As clumps get larger they put pressure on your cat s skin making it painful to lie down.
How to get rid of matted fur on long haired cats.
Why matted cat fur is bad.
See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.
Keep in mind that shedding dead hair is normal and it s a process that cannot be avoided.
Work your way down to the base of the mat as you untangle the top.
Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.
But there are plenty of solutions for cat mats it s just a matter of experimenting with different courses and seeing what works for your kitty.
Healthy and tangle free cat fur allows for a continuous air flow to your cat s skin.
Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.
Matting occurs more in spring and autumn when cats are molting.
Most cats shed their fur during spring and fall.
These clumps of fur can be painful for the cat.
Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time.
Cats have earned a reputation as effective self groomers but that doesn t mean they don t need your help in staying clean and healthy.
Dead hair mixes up with the stuck up debris and dirt on its skin thus forming into even larger mats.
Usually grooming keeps the fur clean and prevents fleas from taking hold.
And if these are left un brushed the amount of matted and entangled hair increases resulting in it becoming even more matted.
But sometimes if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming mats may form.
When this happens matting and fur entangling worsen.
Matted fur occurs more frequently in long haired cats but this doesn t mean it won t happen to short haired cats.
Most mats will come out with brushing but hard mats can require extra work.
If the brush doesn t seem to work use both of your thumbs and index fingers to pull apart the matted fur.
If the mat is one large clump sometimes pulling it apart allows the brush or comb to better untangle the hair.
Certain breeds of cats persians maine coons and other long haired breeds are more likely to develop mats.