Dead hair mixes up with the stuck up debris and dirt on its skin thus forming into even larger mats.
How to get rid of bad matted cat fur.
If you cannot untangle everything that way use a brush to gently break up the ends of the mat working inward.
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.
Buy a detangler spray for your cat s fur.
Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention.
Our cat boo a 14 year old female domestic shorthair tabby has always had soft nice fur.
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.
It looked normal from a distance until i tried to run my fingers through it.
If her fur is bad enough that the mat is just one giant stretch of knotted hair that s a situation that probably calls for a professional as shaving her fur might be necessary.
Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.
The reason mats develop is that cats naturally shed their dead outer fur to make room for newer hair to grow.
But there are plenty of solutions for cat mats it s just a matter of experimenting with different courses and seeing what works for your kitty.
Although matted cat fur is commonly found in long hair cat breeds short haired cats can also develop mats in their coats.
When this happens matting and fur entangling worsen.
Matting is most common in medium haired and long haired cats but short haired breeds with thick fur can also suffer from the problem.
Instead get a detangler that s made specifically for cats.
The product may help loosen up the hair.
If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself.
A few days ago i bathed shampooed and conditioned her.
To detangle cat fur examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers.
Matted hair cuts off the supply of oxygen to the skin and creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria maggots lice and fleas.
Spritz a bit of this onto the mats.
I noticed a couple of weeks ago that apparently out of nowhere the fur all over her body had become very matted.
Adding water to the mats can actually make them worse.
Most cats shed their fur during spring and fall.
See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.
You can buy pet detangler spray at your local pet supply store or online.
Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work.
Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.
Mats are clumps of hair that form when loose hair gets tangled onto the rest of your cat s fur.