Fur Mats In Long Hair Cats Causes

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.

Fur mats in long hair cats causes.

Certain breeds of cats persians maine coons and other long haired breeds are more likely to develop mats. What is matted fur in cats. Matted fur can be bothersome and downright unhealthy. 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.

These clumps of fur can be painful for the cat. Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. On the other hand frequent movement can cause the fur to mat as well. Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties.

Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it. Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work. It s more severe with long haired cats who have excessive fur that falls out. Your cat will usually experience matted hair on hard to spot areas where it isn t usually groomed such as behind the ears the groin into his arms or around the collar area.

This matted and tangled hair aggravates if left unbrushed thus the fur becomes even more matted. Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats. What is matted fur in cats. This problem is a major problem for many cat owners.

If left for long your cat won t only look messy but he ll experience the following. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided. Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander. The places where matting is most common include the chest in between the legs the neck or anywhere where the cat s fur most meets friction.

Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats. They also have long hair that covers their ears legs and tails. Most cats shed their fur during spring and fall. Through time if it s still left that way dust dirt and other small particles can accumulate in their skin and even cause it to become more matted.

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. See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats. But sometimes if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming mats may form. Outdoor cats and long haired cats are more likely to develop mats than short haired indoor felines.

Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting.