What are the causes of matted cat fur?

Matted cat fur may be caused by long periods without grooming, skin diseases, improper bathing, and other reasons. First, if the cat has no other abnormalities other than matted fur, it may be caused by a long period without grooming. In this case, washing the cat and brushing the knotted fur will help loosen it, and regularly maintaining the fur will be enough. Secondly, if the cat is found to have symptoms such as itchy skin, dandruff, and bald spots, it may be suffering from a skin disease and should be taken to a pet hospital for treatment as soon as possible. Lastly, if the cat's fur becomes rough and loses its luster, and there is also a phenomenon of hair loss, it may be due to improper bathing.

Long periods without grooming

If a cat's fur is not brushed for a long time, it can easily knot up, especially in long-haired cats. Therefore, owners need to regularly brush the cat's fur and give it regular baths. For long-haired cats, daily grooming is necessary. During the seasonal hair changes in spring and autumn, the fur needs to be brushed twice a day. At the same time, feeding the cat foods rich in lecithin can help make the fur soft.

Skin diseases

If the cat has knotted fur and symptoms such as itchy skin, dandruff, and bald spots, it may have a skin disease, such as ringworm or horse tail disease, which can cause the fur to knot up. Owners should take their cats to the pet hospital in a timely manner to check and determine the type of skin disease, then treat it accordingly. In this case, the knotted fur usually needs to be cut off, so owners need to pay attention to keeping their cats warm to avoid catching a cold.

Improper bathing

If the owner uses a non-pet-specific shampoo to bathe the cat, instead of a shampoo suitable for cats, the cat's fur will be damaged over time, becoming rough and losing its luster, and developing mats. Continuous exposure to non-pet-specific shampoo can also cause bald spots on the cat's body, revealing the skin. Therefore, when bathing a cat, always use a pet-specific shampoo, and dry the cat's fur promptly after washing.