The best way to deal with mats is to prevent them. Regular (daily or every other day) brushing will prevent them. Once you have them, there are a few options. I choose to just cut them out. Some folks work at them with the slicker and a dematter. Whatever you do, keep in mind that once a mat gets wet, you have no choice but to cut it out.

I just went to Pet Edge as an example, as I know they will have photos and descriptions of everything. Interesting side note, their dematters are only on their dog grooming sites, I didn't see any on the cat grooming pages!

You can find one type of dematter here:
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/prod...iProductID=825

Here, you will see dematters as both combs, and as rakes:
http://www.petedge.com/jump.jsp?item...12&iSubCat=152
I don't have one, even though I have 2 long haired cats. As mentioned, I just cut the mats out.


I recently purchased this slicker with the self cleaning button, from Pet Edge. I LOVE it! I am using it on Vita and she is enjoying being brushed more than she has in the past.

http://www.petedge.com/shopping/prod...ProductID=5545

I have 2 pin brushes, and I do not like either one; I don't use any pin brushes anymore.

The menu on Pet Edge also offers some undercoat rakes. I don't know anything about those. But it is my understanding the mat develops from shedding of the undercoat.

Good Luck!
Sandra