Cat grooming Berlin: dematting and lion cuts for matted cats
Matted cat, what to do? How to spot mats safely, why you should put the scissors down, and waterless shaving or lion cuts at our cat grooming salon in Berlin.
If your cat is matted, only gently tease out small, loose knots with your fingers or a comb. Never cut out tight mats close to the skin with scissors; instead, have them dry-clipped. At the cat grooming salon GroomRoom in Berlin, a waterless clip costs 129 €, which also includes a lion cut. If the skin is sore or your cat is highly stressed, the vet is the right place to go first.
- Detangling them yourself
- only small, loose knots at the hair tips
- Never
- cut out matting on the body with scissors
- Clipping without water
- 129 €, nail clipping included
- Vet
- for sore skin, pain or severe stress
- Appointment
- quiet time slot without dogs, Tuesday to Saturday
If your cat is matted, only tease out small, loose knots yourself, working carefully with your fingers or a comb. Never use scissors to cut out solid mats close to the skin. These need to be removed dry with clippers, sometimes as a lion cut if the matting is severe. At our cat grooming salon GroomRoom in Berlin, a dry clip costs 129 €. If your cat has sore skin, is in pain or highly stressed, a trip to the vet comes first.
How do you spot matting in a cat's coat?
Matting happens when loose undercoat gets tangled with the rest of the fur. The undercoat is the soft, dense layer of hair beneath the longer topcoat. Over time, small knots turn into solid mats that sit right against the skin.
You can quickly find mats with the comb test. Guide a metal comb vertically down to the skin and pull it through slowly. If it glides through without resistance, that area is fine. If it gets stuck, there is a knot or a solid mat.
Check the armpits, tummy, hind legs, sanitary area and behind the ears especially carefully. In long-haired cats like Persians or Maine Coons, matting forms here fastest. Older short-haired cats can also get matted on their backs if they can no longer reach that spot.
Why do cats get matted?
Most cats keep their coat in good condition themselves using their tongue. If a cat gets matted, they often lack the strength or flexibility to groom properly. We see this a lot in older cats, overweight cats or those with joint pain.
Long-haired cats have so much undercoat that they need help even when they are young and healthy. Daily combing is the best prevention for them. If a cat suddenly becomes matted, however, there could be an underlying illness that a vet should check out.
What can you do yourself and what should you avoid?
When it comes to matting, the location determines the right approach. These rules help protect your cat's sensitive skin.
- Loosening small knots: Gently pull apart knots at the tips of the hair using your fingers.
- Holding the fur at the skin: Hold the hair between the knot and the skin while combing to stop it from pulling.
- Don't pull: Hard brushing on tight mats hurts and irritates the skin.
- Don't bathe: Wet mats shrink as they dry and become even tighter.
- No scissors on the body: Never cut out matted patches with scissors.
Cat skin is very thin and stretchy. When you lift a matted patch, the skin is pulled up with it, making it very easy to accidentally cut into it with scissors.
If the matting sits tight against the skin, only clippers will help. Standard household clippers usually can't get through dense mats and will just pull the fur. It's best to leave this job to a cat grooming salon.
Cat groomer Berlin: How we remove matting in our salon
At GroomRoom, our cat grooming salon, we always clip matted fur without water. First, we examine the coat and skin and give you a price. Then, we carefully guide the clippers underneath the mats without stretching the skin.
For isolated mats, we only clip the affected areas. If the entire body is matted, a lion cut is a great option. This involves clipping the body short while leaving the head, paws and tip of the tail longer. For a sanitary cut, we only trim the fur around the intimate area.
Nail clipping is included in every appointment. We work calmly and take breaks whenever your cat needs them. We don't offer sedation in the salon, as this should only be done at a veterinary practice.
Cat grooming prices Berlin: How much does dematting cost?
We offer three packages for cats, all including nail clipping and VAT, as of September 2026.
| Package | Duration | Price | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brushing only | 60 minutes | 99 € | loose undercoat, minor tangles |
| Clipping without water | 60 minutes | 129 € | solid mats, lion cut, sanitary cut |
| Cat Full Groom | 90 minutes | 149 € | mat-free coat, brushing or trimming plus bath |
For matted cats, a waterless clip is almost always the best choice at our cat grooming salon in Berlin. We only move on to a Full Groom with a bath once the coat is completely mat-free. The price can vary depending on coat condition and behaviour; we'll give you a binding final price before the appointment. Details are on the Cat Full Groom page and our prices page.
When is the vet a better choice?
Under thick mats, the skin can be sore, inflamed, or damp. If you spot crusts, open wounds, or parasites, your cat needs to see the vet first. The same applies if they show signs of pain when touched or suddenly stop grooming themselves.
Some cats get so stressed during a clip that we can't safely continue working. If that happens, we'll stop and recommend a veterinary practice. There, they can be shaved under veterinary supervision if necessary.
Preparing your matted cat for their grooming appointment
A calm journey helps your cat arrive more relaxed. These tips have proven helpful for matted cats.
- Carrier: Leave a sturdy carrier open in your home for a few days beforehand and put a familiar blanket inside.
- Feeding: Your cat doesn't need to have an empty stomach, but you should avoid giving them a large meal right before the journey.
- Leave the mats alone: Don't try to brush out the solid mats in the days leading up to the appointment.
- Photos and notes: Feel free to send us a photo of the matted areas via WhatsApp beforehand, and let us know if your cat is anxious or unwell.
A photo helps us assess in advance whether a waterless clip is the right choice. Feel free to call us on 0152 5452 4113 before your first booking so we can schedule a quiet time slot without any dogs around.
After clipping: How to prevent new mats
After a clip, your cat's skin is more sensitive. Keep them indoors for the first few days and protect them from draughts. As soon as the coat grows back, start with short, regular combing sessions.
You can find grooming tips for specific breeds in the articles Persian cat grooming and Maine Coon grooming. For an overview of all services, see the article Cat groomer in Berlin. Our salon at Giesebrechtstraße 2 is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, and you can book your appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut out my cat's mats with scissors?
Please never use scissors to cut mats off your cat's body. Cat skin is thin and stretchy, and it gets pulled up with the mat, which can easily lead to deep cuts. Solid mats need to be removed with clippers.
How much does it cost to shave a matted cat in Berlin?
At GroomRoom, a dry shave costs 129 €, including nail clipping. The price can vary depending on your cat's coat condition and behaviour. We'll give you the final, binding price before the appointment.
What is a lion cut for cats?
With a lion cut, we shave the body short while leaving the head, paws, and tip of the tail longer. It's ideal for cats with heavy matting on their torso. The coat will grow back over the following months.
Does bathing help with matted cat hair?
No, water makes mats tighter. Wet mats shrink as they dry, making them even harder to shave off later. That's why we always shave matted cats dry.
Why is my cat suddenly getting matted?
Cats often groom themselves less because of old age, being overweight, or experiencing joint pain. Illness or stress can also be the cause. If your cat suddenly becomes matted, please have a vet check for underlying issues.
Do you offer shaving under sedation?
No, we don't offer sedation in the salon; that belongs in a veterinary practice. We work calmly, take breaks, and book a time slot with no dogs around. If a cat becomes highly stressed, we stop the session and recommend a vet.
This guide is backed by the experience from our salon. Calculate price or book an appointment.
