconut Oil

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  100%

Posted by Brenda (Texas, Usa) on 08/09/2017
★★★★★

My 14 year old cat is a medium coat and has mats on one hip and a stubborn one on his back side. Combing them out was impossible. So I just took a tablespoon of coconut oil in my hand and gently rubbed the mats and the skin area where I could. I didn't hold out much hope. The next day they were gone. A few fell off. The others, he licked them smooth. I worked the one on his back side tonight. It may take a few tries because it's a sensitive spot for him. We are both very happy!

Replied by Sandie
(Queens, Ny)
09/15/2017

My cat is only 5yrs old. His fur is a little longer than the average breed. He had 1 matted clump on his back right before his tail. A spot he can't easily clean. SO I combed him and was astounded by how much fur just kept coming. Anyway..2 days later he now has 4 clumps of matted fur. I really can't bring him to a groomer. SO I'm gonna try cutting maybe 1/2 inch on the tips and work some coconut oil in it. Wondering after should I try combing the fur again...helping to pull it away with the coconut oil...or just leave it and see what happens in the next few days. I worry that these clumps may irritate his skin therefore causing infection.

Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
09/15/2017

Hey Sandie,

You might have better luck cutting the clump in vertical sections rather than horizontal cuts. Cutting in vertical sections allows you to work the mat out and still leave long hair behind. Trimming 1/2 inch off all the tips of the hair, or laying the scissors on its side and cutting the mat out at the roots of the hair will leave obvious bald spots. And you don't need to send your cat to a groomer. You can just commit yourself to combing your cat's coat in 6 inch by 6 inch sections each day - just 10 minutes of coming each day, and section by section you will have the entire cat combed out in short order. To ensure you get all the loose hair out so it does not stay around and cause further matting, comb it out and make sure all tangles are out, and then change direction and back comb - you may have to do this in one inch sections for the back combing. If you comb forward, and then back comb, you will get all the loose and shed under coat out, and your kitty will feel much better.


Coconut Oil
Posted by Franny1949 (Phila. Pa.) on 06/06/2016
★★★★★

I followed the suggestion to use coconut oil. My Norwegian Forest long-haired cat had several serious matted knots under her tail - I tried for months to comb/brush them out and the tugging caused her pain so I stopped trying. I read the advice on your site and ordered organic coconut oil. Diluted it with water in a small spray bottle. Sprayed some on her knots. Her fur was a little greasy, but after a couple days I removed ALL THE KNOTS with my de-matting comb (that I'd bought years ago from Foster & Smith) with much less tugging and discomfort to Sweety. She stayed a little greasy for about a week, but I continued to comb that area of her fur and she's back to normal now. Most wonderfully, she's knot free - also, she seemed to like licking the coconut oil!

Replied by Sylvia
(Texas)
10/09/2016

For those not in the know, coconut oil is very, very bad for the environment. It reduces jungle habitat because of the frantic cutting down of coconut trees -Borneo for example. It has put the orangutan on the endangered list. For those concerned about planet health, coconut oil is used profusely and without thought for the plight of the wildlife that is endangered from habitat loss and poaching.

Replied by Michelle
(Usa)
12/11/2016

No. It is not coconut oil that is the problem, it is palm oil. Coconuts grow in tropical climates that are frost free, such as those in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific region. In the United States, coconuts grow in Hawaii and the southern tip of Florida.

Today, palm oil is grown throughout Africa, Asia, North America, and South America, with 85% of all palm oil globally produced and exported from Indonesia and Malaysia; but most of the time not using sustainable measures.

Replied by Mrsk
(Alexandria, Va)
07/01/2017

When making the coconut oil mixture w the water do you melt the oil then mix in water? My coconut oil is in a jar & still at the mostly solid (white stuff) stage.

Replied by Mrsk
(Alexandria, Va)
07/01/2017

Regarding the coconut oil & water spray mixture for kittys matted coat....Do I melt the coconut oil before mixing with the water in the spray bottle? My coconut oil is still at the white semi solid stage in a jar.

Also are these being used for large matts? Poor kitty Main Coon/Siberian hybrid has matts on rear, by butt, and on lower belly from "splash back" from clumping litter combined with multilayer shedding. We've trimmed him some with scissors and 1 short short shaving session but there's still some to go. So before Shaving Round 2 Id like to rid as many as possible tq minimize the shaving necessary.

Thanks☺


Coconut Oil
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 10/09/2015
★★★★★

For all you cat and dog owners dealing with matted hair - I have been using coconut oil in a aerosol can and spraying the knots no where near has messy and works good.

Replied by Theresa
(Mpls., Mn)
10/11/2015

This is brilliant :-)


Coconut Oil
Posted by Booboo (Cary, Nc) on 07/29/2015
★★★★★

My 14 year old cat BooBoo, has very long hair. His hips were the worst for thick matts. I brush him every day but he growls and even nips at me if I get near his back end. I didn't have baby oil but I do have coconut oil. I used a syringe and squirted the oil as close to the skin, under his matts, that I could. Lo and behold when I woke this morning, the big clunk had come loose! I was really surprised! I used a paper towel to get any excess oil off him. He had finally licked and cleaned himself. His skin was very dry. I use coconut oil to cook with and now I will use it for my animals as well. Its also good for rashes, so after using clippers, it may help kitty's skin.


Cornstarch

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Valerie (Danville, California) on 08/27/2016
★★★★★

Oh my word! I just tried the cornstarch treatment on my cats' matted fur. It worked amazingly well! I just kept gently massaging it in while she was munching treats and the fur literally fell off in my hands! Miracle cure! Just have a small bowl of it near you so you can keep reapplying it as needed, and be forewarned that it is slightly messy but it WORKS! The cat is happy too!



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