Ugh. You’ll be able to really feel it…proper there in your cat’s armpit, or underneath her collar, or the place her cute little legs swish in opposition to one another as she walks.
It’s an itty-bitty mat. Only a tiny knot, actually. Nothing critical. You’ll get to it later, you inform your self. It’s no huge deal.
Nicely, that mat could also be tiny now, however it’ll be a giant deal to your cat in very quick order. It’s higher to get to it straight away, whereas it’s straightforward to handle, and earlier than it causes hurt. Or, earlier than it finally ends up requiring a visit to the groomer or the vet.
Let’s discuss what matted cat fur is, why it’s harmful, and what you are able to do about it.
A mat is mainly a knot within the fur that has gone haywire, the way in which a small snowball turns right into a boulder because it rolls downhill.
Possibly a tiny little bit of leaf obtained caught within the fur, tangling just a few hairs in its tough edges. Or, perhaps the fur was just a little oily and some strands clung to one another.
For no matter motive, your cat didn’t groom effectively sufficient to place these wayward hairs again so as. Earlier than you understand it, just a few extra hairs have joined the occasion, and a few bits of filth, and perhaps just a little dandruff, too.
A tiny mat can flip into an enormous wad of woven fur very quickly in any respect.
Your cat’s fur might really feel silky clean, however scientists who checked out cat hair underneath a microscope found that it’s “denticulated.”[1]
Like “dentist,” the phrase “denticulated” is expounded to enamel. Denticulated implies that the cuticle – the outer layer of every particular person hair – has little sharp factors or enamel on it.
You’ll be able to form of see that on this photograph of a cat hair underneath a microscope, that though cat hair feels smooth, it’s truly type of ridged.
These ridges trigger hairs which are subsequent to one another to catch on one another, and tangle, quite than slide harmlessly previous one another.
Mats are like felt, or dreadlocks
Within the wool business, sheep fleece is felted, or compacted, by rubbing the fibers collectively.[2] The outcomes might be lovely. Take a look at our felted mice.
For some people, who put on their hair within the fashion of dreadlocks, the “locs,” or the rope-like strands of hair, are sometimes shaped by deliberate matting.
Within the case of cats, the mats are form of cemented along with amassed filth, shed hairs, and useless pores and skin cells.
What’s just a few knots?
Whereas it would appear to be the most important drawback with matted fur is that it isn’t fairly, mats might be way more than a beauty drawback.
Like felt, the interwoven fur in a mat tends to tighten over time, pulling on the pores and skin. The mats themselves lure filth, micro organism, and even parasites. (Yuck.)
This mix of tugging, filth, and parasitic creatures, can wreak havoc on a cat’s pores and skin, inflicting it to bruise, or grow to be skinny, fragile, and contaminated.
Even folks with dreadlocks, which have been shaped intentionally and punctiliously by their house owners, could cause hair loss and scarring of the scalp from the identical root causes: tugging and pressure on the hair follicles.[3]
Cats are grooming machines. They had been positively designed for grooming, from their super-flexible spines that permit them to achieve each inch of their being with their tongues, to the cat tongue itself, which is, mainly, a residing hairbrush.
Actually, grooming an excessive amount of is usually a actual drawback for some cats. I’ve written a complete weblog submit about overgrooming, which you’ll be able to learn right here.
The underside line is, that because of near-constant grooming, most cats don’t get mats more often than not.
However typically a cat can’t sustain, or can’t groom effectively sufficient, and a mat types. Listed here are a few of the causes cats get mats:
Age
A younger, wholesome cat can virtually fold herself in half to groom each cranny in her lithe little physique. However older cats are much less spry.
Weight
An obese cat can endure from a few of the identical points going through an older cat. She simply can’t rotate round and groom like she ought to.
One thing will get caught within the fur
Even essentially the most diligent groomer can’t get out each tiny twig or leaf or little bit of particles that entangles itself within the fur. Even when the cat has no different grooming points, a single little bit of one thing that doesn’t belong in cat fur can grow to be the start of mat.
Extra fur
If a cat is shedding his undercoat, and the shed hairs don’t simply fall away from (or are brushed away from) his physique, a mat can kind.
This may be very true of longhaired cat, however shorthaired cats can develop mats this fashion, too. Generally the undercoat of a shorthaired cat might be thicker than that of some longhaired cats, and may actually accumulate.
