Replied By Minta (USA) on 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) on 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) on 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) on 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) on 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) on 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) on 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) on 09/29/2015
Correction --- coarse ground grains OR coconut oil.
Sorry for the slip. Om
Replied By Barbara (Concord, Ca) on 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) on 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) on 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) on 08/21/2016
I would suggest coconut oil instead and let him groom himself. My cats love coconut oil.Replied By Mary (Central Ny) on 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) on 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 toxicReplied By Lia (Ottawa) on 06/09/2017
Olive oil!! Perfect! Thank you!