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Mats in cat hair
I washed my long hair cat last night, dried him as much as he would allow me to and then let him do his thing. When I saw him an hour later after I was done putting my son to bed he had a ton of mats on his lower back. This has never happened before any other time I bathed him so I am not sure how to proceed. Is there a special comb to use?? Obviously I'd rather not just cut them out.
On a different/semi the same note... Im thinking I need to bring him into the vet. He is having some wicked dandruff. His skin is super dry and I can tell its itchy to him but the back of his coat was starting to look greasy almost which is what prompted the bath. My other cat is perfectly fine so not sure what's going on with him.
EDD 7/11/13 ??? VBAC, BABY!
Re: Mats in cat hair
The greasy looking fur is likely a result of the dry skin. When the skin gets very dry it produces excess oil to compensate. Since this is a new thing I would consult a vet unless there's an obvious cause like change in type of food. Could be allergies to something in food or environment, or skin condition.
As far as the mats, you can use a comb or slicker brush to get them out. Just like with human hair, start toward the ends and work in to avoid making the knots tighter.
BFP 11.8.12 * EDD 7.17.13 * MC 12.20.12
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over!
I agree, if this is something completely new, you may want to consult a vet.
During the winter months, we use a humidifier to help with the dry air in the house. It helps cut down on the static of the cat fur, and also helps their dry skin/dandruff.
What food are you feeding your cat? He may have developed a grain allergy. Always try to nip hair mats in the bud. Brush often and try to get them out as soon as you see them starting. My Maine *** mix has horrible hair mats that the vet needs to remove because he was in an accident with farming equipment and will not let us groom him. He requires a few vet techs to hold him and get the hair mats out. My H and I have tried doing it ourselves but he only sits still for a minute before he freaks out. I wish we could get them out right away but he doesn't let us even touch his back so it's become a lost cause.
edit.... Seriously, the word c oon was sensored? Wtf.
The greasiness makes sense. Thanks. He has always had dandruff to some extent and since he has black in his coat it tends to been noticeable but it definitely kicked up a notch
I noticed the increase in dandruff awhile back but I recently switched him to Authority Sensitive from being on Purina so I am hoping that will help him and was the cause. I know Purina is crap but funds were super tight for the past few months. Prior to Purina he was on Blue Buffalo but that didn't go over to well for him and he would get the runs.
EDD 7/11/13 ??? VBAC, BABY!
I would chat with your vet first, if they are not concerned you can always ask them to just clip the hair out and it will grow back. If he is long hair you and it starts to mat all the time you can always see about shaving the cat down.
Check with your vet first so that way you can see if anything is going on.
You dont want to cut them out because you can cut the cat. We have had a few owners come in with cutting mats out of their dog or cat and they have cut the cat or cut the dogs ear because the animal moved.