Certain types of mat breakers could work on a cat but only with extreme care. Cat skin is way more easily ripped than a dog's skin.
Most mats on a cat (vs. the type dogs get) are due to dead hair that could not be shed all the way out, onto your floor. It gets stuck in the length of the fur shaft, that is why it can be pulled out. You are not pulling out live hair. For the bigger ones use a "picking" type motion. You would be surprised at the size of a mat that will comb out (pull out) of a cat's coat. Yes, it will pull at the surrounding hair somewhat, but like the bandaid that you yank off quickly to reduce the sting, just do it fast and comfort the cat afterwards.
In my opinion, powder will just dry the coat out and make it brittle.
Static is hard to fight. But a diluted mix of a cream rinse (cat specific) and water in a spray bottle, lightly misted on the coat, might help. Truthfully, I do not bother. Once the weather changes, it is not a problem any longer.
You would be surprised at tha affect the cat's diet can have on the coat. A diet slightly higher in fat (make sure they don't gain weight) will increase the "slippery-feel" of the coat allowing the hair to shed more naturally, without getting stuck.
Let me know if all this makes any sense or if you have any more questions.