Matted Cat Fur: How To Get Rid Of Your Cats Mats DodoWell
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Do not attempt to remove mats that are more severe or seem to be hurting your kitty. Instead, consult with your veterinarian before heading to a groomer. Your cat’s diet can have a lot to do with how matted their fur becomes. However, feeding them only high-quality food and adding an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to their diet should help them have healthier and silkier skin and fur.
Cat Matted Fur: Tips and Tricks to Remove Cat Mats
Offer cat treats and praise for a positive experience, especially if the mats are extensive or your cat is sensitive. MrBossCat.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. The content presented on MrBossCat.com is meant for informational purposes only. This information should not be substituted for a professional veterinary consultation. Your cat relies on its mouth and its tongue to self-groom. Therefore, if your cat is suffering from any dental issues, they may avoid cleaning themselves.
Use a Groomer Who is Professional
Gently and slowly move the clippers along your cat’s skin in short strokes, lightly lifting the mat as it comes away from the skin. First, try working the mat out with your fingers, but only if your cat is comfortable. This may not be feasible with tight, painful mats that sit close to the skin.
How to Weigh Your Pet at Home
Regardless of whether you have a long-haired cat or a short-haired cat, the question we really want to know the answer to is why has my cat stopped self-grooming? There are actually several reasons why self-grooming has taken a back seat, causing your cat’s fur to become matted. As I mentioned, there is a clear link between personal hygiene and a beautiful coat of fur. Cats are naturally fantastic self-groomers and will use their tongue and flexibility to their advantage to ensure that no spot goes unclean. However, when your cat stops self-grooming, its fur can become dirty, entangled, and matted. A lack of self-grooming can also make the tangles caused by shedding worse.
So here’s everything you need to know about matted cat hair and what to do about it to keep your pet healthy and thriving. Finally, a change in your cat’s grooming habits can also cause matted fur. Thankfully, regular love and care with one of the best cat brushes alongside their own daily grooming can help keep your kitty’s skin and coat healthy.
It also comes with a 3-year guarantee that it will be replaced if it fails to perform as advertised. Keep some cat treats close by; you might need them to get in your cat’s good graces after de-matting. But first, let’s dive into what hair mats are, how they come up, and why de-matting should be a priority for any cat owner.
This way, the comb can be held further away from your cat’s skin so accidental cuts are less likely. Usually, cats will use the bristles on their tongues to comb through their fur and remove any dirt and excess oils. However, if your cat stops or reduces the time spent grooming, their hair will become matted. It is essentially like us not brushing our hair for weeks on ends – pretty quickly it will become a matted and tangled mess.
6 Best Dog Brushes for Matted Hair - iHeartDogs.com
6 Best Dog Brushes for Matted Hair.
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Another common source of oral pain in cats is oral tumours, which owners may not be aware of since they often develop under the tongue. The best solution for cats with severe matting is to use a de-matting comb for cats. Dematting combs feature a handle and a brush head, as conventional combs do. The comb’s usual teeth have been replaced by short blades, though. There is a possibility that your cat suffers from hyperthyroidism or seborrheic dermatitis.
Get all your tools together
That’s why you should do everything you can to help your cat keep its fur shiny, untangled, and looking great at all times. An overweight cat cannot turn or reach certain areas of its body, which means they cannot adequately groom their coat. Also, the added body weight can cause excess oils to build up, which has its problems, including matted hair. Long-haired cats shed their fur a lot more often than short-haired cats, which is partially why long-haired breeds are more prone to matted fur.
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. Old, infirm, overweight, and long-haired cats in particular are more susceptible to tangled fur, which can become clumped mats or knotted dreadlocks. These tangles are not only unsightly, they can also cause discomfort, facilitate skin disorders, or harbor worms, mites, or other pests. While preventing tangles through regular brushing and examinations is the best way to go, there are options for removing matted fur at home. If all else fails, or if you are unsure of your ability to remove the tangles safely, consult a professional groomer or veterinarian. Most mats will only be affecting your cat’s fur and the skin underneath with be healthy.
Fur licking keeps a cat's skin healthy and stimulates sebaceous glands in the skin to produce oil to lubricate the fur. Sometimes, the fur will become matted in areas, requiring human intervention. These mats may make your cat's fur feel lumpy or knotted when petting them.
This can help to keep your cat a healthy weight and lower the risk of obesity. As overweight cats are more prone to matting as they cannot self-groom well, ensuring your cat is fit and healthy can keep their fur coat looking clean and smooth for longer. Grooming your cat also helps to prevent matting that is caused by a lack of self-grooming or by shedding. You can help detangle the hair, spread the natural oils along the surface, and clean away any pieces of dirt or loose bits of fur that your cat has missed. If you have an older cat that has matted fur, they may have stopped self-grooming because of pain, such as pain caused by arthritis. Arthritis is common in older cats, especially obese senior cats.
During this step, it is also crucial to not bathe your cat or wet the matted fur. Adding water can further tighten the mat, making it even harder to remove. Cats that are not well may groom themselves less or stop grooming altogether, resulting in coat changes and matting. If you notice coat changes in conjunction with other symptoms, seek advice from a vet.
Once you've established a routine with your cat, however, brushing should become second nature for both of you. Another easy fix for summertime is to get your Ragdoll a lion cut so the short hair won’t mat. You can also consult your vet and a groomer about other professional and at-home treatments for mat removal. Matted fur is certainly not pleasant to look at, but it is also uncomfortable for cats. Still, if they are not removed, they will continue to grow by entangling more of the surrounding fur.
Just like an aging cat, an overweight cat can't rotate and groom like she should. Not to mention excess body weight could mean an overproduction of oils, compounding the issue. A cat’s self-grooming is both a necessity and a favorite hobby, so if your cat has abandoned or decreased the practice, there’s a reason.
Cats are naturally skilled self-groomers who utilise their tongue and flexibility to ensure no surface is left uncleaned. If your cat stops grooming itself, its hair might become matted, unhygienic, and tangled. Once you’ve raised the mat enough to reveal the flesh beneath, you can start cutting. To prevent hurting your cat, use blunt-nosed scissors, but make sure they are sharp enough to swiftly and precisely remove the mat.
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