What Causes Matted Hair On Cats

Imagine keeping all that fur under control.

What causes matted hair on cats. The matted clumps can vary in size from barely noticeable to very large clumps. As it happens there are several reasons a cat might groom less and poor coat condition is a clue they need medical help. Causes of matted hair in cats. Often it looks as though the hair has been glued together.

When a cat sheds hair can tangle with the intact hairs and form knots. The places where matting is most common include the chest in between the legs the neck or anywhere where. Causes of matted cat hair. So what causes matted cat hair.

For the most part cats do a great job on their own since they are excellent self groomers. Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties. The hair gets so knotted and tangled up that it becomes a hard bunch of hair. Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention.

If you have an older cat try comparing then and now photos. Knowing the causes and prevention. If their formerly pristine sleek pelt is now dull and tufty it s time to wonder why this might be. A cat covered in mats might even have to be put under anesthesia and shaved to prevent discomfort and pain during the hair removal.

But every once in a while their hair gets tangled or matted. 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. Other times it can be from accidents due to playing. What causes matting in hair anyway.

Cat hair can become matted either because of shedding or movement. The clumps are basically tangled hair. 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. It all boils down to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences.

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. Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting. Have your vet examine your kitty for any skin inflammation or irritation after the removal of serious mats. 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.

See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats. Did you know a single cat has about 130 000 hairs per square inch of their body. Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats. On the other hand frequent movement can cause the fur to mat as well.

Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.