Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.
What causes matting in cats hair.
How to get mats out of cat fur.
Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties.
A cat covered in mats might even have to be put under anesthesia and shaved to prevent discomfort and pain during the hair removal.
Other times it can be from accidents due to playing.
Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time.
Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats.
When the cat isn t able to properly clean his fur all this dirt builds up and causes the fur to stick together.
Often it looks as though the hair has been glued together.
See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.
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.
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.
Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention.
You can also gently pick individual mat parts out of your cat s skin.
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.
So what causes matted cat hair.
Next apply an oil based detangling spray to loosen the fur.
What causes matting in hair anyway.
Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting.
In short a simple mat can mess up your cat s whole system.
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.
As it happens there are several reasons a cat might groom less and poor coat condition is a clue they need medical help.
Start by holding the hair below the mat close to the skin and separate the tangled fur.
Have your vet examine your kitty for any skin inflammation or irritation after the removal of serious mats.
Removing matted hair from your cat 1.
Matted fur clumps need to be removed because they re extremely uncomfortable for the cat.
If their formerly pristine sleek pelt is now dull and tufty it s time to wonder why this might be.
It all boils down to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences.
What causes matted cat hair.
Use a metal mat comb for cats to detach the smaller tangles.
If mat has just started to form the best thing to do is to simply brush it out.
Serious cases of matting sometimes require the help of a groomer or veterinarian.
If the mat isn t too big or too tight the best way to tackle it is to work it apart with your fingers.
Hold under the mat s surface so that you won t be pulling their skin.
