Groom Your Cat - The Veterinary Way

A practical, calm guide to keeping your cat comfortable and matt-free.

Grooming your cat doesn't have to be stressful - for you, or your cat.

As a veterinary professional, the main reason I groomed cats was to remove matts. The vast majority of these cases were done in the consult room, gently and effectively, without sedation.

WHAT ARE MATTS?

Matts are clumps of fur which have become tighlty knitted together (a bit like dreadlocks). 

WHY DO CATS DEVELOP MATTS?

Matts usually occur when a cat stops grooming itself. Cats constantly shed, and normal grooming removes this loose fur before it becomes tangled.

The three most common reasons are:

1. Obesity

Overweight cats physically can’t reach around to groom properly.
Matts typically form along the spine and around the back legs.

2. Arthritis or Joint Pain

Common in older cats. Pain reduces flexibility, so areas they can’t comfortably reach become matted.
These are often the same locations as in overweight cats.

3. Painful Mouths

Cats with severe dental disease avoid grooming because it hurts.
These cats often have matts all over their body.

Cats with long or very thick coats can also develop matts even without health issues.
In these cases you’ll usually see them behind the ears or in the armpits - high-movement areas where friction causes the coat to lock together.

Why Are Matts a Problem?

Matts are more than a cosmetic issue:

• Moisture trapping: When matts get wet, the underlying skin can’t dry properly, leading to scalding or infection.

• Movement restriction: Severe matting can restrict normal movement.

• Risk of injury from scissors: Many injuries I treated were from owners trying to cut out matts at home.

Types of Grooming

I categorise grooming into two types:

1. Cosmetic Grooming

Removing normal fur for appearance or comfort.
This is typically done for long-haired cats or for reducing the risk of ticks.
However, unnecessary grooming can cause stress, so I avoided cosmetic work in the clinic.

2. Veterinary Grooming

Removing matts that cause — or could cause — health problems.
The goal is always the same: remove the matts quickly, safely, and with the least possible stress.

A Quick Anecdote

My personal record was one Saturday morning where I saw three different cats whose owners had attempted to cut matts out with scissors and accidentally cut the skin.
Thankfully the wounds were fresh and easy to treat — a clean, a staple, and a quiet cuddle afterwards — but it’s a reminder of how easily accidents happen.

Grooming Your Cat the Veterinary Way

If your cat is developing matts, or if grooming has become stressful at home, a veterinary approach can help keep them comfortable, safe, and pain-free.

See how to groom your cat the veterinary way.