Cat - Matted Fur Problem

Marg

Our lovely 14 year old cat has recently developed a few small matted areas of fur which have become hard. They are only in two small areas on his flanks. He doesn't go out much because of his age/arthritis. We have tried brushing combing gentle teasing to improve this with no real effect. The cat (not unreasonably) doesn't like us trying to help although he is a real softee! Fortunately he isn't long haired just a much loved black & white moggie.

My father in laws cat (not related to ours) had a similar problem all over & we don't want ours to get worse. FIL carefully cut out the affected fur when he was able.

Question 1 Anyone have any idea what might be causing this?

Questions 2 Any suggested cures? Is it likely to grow out if we leave it alone?

We could go to the vets but it is always traumatic for the cat & if this can be dealt with by us then I'd prefer to do so. I'm not even sure if it's a serious problem - if it is, then vets it will be, no question.

I would very much appreciate any advice - Thank you

foreign_correspondent

cause is probably his arthritis - cant bend to groom properly.

Cut the matts out/apart carefully, if you leave them they will just get worse and worse and can end up pulling at his skin and causing pain and even tears in the skin in extreme cases. If you look on the internet I am sure there will be somewhere that shows you how to do it. Be careful of nipping his skkin, and just tackle a bit at a time.

UKTigerlily

Marg wrote: »

Our lovely 14 year old cat has recently developed a few small matted areas of fur which have become hard. They are only in two small areas on his flanks. He doesn't go out much because of his age/arthritis. We have tried brushing combing gentle teasing to improve this with no real effect. The cat (not unreasonably) doesn't like us trying to help although he is a real softee! Fortunately he isn't long haired just a much loved black & white moggie.

My father in laws cat (not related to ours) had a similar problem all over & we don't want ours to get worse. FIL carefully cut out the affected fur when he was able.

Question 1 Anyone have any idea what might be causing this?

Questions 2 Any suggested cures? Is it likely to grow out if we leave it alone?

We could go to the vets but it is always traumatic for the cat & if this can be dealt with by us then I'd prefer to do so. I'm not even sure if it's a serious problem - if it is, then vets it will be, no question.

I would very much appreciate any advice - Thank you

I'm afraid I can't be much help, but I have two things to say! One is that you could maybe find a mobile Cat Groomer to come to your home, I know they have them for Dogs where they take them out to the Van & Groom them in it & it's all set up for it properly.

The other is my Cat used to get really matted, also a Short Haired Moggy, we think she was rolling in something though I have no idea what. I wouldn't try to cut it out especially as yours doesn't like you messing, someone I think on here took a chunk out of their Cat (Accidentally!)

The good news is that mine just went back to normal somehow BUT yours is quite abit older, i'd give the Vet a call, normally they're happy to answer concerns on the phone & can give you an idea as to whether to take the Cat in or not, it could be something really simple.

The_Plush_Doormat

This is my own opinion, nothing guaranteed. It sounds like his age and arthritic condition is stopping him grooming himself properly, resulting in matted areas. You can help him by grooming him daily with a brush suitable for cats. Most cats like being brushed. Mine follows me around when he sees me picking up the brush, purring his head off. Hope this helps.

*when I posted the above, there were no replies. I totally agree with foreign correspondent's post.

tanith

I agree with the others its his arthritis preventing him grooming certain parts (with me its my right foot toe-nails) hahaha... just cut out the mats and he will be fine....

foreign_correspondent

mobile groomer is a good idea too, if you find you are struggling and the cat does not like going to the vets! (my dog lurrves going to the vet, the odd animal drags me in, wagging and whining - anything for a fuss!!)

UKTigerlily

lol FC I dread taking Chaya with other Dogs about! Of course OP you can try to cut them out yourself but just be careful, that post about the person hacking abit of the Cats skin still haunts me & she didn't of course do it on purpose lol

Agree too it could well be his Arthritis, mine has Arthritis of the spine & hasn't got problems yet so will look out for this, she's 11 in March

Marg

Thank you all for your useful advice :A - I must say it's what I thought/hoped for but was also a bit worried in case I was wrong!

Tanith - know what you mean - I struggle too!:rotfl:

Might look for blunt ended scissors to avoid potential bloodbath! Thanks for the warning.

UKTigerlily

Marg wrote: »

Thank you all for your useful advice :A - I must say it's what I thought/hoped for but was also a bit worried in case I was wrong!

Tanith - know what you mean - I struggle too!:rotfl:

Might look for blunt ended scissors to avoid potential bloodbath! Thanks for the warning.

If you have someone to help hold & treat the Cat it should be much easier! I only have me lol

sandy2_2

Once you get rid of the mats, daily brushing/combing will help. Our old boy (18yr) used to love it and he had loads of loose hair that we groomed out

Norty_Rascal

My old boy (22) had this problem a while ago, too old and rickety to groom himself properly, bless him! Tried all the cutting and teasing but this didn't really work for him. He's not got much meat on his bones either so, I think it was quite an uncomfortable experience for him.

My daughter came up with a brilliant solution though! She has a small electric shaver for her (ahem!) bikini line and this was quiet and gentle enough to remove the matted clumps with zero stress to kittie. There were a couple of baldish bits until regrowth but he's now happily clump free and lying down and getting more comfy is a lot easier for him..