Cats have earned a reputation as effective self-groomers, but that doesnât mean they donât need your help in staying clean and healthy. However, many cats consider this … Is a furminator safe to use on the delicate areas of my cat? To Cat Health Guide Home Look for cuts, bruises, bumps, swelling, redness, etc. Fill a plastic spray bottle with warm water and spritz the cat's coat lightly with a fine mist. Just like humans, dry skin on cats is a common condition — especially when the weather turns cooler in the winter and we crank up the indoor heat. As always, keep an eye on her to see if any new symptoms develop; if they do, contact your vet as soon as possible to rule out any underlying health problems. Cats tend to be more docile at the groomer's, and the groomer will make sure to get all of the knots out. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Fur can change in texture and become greasy … A razor comb (also known as a mat comb) works like a regular comb but has recessed blades that shave away the hair. Cats can lose their fur in clumps for many reasons which could include them being fed a poor diet and one that doesn't contain the right nutrients they need to keep their coats healthy. Use both tools in order to reach both the surface hair as well as that buried deep underneath. Once youâve reduced the mat to smaller pieces, go back to using your fingers and/or brushes and combs. In order to maintain a healthy skin and coat, cats need to eat a diet of balanced nutrition, including omega-3 fatty acids and zinc, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center — so dry skin could indicate a diet deficiency. Gently comb the hair on the abdomen and neck upward toward the chin. Contact your vet if you find anything out of the ordinary. Tangled Fur in Short & Medium-length Haired Cats My kitty seems suddenly very itchy, but I know it's not fleas. Always brush in the direction that the hair lays. Focus particularly on typical problem areas like the groin area, backside, under the collar, behind the front legs, between the back legs, and behind the ears. These tangles are not only unsightly, they can also cause discomfort, facilitate skin disorders, or harbor worms, mites, or other pests. Best dry food for cats to prevent hairballs A cat hacking up fur balls is nasty and gross to clean up and it sure is no picnic for your cat either. Mats at the back of your cat’s legs are particularly dangerous because they are more likely to trap urine and feces. These fungi feed on the keratin found within a cat’s fur. A dry coat may mean that your cat's skin does not respond well to the shampoo that you are using. With proper treatment, your fur baby will lead a long, healthy life. Why trust us? While scissors seem like the obvious choice, they are not usually recommended for non-professionals. The skin surrounding the area of hair loss can appear normal, or it can have redness, bumps, scabs and skin loss. This is bittersweet to me because I'm happy he's a healthy cat, but worried that he sheds so much. They're straight down her back and sides. “Grooming on a regular basis is the single best way to maintain the overall health of the skin and hair coat,” Dr. Osborne says. Our cat has a lot of dandruff. “Your dog or cat may also be scratching themselves or have a dull-looking coat.”. After several tests, the doctor says he is completely normal. Yanking at matted fur with a brush will not make your cat happy, and your cat will in turn make sure you are not happy. Cancer. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. My cat is almost 4 years old, and she gets very stressed when we try to get a knot out. If there are toxins in the body or the cat has an illness, the skin and coat will look unhealthy. No more than 1/2 teaspoon per day is recommended. You'll notice redness and swelling surrounding the areas of his bald patches. Water will discharge static electricity, so if you are carrying a charge, you won't transfer it to your cat. Yes coconut oil is safe for cats in very small amounts. You should shampoo and brush your cat's fur regularly. Your pet will begin to lose fur in patches and if the fur grows back, the fur will be a darker color. If there are any signs of irritation or injury to the adjacent skin, contact the catâs veterinarian. She suggests regular bathing using hypoallergenic shampoos that contain oatmeal or benzoyl peroxide to provide relief. Use the same kind of short, quick motion you use with a regular comb, and make sure you counter any tugging with your free hand and always brush away from the catâs skin. Beyond that, focus on your cat’s bathing and grooming. Yes, many people take their cats to groomers to have the cat's hair trimmed or clipped. If you do use them, always make sure you have a comb or your fingers between the scissor blades and the catâs skin. You can help at home by gently bathing the infected area twice a day with a saltwater solution and then patting the skin dry. Keep reading for tips from our Veterinary reviewer on how you can prevent matted fur! Any good pet groomer deals with tangled fur on a daily basis, and should be able to take care of the problem in most cases. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 42 Rescue Dogs Before and After Their Adoption, 10 Fun Dog Subscription Boxes They'll Love, 100 Boy Cat Names That Are the Pick of the Litter. The friction and even the heat of the clippers can damage feline skin. Grooming helps prevent mats and tangles, and removes loose hair. Danielle Bernal, a … I took her to a groomer and 6 months later they came back as very thick dreads. Hair loss in cats, or cat alopecia, is a common problem for felines. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. My long-haired tuxedo cat has many tangles, and this has helped me. Hairballs may be disgusting, but they develop as a result of your cats healthy and fastidious grooming routine. No, you should not use hair remover on your cat, even for bad tangles. ... Ringworm causes a number of spherical, dry and flaky rings on the cat’s skin. You could also try a cat fur detangler. Older cats sometimes develop "dry skin" normally as they age. Thank you for, "Thanks for your help. If this is the case, get help from a groomer or vet tech to clip the tangles out, and then start with a … A common cause of dry skin could be related to the food your cat eats. Good nutrition is essential for your cat’s healthy skin and coat. Yes some people need to shave their cats in order to remove mats or to prevent mats from forming. