This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.
How to groom a matted long haired cat.
Pets groom themselves less as they age.
If you ve cut the cat while trying to remove matted hair and the cut looks serious please see the vet.
Dental issues the easiest place to start your investigation into why a senior cat isn t autogrooming as often is their mouth.
These clumps of fur can be painful for the cat.
Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.
Unfortunately they can t always prevent tough tangles from forming in their coats.
How to prevent matted cat hair contains substantial information on proper grooming for tangle prevention.
Undercoat combs have both long and short teeth.
But sometimes if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming mats may form.
You can also use wide tooth combs if that s all you have which can help especially when your cat is losing hair due to seasonal shedding.
If her fur is bad enough that the mat is just one giant stretch of knotted hair that s a situation that probably calls for a professional as shaving her fur might be necessary.
Certain breeds of cats persians maine coons and other long haired breeds are more likely to develop mats.
Find the right tools.
Cats just love to groom themselves.
For a long haired cat the best tools are a wire brush undercoat combs and a flea comb.
People usually get a double whammy dose of guilt when they accidentally cut their pet s skin.
Alternatively an old overweight long haired cat is likely to require regular even daily brushing attention to prevent knots and matting.
When a cat no longer shows an interest in grooming it s important to look for the underlying causes as an old cat with matted fur may be indicative of an underlying health issue.
If your cat has sections of matted fur you can probably take care of the problem yourself.
They know the pet got too matted and they feel neglectful.
Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.