My cat has severe stomach mats. How can I safely remove them myself?

If it is truly just matted fur with normal skin underneath, you can use clippers with a very short (40) blade close to the skin to remove the mats. If he won't tolerate this should be able to find a groomer who will clip cats. If the skin underneath the mat does not look normal you should see a veterinarian: sometimes mats can form over a skin mass or infection.

If Chubbs' fur coat is heavily matted, this can be quite painful and he may be pulling out the mats due to discomfort. Cats typically groom themselves well, but when cats do not do so, they can have underlying skin or endocrine conditions. Start by having Chubbs groomed to remove all mats, be sure to apply a high quality flea preventative (such as Advantage) once a month, and monitor his behavior and appetite for changes. Laxatone is an over the counter medication that can be helpful if Chubbs develops a problem with hairballs.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Little Bit. I recommend having her shaved down by a veterinarian or groomer. A veterinarian is a good choice in case in sedation is needed. I hope this information helps!

Removing those clumps will be stressful for your kitty. The best would be to make an appointment with your vet for a shave under sedation. There could be sores underneath the mats which should be taken care of as well. Once the mats are gone I suggest you regularly brush and later comb Star to help with his grooming and clumps and mats will not reoccur.

Your cat likely has arthritis or is not feeling well. Cats who do not clean themselves usually are either too lethargic to clean themselves or are in pain and cannot move well enough to properly clean themselves His teeth should also be checked. If he has a lot of tartar on his teeth, or red inflamed gums, grooming will also hurt. You should take him to your vet for an exam, and if the mats are very bad, a shave under anesthesia.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Lily. Poor girl! Yes I would get those matts shaved out, they will be painful to her. I'd also recommend having her seen by a vet. She's stopped grooming herself for a reason, and it could be it's painful for her to groom. Arthritis is common in senior cats. A chronic illness, such as diabetes and kidney disease, could sap a cat's energy and lead them to not grooming. Both of those are common in senior cats. I recommend having her seen by a vet this week, and getting her a geriatric blood panel and urinalysis. I hope this helps!

If he isn't grooming as he once did, there may be an underlying medical cause, especially given his age. A physical exam by your veterinarian would be recommended along with blood work to assess major organ function.. If he gets a clean bill of health, you can discuss mild sedation and a clip down with the veterinarian.