Humidity
Some cat breeds have a thicker undercoat
Pores and skin infections
An unnoticed pores and skin an infection might be the reason for a mat. A weepy wound restricts air movement across the fur, which may trigger clumping, and ultimately matting.
Extra oil manufacturing
An excessive amount of oil in a cat’s fur could cause the strands to mat collectively. However what causes overactive oil glands?
First resolve if the one that ought to be eliminating the mats is you.
If there is just one or two mats, you could possibly deal with the issue at residence. If there are greater than two mats, or if the mats are notably massive, or in case your cat appears burdened or uncomfortable, search out the providers of an expert groomer.
An expert groomer will work rapidly and with confidence to maintain the de-matting session as low-stress as doable. Think about hiring a cell groomer, if one is on the market the place you reside. They’ll come proper to your entrance door with a completely outfitted van, lowering the period of time your cat is away from residence and feeling burdened.
Earlier than you begin eradicating mats
Earlier than you do something, ask your self whether or not your cat must see a vet first.
If the mats in your cat’s fur have developed all of a sudden, or are uncharacteristic for him, it may be value getting an expert opinion on the matter. A cat who’s unwilling or unable to groom might have a extra critical underlying well being drawback that ought to be addressed.
What instruments do you want?
(*Observe: as an Amazon Affiliate, I could earn from qualifying purchases.)
Don’t go loopy. You’ll principally want your fingers and perhaps just a little cornstarch, olive, or coconut oil.
A stainless-steel comb, like this one by Andis, shall be useful, as will a slicker brush with plain pins, like this one by Burt’s Bees.
If the mat is small, and you may see all the way in which all the way down to the pores and skin, you possibly can think about using an electrical clipper. I personal an older model of this clipper by Andis, and may suggest it (shh…don’t inform anybody: I used it to chop my husband’s hair throughout Covid, too), however Oster and Wahl are wonderful manufacturers, as effectively.
Step-by-step information to eradicating a mat in a cat’s fur
No matter you do, take issues S-L-O-W. Cat mats aren’t an issue that’s going to be solved in in the future. Do some at a time, after which cease, and wait till tomorrow to proceed.
Small mats can usually be rigorously combed out by hand, nevertheless it takes a variety of endurance, and normally a helper with a mountain of treats to maintain the cat calm and distracted.
- Rub cornstarch, olive oil, or coconut oil into the mat, all the way in which all the way down to the pores and skin if you happen to can attain it. Work in no matter product you select gently and slowly with simply your fingers.
- Maintain the mat in your left hand (if you happen to’re a righty. In the event you’re a lefty, change), along with your thumb and forefinger at its base. The concept is that if you happen to pull on the mat, you gained’t be pulling on the cat’s pores and skin.
- Tease away any free hair which will have grow to be entangled, however might be simply separated from the mat, so that you just get all the way down to the “core” of the mat.
- Working from the outermost fringe of the mat, holding a stainless-steel comb in your proper hand (left, if you happen to’re a lefty), use simply the primary 3-4 tines of a stainless-steel comb to attempt to tease the mat aside. As you make progress, proceed transferring down the mat, towards the pores and skin.
- Cease and take a break if the cat appears burdened. Or higher but, cease for the day and check out once more tomorrow. You want a cooperative cat to get the job achieved, so be affected person.
- In case your cat is simply too wired by this course of, even with only a small mat, she might should be sedated for the process. Contact your vet for assist.
What about clippers?
Utilizing clippers is a sophisticated method. It’s straightforward for a cat’s pores and skin wrinkles to get caught up within the enamel of the blade. The matting itself can disguise bits of pores and skin which have been lifted into the center of the mat.
The opposite drawback is that clippers are noisy, and most cats aren’t going to be immediately keen on that sound. You’ll most likely need to work along with your cat to acclimate him to the sound of the clippers, which may take a while. (Until you occur to have a really relaxed, trusting cat.)
In the event you’re going to attempt clippers, work on solely a tiny space at one time, and solely in spots the place you possibly can absolutely see the pores and skin. If the job goes to be harder than that, go away it to the professionals.
Easy methods to introduce a cat to clippers
- Let the cat sniff the clippers when they’re off. Provide treats to a cat who appears within the clippers. Depart the clippers round whilst you go about your life.
- When your cat appears non-plussed by the clippers, flip them on a room away from the cat. Don’t rush to this step. In case your cat remains to be cautious of the clippers, go away them out for one more day or extra within the off place.
