Our feline pals spend a very good 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 the case 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 to your cat and what you need to do to assist them, so hold studying!
The ten Causes That Your Cat’s Hair is Matted on His Again
1. Issue Grooming the Again
For some felines, the difficulty is that they merely can’t groom their backs very properly. In spite of everything, the again is a tough 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. Issue grooming the again is a extra important concern in cats who’re obese, as they could 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 will also be extra more likely to happen in felines experiencing ache that stops them from bending their backbone to succeed in the again.
When you’ve seen that your cat appears to be scuffling with reaching their again for grooming, verify whether or not they’re displaying any indicators of being in ache or in the event that they could be a bit chunky. Take them to the vet should you imagine they’re hurting, and in case your cat is obese, communicate to your vet about find out how to assist them shed a couple of kilos.
2. Age
As cats age, they usually lose some flexibility, making it more difficult to succeed in their again to groom. So, in case your cat is getting up there in years, there’s a very good likelihood that is why the fur alongside their again has gotten matted. Whereas it’s all the time essential 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 Usually
One more reason the fur alongside the again can get matted is that some cats simply don’t groom themselves as incessantly. Whereas this might be on account of your cat being a bit lazier than different felines on this space, it may additionally stem from some form of oral drawback. Dental illness, stomatitis, oral tumors, or a lower or sore of their mouth might make it so that they gained’t wish to groom themselves. In case your cat has all the time been a bit lax within the grooming space, it simply means you’ll must brush them extra usually. But when your cat previously loved grooming however doesn’t groom usually now, it might be on account of a difficulty with their mouth.
Oral issues apart, a cat that isn’t feeling properly for any purpose might not groom themselves as a lot. So, in case your kitty is displaying any indicators of sickness, akin to not consuming, a change in conduct or litter field habits, a change in water consumption, or the rest that appears off, see your vet.
4. Friction
Cats are consistently rubbing up in opposition to stuff—your legs, furnishings, blankets, cat bushes, and extra. All that rubbing in opposition to 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 vulnerable to mats, which may present up on their backs. When you have a longhaired feline, it’s very important that you just brush them recurrently to stop mats from taking place!
6. Shedding
All cats shed. Nonetheless, if a cat’s free hair isn’t recurrently faraway from the remainder of their haircoat, it may improve the possibilities 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
Apparently, humidity can even trigger a feline’s hair to mat on the again and in different areas. So, should you stay in a very humid a part of the nation or your cat is usually exterior when humidity hits, this might be inflicting their mats.
8. Overseas Objects
This purpose is likelier for cats who spend time outdoor, however overseas objects can get snarled within the fur and result in matting. This might be something, however the objects most vulnerable to tangling embrace sticky substances, burrs, and twigs. In fact, overseas objects can get lodged within the hair of indoor felines, too, but when your pet is operating round within the yard, they run a much bigger danger of getting one thing caught of their fur.
9. Pores and skin Situations
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 akin 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 develop into matted in the event that they go on for too lengthy.
10. Stress
It could appear odd to think about our pets getting harassed, however they do. For cats, stress might be brought on by important life adjustments, akin to a brand new child within the house, shifting, or the demise of one other pet. In case your cat is experiencing stress, they might be grooming excessively or by no means. This might result in the fur on their again turning into matted. In case your feline is harassed, they could additionally present indicators like lack of urge for food and frequent hiding. You possibly can attempt to assist your pet with their stress or discuss together with your vet if it looks as if 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 seem to be an enormous deal, however matted fur is usually uncomfortable for felines. Plus, if the fur will get extremely matted or massive areas are matted, the mats may trigger ache to your pet. Worse than that, mats in a cat’s fur cease the pores and skin beneath the mats from receiving recent air, so pores and skin can get sizzling, dry, itchy, flaky, and even contaminated. And there’s extra—matted fur is the proper place for parasites like fleas and ticks to cover; your cat might need these on them, and also you’d by no means even know.
Maintaining your kitty’s fur as mat-free as doable 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 other ways relying on the scale and severity of the mats.
If the mats are small, you need to use a steel 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 massive, the comb in all probability gained’t work on them. As a substitute, you’ll be able to strive pulling them aside (once more gently!) together with your fingers. If that doesn’t work, the mats will should be lower out. Except you’re skilled in grooming, you do not need to chop a mat out your self. Feline pores and skin is extremely delicate and may simply be lower or nicked. As a substitute, take your pet to a groomer or your vet to have mats eliminated.
And if you wish to forestall mats in your cat’s again, brush them recurrently! Not solely will this make kitty really feel higher, however it additionally provides 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 properly, is harassed, and extra. You possibly can assist forestall mats in your cat’s again by brushing them recurrently, 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 should be lower out.
Featured Picture Credit score: Pezibear, Pixabay
