What blades are best for clipping a matted cat coat?
When it comes to clipping a knotted or matted cat, choosing the right blade is essential. The most popular lengths of blades for clipping a matted cat are sizes 10, 15 and 30. The most popular types of blades for cats are standard A5 blades, or 5 in 1 adjustable blades.
What Type of Blade Should I Use?
Standard blades—also known as A5 blades—are available in a wide variety of lengths and are compatible with most full-sized clippers. They range from under 1mm (size 50) to over 1cm (size 3). Standard blades are the same types of blades you'd use for clipping dogs.
One fantastic feature of standard A5 blades is their compatibility across brands. Any brand's standard blade will fit any A5 model clipper. To determine if your clippers are an A5 model, click here to check out our A5 clipper chart.
Adjustable 5 in 1 blades are another popular blade type used for clipping cats. This unique blade allows you to adjust it to five different cutting lengths with just one attachment. However, it's important to remember that these adjustable blades only fit specific models, even within the same brand.
Before buying a new blade for clipping a cat, first make sure you know exactly what model of clipper you have, so you can check the blade you buy will fit your clippers. If you're unsure, reach out before you place your order so we can help you find the right blade.
What Length is Best?
The most popular lengths of blades for clipping a matted cat are sizes 10, 15 and 30.
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A standard option included with most A5 clippers, leaving the coat at about 1.5-1.8 (depending on brand). This is the most commonly used blade for general cat clipping. Lion cuts are popular at this length.
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[product=geib-buttercut-size-15-blade-1-0mm]
For a slightly closer cut, or for removing mats. Leaves the coat around 1.2-1.5mm
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[product=geib-buttercut-size-30-blade-0-5-mm]
Ideal for badly matted/pelted areas, providing a very close shave around 0.5mm. This blade is very short and care must be taken to avoid pulling skin into the blade when removing mats.
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Blade tips when clipping cats
A sharp blade is extra important for cats due to their finer, denser coats compared to most dog coat types. A dull blade is more likely to grab or chew a cat's coat. If you use your clippers for both dogs and cats, save at least one blade to put aside exclusively to use for your cat clients. A dog's coat will typically blunt a blade faster than a cat's coat will.
Standard A5 steel blades and 5 in 1 steel trimmer blades can be sharpened over and over, saving you buying a new blade each time it goes dull. Mini Trimmer blades or Ceramic trimmer blades cannot be resharpened and will need to be replaced once dull.
[product=service-clipper-blade-sharpening]
Blade sharpening service for all brands of professional A5 detachable blades including Andis, Wahl, Heiniger, Oster, Laube, SmartCoat and more. We are also able to sharpen Wahl and Andis adjustable blades, Wahl and Heiniger trimmer blades, and Heiniger Xplorer horse/livestock blades.
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A cat’s skin is far thinner and looser than a dogs. That makes cats more prone to being nicked by a blade, especially if the coat is matted, so it’s important to take extra care. Stretch legs to avoid nicking loose skin, such as around the armpits, and keep the coat taught while clipping to avoid bumping over folds or rolls of skin. Watching YouTube videos for ‘how to clip a cat’ is recommended if you don’t have an experienced professional to teach you.