Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention.
How to keep cat hair from matting.
In short a simple mat can mess up your cat s whole system.
As a cat owner one of the most helpful grooming techniques to learn is how to get mats out of cat fur it not only helps keep your cat looking cute but also help protect them from skin irritation coming from fleas and skin parasites.
The cat s coat will then grow back uneven and can take months to return to normal.
If mat has just started to form the best thing to do is to simply brush it out.
Cats just love to groom themselves.
You might notice an odor coming from your cat and consider bath time but giving your cat a bath can actually make mats worse.
You can also gently pick individual mat parts out of your cat s skin.
Keep the hair dry.
If your cat has developed mats in its fur you ll need to remove them right away to keep your pet happy and healthy.
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.
Use a de matting brush or comb specifically for your cat s hair length.
Unless your cat enjoys being brushed she might snap at you or attempt to gash you with her claws.
Unfortunately they can t always prevent tough tangles from forming in their coats.
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.
Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats.
Adding water to your cat s fur can make the mat set even tighter.
Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.
A young active healthy cat with short hair is likely able to keep itself well groomed and to need limited assistance with tangle prevention.
This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.
Alternatively an old overweight long haired cat is likely to require regular even daily brushing attention to prevent knots and matting.
Severe matting can make your cat extremely uncomfortable and may even damage its skin or joints.
Mats are clumps of hair that form when loose hair gets tangled onto the rest of your cat s fur.
Hold under the mat s surface so that you won t be pulling their skin.
Pet groomers recommend a detangler or anti static spray but most mats can be removed without these products.