(Explanation and references, see below the script)

In this carrier, we have Bella, a sweet Ragdoll cat.

Her owner had made an appointment with me a little while ago because Bella had developed two mats on both sides of her flanks.

This isn’t ideal, of course, so the plan was to shave those spots to remove the mats. But right before the appointment, the mats were gone! They had simply fallen off on their own.Which is very rare.

Bella’s owner decided to keep the appointment anyway, mostly to get some advice—and that’s what inspired me to make this video.

If you look closely, you can see a small sunken area where the mats used to be.

So, how does something like that happen? Can you just wait for a mat to fall off on its own?

It sounds like an easy solution, right? Just wait, and the problem takes care of itself.

But unfortunately, that’s not quite how it works, as you might have guessed.

So, here’s the first question: how is it even possible for mats to fall off by themselves? Here’s a quick explanation of what actually happens.

A cat’s coat first starts to mat when loose hairs get tangled together, forming small knots. These knots then merge, creating larger tangles, and over time, they build up to form mats.

The mats then get tighter and tighter and start pressing closer to the skin. Meanwhile, other hairs remain attached to the follicles, creating even more tension.

Now, I looked around to see if there’s any information on how much tension a single cat hair can handle before it breaks, but I couldn’t find any specific data.

However, I did find that a single human hair can hold up to 100 grams before breaking. In theory, if you had the right technique, a full head of human hair could hold between 5,600 and 8,400 kilograms of weight without individual hairs breaking or getting pulled from the scalp*

But human hair is quite different from cat hair. On average, a single human hair is thicker than a cat hair. However, cats have a lot more hairs per square centimeter.

It’s estimated that cats have around 20,000 to 25,000 hairs per square centimeter, compared to only about 175 to 300 hairs per square centimeter on humans.

So, while human hair is thicker, cats have a lot more of it, which allows each square centimeter of fur to bear more tension without breaking.

So, if we go back to how the mats could have fallen off, it’s because under extreme tension, cat hairs can break. But does that mean you can just wait for mats to fall off by themselves?

The answer is no, and I’m sure you already saw that coming.

If you waited, your pet would be in constant pain as long as the mat is there. And in absolute most cases, mats don’t fall off on their own.

In fact, if you leave a mat, it almost always gets worse. It becomes thicker and wider and can eventually form a tight ‘armor’ around the body.

So, as a caring pet owner, you wouldn’t want to just sit around and wait for that to happen. It’s essential to remove mats as soon as possible by shaving them off.

This is the quickest, most cat friendly, and least painful method because shaving itself doesn’t hurt.

But please don’t try to shave your cat on your own if you don’t have experience, because cat skin is thin, and it’s easy to accidentally cut through it.

Please go to a professional if your cat has this problem.

* Additional explanation:

A full head of human hair can theoretically support a weight between 5,600 and 8,400 kilograms, and, with specialized techniques, might even hold between 12 and 23 tons (12,000 to 23,000 kilograms).

This incredible figure is based on the tensile strength of individual hair strands under perfect conditions—not something we’d ever actually see in real life!

But it does give an idea of just how strong hair can be when properly managed.

In this video, I use this example to make it relatable, but remember, it’s a hypothetical calculation. In practice, this strength is rarely achievable due to many variables like hair health, follicle strength, and practical limitations.

Nonetheless, it’s a fun comparison that highlights the natural resilience of hair!

Detailed review on mats and felt in cats’ fur.

Explanation and references where possible

Mats That 'Spontaneously' Fall Off

Explanation: While it’s possible for very tight mats to detach due to tension, this is rare.

Mats can bind so closely to the skin that they create significant tension, eventually causing hair to break.

However, the spontaneous release of large mats is uncommon; mats typically become tighter over time and rarely disappear on their own without progressing further.

Source: Animal welfare experts note that matting in animals generally worsens without intervention.

The Process of Matting and Felt Formation

Explanation: The process of matting and felt formation, as described, is accurate.

Fur begins to tangle when loose hairs catch onto each other, especially in breeds with fine, dense undercoats like the Ragdoll. Movement and friction lead to increasingly large tangles, which can eventually turn into felted mats.

Source: The National Cat Groomers Institute describes mat formation as loose hair remaining in the undercoat and gradually bonding with other hairs.

Hair Tension and Hair Breakage

Explanation: The tension theory is correct, though specific data on individual cat hair strength is missing in scientific sources. To illustrate, cat hair has a density and structure that’s quite different from human hair.

However, thinking of human hair can help us understand the process a bit better: the average human hair can support up to 100 grams of weight before it breaks, meaning a full head of human hair could theoretically support hundreds of kilos.

Of course, cat hair is thinner but far denser, with estimates suggesting up to 20,000–25,000 hairs per square centimeter on a cat versus only 175–300 hairs for a human.

So, while the specifics differ, this tension build-up in cat hair could similarly lead to breakage if mats become too heavy or tight.

Source: While direct data on hair tension for cats isn’t readily available, comparable studies on mammals provide insights into hair density.

The Importance of Shaving for Mats

Explanation: Mats can cause considerable pain and restrict a cat’s movement, which is a clear reason to remove them promptly.

The safest method is shaving by a professional, especially for tight or sensitive mats.

Shaving at home can be risky for untrained individuals due to the cat’s thin skin, which is indeed prone to cuts. This advice is spot on.

Source: Feline welfare organizations recommend that severe mats be removed by a professional groomer to minimize injury and discomfort.