What Causes Matting In Cats Hair

Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time.

What causes matting in cats hair.

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. If their formerly pristine sleek pelt is now dull and tufty it s time to wonder why this might be. Next apply an oil based detangling spray to loosen the fur. Use a metal mat comb for cats to detach the smaller tangles.

Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention. Causes of matted hair in cats. So what causes matted cat hair. Often it looks as though the hair has been glued together.

As it happens there are several reasons a cat might groom less and poor coat condition is a clue they need medical help. When the cat isn t able to properly clean his fur all this dirt builds up and causes the fur to stick together. A cat covered in mats might even have to be put under anesthesia and shaved to prevent discomfort and pain during the hair removal. 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.

Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander. Hold under the mat s surface so that you won t be pulling their skin. If you have an older cat try comparing then and now photos. 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.

Removing matted hair from your cat 1. Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work. Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting. You can also gently pick individual mat parts out of your cat s skin.

If you know your cat has a genetic predisposition to hair loss it will be much easier to manage the problem and prevent further matting. It all boils down to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences. What causes matted cat hair. In short a simple mat can mess up your cat s whole system.

How to get mats out of cat fur. Have your vet examine your kitty for any skin inflammation or irritation after the removal of serious mats. What causes matting in hair anyway. Serious cases of matting sometimes require the help of a groomer or veterinarian.

Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats. Other times it can be from accidents due to playing. Matted fur clumps need to be removed because they re extremely uncomfortable for the cat. Start by holding the hair below the mat close to the skin and separate the tangled fur.

Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties.