My cat is starting to get matt's on his back, hes never had them before,he is 3 years old! Any suggestions why

Question

My cat is starting to get matt's on his back, hes never had them before,he is 3 years old! Any suggestions why

Answer 1

You don't brush him enough or he isn't grooming himself as well as he should be.

Answer 2

If he's a medium or long-haired cat, you should be brushing him on a regular basis. Sometimes even short-haired cats can get mats though and require brushing, especially when it's warming up outside and they're shedding their winter coat. Fleas can also cause matting, so I would check for those as well. I highly recommend taking the cat to a groomer as soon as possible, or shaving/cutting out the mats yourself if they aren't too close to the skin. They can lead to infection and/or irritation of the cat's skin, so try and take care of them and do all you can to help prevent them in the future! My short-haired older kitty would get them frequently because her skin and fur are oily and she's not able to groom herself very well (she's also obese), so I started brushing her on a regular basis to keep them from forming.

Answer 3

He needs to be brushed several times a week. Is he obese? If he's fat he's having trouble grooming. Also he could have nutritional deficiencies. feed him a good quality food (not grocery store food).

You may have to get him shaved instead of trying to pull out the matts.

Answer 4

It happens, even with cats who are regularly groomed.  It is more common in obese cats, however.  But with a spell of really hot weather, your cat may not shed enough and needs help.  Normally, a brush is not sufficient, as it only takes off loose surface hair.  You also want a brush with prongs that gets into the underfur, and with regular brushings you can lessen any mats.

Cut the mats out, as they probably tug on his skin and hurt.  But, you don't want to risk cutting him, and you want it done very fast.  I have posted a link of a cutter I use, that is fast, safe, and inexpensive.  You may have one around the house.  You can use the point to separate into a mat to make it easier to cut off.  You just have to get most of the mat cut off, as the rest will loosen.

My one cat, who sometimes gets mats is very resistant to handling, and with this cutter, it is over before she can protest.  With the hot temperatures, she is shedding small amounts quite a bit, so I keep up with the combing.

Answer 5

As to the why? Several reasons. With temperature swings like they have been this last year you cat may have had a thicker than normal winter coat, and the shedding fur is tangling with the new fur. In grooming, sometimes the wet-ed fur will stick to the rest, forming mats. Also, if your cat got into anything slightly sticky, that can cause it. By slightly I mean that the cat could remove it themselves, but not before the tangling began.

My cat normally starts matting in the spring and fall, and shows the mats badly in summer and winter, caused by the new coats coming in.

My cat will actually cause the tangles in his own fur when he washes, I have seen him DO IT! Mainly in his chest furs where he loves to pull them in an upward motion, not evenly, which is what causes him to get the worst of the tangles. Its a true trick to comb under the chin and not get your hand and arm bit for your troubles. Try catching a snag about the third time, you'll see what I mean.

When you see your cat excessively grooming or shedding, break out the brush for just a bit and help smooth the fur back out.

Look at the mats your cat has, are they down on his skin or at the top. If they are at the top with some scissors and good combing you can usually get those mats out. If its on the skin, shave the cat. Seriously, every time your kitty moves those mats are tugging at his skin, and they do hurt. Ever tied your hair back wrong? That's what the cat is going through. Just make sure you find a good groomer to take him to.

Answer 6

Your cat needs groomed.  Try brushing or combing it on a daily basis.  This is particularly necessary if it's a long or medium long haired cat.