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.
Baby Oil
Posted by Mopsie (New Orleans, LA) on 03/11/2015
★★★★☆
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.
Olive Oil
Posted by Peggy (Memphis, Tn.) on 03/04/2015
★★★★★
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
Olive Oil
Posted by Yay For Olive Oil Nay For Canola Oil (Thousand Oaks, Ca) on 02/03/2015
★★★★★
18 year Maine Coon. Thick mats all over his body. Used olive oil because it is safe....it worked!!! Just have to be a little patient. While I was applying the olive oil he purred....
Don't use Canola Oil. It is man made and not good to ingest.
Thank you!
Olive Oil
Posted by Anna (Missiouri, US) on 01/31/2015
★★★★★
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!!!!
Dog's Shedding Comb
Posted by 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.
Olive Oil
Posted by Larry (Denver, CO) on 12/24/2014
★★★★★
I used canola oil and it seems to work well. I put a liberal amount on my cat and worked it in. Made fur very oily but most clumps are working out nicely. Maggie (my 18 year old long hair) is grooming it out and as she is grooming the clumps come out. It is also much easier to comb her, and I'm betting it will help with my wife's alergies.
Baby Oil
Posted 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!!! :)
Baby Oil
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney Australia) on 11/25/2013
★★★★★
I have always used baby oil on matted pets fur including horses manes' the secret is to apply a small amount and work it through with your fingers then comb
Baby Oil
Posted by Arleen (Sumerside, Pei) on 11/25/2013
★☆☆☆☆
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.
Baby Oil
Posted by Cathy (Hartford, Ct) on 10/12/2013
My older long haired Ragdoll cat developed lots of mats too. I found a way to easily shave them out... She loves water from the sink. As soon as I go near a sink, she's there. So I turn on a stream of water and as she drinks, I shave out some mats. I'm keeping the shaver right at the sink... And will keep doing this till they're all gone. Then I'm going to keep the brush handy and brush her daily while she's occupied with the water to prevent mats. She didn't like brushing either, which led to the mat problem. Just be sure to use a shaver and not a scissor as its easy to cut your cat if you use a scissor.
Baby Oil
Posted by G (Nyc, Ny) on 08/16/2013
Maybe coconut oil would work better? My cats love it. (They are always trying to stick their paws in my coffee when I use it. ) This would cause your cat to groom himself to help relieve some of the mats. I would think that mineral oil would be hard to wash out (if the cat lets you) and would not be healthy for him to ingest.
Baby Oil
Posted by Peggy (Lowell, In) on 08/07/2013
I have read all the comments about how well baby oil does to remove mats but if your cat is all oiled up what happens when he goes in the litter box, won't you then have an oily, matted cat covered with kitty litter? My old cat is matted all over, is nasty about you messing with the mats and not in good enough health to be anesthesized to be shaved... Just wondered about everything sticking to his oily fur. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Olive Oil
Posted by Om (Hope Bc, Canada) on 07/18/2013
I have herd that corn flour is used to rub into matted fur. Perhaps worth trying. Regards, Om
Olive Oil
Posted by Penwright (Bloomington, Mn, Unite States) on 07/07/2013
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I used the olive oil, and within a day, those mats are gone. But so is his fur, in those spots. In other words, I have a, partially, bald cat. Is this supposed to happen? I have to treat his whole body as he is a Maine Coon with mats all over him. No amount of brushing has helped keep them away either.
One thing is, I changed his litter back to natural and got rid of clay, which cats will eat off their paws. This concerned me for two reasons. Blue Grand has a bowel situation if his food is wrong or I am using the wrong litter. I discovered cats do not like perfumey smells or if they don't like their litter, they won't groom themselves. I believe that was the problem.
Anyway, I am concerned we are going to have an all bald cat. Any ideas? I have to do some more treatment today.
Olive Oil
Posted by Babyjoenala (Hamilton, Ontario) on 06/30/2012
Since I don't have baby oil, I am going to start with Olive oil. I can't wait to try this. My girl has a huge matt above her tail. I tried cutting it out but she gets really nasty. I will send an update. If that doesn't work. Im in for the baby oil.
Cornstarch
Posted by Vikki (Alton, Il) on 05/29/2012
★★★★★
Using the dry cornstarch on the mat and a comb with rotating teeth (which can be found at some pet stores, but also at wig shops), works wonderfully. Thanks so much for the post!
