Subsequent to napping within the sunshine, grooming might very properly be considered one of your cat’s most beloved actions.
Cats usually spend as much as 50 p.c of their waking hours on grooming, typically adopting yoga-like positions to make sure that each hair, from whiskers to tail, is meticulously groomed.
Constant, thorough grooming is vital for cats’ general well being. It removes grime, useless pores and skin cells, and parasites. It distributes oils of their pores and skin to maintain their coats silky easy.
Nevertheless, typically a seemingly insignificant knot in your cat’s hair can develop right into a matted, tangled mess. That may throw off your pet’s regular grooming routine and will even expose them to well being dangers. So right here’s all the things you have to learn about matted cat hair and what to do about it to maintain your pet wholesome and thriving.
Why Do Cats Get Matted Hair?
When high-quality strands of cat hair get knotted and tangled, they typically flip into densely entwined mats that refuse to separate. Matted cat hair can kind a noticeable clump in your pet’s fur.
“When cats groom themselves, their tongues, that are filled with tiny barbs, take away the useless hair,” explains Samantha Bell, cat conduct skilled for Finest Pals Animal Society. “Mats are brought on by extra useless hair getting trapped underneath the highest coat and mixing with the oils within the cat’s pores and skin to kind a tough, tough, painful lump.”
Mats have a tendency to look in locations which can be troublesome for cats to achieve (such because the again) and are extra frequent in areas the place there’s plenty of friction (just like the armpits), based on Bell.
Matted cat hair not solely seems to be ugly, it will possibly trigger your cat plenty of discomfort as a result of the pores and skin is pulled so tightly. The tangled clumps additionally forestall airflow to the pores and skin, which can trigger pores and skin irritation and—in extreme instances—even result in an infection. If the fur round a cat’s anal area will get matted, it will possibly entice urine and feces, rising the dangers of an infection.
Some cats are extra susceptible to matted hair than others, based on Sheila Bailey, veterinary assistant at San Diego Humane Society.
“Most cats are very environment friendly at stopping mats by self-grooming,“ says Bailey. “However many long-haired or aged cats want further assist from their house owners to maintain their coats properly maintained and mat-free.”
The explanation? Analysis exhibits that it’s tougher for long-haired breeds like Persians to entry layers of their fur closest to the pores and skin (1). That makes their coats “un-groomable” and, with out some grooming assist from their house owners, their fur is further susceptible to matting.
Sure medical circumstances may also enhance the chance cats could have matted fur. Bailey notes that cats with arthritis might discover it harder to achieve all areas of the physique for self-grooming. Different diseases that trigger your cat to really feel torpid or uncomfortable may additionally trigger them to under-groom.
“A sudden change in grooming habits will be an indicator that it’s time to go to your common veterinarian,” she provides.
Get Mats Out of Cat Hair
Crucial tip to recollect relating to eradicating matted cat hair is that this: Go gradual. Making an attempt to comb out mats too shortly may harm your cat (and will make them reluctant to sit down nonetheless for future grooming classes). In case your cat has a number of mats in his or her fur, anticipate to commit a number of grooming classes to eradicating them.
For small, comparatively free mats, begin by spritzing the world with a detangling spray formulated for pets. Then use a wide-toothed comb to loosen and take away tangled fur. With one hand, maintain the hair beneath the mat, near the pores and skin. And with the opposite hand, transfer the comb gently by the mat, ensuring to keep away from or decrease pulling on the hair as a lot as doable.
Bigger mats might have to be shaved off with clippers. A veterinarian or skilled cat groomer can typically take away them shortly and effectively, with out stressing your cat out an excessive amount of. Relying on the dimensions and severity of the matting, in addition to the disposition of the cat, some pets might require sedation with a purpose to take away bigger mats.
Whatever the dimension of the matting, Bell presents an vital warning: Don’t use scissors.
“Typically, you possibly can’t see it, however their skinny pores and skin will be so entwined within the mat that you’ll seemingly slice the pores and skin and harm the cat,” she says. “I’ve seen many well-meaning cat volunteers attempt to lower off a mat and discover they’ve injured the cat fairly critically.”
Grooming Instruments Wanted for Matted Cat Hair
In the case of matted cat hair elimination, some instruments are higher than others. Bailey recommends slicker brushes to take away free hair and wide- and fine-toothed combs for loosening and dealing by mats. If the mats are extreme, bear in mind to skip the scissors and use clippers to take away matted cat hair as an alternative.
“Clippers with an adjustable blade will help take away tightly matted hair near the pores and skin,” Bailey says. “Make sure you learn the clipper directions to get the perfect outcome and to forestall slicing the pores and skin. And use quiet clippers to lower the stress for the cat.”
Forestall Matted Cat Hair
It’s a lot simpler to forestall matted cat fur than it’s to take away established mats. Bailey suggests beginning a daily grooming routine when cats are kittens to get them used to being brushed.
“In case your cat isn’t thrilled with brushing, begin with very temporary grooming classes—only one or two strokes—that instantly ends while you discover indicators of stress,” says Bell. “Reward them with their favourite deal with or wand toy after grooming classes so that they see it as a optimistic ritual.”
Dietary supplements may additionally assist forestall matted fur. Bailey suggests speaking to your veterinarian about omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil dietary supplements to enhance pores and skin and coat well being. “Routine veterinarian checkups may also assist establish pores and skin and coat issues earlier than they get uncontrolled,” she provides.
Feeding your cat a nutritious, balanced food regimen that helps them keep a wholesome weight may also assist forestall matted fur.
“Weight administration is vital,” Bailey says. “Cats that endure from extreme weight problems might discover it troublesome or unattainable to self-groom successfully.”
Prioritizing prevention with common grooming, vet care, a nutritious food regimen and dietary supplements are important. But when your cat does get matted fur, appearing shortly (however gently) to take away mats earlier than they develop larger will be certain that they will keep good well being and return to their frequently scheduled self-grooming routine.
