I have a cat that is about 10 years old but he has these kllumps on his back.?

Question

i have a cat named mark who is about 10 years old and his back looks libe its got pieces of buble gum stick in it im am very conserned because he has had it for nearly 5 years of his life and it comes and goes but recently it has gotten worse . he has no feeling in them so i can just cut them off but i am conserned about weather he is sick or not somone please help me.

Answer 1

It sounds like he may not be able to reach his back.  A lot of cats have this problem, and brushing every day is the best thing for it.  

Answer 2

I just brushed one of these out of my cats hair today. I used the dog brush to remove it. It didn't hurt her but it was a tight mat. Some mats can be painful as they tighten at the skin causing pulling of the skin. You will need to brush daily and make sure the area is clean so it is less prone to matting.

Answer 3

does your cat have long hair? if so, it may just be knots.

Answer 4

Ok, got a few questions:

1. He's had this for 5 years and you've never mentioned it to the vet?  

2. Why?!!

3. Are you putting used gum on your cat?  

4. Why?!!

Answer 5

Some cats, as they get older, don't groom themselves enough or even at all.  Some cats just seem to have lost that instinct.  The clumps are matted hair.  You can prevent them by brushing your cat a little bit each day, especially where the clumps form but all over, too.  You can cut the clumps out, carefully, or you can have a groomer clip them off.  Once they are gone, begin your new routine of daily brushing.  Your cat will love it and look & feel better.  It's a nice way to bond with your cat.

Answer 6

Could be a grooming issue or something serious like cancer.  I'd take him to the vet.  What if he's in pain?!

Answer 7

Your cat is getting old, like my cat was about 10 when this started happening, he can't lean back and l**k the hair clean back there so he needs you to comb his hair after you cut out the clumps you can then keep him healthy and clear of lumps by combing his back daily.

Answer 8

clumps of fur?

im pretty sure thats when cats cant reach that spot to clean it so it bunches up and stuff and makes it all...ew.

you should see if the vet can get it off.

i dont think hes sick.

Answer 9

oh! ME TOO!

well, we put that cat down... BUT it was NOT for that, haha sorry bout that.

nope. those are normal for all i know.

they have feeling in them when its closer to the skin. my dad cut off the things but it doesnt really help and they kinda just panic at then are fine when its off.

idk, its hard to explain.

look in your phone book and just call a place, they'd be the best option

Answer 10

hm well i really don't think that you should cut them off i think you should take mark to the vets and let them decide on what to do. um my cat sometimes gets hair clumps on her back but that's just hair that's got in knots if its just that then u can cut them off but if not i recommend u take mark to the vets. :P

Answer 11

go see a vet

it maybe nothing, but its always a good feeling to know mark is okay

even if u do get a bill

its worth it right?

Answer 12

Some cats will develop Cell Mass Tumor and even though it may be benign, it needs to be checked by a vet.  Just recently I posted on another forum about this same issue.  Cats with CMT can be treated but the thing can spread; and that is why kitty needs to see a vet, just to be on the safe side. Now, I am not saying your cat indeed has CMT, but it's possible.

About whether it is matts or not, you should be able to tell if it's the hair or the skin that has the issue. If it is the hair and the cat is matted then it should not come and go like that because, simply put, matts don't come and go. You have to shave that area in order for that chuck of hair to go away.

Make sure what you see is not ticks. Some ticks can be huge, and I mean, huge, and sometimes can be confused by big buble gum sticks.

I wish you and your kitty good luck.

Answer 13

My cat had these for a few years and it worried me a little, until like you I started to cut them off and would then brush her fur.

She hasn't had them for a long time now..

Keep doing what you're doing, plus the brushing, because the cat cannot reach them completely and you'll find they will eventually disappear.

Answer 14

its called 'matting.' he doesnt want to clean it up.

You can take him and have him groomed if you want.  He probably has long hair, right?

I've seen that a lot. It's pretty normal...

Answer 15

Have your cat groomed and his hair  cut very short.As it begins to grow out keep him brushed or combed very often to keep its hair from forming mats of hair.Most cats love to be brushed after they get used to it.I don't think he is sick due to these hair mats but a trip to the vet would give you some peace of mind.good luck with your sweet boy!

Answer 16

Klumps of hair? thats normal. Even short haired cats get Mats. mainly because they are too fat or too arthritic to reach there back to l**k it and groom it. YOU need to brush him more. After cutting them out, you will need to brush him daily or every other day to prevent them. He probably has an over greasy coat if you are feeding a low quality cat food. I would switch to something more natural and wholistic it can help with the coat condition and if he is a very fat cat he needs a diet in order to reach his back while grooming.