Vegetable Shortening
Posted by Upset Cat Owner (Peterborough, Cambs) on 05/28/2012
I have a half chinchilla/half burmilla 2 year old cat. He has severe mats and I have been so upset about them. I know he is upset as well. I was scared of taking him to the vets to get him shaved, I am so happy I found this site, I am going to try the baby oil on him, I will do one area at a time. Fingers crossed I hope this works for him. I will let you know what happens. His fur is like a huge matted lump all down his back and differents areas.
Olive Oil
Posted by Willie (Boulder City, Nv) on 04/26/2012
★★★★★
Our cat had a lump of matted fur and we tried olive oil. We gentley rubbed it into the clump of hair and within a couple of days it was gone. Yea for olive oil.
Vegetable Shortening
Posted by Dr (Conway, Ark Usa) on 03/02/2012
Now that everthing has gone up, so has grooming and so I so applaud this site for home rem on cat matting love. It has saved a senior citizen tons.
Vegetable Shortening
Posted by Angela (Kittery, Me) on 01/09/2012
★★★★★
I have to say, it is working!! I started off with olive oil on my very matted Maine Coon cat and that seemed to loosen them up but they weren't really falling off. So about 4 days later I purchased baby oil, and it's working!!! My old man is soooo matted.. He is 16 years old and it has gotten worse since his companion cat died 5 years ago. Every time I check the ones between his legs are hanging more and coming along... But for us is it's not a 24 hour thing, I think it will be another week of reapplying before they come off completely, but he is super happy. I'm not trying to brush him as he hates it!! I use a baby medicine dropper syringe to apply and I have put blankets on my couches to soak up any oil so that I don't ruin my couches. I think the prob is I'm doing it just a little at a time and not just drenching him bc I don't want my furniture ruined.
Baby Oil
Posted by Ann (Huntsville, Al) on 11/27/2011
Our 15 year old white short haired cat also began getting matted a month or so ago. Reading about the hazards of mineral oil for cats I have determined that rubbing mineral oil (baby oil-unscented) into our cat's fur is not dangerous at all. The concern about mineral oil is that it is a light/odorless/tasteless liquid that when placed in front of a cat's mouth/nose he may enhale the liquid into his lungs because he cannot smell or taste it. Basically the cat doesn't realize anything is there until he's inhaled the liquid. When the oil is rubbed into the cat's fur, the cat cannot [in essence] drown in the liquid if he licks it off his fur.
I'm a reasonably intelligent person, but it took me a little while to unravel the concerns that were being expressed and realize there are no "dangerous fumes" or anything that the cat would inhale if the mineral oil is rubbed into his coat.
True, mineral oil is useful as a laxative and/or stool softener. Our old feline is also a little "sluggish" so I'm hoping this matted fur remedy will also help his digestive tract as he IS licking and grooming himself now. We did apply mineral oil to his coat two days ago and have noticed good improvement in the [formerly] matted fur. Yesterday I used a medicine dropper to apply the oil closer to the roots of the fur. Our little cat is no longer growling and hissing at us when we rub him anywhere near those mats. He seems to be feeling much better already! I think the oil itself is soothing to his tender skin underneath the mats.
I do agree with some of the other posts; I'm not sure if the fragrance in baby oil is dangerous for cats, but the purer form of plain mineral oil seemed to be a better choice "just in case".
Baby Oil
Posted by Annemichelle (Fort Wayne, Indiana) on 11/15/2011
I was so glad to hear from the woman who has a 19 yo cat. Thank you for going into a little more detail about keeping the oil on for several days.
I was doing fair at keeping my 18 yo cat's fur somewhat clump free until recently. Lately it has gotten worse and it breaks my heart because I can tell it is very uncomfortable. After reading the posts. I went to the kitchen and got the Olive oil and a plastic syringe and started putting in on both back sides near his tail and even on his chest! In the last couple weeks even his legs have gotten matted.... :(. I am working on the biggest ones and will attack the little one's after that. I have to tell you that he was not happy that I was putting it on him. Our relationship has temporarily changed from him following me everywhere to me following him. LOL He just keeps looking over his should to see if he can relax before I put more oil on him!!!
I put towels on my couch and since my cat sleeps with me I am a little nervous of getting oil every where.... But it is worth it if it works!
Thank you!
Baby Oil
Posted by Dana (Mchenry, Il) on 11/13/2011
I was so happy to find this information. I have been so upset and worried about my 16 year old cat. He is not grooming himself anymore, and has long hair, so a lot of matting. I could not keep up with the matts even with brushing all of the time. He has a rather large one on his lower back by his tail and very close to his skin. I have been worried sick about it because I know it has to be painful. I tried the mineral oil on him last night... I see one matt might be loosening up a little bit. The big one has not yet, so I applied more today. We will see!!
