Why Is My Cat’s Fur Matted on His Again? 10 Vet-Reviewed Causes
Our feline pals spend an excellent quantity of their time grooming themselves, however even with all that work and a spotlight, they sometimes get mats of their fur. That is very true relating to the again, as matted fur alongside the backbone is pretty widespread. However why does your cat’s fur get matted on their again?
The fur of a cat’s again can get matted for numerous causes, which we’ll have a look at intimately under. We’ll additionally share why matted fur is dangerous in your cat and what you need to do to assist them, so maintain studying!
The ten Causes That Your Cat’s Hair is Matted on His Again
1. Problem Grooming the Again
For some felines, the difficulty is that they merely can’t groom their backs very nicely. In any case, the again is a tough space for any cat to succeed in, and if there isn’t one other cat round to assist them groom that space, they’ll simply develop mats. Problem grooming the again is a extra important concern in cats who’re obese, as they could simply have an excessive amount of mass to succeed in round to get to that a part of the physique. Matted fur on the again will also be extra prone to happen in felines experiencing ache that stops them from bending their backbone to succeed in the again.
In case you’ve observed that your cat appears to be fighting reaching their again for grooming, verify whether or not they’re displaying any indicators of being in ache or in the event that they could be a bit chunky. Take them to the vet in case you imagine they’re hurting, and in case your cat is obese, converse to your vet about the way to assist them shed just a few kilos.
2. Age
As cats age, they usually lose some flexibility, making it more difficult to succeed in their again to groom. So, in case your cat is getting up there in years, there’s an excellent likelihood this is the reason the fur alongside their again has gotten matted. Whereas it’s at all times essential to brush your cat (notably if they’ve longer fur), it’s very important to take action when your cat reaches an age the place they’ll’t groom as a lot of themselves resulting from being much less versatile.
3. Doesn’t Groom Usually
One more reason the fur alongside the again can get matted is that some cats simply don’t groom themselves as steadily. Whereas this might be resulting from your cat being a bit lazier than different felines on this space, it may additionally stem from some form of oral downside. Dental illness, stomatitis, oral tumors, or a lower or sore of their mouth might make it in order that they received’t need to groom themselves. In case your cat has at all times been a bit lax within the grooming space, it simply means you’ll must brush them extra usually. But when your cat previously loved grooming however doesn’t groom usually now, it might be resulting from a problem with their mouth.
Oral issues apart, a cat that isn’t feeling nicely for any purpose might not groom themselves as a lot. So, in case your kitty is displaying any indicators of sickness, similar to not consuming, a change in habits or litter field habits, a change in water consumption, or anything that appears off, see your vet.
4. Friction
Cats are continually rubbing up in opposition to stuff—your legs, furnishings, blankets, cat bushes, and extra. All that rubbing in opposition to issues equals friction, which may make it extra probably for fur to get knotted, tangled, and matted. So, in case your kitty is keen on rubbing their again on issues or enjoys rolling round on carpets, this might be why the fur is matted on their again.
5. Lengthy Hair
Cats with lengthy hair are beautiful, however all that hair makes them extra prone to develop mats. Whether or not they simply have an overabundance of fur or a thick undercoat, longhaired feline breeds are extra vulnerable to mats, which may present up on their backs. When you’ve got a longhaired feline, it’s very important that you simply brush them frequently to forestall mats from occurring!
6. Shedding
All cats shed. Nonetheless, if a cat’s free hair isn’t frequently faraway from the remainder of their haircoat, it will probably improve the possibilities of matting. Once more, that is very true for longhaired kitties as a result of their prolonged locks are extra apt to tangle.
7. Humidity
Apparently, humidity may also trigger a feline’s hair to mat on the again and in different areas. So, in case you stay in a very humid a part of the nation or your cat is usually outdoors when humidity hits, this might be inflicting their mats.
8. Overseas Objects
This purpose is likelier for cats who spend time outside, however overseas objects can get snarled within the fur and result in matting. This might be something, however the objects most vulnerable to tangling embrace sticky substances, burrs, and twigs. After all, overseas objects can get lodged within the hair of indoor felines, too, but when your pet is operating round within the yard, they run a much bigger threat of getting one thing caught of their fur.
9. Pores and skin Situations
Has your cat been coping with pores and skin allergy symptoms, dermatitis, or one other pores and skin situation? If that’s the case, this might be why their fur is matted on their again. Pores and skin situations similar to these could cause irritation and itchiness, which result in extreme licking, scratching, and biting on the affected space. These behaviors could cause fur to turn into matted in the event that they go on for too lengthy.
10. Stress
It could appear odd to think about our pets getting pressured, however they do. For cats, stress may be attributable to important life adjustments, similar to a brand new child within the dwelling, transferring, or the dying of one other pet. In case your cat is experiencing stress, they might be grooming excessively or under no circumstances. This might result in the fur on their again turning into matted. In case your feline is pressured, they could additionally present indicators like lack of urge for food and frequent hiding. You possibly can attempt to assist your pet with their stress or speak along with your vet if it looks like what you’re doing isn’t serving to.
Why Is Matted Fur Unhealthy for Cats?
A number of small mats right here and there might not look like an enormous deal, however matted fur is usually uncomfortable for felines. Plus, if the fur will get extremely matted or giant areas are matted, the mats may trigger ache in your pet. Worse than that, mats in a cat’s fur cease the pores and skin beneath the mats from receiving recent air, so pores and skin can get scorching, dry, itchy, flaky, and even contaminated. And there’s extra—matted fur is the right place for parasites like fleas and ticks to cover; your cat might need these on them, and also you’d by no means even know.
Preserving your kitty’s fur as mat-free as potential is significant to their well being and well-being!
How Can I Assist My Cat With Their Mats?
In case your cat’s fur is matted on the again, you’ll be able to assist them out a few alternative ways relying on the scale and severity of the mats.
If the mats are small, you should use a steel mat comb to attempt to work them out (gently!) Maintain the matted fur near the pores and skin whilst you comb with brief strokes to lower pulling on the pores and skin. You might also need to strive an oil-based detangler in your pet’s mats.
If mats are giant, the comb most likely received’t work on them. As an alternative, you’ll be able to strive pulling them aside (once more gently!) along with your fingers. If that doesn’t work, the mats will should be lower out. Except you’re skilled in grooming, you don’t want to chop a mat out your self. Feline pores and skin is extremely delicate and might simply be lower or nicked. As an alternative, take your pet to a groomer or your vet to have mats eliminated.
And if you wish to stop mats in your cat’s again, brush them frequently! Not solely will this make kitty really feel higher, nevertheless it additionally gives the 2 of you a superb alternative to bond.
Conclusion
Cats can develop mats within the fur on their again for a number of causes. This may happen when a cat ages and loses flexibility, has a problem with their mouth, isn’t feeling nicely, is pressured, and extra. You possibly can assist stop mats in your cat’s again by brushing them frequently, but when the cat already has mats, you’ll be able to strive gently detangling them with a comb or your fingers. If this doesn’t work, the mats will should be lower out.
Featured Picture Credit score: Pezibear, Pixabay
