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.
Posted by Pat (Kissimmee, Florida) on 07/21/2007 ★★★★★
My cat had two large hair mats and no matter what my husband I did to remove them our cat just would not let us near them. We tried the baby oil on one of them and much to our amazement it was off in two days. So then we put some baby oil on the other one and also in two days it was gone. We cannot express how happy we are and also our cat is even happier. Thank you so much.We really did do alot of fretting about his mats and never realized the problem would be so easy to get rid of. Again thank you so much.
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.)
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 .😺
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
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.
I have a mean Maine coon who will not tolerate brushing. Every year he gets several large mats underneath on his belly and under his legs.
In the past, I have sedated him and had him shaved but the last time he came out of sedation, he wasn't the same for a long time. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS METHOD IS TO USE A DROPPER AND PUT ONE DROP ON THE MAT AND ONE DROP ABOVE THE MAT.
The mats will loosen up in a couple of days and you can just gently pull them off or they'll fall off on their own.
Please do not use more than a couple of drops and please please do not cover your cats with olive oil or baby oil.. this is extremely dangerous as their livers cannot process these oils.
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!!
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 11/16/2015
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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:)
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.
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!
Posted by Soazburrolady (Southern Az) on 08/16/2016
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.
Posted by Pat Carlock (Tulsa, Ok.) on 03/18/2009 ★★★★★
We have an American Bob-Tail cat and they have very thick hair. She got matted hair all on both side, put baby oil on just the matts and worked into the hair, it works great, matts are gone and she is so happy!! Don't try to comb or brush then it does no good and is very painful to the cat. They will fall out or be gone in about a week , it is wonderful. Hope this is a help to someone.
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.
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
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
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.
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!!!!
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 10/14/2015
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.
Posted by Linda (Long Island, NY) on 03/27/2008 ★☆☆☆☆
I tried this method on my cat, Blondie. Unfortunately, it was not effective, and we have quite an oily mess to clean up. I'll be bringing her to our vet so he can remove the mats. :( Had hoped to avoid shaving her -- you know how self-conscious our cats are about their appearance.
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! ).
Posted by Joseph (Burlington, NJ) on 01/26/2008 ★★★★★
Regarding BABY OIL FOR CLUMPED HAIR, this method is a miracle. My Himmy Chily was a matted mess! He's 17 years old. All efforts failed to remove his clumps. Until the Baby Oil came along. It's true. On the second day there were clumps all over the carpet. Chily was acting more of his spry self. It took two more applications, but he enjoyed each one more than I thought he would. His fur is quickly returning to it's former grace and he is most happy for it!
Posted by Vicki (Orchard Park, NY) on 11/11/2007 ★★★★★
My Himalayan cat Sophie was so unahppy with so many mats. When I read and tried your suggestion of baby oil - we were all very relieved. The only challenge we faced was getting her to hold still wrapped inside a large towel. Needless to say, Sophie wound up with baby oil all over her. You advice was true! within several days a couple of the mats did fall our. The huge ones did need an extra application to work. My mom, who is skeptical about everything, was amazed at the success. In any case, after about a month of looking pretty unhappy and a bit oily, she was as proud as every about her new look. For the first time in the three years we have had her (she was a pre-owned cat, she now allows us to pet and groom her. Thanks for making Sophie and her family so happy.
Posted by Heather (Cranston, Rhode Island) on 07/05/2007 ★★★★★
My long haired calico developed matted fur in a section on her back near her tail, i tried everything, brushing, buying expensive so called detangler from the pet store... NOTHING worked. i read this about the baby oil and the results are amazing.. within 2 days, a mat on her back the size of a half dollar completely loosened from her skin where it was once attached, and now, the 3rd day, it is barely hanging on!! i was skeptical at first because i didnt want to make her sick because i knew she would lick that spot after the baby oil was applied.. but she was fine! thanks for the advice!!
Posted by Michelle (Las Vegas , Nevada) on 04/29/2007 ★★★★★
Baby Oil is the ultimate best cure for clumped hair on dogs or cats. I had a cat that would not let you touch her she was so completely miserable from this matted up hair that was the size of my hand it was pulling on her skin and making her uncomfortable and very mean. no scissors no electric anything just get baby oil and squirt it on the matted fur generously and the animal does nothing the baby oil loosens the hair off the skin and the clump in 4 days just drops right off. baby oil didn't make any of the cats or dogs I have encountered sick they were so relieved and comfortable it didn't matter to them that now there is a bare spot where the fur was i mean it drops and loosens immediately within 4 days or less there will be no more matts but very happy cats. you may want to test an area just incase your pet is allergic to something somehow. it is amazing. some animals may be embarrassed if there all matts and they become but naked. I never had a complaint yet. thanks please let me know what you think.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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