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. When your cat rubs against blankets, couches, carpets and other household items, static accumulates on their fur. Try giving her cat treats and petting her while brushing. Dr. Osborne suggests adding an eighth teaspoon of fish oil, flaxseed oil, or salmon oil mixed into meals once daily. Feces and urine can also become trapped in matted fur at the rear end, producing an infection. Most people don't think of the skin as an organ, but it is actually the largest organ of the body. Use your regular tangle exams as an opportunity to check for any injuries or damage to the skin as well. My cat is two years old, a short-hair tabby who excessively sheds all of the time. If you have regularly groomed your cat from an early age, it is more likely to accept the tangle-removal process. What should I do? Drier winter months can also be a source of flaky skin if your cat lies next to a heater or fire, even if there's less of a … Move on to other methods. To get behind the … https://www.vetinfo.com/how-to-get-rid-of-cat-fur-knots.html, http://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-hair.html, http://www.petful.com/grooming/how-remove-mats-long-haired-cat/, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-grooming-tips. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. To prepare it, add four tablespoons of white vinegar to one gallon of water. Other causes can include the rituals you may have for bathing your cat. Preventing Matted Cat Hair She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. A. Dr. Jeromin: Dandruff can be related to many things, including low humidity and not enough fatty acids in the feline's diet. Dry skin can also result in a diminished shine to your cat’s fur. Thankfully, cancer is a rarely the reason for a cat losing hair; it is far more likely that … Brushing a short-haired cat is a fairly straightforward process, and can be managed with any number of brush types, although many people prefer the âoven mittâ brushes with rubber teeth. If all else fails, or if you are unsure of your ability to remove the tangles safely, consult a professional groomer or veterinarian. All cats benefit from regular brushing to remove loose hairs and dead skin cells, to keep the coat free of dirt, debris and external parasites, and to distribute natural skin oils along the hair shafts. Some experts advise using detangler sprays or shampoos before attempting to remove tangles; others don't think they help much. Brushing is not a good idea, since it can agitate them. Helping Kids Process Grief Over Celebrity Deaths, Everyone Assumes My Family Is White, and We're Not, Omega-3 Pet Cats & Small Breed Dog Supplement, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. To detangle cat fur, examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers. It is no substitute for regular maintenance of a senior cat’s fur. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 You might also try a vinegar and water rinse, she says. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. My cat's fur is becoming very dry and brittle and is losing luster. The answer is a simple one in theory: Brush your cat every day. Proper diet. A completely dry coat will produce static electricity when brushed or combed. The symptoms of dry skin on cats include white dandruff-like flakes appearing in their fur, and noticing your pet scratching at itchy areas. While preventing tangles through regular brushing and examinations is the best way to go, there are options for removing matted fur at home. There are also many systemic diseases which can lead to our cat's developing a poor coat and rough fur. Tools known variously as mat rakes, mat breakers, or mat splitters can help break up large areas of matting into smaller, more manageable pieces. Keep reading for tips from our Veterinary reviewer on how you can prevent matted fur! ¹ A cat requires high amounts of protein in its diet to maintain fur growth, as hair itself is composed of about 95 percent protein. Approved. I learned lots of things to do and not to do, put in a simple way that's easy, "Lots of info and tips. However, their fur can stand up or just not lay down smoothly like it normally should. The mats and dandruff can lead to skin irritation and infections if left untreated, so it's important to keep the coat well groomed. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Additionally, clumps in cat fur can make your cat’s skin vulnerable to pathogens such as bacteria or parasites such as cat lice, so you should regularly bathe your cat with a quality cleansing shampoo such as Clean-Cat Shampoo with Chamomile (2 Baths a week is enough) and groom it after every bath. 2/ Arthritis and Joint Pain. Donât force the matter, however. These are caused by inflammation. Thanks very much!". I've tried the towel on her head method, but it makes her more distressed. She has a dry skin problem and she is 42 pounds. Sprinkling a little cornstarch or talcum powder on the knotted area may help in the detangling process. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, How to Treat Dry Skin on Dogs, According to Vets, How to Fix Baby's Dry Skin, According to Doctors. What do I do if my cat won't let me get the knot out of its hair? If you still notice dry skin on your cat, try a leave-on moisturizer with aloe vera and alpha keri, Dr. Osborne suggests. If you notice your cat excessively licking or scratching certain areas of his body, check to see if you spot any signs of scaly skin. Everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatments. (Elderly cat, very badly, "I love these stories; they are very interesting and helpful. I took him to the vet. Old, infirm, overweight, and long-haired cats in particular are more susceptible to tangled fur, which can become clumped mats or knotted dreadlocks. 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