Cats are masterful at grooming themselves, but for longhaired cats, grooming is a challenge. What can cat owners do to prevent their fur from tangling?

Regular bathing with a cat shampoo keeps the hair smooth and clean. The more dirt that accumulates on the hair, the easier it becomes to tangle. It is best to ask your vet for advice on which shampoo is suitable for your type of cat. This will also help to rule out any skin diseases that can lead to matting of the coat.

Jojoba oil not only makes the coat supple and smooth, it also repairs damaged skin and hair cells. Pour some jojoba oil into a spray bottle and spray the cat with it. Use a brush to spread the oil evenly over the coat. Until the oil has dried, the cat should stay on a clean blanket.

Maize starch helps remove small particles of dirt from the coat hair and prevents future knotting. Very finely ground maize starch works best. Dust the powder onto the hands and stroke the cat thoroughly to distribute the starch evenly over the coat and skin. The powder is harmless to the cat if it licks the dusted fur. The cornstarch powder can be applied to the coat every three days.

Chamomile oil has a similar effect to jojoba oil and promotes healthy skin. The healthier the cat's skin, the less matted the coat will be. Rub the cat thoroughly with chamomile oil and then brush through.