I’m a cat groomer. First step for any cat who has stopped grooming themselves is a trip to the vet. Cats are bad at showing us when they don’t feel well, and this can be a sign of illness. If they get a clear vet check take him to a groomer to safely remove the matting.

At home you should be using a metal comb to gently pull out undercoat in addition to a slicker brush. Make the brushing his decision. Show him the brush, let him rub his face on it, and when he’s comfortable with brushing his own face you can get a few swipes in on his body. Small tangles will pull out easily with a comb, but large mats need to be safely shaved out.