Why did my cat develop mats overnight?

Question

My cat has started to develop mats in his fur. He's slightly over a year old, I've had him since just after he was weaned, and he's never had them before. He's at least part Maine Coon, so his fur is very thick and somewhat long. Two nights ago, I brushed him as usual, and there were no mats in his fur (although he was shedding quite a bit.) But last night, when I brushed him, there were several mats in his coat, which I was able to brush out. Tonight there were more, and they were worse, and one was so tangled that he cried when I brushed over it, so I ended up cutting it out.

Does this have something to do with the upcoming change in seasons? Is it normal for cats to not have mats as a kitten but start getting them as adults? Or could he be getting into something at night that's causing his fur to get matted?

Answer 1

here is how to get rid of them:

Start with a relaxed cat. Don't suddenly decide to remove a mat in the middle of a play session, or you'll suffer serious damage from claws.

Sprinkle a little cornstarch or talcum powder in the area of the mat, and gently work it around with your fingers.

Gently pull the mat up away from the skin, so you can see where the skin is.

Using sharp blunt-nosed scissors, carefully slide the scissors along the skin into the mat, holding them perpendicular to the skin, i.e., the bottom blade slides along the skin.

Cut up, into the mat. Make a clean cut and try not to pull the hair while cutting.

Give your kitty a small treat and tell him what a good kitty he is to be so patient.

Move the scissors over half an inch or so and repeat steps three through six.

You should be able to start working the separated mats apart with your fingers now, and loose pieces will easily pull away.

Start with a separated section of the mat. Using your left hand, hold the base of the mat down with thumb and forefinger, so the comb won't pull hair out.

Using a fine-toothed 'flea comb,' gently start combing through the mat piece, starting at the very tip of the hairs. Move down into the mat as you work, occasionally using only the first 3 or 4 tines of the comb, for stubborn sections

With short-haired cats a small slicker brush may be used next to brush through any remaining tangles. The keywords here are 'slowly' and 'gently.'

Give your cat another treat and stop for the day. Depending on how seriously matted he is, it may take several days to tackle them all, and you need his cooperation and patience, so don't push it all at once

Answer 2

Does he go outside?  He could have been rolling or rubbing against something that got it tangled.  My cat has long hair as well, and I definitely notice more matting in the warmer weather.  When he won't let me brush him, I have my bf hold him and I cut the mats out, close to his skin, but carefully so I don't cut him.  Sometimes that's the only way.  I think their undercoat is shedding more and that causes more mats.