A Persian cat’s fur is matted when clumps of its fur appear to be stuck together. Normally, a cat is able to untangle small clumps of fur on its body, but when the cat is unable to manage its fur, the problem can go from bad to worse. Matting cat fur is usually caused by lack of grooming and neglect.
In this article we will further dive into what causes a Persian cat’s fur to mat, what a responsible owner should do to take care of matted fur, and how to avoid it from happening.
What causes matted fur?
Matting in your Persian cat’s fur can be caused by several different things. It usually occurs in areas on the cat’s body that experience a lot of movement, such as the collar area and the legs. Another cause is when your cat lies down in the same position too often.
Another way your cat can get matted fur is when it loses its hair. This may seem like a juxtaposition, but when a cat’s hair falls off, it may not fall off completely, simply getting entangled in the coat. This will then turn into a knot, which turns into a mat.
What type of Persian cats are susceptible to matting?
Older cats are usually more susceptible to matting than younger cats. This is because they are not as active or agile and may find it more difficult to reach all the areas of their body to be able to groom sufficiently.
Obese cats will also have a harder time reaching certain parts of their bodies to groom, so they can be susceptible to matting as well.
Cats that have underlying health issues which cause them to be lethargic tend to neglect grooming as well. The build up of dander and dust on your cat’s fur can be the beginnings of matted fur too.
How to Remove Matting From Your Cat’s Fur
Preparation
It is important to prepare the area where you will be removing the matting from. Get some talcum powder and gently massage it into the affected area. Work the powder into the matted area while stroking your cat. If your cat is resisting, do not force it- take your time. Make your cat feel reassured, then try again after it has calmed down.
Comb through the Matted Area
If the mat is just starting to form, or if it is a little looser, you may still be able to comb it out. Use a slicker brush and be as gentle as possible. Some of the mats are going to be very stubborn and will take some time and patience to pull out.
Your cat may not like this whole process very much, so you have to be very careful about how you go about it. If the mat is a little too tangled, do not force brushing it, as this may cause it to become worse.
Use Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has health benefits for humans, and it can also have potential health benefits for your cat as well. Putting a little bit of coconut oil directly on the matted fur and letting it sit for at least an hour can help untangle your cat’s hair.
After letting it sit, you will notice that the mat will become much easier to untangle with your fingers or with a comb. Coconut oil is also non-toxic and is not harmful if your cat licks it.
Use a Specialty Comb
You can use a regular comb or a slicker brush to take care of mats, but sometimes you may need to get a specialty mat removal comb. These combs have a slightly different shape and are designed to get under the mat and work through the fur from there.
You have to be careful when using this comb because it is going to be pulling slightly at the mat. However it will not be pulling on the skin, which is good.
Shave the Mat Off
Shaving is usually the last resort when dealing with a Persian cat’s matted fur. But if the mat does not come out using the other methods, this may be the only option left. If this is the case, try to shave the smallest area possible while removing the mat completely.
Use the appropriate kind of clippers to shave your cat. If you do not have experience shaving your cat, it may be wiser to take your cat to a groomer and have them do it for you.
How do I prevent my Persian cat’s fur from matting?
Regular grooming is the simplest way to prevent mats from forming on your cat’s fur. Talking to your vet can enlighten you about the basics of taking care of your cat’s fur. Your vet can also do a little clipping in the fur that will help reduce the risk of matting.
If you do notice a mat starting to form, make sure you take care of it quickly. The longer you let a small knot go, the more time it will have to become a mat. Brush out your cat’s fur regularly and check for rough patches.
If your cat does not like to groom itself, it is even more important to groom it regularly. Take a few minutes each day to look your cat over for any clumping.
Check your cat’s ears and the area around their bum and legs because these are the areas that are susceptible to matting. Trimming the fur in these areas can help reduce the risk of developing mats and make it easier for you to groom your cat as well.
Conclusion
A Persian cat’s fur can mat due to infrequent grooming and neglect. Areas like the cat’s collar, legs, and rear develop mats more than other areas.
You can remove mats from your Persian cat’s fur by putting coconut oil on the knots and slowly brushing and untangling them. You can use a specialty comb to untangle the mats more easily with less pain. When all other methods are ineffective, shaving is the last resort.
Prevent mats from forming by regularly brushing your cat’s fur as well as checking their fur daily for knots.
Image: istockphoto.com / sabyna75