- Feed treats when the clippers are on, even if you happen to can barely hear them (I’m certain your cat can hear them simply nice). If the cat ever seems fearful, flip the clippers off and transfer them even additional away earlier than turning them on once more.
- Steadily, over time, deliver the clippers nearer to the cat, providing treats as long as she stays relaxed. Take this actually sluggish. Possibly in the future within the clippers are on within the basement. Possibly the following day the clippers are on within the kitchen, whereas your cat is in an upstairs bed room.
- In case your cat seems nervous, don’t supply treats; simply transfer the clippers far sufficient away in order that she relaxes once more.
- Finally, it is best to have the ability to run the clippers close to your cat with out scary him.
Easy methods to use clippers to take away a mat
- Shave within the route of the fur. In different phrases, in case you are shaving a mat in your cat’s again, begin on the head-side of the mat and work in direction of the tail-side of the mat.
- You don’t want to go all the way in which all the way down to the pores and skin if the mat is extra superficial. Solely go down far sufficient to take away the mat.
- To take away a mat, maintain the mat with one hand and gently pull it away from the pores and skin. Gently slide the clippers underneath the mat, preserving the flat blade parallel to the mat.
- Take loads of breaks and deal with, deal with, deal with that good kitty!!
In the event you discover an open wound, fleas, or different parasites, seek the advice of your veterinarian. Observe that if the pores and skin is sore or delicate, a cat could make it worse by licking the spot. She might have to put on an e-collar or onesie to stop a sizzling spot from growing.
(Learn this submit on fleas if that you must learn to do away with them.)
What do you have to by no means do when making an attempt to get a mat out?
Don’t use scissors. Even the professionals don’t use scissors. It’s too arduous to differentiate between mat and pores and skin, and too straightforward to unintentionally injure a cat.
In the case of mats, an oz. of prevention is certainly value a pound of remedy. With just a little effort, you possibly can most likely forestall most mats from ever forming.
Keep vigilant. I don’t need to inform you to pet your cat, do I? (I do know I don’t). Routine petting is a good time to really feel throughout your cat to see if you happen to can really feel any tangles simply beginning to kind.
Groom. Your cat doesn’t need to be the one one doing all of the grooming. Preserve a comb or slicker brush on the top desk, or close to the place you and your cat are inclined to cuddle, and assist him out just a little, particularly if he’s obtained lengthy hair.
Rent an expert. Some medium- to longhaired cats might profit from a thinning of the undercoat, twice a 12 months in the course of the spring/fall shedding seasons.
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Daybreak LaFontaine is a lifelong animal lover who at all times appears to have just a little pet hair in her keyboard. Her weblog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians higher perceive and look after the particular beings they share their lives and houses with. Her cat-products enterprise, Cat within the Field, sells lovely, well-made, and award-winning merchandise that she designed to satisfy the organic wants of cats.
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FOOTNOTES
[1] Cyto-Morphological Particularities of the Hair Cuticle in Canidae and Felidae Households – Scientific Determine on ResearchGate. Out there from: https://www.researchgate.web/determine/Hair-cuticle-in-domestic-cat-Felis-catus-sp-Microphoto-200x_fig2_285523002 [accessed 21 Sep, 2023] https://www.researchgate.web/determine/Hair-cuticle-in-domestic-cat-Felis-catus-sp-Microphoto-200x_fig2_285523002
[2] “Acute Hair Matting.” DermNet, dermnetnz.org/subjects/acute-hair-matting. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023.
[3] Workforce, Zenore. “Do Braids and Dreadlocks Create a Receding/Thinning Hairline?” ZENORE, 16 Feb. 2022, zenorehaircare.com/blogs/the-handbook/do-braids-and-dreadlocks-create-a-receding-thinning-hairline.
[4] Higher Not Youthful. “What Does Humidity Do to Hair? (Solved).” Higher Not Youthful, better-notyounger.com/blogs/the-better-blog/how-humidity-affects-different-hair-types. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023.
[5] “Hyperthyroidism in Cats.” Cornell College School of Veterinary Medication, 21 June 2023, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hyperthyroidism-cats.
[6]“Seborrhea in Cats: VCA Animal Hospital: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/seborrhea-in-cats. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
[7] “Seborrhea in Cats: VCA Animal Hospital: VCA Animal Hospitals.
[8] Salapatek, Lauren. “Attending to the Root of Matted/Tangled Hair.” Fashionable Salon, Fashionable Salon, 11 July 2011, www.modernsalon.com/359708/getting-to-the-root-of-matted-tangled-hair.
