Our feline friends spend a lot of time grooming themselves, but despite all that effort and care, they can still end up with mats in their fur. This is especially true for your back. It is common to see mats of fur along the spine. But why does the fur on a cat’s back become unkempt?
A cat’s back fur can become matted for a variety of reasons, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. We’ll also show you why matted fur is bad for cats and what you can do to help them, so keep reading.
10 reasons why your cat’s back fur becomes unkempt
1. It’s difficult to take care of your back.
The problem for some cats is that they simply don’t groom their backs very well. After all, the back is a difficult place for any cat to reach and can easily develop mats if there are no other cats around to help groom that area. Difficulty caring for the back is a more serious problem in cats that are too heavy, as you may not be able to reach that part of the body. Matting of the fur on the back can also be more common in cats who experience pain and are unable to bend their spines to reach their backs.
If your cat seems to be having a hard time reaching onto its back for grooming, you might want to know if it’s not showing signs of pain or if your cat might be gaining a little weight. please confirm. If you think your cat is in pain, take him to the vet, and if your cat is overweight, talk to your vet about ways to lose a few pounds.
2. Age
Cats often lose flexibility as they age, making it difficult to reach their backs for grooming. So if your cat has been climbing there for years, there’s a good chance this is why the fur on its back is matted. Brushing your cat is always important (especially if your cat has long hair), but it’s important to do it once your cat reaches an age when they’re less flexible and less able to groom themselves.
3. Don’t groom yourself often
Another reason for unkempt back fur is that some cats don’t groom themselves too often. This could be because your cat is a little lazier than other cats in the area, but it could also be due to some sort of oral problem. Dental disease, canker sores, oral tumors, or cuts or wounds in the mouth may make your dog unwilling to groom himself. If your cat is always a little lazy in the grooming area, it means he needs to be brushed more often. However, if your cat used to enjoy grooming but now doesn’t groom himself as much, a problem with his mouth could be the culprit.
Oral issues aside, cats that don’t feel well for any reason may not groom themselves as much. So if your kitten is showing signs of illness, such as not eating, changes in behavior or toilet habits, changes in water intake, or anything else that seems unusual, contact your veterinarian.
4. Friction
Cats are constantly rubbing themselves against human feet, furniture, blankets, cat trees, etc. Any friction with objects equals friction, which increases the chances of their fur becoming tangled, tangled, and fuzzy. So if your kitten likes to rub its back against things or rolls around on the carpet, that could be why the fur on its back is matted.
5. Long hair
Cats with long hair are beautiful, but the more hair they have, the more likely they are to develop mats. Whether they simply have too much hair or a thick undercoat, long-haired cats are more prone to mats, which can show up on their backs. If you have a long-haired cat, it’s important to brush it regularly to prevent mats from forming.
6. Molting
All cats shed their skin. However, matting is more likely to occur if your cat’s loose hair is not regularly removed from the rest of its fur. Again, this is especially true for long-haired kittens. Because long hair tends to get tangled easily.
7. Humidity
Interestingly, moisture can also tangle the fur on your cat’s back and other areas. So, if you live in a particularly humid area or your cat is often outside when it’s humid, that could be the cause of your cat matting.
8. Foreign objects
The reason for this may be if your cat spends time outdoors, foreign objects can get tangled in the cat’s fur and cause it to become matted. It can be anything, but some of the objects that are most likely to get tangled include sticky substances, burrs, and twigs. Of course, an indoor cat’s fur can also get stuck, but if your pet is running around in the backyard, the risk of something getting caught in its fur is higher.
9. Skin condition
Does your cat have a skin allergy, dermatitis, or other skin disease? If so, this could be the reason why their back fur is matted. These skin conditions can cause inflammation and itching, leading to excessive licking, scratching, and biting of the affected area. If these actions continue for a long time, their fur can become matted.
10. Stress
It may seem strange to think that your pet is stressed, but in reality, they are. For cats, major life changes can cause stress, such as having a baby, moving, or the death of another pet. If your cat is stressed, he may be over-grooming or not grooming at all. This can cause the hair on the back to become matted. If your cat is stressed, you may notice symptoms such as loss of appetite or frequent hiding. Try to relieve your pet’s stress, and if your efforts don’t seem to be working, consult your veterinarian.
Why is matted fur bad for cats?
It may not seem like a big deal to have little mats everywhere, but matted fur is often uncomfortable for cats. Additionally, mats can cause pain to your pet if the fur becomes incredibly matted or matted over large areas. Even worse, a cat’s fur mat prevents fresh air from entering the skin underneath the mat, causing the skin to become hot, dry, itchy, flaky, and even infected. You may suffer from. Additionally, matted fur is a perfect place for parasites such as fleas and ticks to hide. Your cat may also have these symptoms, but you wouldn’t know it.
Keeping your kitten’s fur as mat-free as possible is very important to your kitten’s health and well-being.
How can I help my cat with his mat?
If your cat has matted fur on its back, you can help your cat in a few different ways, depending on the size and severity of the matting.
If the mats are small, use a metal mat comb to (gently!) comb the mat hairs closer to the skin in short strokes to reduce tugging on the skin. You may also want to try an oil-based detangler on your pet’s mat.
If the mat is large, the comb may not work. Instead, try pulling them apart with your fingers (again, gently!). If that doesn’t work, you may need to cut out the mat. Unless you have grooming experience, you don’t want to cut out the mats yourself. A cat’s skin is very delicate and can easily get cut or bruised. Instead, take your pet to the groomer or veterinarian to have the mat removed.
If you want to keep mats off your cat’s back, brush them regularly. Not only will this make your kitten feel better, but it’s also a great opportunity for the two of you to bond.
conclusion
Mats can form on your cat’s back hair for several reasons. This can occur if your cat ages and loses flexibility, has oral problems, is unwell, or is stressed. Regular brushing will help prevent mats from forming on your cat’s back, but if your cat already has them, try gently detangling them with a comb or your fingers. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to cut out the mat.
Featured image credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
