Often it looks as though the hair has been glued together. Fur licking keeps a cats skin healthy and stimulates sebaceous glands in their skin to produce oil to lubricate the fur.
Being overweight having arthritis or a condition that makes it painful for your cat to move can cause matted fur.
What causes matted cat fur. The main cause for matted cat fur is down to a change in your cats grooming habits. The bristles on their tongue usually comb the hair and prevent it from getting tangled while simultaneously removing any dirt. Grooming also helps to move oils along the strands of hair to keep it moisturized and healthy.
Shedding is another reason your pet may have matted cat fur. When loose hairs fall it gets caught in your cats coat leaving behind knots. The longer mats are left unattended they can grow tighter and settle closer to the skin.
As clumps get larger they put pressure on your cats skin making it painful to lie down. Why Matted Cat Fur is Bad. Diseases can also cause matted fur and other behavioral issues which may involve hormonal imbalances.
To avoid a possible underlying cause you should take your cat to the vet. When the underlying issue is properly treated it will be much easier to reverse any behavior problems and prevent future matting. Being overweight having arthritis or a condition that makes it painful for your cat to move can cause matted fur.
If your cat is a bit overweight or has arthritis both of those conditions could make it hard for your cat to reach all of their bits and pieces. The question What causes matted cat fur is one that deserves a comprehensive answer. Cat moulage can be a problem and it isnt the result of a normal occurrence or of a genetic problem.
The best way to solve the problem is to cut out the excessive shedding and allow the cat to fallow the fur at a normal rate. More serious reasons for matted cat hair are that the cat is overweight or is sick. The fatter the cat the more difficult it could be for it to groom every spot.
If your pet is unwell it may stop grooming which could increase matting. At the sign of illness take your cat to the vet. Why Is Matted Cat Hair Bad.
The reason mats are so bad for your cat is that they prevent. There are a few common causes for matted hair forming in cats. Some cats have fine fur which tangles very easily.
This may be specific to the individual more so than the breed. If this is the case then a strict grooming schedule will keep the mats at bay. Why is my cats fur suddenly matted.
Mats can also form on the shoulders and hindquarters from the pressure of lying down. Shedding is another reason your pet may have matted cat fur. When loose hairs fall it gets caught in your cats coat leaving behind knots.
The matted clumps can vary in size from barely noticeable to very large clumps. Often it looks as though the hair has been glued together. Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting.
When the cat isnt able to properly clean his fur all this dirt builds up. One incorrect snip could cut your cats skin and cause it pain. Additionally severely matted fur could be causing your cat distress making it much harder for you to cut the fur.
Instead take your cat to a vet or a groomer to have them investigate the mat and use the proper tools to remove the mat and allow new hair growth. Fur licking keeps a cats skin healthy and stimulates sebaceous glands in their skin to produce oil to lubricate the fur. Usually grooming keeps the fur clean and prevents fleas from taking hold.
But sometimes if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming mats may form. They lick their fur to maintain hygiene and healthy glands that can produce oil for lubricating the fur. It will also prevent fleas from increasing their infestation.
However cats can neglect their grooming instincts which can lead to the matting of the fur. Unkempt hair and coats can be very painful for kitties. Matted fur may bring to mind a shabby outdoor cat caught in a rainstorm but even meticulously clean indoor cats can be the victims of mats from time to time.
Since your cats coat goes everywhere with your cat mats may form simply due to activity such as jumping climbing or squeezing through tight crevices. Top tips to keep your kittys skin and fur in purr-fect health. What causes matted cat fur.
Typically occurring in long-haired and fluffy cat breeds matted fur is a result of the hair becoming knotted and entangledThere are several reasons why this might happen with one of the most common being that hair shed from the undercoat can get stuck in. Your cat sheds her thick winter coat in the spring in preparation for the warmer spring and summer months. She then sheds this warm-weather coat in the fall before she grows her thicker winter one.
If your kitty is kept primarily indoors shell shed year-round because the environment is temperature-controlled. Loss of flexibility of the spine is the most common cause of matting in the hind end of your cat. This may be related to arthritis in the limbs or spine or more commonly obesity.
Fat cats cant twist their head around far enough to reach their hind quarters. Causes of matted fur in cats. Matting usually occurs on those parts of the body where there is a lot of rubbing between hair.
For example you are quite likely to find matted fur between the legs in between the chest and the arms around the collars and under the tail of. Matting occurs when fur gets knotted or entangled especially among long-haired cats like Maine Coons Persians Birmans and Siberians. Matting also happens when cats shed their undercoat the fur gets caught in the topcoat and when the fur gets dirty or oil it becomes matted.
Shedding of the undercoat causes the fur to get stuck in the upper coat. Dirt in the coat or oiliness also causes the entangling of the coat and matting further. Lack of self-grooming by sick cats can also cause matting.
Cats with health issues like arthritis and overweight cannot flex much to do the licking. Adding water to your cats fur can make the matt set even tighter. Pet groomers recommend a detangle or anti-static spray but most mats can be removed without these products.
I use detanglers but only where really necessary and heavy matting is evident. Matted fur can arise due to a few reasons. Theoretically most cats can succumb to matted fur.
However the most susceptible are long-haired breeds and elderly cats. Sometimes dead hair from a long-hair cat gets trapped and tangled with live hair especially during the shedding season. A matted cat fur is a situation where the fur of a cat becomes entangled.
This condition when left unattended poses a danger to your cat. Amongst the dangers are skin irritation discomfort and other health issues. To detangle cat fur examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers.
Cat matted fur near tail is another common cause of itchiness and hair loss in cats. Really stubborn mats can be broken up with specialized mat rakes or by cutting the mat out with a pair of scissors.