Elderly Cat Matted Fur Solutions

Brushing a senior cat s fur.

Elderly cat matted fur solutions.

This is a natural part of the feline aging process. Part of the problem is the volume of fur but that can be made worse by poor grooming habits and other issues. Choose a brush with hollow bristles. Older cats have thinner skin that lacks elasticity.

Matted fur can happen to cats with all lengths of hair. Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties. Dental issues the easiest place to start your investigation into why a senior cat isn t autogrooming as often is their mouth. When your cat notices this change they start to groom more which could increase the amount of hair they ingest and cause other health problems.

Matted fur can be uncomfortable and painful for your cat and if left untreated those mats can lead to skin. Cat matted fur can be a real problem for cat owners and it can be difficult to keep mats at bay or get rid of them especially if your cat is particularly sensitive to brushing or clipping. Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided. Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.

Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting. While a lack of grooming sometimes is just part of old age many times there may be a medical cause for it in your elderly feline. It means that you ll need to use appropriately delicate grooming tools. This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.

Although there are a large number of different mat comb for cats on the market today we always recommend the hertzko self cleaning brush. Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats. Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention. The brush has proven its ability time and time again to gently remove any mats from your cat s fur with minimal pain.

The problem tends to be more common in older or overweight cats who either can t groom themselves anymore or who can t reach parts of their body like the back. But there are plenty of solutions for cat mats it s just a matter of experimenting with different courses and seeing what works for your kitty. Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats. The best detangler for cats with matted hair.

If this drastic step is necessary be sure to maintain a regular program of brushing and combing when the coat grows back to prevent future problems. Use a soft bristled brush for the majority of the grooming.