Fur Matting In Cats Causes

Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work.

Fur matting in cats causes.

They pull on the skin and can cause quite a bit of pain. If your cat is predisposed to thick matted fur you may be able to control the condition with a simple change in diet. The main reason why your cat experiences matted hair is due to lack of grooming if you do not brush your cat s hair properly or leave it as is for an extended period then your feline friend will suffer from the clumps due to shedding and leaving the excess fur on his skin. And if these are left un brushed the amount of matted and entangled hair increases resulting in it becoming even more matted.

It is a common problem in cats with long coat but short haired cats are also susceptible. Other times it can be from accidents due to playing. Mats can also form on the shoulders and hindquarters from the pressure of lying down. Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting.

Matted fur clumps need to be removed because they re extremely uncomfortable for the cat. When this happens matting and fur entangling worsen. As it happens there are several reasons a cat might groom less and poor coat condition is a clue they need medical help. If you have an older cat try comparing then and now photos.

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. Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander. What causes matting in hair anyway. You can also sprinkle cornstarch throughout the fur to help loosen the tangled fur or use a spritz of leave in conditioner.

When the cat isn t able to properly clean his fur all this dirt builds up and causes the fur to stick together. Find mats on your kitty s coat by using a wide tooth comb and use a mat breaker brush to gently cut through them while holding the fur at the roots to prevent discomfort for your little one. Fur clumps on cat s back are called mats. If their formerly pristine sleek pelt is now dull and tufty it s time to wonder why this might be.

Dead hair mixes up with the stuck up debris and dirt on its skin thus forming into even larger mats. Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. In most cases however the most common cause of matted cat fur is simply a cat s genetic predisposition. Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties.

It tends to occur on parts of your cat s body where there is a lot of rubbing or movement like between the legs under the chest under the tail and around the collar. Most cats shed their fur during spring and fall. Seasonal shedding may also aggravate the issue. Matting is also a common in cats that are too fat or too old to reach their back.

Fur can become matted for a variety of reasons. They are basically just knots and tangles in the fur. See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.