★★★★★
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.)
Baby Oil
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
How much baby oil do I use to get the knots out need help asap thx u
Olive Oil
Try olive oil or coconut oil (melt the coconut oil in your hands first before rubbing it into the matted hair).
Olive Oil
Hey Lynn,
You might want to throw in the towel and take her to a professional groomer. Heavy matting hurts!
Olive Oil
I tried the baby oil first and now she won't let me get near her to try and get it out. What do you suggest I do?
Baby Oil
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?
Olive Oil
★★★★★
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 .😺
I just tried the olive oil on my Maine Coon cat that is so matted and full of static! The clumps aren't out yet but he allowed me to brush him more than usual. It must help with the pulling on his skin. Now to try to figure out how to get it on his butt area... wish me luck!
Baby Oil
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
I imagine the lady with the ragdoll cat that drinks water at the sink uses a CORDLESS razor or shaver.
Coconut Oil
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
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.
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
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!
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
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.
Olive Oil
★★★★★
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!
Baby Oil
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
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
Olive Oil
Never cut, too risky, if you slip you'll have one sore cat and could end up paying the vet a lot of money to stitch her up. Keep up the oil! Flannel off excess with pure water, never soap.
Baby Oil
No please don't use any dishwasher or soap just sponge her with water then towel dry. Putting any soap unless special vet soap is toxic and makes Matt's worse.
Baby Oil
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
Olive Oil
★★★★★
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!
Cornstarch
★★★★★
Fantastic - just got the huge not out of beautiful cats fur, thank you so much.
Baby Oil
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! ).
Baby Oil
★☆☆☆☆
This was a big mistake to try this. I have an old cat with an oily back leg. I ended up cutting mats out.
What about lanolin? I would think it being a natural animal product (mainly from sheep, I think) it would be safe and effective? I'm sure it would make his coat nice and shiny, but I'm wondering if it would help the mats in his fur any. :)
Coconut Oil
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.
Baby Oil
There are rechargeable battery operated shavers.....no electricity.
Coconut Oil
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.
Olive Oil
Don't forget to give him minerals, just like on the farm, for him to lick, I say give it to the dogs too, and us people could use minerals as well, but the doctors never mention them, like they forgot or something. Farmers keep their animals pretty healthy by just leaving out the block to lick. And lastly, Linus Pauling said, "all chronic illnesses can be traced back to mineral deficiency"! Do a search and see for yourself!
Olive Oil
★★★★★
In reference to my post less than 1 hour ago:
Litter didn't stick to oil; I only use coarse non-clumping unscented clay litter.
Planning on keeping cat (named Fluffy, ... not so fluffy at this time, but happier) in the kennel so I can brush him, spoil him, pet him so when I let him out it will be on a good note.
Also give him fish oil (poke with thumtag and squeeze it out of capsule) for his sore skin. Gave it to dog every before that hat inflammed skin from rash and it worked wonders after about a week or so. Not every cat is fond of fish oil and licks is readily of the plate like Fluffy does. I use a medicine container with a dropper that had antibiotics in it from the vet (cleaned out of course) and give it to my cats into their cheeks.
Olive Oil
★★★★★
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.
★★★★★
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!
Baby Oil
I would suggest coconut oil instead and let him groom himself. My cats love coconut oil.
Baby Oil
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.
Baby Oil
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
Olive Oil
Try to get near kitty's skin. Be gentle and patient. Mats will loosen. Please don't cut with scissors or clippers as hard to see where fur and skin is. Keep it up.
Baby Oil
One of my older long haired kitties has been prone to matting really from the beginning. I have tried multiple combs and brushes along with massaging coconut oil into the base of the mat. Coconut oil is actually good for kitties and a good choice for oiling. Recently, the mats have become more of a problem and I tried a new comb. Wow! Worked great even without the coconut oil and with almost no pulling. I sent one to my son for the "grandkitties" and it was a big hit there too. The head of the comb is rather heavy, so I am careful while using it over bony areas. I bought mine from Amazon for about $30. I hope it is okay to be specific about the item - Go Pets Dematting comb. Maybe it will help your kitty. I also used it on my big old lab/Newfie mix. And he liked it too.
