Cat’s fur matting on its back – what to do next

Matted fur is bad for cats because it discourages airflow to the cat’s skin and may also result in the accumulation of dirt and bacteria. Matting is likely to happen more along the parts of the body where the cat can’t easily groom, such as the lower back and sides. Here’s what you should do next if your cat’s back hair is constantly getting matted.

Brush the cat more often

As cats get older or gain more weight, they might not be able to self-groom as easily and not be able to clean hard-to-reach spots like the back. This puts greater responsibility on you to brush the cat more frequently so that the fur stops getting matted.

Long-hair cats should be brushed daily. Short-hair cats may only need brushing once or twice a week. Furminator brushes do a good job of de-tangling the knots that may appear in the cat’s fur. Regular brushes may not work as they may not get into the cat’s undercoat, which is where matting starts to form.

Fish oil supplements

Adding supplements like fish oil to your cat’s diet may promote healthy coats and reduce the likelihood of the cat getting matted fur on its back. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, can help promote healthy skin and hair due to its anti-inflammatory property.

Rule out health conditions

Some cats may constantly get matted fur on their back due to an underlying health problem. This could be a result of conditions like hot spots and bacterial skin infections. Flea infestations may also result in matting, especially if the fleas are hiding in the back of the cat’s body. It would be worth having the cat checked by the vet if it is showing any other concerning signs and symptoms.

Getting rid of existing matting

The safest option would be to take the cat to the vet or a professional groomer so that they can remove the matting on the cat’s back without causing damage to the skin. Bathing the cat won’t help. If anything, it will tighten up the matting even further. You should avoid using scissors to cut out the matted fur, even if they are blunt-ended scissors. Skin injuries can occur especially if the matted fur is super-tight.