If this drastic step is necessary be sure to maintain a regular program of brushing and combing when the coat grows back to prevent future problems.
How to fix matted cat hair.
Mats are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time.
Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats.
Practice matted hair prevention from early in your cat s life.
Even if you have a cat that grooms itself effectively creating a regular brushing routine will make the process much easier and more comfortable should it become necessary later on.
Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander.
This is especially true for long haired cats such as persians and himalayans.
See our related article for much more about the causes of matted hair in cats.
Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention.
Matted cat fur on the other hand damages tissue by preventing oxygen and moisture from reaching it.
Many people have problems because they didn t groom their cat s coat in earlier life because it wasn t necessary to do so.
If her fur is bad enough that the mat is just one giant stretch of knotted hair that s a situation that probably calls for a professional as shaving her fur might be necessary.
When your cat notices this change they start to groom more which could increase the amount of hair they ingest and cause other health problems.
How to prevent matted cat hair contains substantial information on proper grooming for tangle prevention.
Take your feline to the vet or groomer if you can t untangle the stubborn mats.
According to the aspca matted hair can be painful for the cat and cause skin problems.
Brush your cat regularly.
As a cat gets older it is important to keep the cat as healthy as possible.
This can lead to dry scaly and sometimes irritated skin.
A cat s hair gets matted if she is not groomed on a regular basis.