What Is Matted Hair On Cats

Have your vet examine your kitty for any skin inflammation or irritation after the removal of serious mats.

What is matted hair on cats.

It is important to deal with the matted fur as soon as you notice them or the dirty tangled fur may even lead to the growth of manges. This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin. See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats. However there s a reason many older cats have dull starry coats.

Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats. In cats that suffer from dandruff the hair is usually deeply rooted in the follicles and can actually make the cat s fur look even thicker. Adding water to the mats can actually make them worse.

For matted hair cornstarch is very beneficial. The oil absorbing quality of cornstarch makes it a great home remedy for matted hair in pets. Instead get a detangler that s made specifically for cats. 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.

Yes the cat may sleep more but often it s a basic sign the cat is too sore or uncomfortable to groom or is too stiff too reach the tricky bits. The product may help loosen up the hair. 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.

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. Other times it can be from accidents due to playing. Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats. In such cases it may be necessary to administer some form of topical shampoo that will get rid of the dandruff problem and prevent further matting.

Spritz a bit of this onto the mats. 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. You can buy pet detangler spray at your local pet supply store or online. Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting.

A cat covered in mats might even have to be put under anesthesia and shaved to prevent discomfort and pain during the hair removal. Buy a detangler spray for your cat s fur. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided. Causes of matted hair in cats.

If you have an older cat try comparing then and now photos. What causes matted cat hair.