Baby Oil
Posted by Patti (Windsor, Va.) on 08/03/2011
★★★★★
I tried the baby oil about 2months ago and it has totally worked my cat has no more knotted hair, so this does work took a little while though, but well worth it, thank you for the tip.
Baby Oil
Posted by Godfreytribe (Norman, Ok) on 06/05/2011
good old blue dish soap bath. I used olive oil on lice for my kids and had to use it to cut the oil. Good luck.
Baby Oil
Posted by Lapebble (Glenwood, Ia) on 06/04/2011
I would suggest bathing him in dish liquid or something similar that cuts grease. They use it on birds that get oil on them from oil tankers that spill in the ocean.
Baby Oil
Posted by Ann (Bingley, Yorkshire, England) on 06/01/2011
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Thanks so much for the baby oil suggestion. Our long haired cat is 19 years old and has stopped grooming and coat covered in mats. We have been trying to cut out but frightened we might hurt her. Think she wouldn't cope with a full coat shaving as recommended on some web sites. Read your postings re baby oil and decided to give it a try. To our amazement it is working and mats are sliding off. Not sure how its working but it is. Be grateful for any advice re what to do now with one very oily cat. Mats are going but coat now covered in oil. Will it eventually wear off or do we need to do something to remove oil? Be grateful for advice.
Thanks
Olive Oil
Posted by Patti (Windsor, Va.) on 05/19/2011
I just read all the reviews, went and got the baby oil, cause my cat is so knatted on her back. It is hard to touch her there. I just squirted her and she took off. I will check her later to see maybe so hair somewhere other then her back, will let you know the results.
Olive Oil
Posted by Rainy (Preston, Lancashire) on 05/13/2011
★☆☆☆☆
BIG FAT fail olive oil didn't work and now beacuse she is a white cat, she has a dubious looking yellow patch on her back, looks like something weed on her and tats are worse than ever ;((
Olive Oil
Posted by Rainy (Preston, Lancashire) on 05/11/2011
omg I can't wait to try it, I tried combing babba's fur to get her mats out and she got so stressed out I felt cruel, I know it is painful for her. She's having a snooze right now so I will try it when she wakes up. Great suggestion I hope it works for babba
Baby Oil
Posted by D.smith (Bathurst, Nb, Canada) on 04/01/2011
Castor oil is from the Castor Bean Plant... Very toxic... It causes intense, violent stomach cramping and they used to use it to try and induce labour in pregnant women. Believe me.. It causes excruciating pain. I don't think mineral oil would be good either. Cats are extremely sensitive to some foods and medications that are perfectly safe for other animals. Please don't use anything without checking first with your vet. I imagine olive oil would be safe, as would canola oil... But both could have a laxative effect. Baby oil has fragrances and probably chemicals added. Please, check with your veterinarian first.
Olive Oil
Posted by Ambient Light (Someplacesomewhere, Usa) on 03/31/2011
★☆☆☆☆
Yeah--tried it twice... epic fail.
Baby Oil
Posted by Joujou73 (Sydney, Nsw, Australia) on 03/27/2011
Why not try Olive Oil, Paraffin Oil or Castor Oil instead?? All are edible and cannot do any harm to your poor old puss. May also help with going to the toilet. It helps my mum, lol.
I was a bit hesitant putting baby oil on my cat too so I used the Paraffin Oil and they have all dropped off. A miracle. I was too scared to shave the area myself because they are close to the skin and he is a Chinchilla and their fur is the softest finest fur of them all.
Good Luck :)
Baby Oil
Posted by Maple65 (Vancouver, Bc, Canada) on 01/28/2011
This post is to ask Wendy from Vancouver Canada who brought her Persian From Doha Qatar! Presently being in Qatar, will be returning to Canada next year. I have just got a white Persian- How he has come to us is a real long story! He's abt 9 months old-If you can email me I would like to ask you a few questions about pet service, vets here and as U would know this place is different from all others I need personal opinions and advice.Thanks
Olive Oil
Posted by Linda (Quincy, Ma) on 12/01/2010
★★★★★
After reading your email, I tried the olive oil on my 16 year old cat this morning. In all honesty, I didn't expect it to work.... I got home for work and I couldnt believe it, the matting was gone!!! Thank you all for sharing:)
Baby Oil
Posted by Dar (Tukwila, Wa) on 11/08/2010
I have been looking for a way to rid my older norwegian mix cat of matts. I have been cutting them off but have not been able to get them completely free, and he is a lumpy mess. He was a rescue cat and we got him when he was oldr and no one must have groomed him as he hates being brushed but over the past 4 years I have been able to have him tolerate me brushing but the matts pull and he growls at me so I am hoping this will work. Getting the baby oil tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions..
