Our feline buddies spend a superb quantity of their time grooming themselves, however even with all that work and a spotlight, they often get mats of their fur. That is very true in terms of 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 varied causes, which we’ll take a look at intimately under. We’ll additionally share why matted fur is unhealthy in your cat and what you must do to assist them, so preserve 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 spite of everything, the again is a troublesome 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 vital problem in cats who’re chubby, as they might 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 may also be extra more likely to happen in felines experiencing ache that stops them from bending their backbone to succeed in the again.
In the event you’ve observed that your cat appears to be fighting reaching their again for grooming, confirm whether or not they’re exhibiting any indicators of being in ache or in the event that they may be a bit of chunky. Take them to the vet when you imagine they’re hurting, and in case your cat is chubby, communicate to your vet about the way to assist them shed just a few kilos.
2. Age
As cats age, they typically lose some flexibility, making it tougher to succeed in their again to groom. So, in case your cat is getting up there in years, there’s a superb probability for this reason the fur alongside their again has gotten matted. Whereas it’s at all times necessary to brush your cat (significantly 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 on account of being much less versatile.
3. Doesn’t Groom Typically
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 on account of your cat being a bit of lazier than different felines on this space, it may additionally stem from some form of oral drawback. Dental illness, stomatitis, oral tumors, or a minimize or sore of their mouth might make it so that they received’t wish to groom themselves. In case your cat has at all times been a bit of lax within the grooming space, it simply means you’ll must brush them extra typically. But when your cat previously loved grooming however doesn’t groom typically now, it might be on account of a difficulty 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 exhibiting any indicators of sickness, similar to not consuming, a change in conduct or litter field habits, a change in water consumption, or anything that appears off, see your vet.
4. Friction
Cats are always rubbing up towards stuff—your legs, furnishings, blankets, cat timber, and extra. All that rubbing towards issues equals friction, which might 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 attractive, however all that hair makes them extra more likely to develop mats. Whether or not they simply have an overabundance of fur or a thick undercoat, longhaired feline breeds are extra susceptible to mats, which may present up on their backs. You probably have a longhaired feline, it’s very important that you just brush them usually to stop mats from occurring!
6. Shedding
All cats shed. Nevertheless, if a cat’s free hair isn’t usually faraway from the remainder of their haircoat, it may enhance the probabilities 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
Curiously, humidity can even trigger a feline’s hair to mat on the again and in different areas. So, when you reside 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. International Objects
This purpose is likelier for cats who spend time outdoor, however overseas objects can get tousled within the fur and result in matting. This might be something, however the objects most susceptible 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 working round within the yard, they run an even bigger danger of getting one thing caught of their fur.
9. Pores and skin Circumstances
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 out to be matted in the event that they go on for too lengthy.
10. Stress
It could appear odd to think about our pets getting careworn, however they do. For cats, stress might be attributable to vital life adjustments, similar to a brand new child within the residence, shifting, or the demise of one other pet. In case your cat is experiencing stress, they might be grooming excessively or in no way. This might result in the fur on their again changing into matted. In case your feline is careworn, they might additionally present indicators like lack of urge for food and frequent hiding. You’ll be able to attempt to assist your pet with their stress or speak together 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 appear to be a giant 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 contemporary air, so pores and skin can get sizzling, 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 may need these on them, and also you’d by no means even know.
Holding your kitty’s fur as mat-free as potential is important 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 dimensions and severity of the mats.
If the mats are small, you should utilize a metallic 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 wish to strive an oil-based detangler in your pet’s mats.
If mats are giant, the comb in all probability received’t work on them. As an alternative, you’ll be able to strive pulling them aside (once more gently!) together with your fingers. If that doesn’t work, the mats will must be minimize out. Until you’re skilled in grooming, you do not need to chop a mat out your self. Feline pores and skin is extremely delicate and might simply be minimize 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 usually! Not solely will this make kitty really feel higher, nevertheless it additionally presents 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 difficulty with their mouth, isn’t feeling nicely, is careworn, and extra. You’ll be able to assist stop mats in your cat’s again by brushing them usually, 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 must be minimize out.
Featured Picture Credit score: Pezibear, Pixabay
