My Cat Has Mats In His Fur

The reason mats develop is that cats naturally shed their dead outer fur to make room for newer hair to grow.

My cat has mats in his fur. Pet groomers recommend a detangler or anti static spray but most mats can be removed without these products. Use premoistened pet wipes found in pet supply stores to wipe down the coat leaving behind a pleasant scent and conditioning agents for the fur and skin. Take things slowly and don t be surprised if you can t remove all the mats in one sitting. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided.

Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it. Old infirm overweight and long haired cats in particular are more susceptible to tangled fur which can become clumped mats or knotted dreadlocks. Brushing his fur gets rid of mats and stimulates his circulation reducing dandruff and making his coat clean and shiny according to the cornell university college of veterinary medicine. We have seen people recommend children s detangler spray or talc free powder but use only products that are intended for your animal.

But there are plenty of solutions for cat mats it s just a matter of experimenting with different courses and seeing what works for your kitty. Cat matted fur can be a real problem for cat owners and it can be difficult to keep mats at bay or get rid of them especially if your cat is particularly sensitive to brushing or clipping. Mats are clumps of hair that form when loose hair gets tangled onto the rest of your cat s fur. Cats have earned a reputation as effective self groomers but that doesn t mean they don t need your help in staying clean and healthy.

When your cat notices this change they start to groom more which could increase the amount of hair they ingest and cause other health problems. Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats. Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting. Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.

If her fur is bad enough that the mat is just one giant stretch of knotted hair that s a situation that probably calls for a professional as shaving her fur might be necessary. This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin. Matted fur clumps need to be removed because they re extremely uncomfortable for the cat. Although matted cat fur is commonly found in long hair cat breeds short haired cats can also develop mats in their coats.

Adding water to your cat s fur can make the mat set even tighter. When the cat isn t able to properly clean his fur all this dirt builds up and causes the fur to stick together. De matting a cat is typically not a fun experience for the feline or the human. If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself.

They can lead to skin irritation and infection if they re not removed.