My Cat S Fur Is Matted

Matted fur can happen to cats with all lengths of hair.

My cat s fur is matted. Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats. If this drastic step is necessary be sure to maintain a regular program of brushing and combing when the coat grows back to prevent future problems. Using a wide toothed comb. If you have an older cat try comparing then and now photos.

Longhaired cats develop matted fur more easily than their shorthaired counterparts do. 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. Causes of matted hair in cats. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided.

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. It s because it ll work on all cats or even dogs. The problem tends to be more common in older or overweight cats who either can t groom themselves anymore or who can t reach parts of their body like the back.

With this one you don t have to worry if your cat has long fur or short hair or whichever hair type it has. While a lack of grooming sometimes is just part of old age many times there may be a medical cause for it in your elderly feline. Regular brushing is recommended for your cat s coat health and most knots and mats can be removed this way. If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself.

Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it. To detangle cat fur examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers. Dubswede how to remove mats from a longhaired cat 1. What are matted fur clumps.

However there s a reason many older cats have dull starry coats. Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting. If you cannot untangle everything that way use a brush to gently break up the ends of the mat working inward. Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention.

Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats. Really stubborn mats can be broken up with specialized mat rakes or by cutting the mat out with a pair of scissors. This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.