Any tips on dematting cats?

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. Probably the only solution when they're bad

At the shelter we occasionally get badly matted strays, or matted kitties whose elderly owners have had to go into care or have passed, and who couldn't keep up with them prior to that. If they're really bad, they'll get a "lion cut" and a bath, which usually results in them sitting in a cat bed in the stray jail and glowering at all passersby, or trying to hide for a day or two.

For your, ahem, larger kitties, many vets will shave what they call a "potty patch" on the back end to keep that from getting nasty. It's hard for larger or older cats to get back there for personal hygiene and, absent other methods, that works pretty well.

There is a gadget called a "mat splitter" that I used to own when I had long-haired cats. It's like a very thin knife blade with a dull side that you place against Kitty's skin and gently slice outwards. Some cats do not like this because it can pull a bit, but it works for if used properly.