What Causes Matted Cat Fur

Cats are known as groomers in the animal kingdom. These furry creatures spend up to 50 percent of their time cleaning up their bodies. Cats can maintain such high personal grooming standards because of their tongues which have bristles. The flexibility of the cat also plays a role here.

This act of grooming is a sign of good health, confidence and contentment. The brain releases endorphins when licking movements are repetitive. It is almost like what happens when you pet a cat. Some cats may develop matted fur because they did not learn to care for their coat properly. In other cases, it could mean a more serious illness.

Possible Causes of Matted Fur

Oral disease could lead to matting. Since the mouth is used for grooming, oral disease could prevent the pet from grooming. Some common diseases that affect the cat’s ability to groom include periodontal disease which affects the gum and teeth, stomatitis or oral tumors that inflame the mouth. These conditions are all painful and can reduce grooming.

Loss of spine flexibility is another possible cause. Cats are known for their flexibility and loss of that function can greatly impact grooming. This is the leading cause of matting among cats. Arthritis and obesity are two health issues that can cause loss of flexibility of spine. Overweight cats cannot twist their heads far enough to clean their bodies properly.

Aside from oral disease and loss of spine flexibility, general malaise can affect a cat’s grooming session. The commonest symptom is a feeling of unwellness and the cat may sleep more than usual. The pet may also be less bothered about grooming. When your pet’s fur mats, it could be an indication of anemia, kidney failure, diabetes, cancer or heart disease. Improper breathing can also cause malaise in pets. Matting of hair could be a clear sign that your cat is sick.