Our feline pals spend an excellent 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 have a look at intimately under. We’ll additionally share why matted fur is dangerous to 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. Issue Grooming the Again
For some felines, the problem is that they merely can’t groom their backs very effectively. 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 vital subject 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 prone to happen in felines experiencing ache that stops them from bending their backbone to succeed in the again.
Should you’ve seen that your cat appears to be fighting reaching their again for grooming, verify whether or not they’re displaying any indicators of being in ache or in the event that they is perhaps a bit chunky. Take them to the vet for those who imagine they’re hurting, and in case your cat is obese, communicate to your vet about the way to assist them shed just a few 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 an excellent likelihood because of this 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 important to take action when your cat reaches an age the place they’ll’t groom as a lot of themselves as a result of being much less versatile.
3. Doesn’t Groom Typically
Another excuse the fur alongside the again can get matted is that some cats simply don’t groom themselves as steadily. Whereas this could possibly be as a result of your cat being a bit lazier than different felines on this space, it may additionally stem from some sort of oral drawback. Dental illness, stomatitis, oral tumors, or a reduce or sore of their mouth might make it so that they received’t need 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 could possibly be as a result of a difficulty with their mouth.
Oral issues apart, a cat that isn’t feeling effectively for any motive might not groom themselves as a lot. So, in case your kitty is displaying any indicators of sickness, corresponding 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 always rubbing up towards stuff—your legs, furnishings, blankets, cat timber, and extra. All that rubbing towards issues equals friction, which may 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 could possibly 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 prone to develop mats. Whether or not they simply have an overabundance of fur or a thick undercoat, longhaired feline breeds are extra liable to mats, which may present up on their backs. When you have a longhaired feline, it’s important that you simply brush them often to stop mats from taking place!
6. Shedding
All cats shed. Nevertheless, if a cat’s free hair isn’t often faraway from the remainder of their haircoat, it will probably 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
Apparently, humidity may trigger a feline’s hair to mat on the again and in different areas. So, for those who reside in a very humid a part of the nation or your cat is usually outdoors when humidity hits, this could possibly be inflicting their mats.
8. International Objects
This motive is likelier for cats who spend time open air, however overseas objects can get tousled within the fur and result in matting. This could possibly be something, however the objects most liable to tangling embody 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 threat of getting one thing caught of their fur.
9. Pores and skin Situations
Has your cat been coping with pores and skin allergic reactions, dermatitis, or one other pores and skin situation? If that’s the case, this could possibly be why their fur is matted on their again. Pores and skin circumstances corresponding to these may cause irritation and itchiness, which result in extreme licking, scratching, and biting on the affected space. These behaviors may cause fur to develop into matted in the event that they go on for too lengthy.
10. Stress
It could appear odd to consider our pets getting burdened, however they do. For cats, stress will be attributable to vital life adjustments, corresponding to a brand new child within the house, shifting, or the loss of life of one other pet. In case your cat is experiencing stress, they could possibly be grooming excessively or in no way. This might result in the fur on their again turning into matted. In case your feline is burdened, 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 a giant 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 contemporary air, so pores and skin can get scorching, 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 might need these on them, and also you’d by no means even know.
Conserving your kitty’s fur as mat-free as doable is significant 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 possibly can assist them out a few other ways relying on the scale and severity of the mats.
If the mats are small, you should 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 quick strokes to lower pulling on the pores and skin. You may additionally need to strive an oil-based detangler in your pet’s mats.
If mats are massive, the comb in all probability received’t work on them. As a substitute, you possibly can strive pulling them aside (once more gently!) together with your fingers. If that doesn’t work, the mats will have to be reduce out. Except you’re skilled in grooming, you don’t want to chop a mat out your self. Feline pores and skin is extremely delicate and might simply be reduce or nicked. As a substitute, 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 often! Not solely will this make kitty really feel higher, however it additionally affords the 2 of you a wonderful 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 effectively, is burdened, and extra. You possibly can assist stop mats in your cat’s again by brushing them often, but when the cat already has mats, you possibly can strive gently detangling them with a comb or your fingers. If this doesn’t work, the mats will have to be reduce out.
Featured Picture Credit score: Pezibear, Pixabay