Olive Oil
Posted by Pam (Lancashire, England) on 09/11/2010
★★★★★
My cat is 18 years old and developed matting all over her back. Booked her in a grooming parlour but she was so stressed out just trying to put her in the kitty box. In desperation I bought some virgin olive oil on monday and covered one of the matts and tuesday morning it was on the floor. Repeated the same night with another matt, I was a bit bothered about her licking it but thought surely it can't do her any harm. By Friday she was matt free. She's never been happier and so am I
Baby Oil
Posted 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!!!
Baby Oil
Posted by Jasmine (East Haddam, Connecticut) on 08/18/2010
★★★★★
I could not believe that using baby oil would get rid of mats. My Norwegian Forest cat (long-haired) is over 16 and has stopped grooming herself and the mats have just multiplied. I did not want her to undergo any shaving which would mean being "put under" and wouldn't know if she could take it. I applied some virgin olive oil that I had in the house and put it on a couple of her mats. I couldn't believe my eyes today when I found one of the oily mats on the floor! Unbelievable! I figured if she licked herself, it would be good stuff for her! Thank you all so much. More tonite! .... A little at a time!
Baby Oil
Posted by Joan (Dubuque, Iowa) on 07/18/2010
★★★★★
Our poor 16 yr. Old longhaired cat had many areas of matted fur, as he doesn't groom himself as well as he used to do; also, he wasn't allowing us to brush his fur. Read comments about the baby oil, and he does let us put this on the mats, and I did soak them well! It's amazing how effective this is; we did reapply baby oil to several stubborn areas. It has been a week now and all but a few spots are mat free. The mats mostly fell off; I did have to clip a tiny bit at a very large one which was loose and hanging. I sprinkled a little corn starch on his fur to get rid of some oil, and brushed it very lightly in the areas which are mat free. Will do this to his legs and tummy once those mats are gone. The baby oil works like a charm and hasn't made him sick; he is now letting me brush him for brief periods. I think brushing was hurting him before.
Baby Oil
Posted 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.
Baby Oil
Posted by Wendy (Vancouver Canada, Bc Canada) on 02/20/2010
I recently adopted a 10 year old Persian from the vet hospital in Jan/2010. She was there as her eye needed to be removed and was abandoned by her previous owners
She is actually a true blue persian..She immigrated to Canada from Doha, Qatar about 6 months ago in very rough shape. The hospital did shave her to remove the matts.
I don't know her grooming history however the previous owners did provide a picture of her taken in 2005 and she had a beautiful coat, I'm assuming that she has been to a groomer before.
Thank you the tip on removing matts. As a new owner of a Persian this infomation really helps and I'm going out right now to by baby oil. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated
Scruffy thanks you as well...
Baby Oil
Posted by Jill (West Long Branch, Nj) on 02/16/2010
★★★★★
What I did because the cat was intolerant of me going anywhere near her Large Matted areas. They were right up to her skin. These are of course painful. I took the bottle and just squeezed a large amount right up against her skin where the matt was. They fell off within 24 hours. The ones that did not fall off, I just put more baby oil on them. Again, right up against the skin. I did not rub it in. I used a plentiful amount. It did no harm to her. 18 years old. She has the some again and I have the baby oil ready. Be patient and apply again heavily maybe. You might not be putting enough on. It works.
Baby Oil
Posted by Sandy (Greenfield, Wisconsin) on 01/22/2010
I can't wait to try the baby oil on my cat Sammy.He has many mats and I know he's miserable..as I am for him.
I checked with our vet and a lion cut would cost $200.00.I love Sammy but can not afford that at this time. I will let you know how it works. PRAY !
Sandy
Baby Oil
Posted by Snuggle (Long Boat Key, Florida) on 01/05/2010
um well my cat wont let me put anything on his fur, i brush his fur regularly so it stops more matted fur from coming but he still has his old matted fur, sometimes he lets me cut it out or work it out with my fingers, but very very rarely. What should i do?
Baby Oil
Posted by Pat (Worc, Mass) on 08/25/2009
can baby oil harm cats if swallowed?
