Mats In Long Hair Cats

Cats just love to groom themselves.

Mats in long hair cats. Cats are very good at grooming themselves. Certain breeds of cats persians maine coons and other long haired breeds are more likely to develop mats. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided. 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.

Mats should be taken out as soon as possible. This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin. If your cat has stopped grooming altogether this could be a sign of a serious health issue and a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your cat will usually experience matted hair on hard to spot areas where it isn t usually groomed such as behind the ears the groin into his arms or around the collar area.

Old infirm overweight and long haired cats in particular are more susceptible to tangled fur which can become clumped mats or knotted dreadlocks. When a cat s fur begins to shed the loose fur gets tangled up with the guard hair. Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander. Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.

Despite all efforts fur can often become seriously matted. Unfortunately they can t always prevent tough tangles from forming in their coats. Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats. Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work.

Cats have earned a reputation as effective self groomers but that doesn t mean they don t need your help in staying clean and healthy. Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. Once this mat occurs more fur continues to collect creating a significant mat. If your cat has developed mats in its fur you ll need to remove them right away to keep your pet happy and healthy.

See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats. Mats are most likely to develop on parts of the cat s body where there s a lot of friction under his chest or tail and behind his legs. It s more severe with long haired cats who have excessive fur that falls out. Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.

If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself. Long haired cats in particular are prone to tangles and mats. When mats develop they reduce airflow to the cat s skin which can lead to irritation and even infection.