Matted Fur

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Olive Oil for Matted Fur

Griffy (NH) on 08/14/2018
5 out of 5 stars

I first tried coconut oil- just a small amount applied to the base of the mats, along the skin. The next day it had loosened up & I was able to get one mat out with slightly less effort than before. Yesterday I applied a larger amount of olive oil, with an ear syringe to the base of several large mats. 2 big mats were on the floor this morning & later I watched while Grif ( 21 years old) reached around & pulled off a third. Amazed, this worked so well! ( I probably used a Tbsp of oo for 3 mats.)
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Olive Oil for Matted Fur

Jan (Uk) on 02/23/2018
5 out of 5 stars

After many purchases of brushes, combs and grooming products causing my cats more stress while trying to get stubborn matts out of their fur ( 4 Norwegian Forest cats ) I finally tried olive oil. It was nothing short of a miracle. One of my girls had a massive tat on her chest and once I had worked the olive oil into it then combed her I was amazed at how easily it slid out along with a load of loose hair. I don't know why this method isn't widely mentioned ( except it doesn't sell products perhaps ) although you have to be careful and not use any other oil. A big thank you for the advice .😺
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Coconut Oil for Matted Fur

Brenda (Texas, Usa) on 08/09/2017
5 out of 5 stars

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!
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Olive Oil for Matted Fur

Kacey (Buffalo, Ny) on 06/14/2017
5 out of 5 stars

Matted Fur: I used olive oil. I put my hand in a ziploc bag and poured some oil into my palm and just rubbed it on my cats back. Then I used a furminator brush/comb and they came right out! Magic!
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Olive Oil for Matted Fur

Gidget (Ca) on 04/08/2017
5 out of 5 stars

After reading about putting olive oil on cat's matted hair, I was willing to give it a try. I really wanted to avoid any grooming salons if I could help it. I've tried combing the matted knots out, but I just couldn't they were too tight. This was my last shot before I was forced to take her to the groomer. I applied olive oil on a few spots. My cat was wondering what the heck I was doing. She'd rather be brushed than me putting a substance on her..It wasn't easy. I tried for 3 days, reapplying little by little. Well today, I could see they were kind of hanging there. Still attached tho. I thought.. this olive oil trick didn't work! I took out her comb and Wala! The mats came out super easy! I was so happy and I know my cat was too. I showed my daughter what came off and she was surprised. She was very sceptical. So, give it a try, even if it takes a few days. You will be amazed!
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Baby Oil for Matted Fur

Amy (Florida) on 02/10/2017
1 out of 5 stars

This was a big mistake to try this. I have an old cat with an oily back leg. I ended up cutting mats out.
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Olive Oil for Matted Fur

Susanne L. (Hartwell, Ga) on 09/22/2016
5 out of 5 stars

Have an old long haired cat that stays outdoors. On a good day I can pet him on the head and back. His fur started matting badly, thick huge patches around his hips and lately on his butt. Had to do something! To catch him I used a 4'X4' and around 6'high dog kennel that I had converted into a cat condo with several levels made of shelves. Sits under a 3 sided shelter. I started feeding my cats in front and inside the kennel.

Days later manage to close the door on him. He went ballistic once he realized he couldn't get out. Sprayed some feline pheromone on a rag and put inside with him and let him cool down for about 30 min. Figured I could just cut the matted fur off and let him go again.

That was simpler said than done! Hardly any cooperation from the cat. Needless to say he really started getting frustrated as time went on. I didn't make much progress.

I searched the internet for a way to maybe tranquilize him in a safe way or take him to the vet.

Ran across this site and gave it a try:

To this cat it seems a 3 second rule applies. That's about all the time he gave me to get close to his rear end.

I took a eye drop bottle (Visine, artificial tears). Popped the top off, rinsed it and dried the inside with Q-tips. With small funnel filled it up with olive oil. Armed with cat treat kept cat busy enough to squirt oil around patches so oil runs between fur patch and skin. I did not put any oil on top of patches instead just dowsed it on heavy to let run between patch and skin.

That was the day before yesterday.

Yesterday a lot of the patches had loosened up a lot. Trimmed the edges that poked out as much as he let me. Put more oil on it.

The cat wasn't greasy other than the rear end. Had oil on the selves. No litter stuck on him anywhere.

Today patches where literally dangling. After a couple of visits in the kennel for a snip here and there it's all off!!!!! I can tell he's happier. I watched him groom himself again for the first time (yeah, now he move, bend and reach! )

This method worked for me in less than 48 hrs.

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Cornstarch for Matted Cat Fur

Valerie (Danville, California) on 08/27/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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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Olive Oil for Feral Cat with Matted Fur

Roger (Nh) on 06/10/2016
5 out of 5 stars

I've been using olive oil on my feral cat who just recently started getting mats. He loves the taste of it and a lot less stressful than if he had to be shaved. A large chunk of matted fur came off so it does actually work. Before you use baby oil on your animals, do a shot of it yourself first!!
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Coconut Oil for Matted Fur

Franny1949 (Phila. Pa.) on 06/06/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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!
REPLY   4      

Coconut Oil Spray for Matted Fur

Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 10/09/2015
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   4      

Butter for Fur Matting!

