... Ringworm causes a number of spherical, dry and flaky rings on the cat’s skin. Keeping the cat’s coat well-brushed keeps its skin healthy and ventilated. The fungi that cause ringworm symptoms are known as dermatophytes. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. The symptoms of dry skin on cats include white dandruff-like flakes appearing in their fur, and noticing your pet scratching at itchy areas. Dr. Osborne suggests adding an eighth teaspoon of fish oil, flaxseed oil, or salmon oil mixed into meals once daily. The risk of cuts or punctures is simply too great. There is no shame in letting a professional groomer deal with âkitty bath time.â. “They will have what looks like dandruff in their fur,” notes Dr. Osborne. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. She has a dry skin problem and she is 42 pounds. 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. You could also try a cat fur detangler. No, you should not use hair remover on your cat, even for bad tangles. Dry skin can also be a symptom of an overweight cat, or one otherwise challenged by mobility problems. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. 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 your cat is licking too much, they can lose fur in strips along their back, belly, or inner legs. 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. Can I use hair remover to get rid of my cat's fur tangles? While scissors seem like the obvious choice, they are not usually recommended for non-professionals. Once youâve reduced the mat to smaller pieces, go back to using your fingers and/or brushes and combs. Then, address any possible omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies in your cat’s food. Tools known variously as mat rakes, mat breakers, or mat splitters can help break up large areas of matting into smaller, more manageable pieces. 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. Then, make a part down the middle of the catâs back and comb down each side. Using the wrong shampoo or using water that is too hot can cause dry skin, says integrative veterinarian Carol Osborne. Once my partner's cat had a bad case of fur clumps and I thought I'd try moistening with a little water first, but that actually made it harder to remove the main portion so I'd recommend just slowly doing it while the fur is dry. Most people don't think of the skin as an organ, but it is actually the largest organ of the body. Move on to other methods. If this is the case, get help from a groomer or vet tech to clip the tangles out, and then start with a … My cat is relieved now, no tangles. Some experts advise using detangler sprays or shampoos before attempting to remove tangles; others don't think they help much. Feces and urine can also become trapped in matted fur at the rear end, producing an infection. Hot, dry conditions can lead to dried-out skin and even sunburn, so let your cat stay indoors when it's scorching out. However, their fur can stand up or just not lay down smoothly like it normally should. If you choose to use them, make sure to use detanglers meant specifically for pets â not humans. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. 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. (Elderly cat, very badly, "I love these stories; they are very interesting and helpful. If you cannot untangle everything that way, use a brush to gently break up the ends of the mat, working inward. Cancer. When your cat rubs against blankets, couches, carpets and other household items, static accumulates on their fur. I've tried the towel on her head method, but it makes her more distressed. This can result in hair matting, skin inflammation and flaking.”. This rough fur can be accompanied by dandruff, alopecia (hair loss), dry skin and even wounds opening up where the skin breaks. Preventing Matted Cat Hair Always brush in the direction that the hair lays. To reduce the chances of your furry buddy's coat becoming dirty and matted, keep him indoors so the fur won't become filled with dirt and debris. Beyond that, focus on your cat’s bathing and grooming. Add moisture to your cat's fur before brushing. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Water will discharge static electricity, so if you are carrying a charge, you won't transfer it to your cat. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. 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. You can help at home by gently bathing the infected area twice a day with a saltwater solution and then patting the skin dry. Massage this through the fur, then rinse again with plain water and air dry. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Long-haired cats require more specialized tools, such as a âcat rakeâ (a wide brush with small metal bristles) and a long-tooth comb. And of course, if the problem persists, bring your cat to the vet so she can get examined in person. Static electricity comes from dry air. The reason mats are so bad for your cat is that they prevent oxygen and moisture from reaching the skin, making it dry and irritated. Is a furminator safe to use on the delicate areas of my cat? Cats may have scaly skin for a number of reasons, some of which are minor, such as dry skin. No more than 1/2 teaspoon per day is recommended. Brushing is not a good idea, since it can agitate them. "I have a long-haired cat with mats. They are generally safer than other cutting options because the sharp edges are not exposed, but caution should still be practiced, of course. A dry coat may mean that your cat's skin does not respond well to the shampoo that you are using. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. “Grooming on a regular basis is the single best way to maintain the overall health of the skin and hair coat,” Dr. Osborne says. Cats have earned a reputation as effective self-groomers, but that doesnât mean they donât need your help in staying clean and healthy. Use both tools in order to reach both the surface hair as well as that buried deep underneath. I learned lots of things to do and not to do, put in a simple way that's easy, "Lots of info and tips. The skin surrounding the area of hair loss can appear normal, or it can have redness, bumps, scabs and skin loss. This article has been viewed 44,961 times. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Gently comb the hair on the abdomen and neck upward toward the chin. 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. I took her to a groomer and 6 months later they came back as very thick dreads. The good news is that when a cat's nose is dry, cat parents need not worry unless she presents unusual signs or symptoms. To detangle cat fur, examine the whole cat for matted fur and try to break it up with your fingers. 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. See a professional if you doubt your ability to take care of it yourself! To prepare it, add four tablespoons of white vinegar to one gallon of water. % of people told us that this article helped them. Antibiotics may be necessary if your cat has pulled the fur out and made the skin sore or infected. 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. Can I use hair serum on matted hair for Persian cat? Fill a plastic spray bottle with warm water and spritz the cat's coat lightly with a fine mist. Brush toward the end of the hairs (and away from the skin), but start at the end of the mat farthest from the cat’s skin and work your way back into it. 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