Baby Oil
Baby Oil
We have a ragdoll and a Norwegion ginger boy about 8 years old and the last two years he has got matted and this year worse than ever. I found that it was because he is lying in the long grasses and turning and twirling about is matting the fur. He has got quite lazy too. I have had to cut some of the matted bits off but making sure your fingers are holding the mat right close to the skin, then work off the above bits; and if any cutting would be to your self. and then get the top parts off by your means you mention. Oh, for the love of cats! Julie with thanks.
Olive Oil
★★★★★
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!!
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
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!
I was wondering about the electricity and water together. That was the first thing I thought about was electrocution. I wouldn't shave my cat with an electric shaver near water. Dangerous for human and cat. DUH Moment!
Baby Oil
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.
Baby Oil
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!!!!
Baby Oil
Hey Colleen,
Human shampoo should be fine on your himi as long as you follow up with a final vinegar rinse to restore the balance of the PH on the skin - use 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water. Do keep in mind that when you wash and dry matted fur the mat shrinks when it dries; this could cause tremendous pain for your himi. Please consider cutting the mat out or seeing a groomer if you cannot work the mat out.
Baby Oil
Colleen, try coconut oil or olive oil in spray can and spray each tangle then comb works well and no mess.
Baby Oil
Great thread guys! I used vita oil on my himalayan but it was to thick so now he's a greasy matted static mess. I'll try some oil on the large grouping of smaller matts then wash him down with dish soap. Has anyone used human shampoo and conditioner on your cat?
Baby Oil
Hi Brenda.
Two of my kitties are long- haired, though only one has the problem of matting. I brush her every day without fail, but sometimes she still develops them, especially at the base of the tail. I use coconut oil rather than mineral oil (which is the basis of baby oil). Coconut oil is a very healthy oil for animals (I give it to my dogs every day). Your kitty will inevitably lick at whatever oil you use, so this is a win-win. I just dip my fingertips in the oil and massage it into the mat. Later in the day the knot brushes right out without any discomfort to the kitty at all. All the best.
Baby Oil
Brenda, yes you do, but only use a small amount in each tangle, better still get a can of olive oil or coconut oil and spray each tangle then comb the latter. A lot less messy.
Baby Oil
★★★★★
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.
Baby Oil
I want to try baby oil on my cat's mats, do I just rub it into the mats?
Baby Oil
Becki, grab a aerosol can with coconut oil or olive oil and spray the knots one at a time, then comb. You will find they will easily come out with not much mess it works well
If you can't comb your cat you will have to cut them out, but if you can use the spray oil and comb. It doesn't hurt the animal much.
Baby Oil
I have a 19 year old cat. The matts are all over her entire body. Her tummy, chest, hind legs, all over. If I put oil on her I will have to soak her whole body. She won't let me comb her. She is very thin and short haired. She has hyperthyroidism. I just don't know what to do. Help!!!!
Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
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.
★★★★★
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!
Baby Oil
Correction --- coarse ground grains OR coconut oil.
Sorry for the slip. Om
Baby Oil
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
Baby Oil
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.
Baby Oil
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?
Baby Oil
★★★★★
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!
Very dangerous to use an electric shaver on someone drinking water and/or partially wet! You don't want your Beloved Cat and yourself getting electrocuted!
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
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.
Baby Oil
Hello, what do I use on the red sensitive skin after knots fall off or get combed out?
Olive Oil
★★★★★
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.
Baby Oil
Advice from a farm vet years ago, when my cat first started having some intestinal difficulties, she recommended giving 1/2 to 1 tsp Mineral Oil every day to my then "hunting" cat. He has always been an incessant groomer, as well. Mineral Oil is completely safe for cats. My Elmo has been taking it for over 7yrs now. Now I am going to be taking this site's advice and using it on his mats! He has lost his interest to groom, poor guy.
