9 Best Cat Clippers for Matted Fur in 2024

Many people choose cats because they seem like a more low-maintenance pet than dogs. After all, you don’t have to let them out at all hours of the day and they don’t need a daily walk. For short-haired cats, even the grooming requirements are very lax – all you need is a weekly brushing and regular nail trims.

If you have a long-haired cat, it might be a different story entirely. Cats with long hair are prone to tangles which can develop into mats if you don’t take care of them quickly. Not only do mats make your cat’s coat look unkempt, but they can become uncomfortable or even painful for your cat. Dematting tools, combs, and special brushes can help you remove mats but sometimes there’s no other option than to cut it out. For that, you need a set of cat clippers for long-haired cats.

In this article, we’ll explore the subject of matted fur in cats. You’ll learn why some cats are more prone to mats than others and what you can do about it. You’ll also see our top picks for the best clippers for cats with mats to help you make your choice.

Why Do Cats Develop Matted Fur?

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The condition of your cat’s coat is a good indicator of his internal health. When your cat’s body is working optimally, he will look and feel his best. Dietary insufficiencies, internal health problems, and external skin issues can all affect the condition of your cat’s coat.

Your cat has as many as 130,000 hairs per square inch of his body. Cats are anatomically designed for grooming themselves (think about their flexibility and their hooked-cover tongues) but they don’t always do a perfect job. Long-haired cats in particular are prone to tangles and mats. When mats develop, they reduce airflow to the cat’s skin which can lead to irritation and even infection.

Mats are most likely to develop on parts of the cat’s body where there’s a lot of friction – under his chest or tail and behind his legs. They can also form on the hindquarters or shoulders from laying down. Shedding also makes problems with matting worse – if you don’t brush out the loose hair, it may accumulate and create a mat.

Tips for Removing Mats from Your Cat’s Coat

If you have a long-haired cat, you’ll be fighting a constant battle against mats. It’s important to brush your cat regularly to remove tangles that might develop into mats. If you do find a mat, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about removing it.

Here are some simple tips for properly removing a mat: 

• Try to work the mat apart with your fingers – if you need a little help, try using a wide-toothed comb to break up the mat.
• Apply detangling spray to your cat’s coat or sprinkle a little cornstarch or talcum powder over the area to help separate the hairs.
• Try using a dematting tool or mat breaker – work in short, fast strokes so you avoid pulling on your cat’s skin too much.
• Never use sharp-pointed scissors to cut out a mat – your cat’s skin is very delicate and you might accidentally cut it if you get too close with the scissors.
• As a last resort for large and stubborn mats, use a set of pet hair clippers to cut under and around the mat while gently pulling it away from your cat’s body.
• Avoid bathing your cat before trying to remove mats – bathing will loosen hair from the undercoat that might just make the mat worse.

Now that you know why mats form and how to remove them, you have the information you need to choose the best solution for your cat. If your cat tends to form mats quickly, you may want to keep a pair of clippers on hand. Read on to see our top picks for the best cat clippers for matted fur.

The Best Cat Clippers for Matted Fur

When shopping for the best clippers for cats with mats, there are a number of factors to consider. Decide whether you want a corded or cordless model and think about the speed, wattage, and motor type. A universal rotary motor is the strongest and a great option for matted fur, but it can be a little noisy. Pivot and magnet motors are a little quieter and generally work well for light to medium coats.

There are plenty of options out there when it comes to the best cat clippers for matted fur, so it can be tough to choose the right one. We’ve done our best to assemble a collection of decent options. Take our reviews into consideration and make the choice that seems best for you and for your cat.

Here are our top picks for the best clippers for long-haired cats and matted fur:

Our 2024 Picks: Best Cat Clippers for Matted Fur
	Andis AGC2 UltraEdge 2-Speed Blade detaches for easy cleaning Powerful 2-speed motor Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster A5 Turbo 2-Speed Pet Clipper  Universal rotary motor Virtually unbreakable Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Pro-Animal 7-Piece Detachable Quiet but powerful motor Break-resistant housing Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster A5 Golden Pet Clippers Single or 2-speed design Heavy-duty for durability Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Clippers Powerful motor with 2 speeds Motor life up to 10,000 hours Price:  $$$$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster A6 Slim 3-Speed Pet Clippers Compact and ergonomic design Heavy-duty durability Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Clippers Excellent speed control Low vibration and noise Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster Power Max 2-Speed Pet Clippers Ultra-quiet motor Lightweight ergonomic design Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Convenient cordless design 5-in-1 blade technology Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE

Andis AGC2 UltraEdge 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper

Matted fur can be tough to cut through but this Andis AGC2 UltraEdge 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper is up to the task. This 2-speed motor features a detachable blade system with a removable cap drive, making cleanup quick and easy. The powerful rotary motor allows you to alternate between 3,400 and 4,400 SPM, so it has all the power you need. With a heavy-duty 14-foot cord and break-resistant housing, these clippers are also very durable and maintenance-free.

Pros: Blade detaches for easy cleaning, powerful 2-speed motor, runs cool with no need for a fan

Cons: May be a little bulky in hard-to-reach areas

Oster A5 Turbo 2-Speed Pet Clipper

Another heavy-duty option for matted fur is this Oster A5 Turbo 2-Speed Pet Clipper. This clipper is virtually unbreakable and extremely resilient, making quick work of even coarse and curly hair. These clippers feature a detachable blade system with a 2-speed motor capable of up to 4,000 SPM. The motor is powerful and reliable but still runs quietly. This clipper also comes with lubricating oil, clipper grease, and, of course, the #10 CryogenX detachable blade.

