After a hard day’s work we look forward to having some bonding time with our furry babies. Stroking your pet’s soft fur is nice for both you and your cat. So, it would be very distressing to discover that she has matted fur and white flakes all over.
The most common cause of matted cat fur and white flakes are an unbalanced diet, parasites, allergies, dehydration, general health and age.
Causes and symptoms of matted cat fur and white flakes
1. Your cat has an unbalanced diet.
A poor and unbalanced diet and an Omega-3 oil deficiency could trigger a host of skin problems as well as dull fur on your pet cat. Omega 3 fatty acids like DHA ( docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are found in marine sources like salmon, trout, and mackerel and should be a part of your cat’s regular meals.
You can try an Omega 3 supplement for cats such as the Nordic Naturals Omega 3 for Pets.
2. Your pet may have parasites.
The presence of parasites in your pets results in dermatologic reactions and bites from mites, fleas, or ticks triggering allergic reactions that lead to excessive itching and dandruff. The more your cat scratches her fur and skin, the more likely will it result in matting of fur aside from a bad case of white flakes.
3. Allergies
Food and environmental stressors and allergies can trigger matted fur and white flakes for your pets. Even subtle changes like moving to a new home, new routines, exposure to toxic irritants, or introduction to new or unfamiliar food can all trigger allergies and result in dandruff or matted fur.
4. Dehydration
Cats are prone to dehydration because it is quite common that cats do not drink enough water. Unfortunately, not drinking enough water can lead to dry skin and ultimately to matted fur and white flakes or dandruff.
5. Health and Age
The appearance of matted fur and white flakes could be manifestations of an underlying medical issue such as hypertension or hyperthyroidism. These illnesses usually surface as your cat ages. Senior cats are prone to medical conditions and it is a good idea to regularly take your pet to your vet for a checkup.
Similarly, the high age in it self can also be one of the causes of matted cat fur and white flakes. As cats age, they become plagued with joint problems that highly affect their ability to groom themselves which results their fur becoming tangled and forming into mats.
6. Weather
Dry and humid temperatures can lead to dry and flaky skin resulting in white flakes or dandruff. While this condition may affect all types of cat breeds, those that are at high risk are cat breeds with thin hair as well as hairless breeds like the Sphynx and Peterbald.
Treatment for matted fur and dandruff
Matted cat fur and white flakes treatable with effective treatment options available. These are some treatment options for matted fur and white flakes:
1. Grooming assistance
Brush your pet’s fur daily and clean it with a damp washcloth. Regular brushing of your pet’s fur makes it soft and shiny, gets rid of mats, and reduces the appearance of white flakes or dandruff. You can use premoistened cat wipes to wipe the fur.
2. Disentangle mats
For not-too-big or too-tight mats, you can gently separate them with your fingers. Then, apply an oil-based detangling spray to loosen it. To detach smaller tangles, you can use a metal comb meant for cats and start combing the hair below the mat which is closer to the skin, and detangle the mat into smaller pieces. Use short, fast strokes to avoid pulling of the skin. Never, cut the mats as this could result in wounds and bleeding. Regular brushing and combing of your pet’s fur and coat are necessary and should be a daily routine to prevent the formation of matted fur.
3. Encourage your pet cat to drink more water.
While it is common cat behavior to drink too little water, it is always good to encourage them to drink more and to stay hydrated. A trick you could try is by placing a cat fountain. This usually piques a cat’s curiosity and will encourage her to hang around and drink water from it. The more hydrated your pet is, the lesser chance that she will develop dry and scaly skin which could lead to matted cat fur and white flakes.
4. Treat dry skin and fur with ointment or lotion
Relieve your pet’s dry skin and fur by applying ointment or lotion to keep the skin and coat moist. Always take extra precautions and see to it that it’s applied moderately as over-application may result in further irritation. Cats also tend to be extra sensitive when it comes to skin concerns.
Recommended product: Nature’s Specialties Re-moisturizer
5. Give your pet Omega-3 supplements
As earlier mentioned, Omega 3 deficiency is one of the culprits of matting and dandruff so this supplement might be of great help.
Recommended product: Nordic Naturals Omega 3 for Pets
Final Thoughts
The most important ways to prevent matted cat fur and white flakes is to maintain a proper grooming and hygiene regime. Ensuring that our pet cats have a balanced diet and ample water intake are also beneficial. If nothing else helps a visits to the vet is in order to check for any underlying medical issues.