CAT GROOMING FAQs
MATTING FUR
Why is my cat’s fur matting and how do I detangle it?
Cats are natural self-groomers and if they, for some reason or other, cease grooming or groom less frequently, their fur can become matted. If you notice that your cat is grooming itself less often than normal there could be several reasons why.
- Length of Hair- Longhaired cats tend to have matted fur more often than shorthaired cats. Regular brushings should keep the problem at bay.
- Fleas- Fleas can cause fur to clump together. If fleas are present on your cat, please refer to the guidelines for flea control.
- Health- Your cat may be unable to groom itself due to an underlying health problem (e.g. Arthritis). Make sure your cat gets regular health check-ups at the vet’s office.
- Inaccessibility- The matted fur might be in a spot that is difficult for your cat to reach.
- Hygiene- Cats can get dirty if they spend part of the day or night outside. Dirt, leaves, and grime can cause their coat to clump and tangle, leading to matted fur.
All these reasons require you to help your cat in the grooming process. The sooner you groom your cat, the less severe the situation will become. Leaving matted fur untreated can lead to your cat chewing or biting the area constantly and may create red, irritated spots of skin underneath all the fur. Also, it is important to detangle or shave the affected areas to allow the patch of skin underneath to breathe, making it less likely for the skin to become infected.
How do I detangle matted fur?
Making sure your cat is comfortable and relaxed, use a cat brush to gently comb through the ends of the matted fur and work your way towards the fur next to the skin. If you comb the fur next to the skin first, it can compress the outer layer of fur, making matters worse. If the matted fur is extremely tight and you cannot detangle it by brushing, take your cat to the vet to get the matted fur shaved. If you are skilled, you can attempt to shave your cat yourself, but proceed with caution to prevent you or your cat from harm.
Useful fur detangling products and tips
- Do not wet matted fur. It only makes it more difficult to detangle the fur
- Baby powder helps to lubricate fur
- Detangle Shampoo
- EZ-Glide Detangler- Takes out most difficult mats
- Groom your cat regularly (also helps to decrease hairball incidences)
- Steel-toothed combs are great for brushing your cat. They are the best for removing fur and minor tangles. Also a great option: slicker brushes (made from thin metal wire, it is designed to remove mats, dead hair, dead skin cells and gently massage your cat).
HOW TO THIN CAT HAIR
Is there a comb that will thin out cat hair?
First of all, it is important to understand that a cat's hair serves to protect its body from insects and helps regulate temperature. All cats shed hair throughout the year and the amount of shedding depends on its living conditions, diet, and health. Sunlight and artificial light also affects when cats shed. Outdoor cats tend to shed more often in the spring and fall, whereas indoor cats shed throughout the year. If you notice excess shedding, consult a professional pet groomer to help manage your cat's hair or call the veterinarian.
The four types of cat hair are as follows:
- Guard Hairs: Long and course, insulates the body and aids its sense of touch
- Awn Hairs: Thin hairs within the coat, also insulates and protects the body
- Secondary Hairs: Part of the undercoat, thinnest hairs on the cat, and helps regulate body temperature
- Whiskers: Long hairs attached to nerve cells in the face
The type of hair that your cat has depends on its breed:
- Long Hair- If your cat has long hair, brush the coat with a pin brush once a day to keep the shedding hair from building up into a mat. The teeth of the comb should reach all the way to the skin. Remember to brush starting with the outer most layer of hair and working in towards the hair closest to the skin. Do not cut the hair because a cat's skin is very thin and easy to damange.
- Close Coated- Care for short or close-coated cat hair by lightly moving a soft chamois over the coat.
- Short Hair- Requires minimal combing and bathing. Using a bristle brush, brush against the direction of the coat and then finish by reversing and brush in the direction of the coat.
- Mutant/short curly hair or coats that are woolly- Use wire pin brushes that are with or without rubber tips or combs.
- Be gentle when brushing around the face.
Cat Hair Care
Brushing your cat's hair as a kitten will help your cat adjust to the feeling of being groomed. This is an important grooming technique as it will help remove hair that has been shed, prevent hairballs, and prevent the coat from matting by stimulating the release of natural protective oils.
Alternative Cat Hair Brushes
Here are some alternatives to cat hair brushes for cats who do not like brushes:
- Grooming Glove-Worn on your hand and has prongs that work as a brush as you stroke your cat.
- Rubber Curry Brush-A palm brush that is hidden in your palm, has soft rubber bristles that allow you to brush your cat without your cat really knowing.
- Wall Grooming Comb-A brush that attaches to the wall allowing your cat to rub up against the wall and and brush itself. It contains a small compartment for catnip, encouraging cats to rub against the comb's teeth. A great way to catch hair before it sheds.
Cutting Your Cat's Hair
In general, grooming and shedding takes care of your cat's hair, but if your cat requires a hair cut,it would be wise to take your cat to a professional pet groomer for a trimming. If you think your cat needs a trimming because it suffers from matted hair consider rubbing some corn starch into the hair to absorb moisture and leave it on for 15 minutes and then try brushing before resorting to a hair cut.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES: How to keep your cat's coat healthy and strong
Protein and Cat Hair Care
Hair is made of protein. If your cat's diet doesn't contain enough protein from animal and plant sources, the hair could become dry, fall out or feel brittle to the touch.
Most commercial cat foods contain adequate amounts of fatty acids that are important for coat health. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid help the coat from becoming dull and dry and helps avoid hair loss and greasy skin. Kittens require 30% of their diet to be comprised of protein and adult cats should have 25-30%. If your cat is getting a balanced diet and you still see problems with his or her coat, then consider a fish oil based fatty acid supplement or consult a veterinarian for suggestions.
Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs and Cat Hair Care
Most commercial cat food should contain vitamins that metabolize protein and contribute to healthy skin and coats including the following:
- Vitamin A: Aids in growth and repair of skin
- Vitamin E: Protects skin cells from oxidant damage
- Vitamin C: Helps heal wounds
- Biotin: Helps the body use protein
- Riboflavin(B2) and Zinc: Aids fat and protein metabolism
- Copper: Part of tissue pigment and protein synthesis
If you are looking for holistic approaches to providing your cat with vitamins, look for the following herbs:
- Equisetum arvense (Horsetail): Contains a high silica content essential in the maintenance of healthy skin and fur.
- Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion): Good source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, D, C, various B Vitamins, iron, lecithin, silicon, potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese.
- Arthrospira platenis (Spirulina): Contains nutritive properties, protein, vitamins (including B12 and folic acid) and carotenoids.
- Fucus vesiculosis: Contains minerals, iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron which promote skin and coat conditioning.
- Kalium sulphate (Kali. Sulph.): helps cell membranes, and maintain balance in the skin and underlying tissue.
CAT HAIR LOSS
There are multiple causes of hair loss including:
- Parasites
- Allergies
- Stress
- Illness/Disease: diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, Cushing's disease