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Matted Fur - Editor's Choice

Over the years, Earth Clinic readers have sent us many reports about their treatments for Matted Fur. The editors at Earth Clinic consider the below posts to be some of the most helpful and informative and have named them 'Editor's Choice'. We hope that you will find this useful.
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Olive Oil

Posted by Jan (Uk) on 02/23/2018
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

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 .😺

Coconut Oil

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

Editor's Choice

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!

Olive Oil

Posted by Gidget (Ca) on 04/08/2017
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

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!

Olive Oil
Posted by Susanne L. (Hartwell, Ga) on 09/22/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

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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