Matting is most common in medium haired and long haired cats but short haired breeds with thick fur can also suffer from the problem.
Do mats hurt cats.
When these irritations are left unattended your cat is most likely to scratch it and it worsens as it becomes infected due to the scars it got from the cat s sharp nails.
It can cause your cat pain and hide underlying medical problems.
Why are mats bad.
The negative effects of cat mats there are a lot of negative things that can happen when your cat has mats.
As these mats get thicker they become much rougher and can cause a lot of problems for your cat.
You might notice an odor coming from your cat and consider bath time but giving your cat a bath can actually make mats worse.
Cats have very delicate skin and with mats forming close to it it s easy to miscalculate and cut too deep.
Pruritis itchy inflamed skin when matted fur traps moisture and irritants close to your cat s skin.
They can lead to skin irritation and infection if they re not removed.
If your cat has developed mats in its fur you ll need to remove them right away to keep your pet happy and healthy.
To prevent this evaluate your cat s behavior if she s a regular victim of mats.
Severe matting can make your cat extremely uncomfortable and may even damage its skin or joints.
The vet can remove serious mats from your kitty s coat and properly groom him so he looks clean and neat.
One of which is that it can cause irritation on their skin.
De matting a cat is typically not a fun experience for the feline or the human.
Healthy kitties prevent most mats with regular self grooming.
These mats can cause uncomfortable itching and even pain to your cat.
Adding water to your cat s fur can make the mat set even tighter.
If this doesn t work you ll need to clip off the mats.
If you happen to nick the skin and it goes unnoticed your cat is at risk for getting an infection.
Matted hair cuts off the supply of oxygen to the skin and creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria maggots lice and fleas.
Some mats with regular movement and others build up over time without grooming.
A vet will also check your cat s coat for signs of parasites or infections.
Your vet may prescribe medication to help alleviate pain from conditions like arthritis and improve his mobility.
Start by trying to work out the mats with a comb.
This can lead to lesions or secondary skin infection in severe cases of matting.
Mats in cat fur are not only unsightly but they are also painful to your cat.
Take things slowly and don t be surprised if you can t remove all the mats in one sitting.
They also cause skin irritation and infection.