The best ways to treat an elderly cat with matted fur dandruff.
My long hair cat has matted fur.
In this article you will learn several options you can try at home if you want to know how to remove mats from a longhaired cat.
Often it looks as though the hair has been glued together.
Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats.
Hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties.
Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided.
Skin flakes dead fur dust and skin oils cause matting.
You might also start adding more oils into your cat s diet for example fish oil capsules if they prefer this to coconut oil treatment.
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.
But sometimes if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming mats may form.
To detangle cat fur examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers.
Your vet will also check your senior feline.
The clumps are basically tangled hair.
Causes of matted hair in cats.
When using clippers on your cat tighten your grip around its scruff to prevent it from biting or scratching.
The matted clumps can vary in size from barely noticeable to very large clumps.
Dry food has been linked to matted fur problems and some owners have reported a positive change in fur health after switching away from a dry food diet.
First some background on how your cat got into this trouble.
Certain breeds of cats persians maine coons and other long haired breeds are more likely to develop mats.
These clumps of fur can be painful for the cat.
To rule out such issues visit the vet with your kitty to check for signs of a medical problem.
Really stubborn mats can be broken up with specialized mat rakes or by cutting the mat out with a pair of scissors.
Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting.
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.
Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.
However if this doesn t work clip off the mats.
If your cat has developed mats in its fur start by trying to work out the tangles with a wide toothed comb and pet detangler spray.
Overweight old or sick cats can have a hard time reaching all areas of their bodies for grooming.
This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.
Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.
