What Causes Matting In Cats Hair

How to get mats out of cat fur.

What causes matting in cats hair.

What causes matted cat hair. Hold under the mat s surface so that you won t be pulling their skin. Often it looks as though the hair has been glued together. Use a metal mat comb for cats to detach the smaller tangles.

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. Next apply an oil based detangling spray to loosen the fur. Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander. See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.

If the mat isn t too big or too tight the best way to tackle it is to work it apart with your fingers. Other times it can be from accidents due to playing. If you have an older cat try comparing then and now photos. Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats.

Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention. Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work. A cat covered in mats might even have to be put under anesthesia and shaved to prevent discomfort and pain during the hair removal. You can also gently pick individual mat parts out of your cat s skin.

If their formerly pristine sleek pelt is now dull and tufty it s time to wonder why this might be. Causes of matted hair in cats. 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. In short a simple mat can mess up your cat s whole system.

What causes matting in hair anyway. Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting. If mat has just started to form the best thing to do is to simply brush it out. It all boils down to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences.

As it happens there are several reasons a cat might groom less and poor coat condition is a clue they need medical help. 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. So what causes matted cat hair. Serious cases of matting sometimes require the help of a groomer or veterinarian.

Removing matted hair from your cat 1. Start by holding the hair below the mat close to the skin and separate the tangled fur. Matted fur clumps need to be removed because they re extremely uncomfortable for the cat. Have your vet examine your kitty for any skin inflammation or irritation after the removal of serious mats.

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