So what is a “Mat”?

Let’s start with the basics. A mat is essentially a tight tangle created by dead undercoat clumping together with the natural greasy oils from your cat’s skin. All cats have greasy skin, this is especially obvious to owners of hairless cats, but the level of grease produced is the same whether a cat is hairless or not. During the normal shedding process, the excess grease causes the hair to stick together rather than fall away. This in turn causes a tangle, or several, which can grow to become mats. If not addressed quickly mats will turn into a complete pelt, which can cause significant health issues and even cut off circulation, which can lead to severe infections, amputations and even death.

What is manual dematting and why may it not be the best option?

Many owners ask, if I’m sure I can’t brush out their cat. Which I believe comes from a place of not truly understanding what dematting is. Dematting is the act of manually combing out any tangles and knots that have formed. Cat’s generally dislike the process of having their hair ripped out with a comb or brush, and the act of doing so is painful or highly uncomfortable at best.

Here is an example of the manual dematting process

To qualify for manual dematting a few criteria have to be met:

• Mats need to be loose and not tight against the skin,

• They need to be relatively small and not clumped together;

  • Smaller than a nickel, and cannot encase an area larger than the palm of my hand

• Your cat’s temperament needs to be such that it will handle the dematting. If your cat does not allow you to brush them at home, it is unlikely they will tolerate the dematting process with a professional groomer. We will try, but most cats are more tolerant of shaving than manual dematting.

To Shave or mannually demat is a complicated issue

Whenever possible, as groomers we would prefer to brush out their coats. We love making them beautiful. However sometimes we have no choice. There are a few general rules, that if true a shave is likely needed, but an in person assessment is the only way to determine if it is required.

• When a coat is severely matted or pelted, shaving is the best option for a fresh start. To see an example of a Pelted coat click here.

• Even if they aren’t pelted, sometimes there are still too many mats, or they are too large, or are in extremely sensitive areas where it is unsafe to brush them out.

• If in my assessment I feel it will take longer than an hour for manual dematting, I will not even attempt. Cat’s do not have the patience for it, and I feel it is much more cruel to continue ripping out their hair than to shave them.
  

But I really Don’t want my cat to be shaved?

As a professional groomer, my obligation is always to your cat over you. My recommendations come from years of experience and what is the most humane course of action. The great thing about cat hair, is that IT GROWS BACK. So if we find ourselves in a situation where we are required to shave, hopefully it can be done ONCE and then never again with a proper maintenance grooming schedule.

• A full Lion cut is not the only shaving option. If mats are isolated to their back half or underside, a half-lion cut or tummy shave may be all that is required.

• An in person evaluation is required to assess the best course and shave for your cat

So How do i keep my cat from getting matted?

Baths! It’s true, regular bathing is the ONLY way to completely prevent mats from forming. You have to remove the underlying grease to keep hairs from getting trapped. Brushing will help in reducing the number and frequency of mats but it cannot eliminate them.

Continuing to brush a greasy or oily coat also spreads the grease along the entire coat, eventually leading to a dirtier and stinkier cat over time. Regular bathing either at home* or with a professional groomer every 6 weeks, will make mats and hairballs a thing of the past.

• *When bathing a cat you MUST blow dry their coat with a high velocity dryer to eliminate mats. Cat hair will felt into a hard knot if left to air dry.