Splitting hairs

My non-shedding fluffball gets the occasional mat in the usual places - back end, tummy, armpits, ears. What's the best way to remove?

Combing them out is time-consuming and pulls on the hair, even if I hold the mat. Someone mentioned a mat splitter to me. I googled it and it looked like a torture device. How do you use it safely?

Any other ideas on mat removal, please?

Georgina Kay, by email