Patty Wilfert (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 10/05/2015
5 out of 5 stars

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!

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Baby Oil for Matted Cat Fur

Kathy (Port Jefferson, Ny) on 08/29/2015
5 out of 5 stars

I was totally despondent due to my 18 year-old cat's matted condition. I'd never heard of the baby oil solution but since I had it on hand, I gave it a try. To my amazement, the clumps started coming off in my hand! I've applied generous amounts now and look forward to an end to my Zoe' nightmare.

Thank you SO much everyone!

REPLY   6      

Coconut Oil for Matted Fur

Booboo (Cary, Nc) on 07/29/2015
5 out of 5 stars

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.
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Olive Oil Helping Matted Fur

Sue (St. Jospeh, Mi) on 05/12/2015
5 out of 5 stars

Several people have posted that they used oil on their cat's matted hair. I have tried it before and never had any luck, but my cat must have gotten into some sap or something very sticky, so I tried it again. She was so matted up. I didn't even know where to begin. Out of desperation, I got out the bottle of olive oil and really soaked some of the big matts. I really felt sorry for her because there were so many. I want to tell you, that it really does work. I think that I may not have soaked the matts enough on my past attempts. Also, it didn't take just one time. I could see after a couple of days that they were definitely coming lose so I reapplied again and sure enough, they came loose enough that I could cut them off. She still has more but I am working on them a few at a time. So, if you have tried it before and it didn't work, just keep oiling until you see them coming loose. It might take a few days before you notice it.
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Baby Oil Only Worked for Small Mats in Cat's Fur

Mopsie (New Orleans, LA) on 03/11/2015
4 out of 5 stars

I tried the baby oil on my older ragdoll and it did work on smaller mats (dime-sized), but the biggest (silver dollar sized and larger) didn't budge. He also became constipated from licking the area, so I have to say nay on really large mats. I ended up taking to a cat groomer at a local vet and she graciously shaved off the large mats. He looks a mess right now, but I know he is comfortable and the hair will grow back. I use a dematting comb daily so he won't end up in the same situation and to remove shedding winter coat fur.
REPLY   4      

Saved $200 by Using Olive Oil to Remove Mats in Cat's Fur

Peggy (Memphis, Tn.) on 03/04/2015
5 out of 5 stars

We tried olive oil on our cat and it worked great!!! The vet recommended a $200 lion cut to remove his mats because they were so severe. Also, they wanted to sedate him. He is an older cat and i was afraid of that so out of desperation I went to the internet to find a solution. This site came to the rescue. The oil worked great but I tried to watch him and keep him from licking and ingesting much of it. Also, you have to be patient and work it into the mats every now and then and very lightly and gently brush him with a brush with rubber nibs on the bristles. After about 5 days a miracle happened. No more mats!!! He does have some bald spots but better that than the mats. God bless everyone who suggested the oil remedies. You all saved our cat and saved us a $200 traumatic shaving experience for our cat!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! P.S. bathe your cat a.s.a.p. Peggy
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Olive Oil for Matted Fur

Anna (Missiouri, US) on 01/31/2015
5 out of 5 stars

I used olive oil for the first time on my 16 year old blind (and long haired) cat. I put it on three mats last night and this morning, found two on the floor! And the other one is well on it's way to coming off. I am SOLD. This not only works, but works fast. I am talking, hard to get matts too. Amazing. I am so happy. I have spent years! Getting mats out of my older cat's fur. Thank you!!!!
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Using Dog's Shedding Comb for Cat's Matted Fur

Christine (Queensland, Australia) on 01/13/2015

Just decided to look on the internet to see if others had the matted cat hair problem. I got a surprise finding this site. My cat is 19 and I don't think she is grooming herself anymore. Never had this problem before. I desperately used my dogs de shedding comb which has a blade in and have now got about 80 per cent of matts out. No baldy patches either. She does not seem to mind and I think she realises I am trying to help. I will try the olive oil on the remainder to make a comparison. Will let you all know the result.
REPLY   2      

Baby Oil for Matted Fur

Arleen (Sumerside, Pei) on 11/25/2013
1 out of 5 stars

Hi, had a badly matted cat, and tried the baby oil, I ended up with a greasy cat and made everything so much worse. it never loosened up the mat and I believe just attracted more dirt. Unfortunately this cat passed away (from old age hence the lack of grooming on her part), right before her appt with the groomer. the groomer wouldn't shave her in the winter, we tried to explain the problem but she insisited we had to wait. That's why we tried the baby oil.

I have another cat with a small but very hard sticky matt on her back by her tail. I will be trying the cornstarch, I have a wide tooth comb and deshedder..if it gets worse, it will be a trip to a knowledgable groomer.

REPLY   3