Matting can affect both longhaired and shorthaired cats and it s important that all cats get frequent grooming from their owners.
How to groom a cat with matted fur.
Longhaired cats develop matted fur more easily than their shorthaired counterparts do.
How to safely remove matts and how to prevent future matts from occurring.
If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself.
When a cat no longer shows an interest in grooming it s important to look for the underlying causes as an old cat with matted fur may be indicative of an underlying health issue.
Regular brushing is recommended for your cat s coat health and most knots and mats can be removed this way.
Brush your cat s fur frequently.
Dubswede how to remove mats from a longhaired cat 1.
Using a wide toothed comb.
To detangle cat fur examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers.
If you have a longhaired cat brush it at least once and possibly twice per day.
Certain breeds of cats persians maine coons and other long haired breeds are more likely to develop mats.
Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties.
These clumps of fur can be painful for the cat.
If you cannot untangle everything that way use a brush to gently break up the ends of the mat working inward.
Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.
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.
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.
This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.
Really stubborn mats can be broken up with specialized mat rakes or by cutting the mat out with a pair of scissors.
But sometimes if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming mats may form.
Usually grooming keeps the fur clean and prevents fleas from taking hold.
Dr magnifico a small animal veterinarian explains why cats fur becomes matted.
Dental issues the easiest place to start your investigation into why a senior cat isn t autogrooming as often is their mouth.