Professional groomers use slicker brushes to remove mats from fluffy cats and dogs, so we gave the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush a go (Safari sent us an editorial review sample to test).

Leave a brush or comb near their bed or on ... most effective strategy for minimizing the formation of mats and tangles.

which will pull on your cat's skin and can be painful. It's helpful to hold onto the base on the mat to prevent any tension. Mat removing combs or brushes can be good for small to medium-sized mats.