Pros: Universal rotary motor, 2 speeds up to 4,000 strokes per minute, virtually unbreakable

Cons: Fairly expensive, corded design offers limited mobility

Andis Pro-Animal 7-Piece Detachable Blade Pet Clipper Kit

This Andis Pro-Animal 7-Piece Detachable Blade Pet Clipper Kit has everything you need to give your cat a trim or to simply work through tough mats. The clipper itself features a powerful rotary motor that achieves up to 3,700 SPM in break-resistant housing for durability. It comes with a 12’ heavy-duty cord and a detachable #10 blade. This kit also includes a set of four attachment combs and a hard case.

Pros: Quiet but powerful motor, break-resistant housing for durability, heavy-duty 12’ cord

Cons: Corded design can be a little cumbersome

Oster A5 Golden Pet Clippers

If you’re looking for the best clippers for matted fur, consider these Oster A5 Golden Pet Clippers. These clippers come in a single speed or 2-speed model with a top speed over 3,000 SPM. The high-performance motor runs quietly and smoothly while the detachable blade system offers excellent versatility and easy clean-up. Tackle the toughest mats with ease using these Oster A5 clippers.

Pros: Single or 2-speed design, heavy-duty for durability, detachable blade system

Cons: Somewhat expensive, not as powerful as some clippers

Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Clippers

If you don’t mind spending a little more, these Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Clippers are certainly worth the higher price. These clippers deliver revolutionary performance and an extended motor life up to 10,000 hours. They are designed for dependability and durability as well as optimal balance and control. These clippers offer maximum power and torque as well, with constant speed control – they automatically deliver more power when you need it.

Pros: Powerful motor with 2 speeds, motor life up to 10,000 hours, detachable blades

Cons: Very expensive compared to many models

Oster A6 Slim 3-Speed Pet Clippers

When you’re simply trying to cut through a mat or trim the fur in hard-to-reach areas, you don’t need a big cumbersome set of clippers. These Oster A6 Slim 3-Speed Pet Clippers are a good option because they are made with a compact, ergonomic design that makes them easy to use. The high-efficiency motor runs over 4,000 SPM and the zinc allow technology delivers lightweight durability.

Pros: Powerful 3-speed motor up to 4,000 SPM, compact and ergonomic design, heavy-duty durability

Cons: Fairly expensive, cord can be a little awkward to manage

Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Clippers

Corded clippers tend to be more powerful than cordless models, but these Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Clippers are professional-quality. The powerful motor runs at up to 5,500 SPM and the integrated rapid powder, lithium ion battery has no memory effect – it charges new each time. These clippers offer 90 minutes of full-speed run time and a quick 60-minute charge. Plus, they are lightweight, durable, and they run quiet.

Pros: Excellent speed control, low vibration and noise,

Cons: Plastic housing looks a little cheap

Oster Power Max 2-Speed Pet Clippers

Choose the right amount of power for the job with these Oster Power Max 2-Speed Pet Clippers. These clippers feature a lightweight, ergonomic design with a rubberized stay-cool grip to ensure enhanced maneuverability. The powerful motor offers two speed settings and the detachable blade system makes for quick changes and easy clean-up. It also comes with a handy accessory kit.

Pros: Detachable blade system for easy cleaning, ultra-quiet motor, lightweight ergonomic design

Cons: Expensive compared to many models

Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper

Another cordless option, this Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper features a unique 5-in-1 blade system that makes it easy to get the job done right the first time. The powerful motor runs quiet for up to 80 minutes and takes just 75 minutes to recharge. These clippers are lightweight and easy to control, plus it sits comfortably in your hand without a burdensome cord to weigh you down.

Pros: Convenient cordless design, batter packs run up to 80 minutes, 5-in-1 blade technology

Cons: May not be as powerful as corded clippers, fairly expensive

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are mats painful for my cat? Mats are very common in cats with long fur and it doesn’t take long for them to get worse once they start. A small mat may not be a big deal, but if you don’t remove it promptly it will just accumulate more hair and become even more difficult to remove. Not only are mats unsightly, but they can be painful for your cat. Cats with matted fur may also be more prone to skin irritation and infection.
2. Do older cats get matted fur more often? Cats have tiny hooks on their tongues that help them keep their coats clean – they will also chew on their fur when it becomes matted to help work through the tangles. As a cat gets older, it may become less flexible which means mats might form on the parts of the body the cat has a hard time reaching. Illnesses like hyperthyroidism and kidney issues are also more common in older cats and can contribute to skin and coat issues like dandruff and matted fur.
3. Is it safe to use clippers on a cat with matted fur? Cat hair clippers are generally safe when used correctly. In fact, they may be a safer alternative for matted fur than scissors. Not only do scissors often have pointed tips, but if you get too close to your cat’s skin you could accidentally cut him. Clippers don’t have such sharp blades and you can cut through mats more easily without having to get right up against your cat’s skin.
4. Can I use human hair clippers on my cat? Human hair clippers and cat hair clippers are very similar, though the blades for human hair tend to be finer. If you’re just trying to get rid of a mat or two, you may not want to buy a whole set of clippers. Human hair clippers might work, in that case. For cats with long hair, however, mats are very common so it might be a good idea to keep a set of cat clippers for long-haired cats just for that purpose.

Though your cat does a pretty good job of grooming himself, some cats are simply prone to mats and tangles. Having the right grooming tools on hand is extremely important, especially if you have a long-haired cat. In addition to good combs and brushes, you may want to buy a set of cat hair clippers.

If you’re thinking about investing in a pair of cat hair clippers, you’ve come to the right place! Consider one of our top picks for the best cat clippers for matted fur reviewed above.