Bring your cat in for a full physical exam and blood and urine screen.
What does matted hair on a cat mean.
Other times it can be from accidents due to playing.
If their formerly pristine sleek pelt is now dull and tufty it s time to wonder why this might be.
Once you have bathed your cat hair the next step is to trim it.
Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided.
You can also use a damp wash cloth to rub in a massaging pattern over the coat mimicking the action of the cat s tongue.
Causes of matted hair in cats.
You need to trim the cat hair because it can cause itchiness to the cat.
They know the pet got too matted and they feel neglectful.
Your cat may not like this and you may need an assistant to hold the cat while you do this.
Step two is to help your cat by combing daily with a steel toothed comb.
People usually get a double whammy dose of guilt when they accidentally cut their pet s skin.
A cat covered in mats might even have to be put under anesthesia and shaved to prevent discomfort and pain during the hair removal.
Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.
Once we know why your cat is getting matted we can improve his health.
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.
Rub some talc free baby powder gently into the mat.
What causes matted cat hair.
This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.
What causes matting in hair anyway.
If possible try to treat matts as soon as you see them.
If you have an older cat try comparing then and now photos.
As it happens there are several reasons a cat might groom less and poor coat condition is a clue they need medical help.
Since the hair is now long it will look a bit messy if you don t trim it carefully.
Remove the matted hair.
If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself.
Loose mats are the easiest to remove.
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.
The best way to trim the cat hair is to use a pair of small scissors.
Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats.
Thoroughly rub the powder into the tangle.
Pets groom themselves less as they age.
Have your vet examine your kitty for any skin inflammation or irritation after the removal of serious mats.
You need to cut the hair in the direction of the grain.