Cat Covered In Matted Fur

De matting a cat is typically not a fun experience for the feline or the human.

Cat covered in matted fur.

The reason mats are so bad for your cat is that they prevent oxygen and moisture from reaching the skin making it dry and irritated. They can lead to skin irritation and infection if they re not removed. There are various reasons that result in matted fur such as the upper coat of a cat s fur getting stuck in the lower coat causing the fur to entangle 1 how do cats self groom. Keeping the cat s coat well brushed keeps its skin healthy and ventilated.

Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats. See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats. Feces and urine can also become trapped in matted fur at the rear end producing an infection. Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.

Mats in cat fur are not only unsightly but they are also painful to your cat. Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided. Pet your cat around the ears and give her a nice scratching under the chin as you continue to brush her hair.

Take things slowly and don t be surprised if you can t remove all the mats in one sitting. Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work. Stay away from the matted areas for now. Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting.