Why does my cat have knots of fur on his back and neck?

Question

He's long haired.

He's and indoor cat and he is a male. His name is Stuart.

Answer 1

Long hair cats have a harder time keeping their fur in order. The fur tends to twist and knot on itself. Think of it this way, if you had long hair and run around without doing anything to it for days, weeks, months, you would likely get knots in your hair. Same thing for the cat.

There are a few things you can do: Brushing works well, however not all cats enjoy this. If the cat is young, they will likely thing it's a game and try and play with you and the brush. They do settle down at they grow older (or tend to). Some cats, mainly older ones hate to be brushed, hissing, clawing.. all sorts of fun things can happen if your cat is spirited. Brushing daily works the best but if you don't have time brushing weekly works just about as good. Brushing can also help with hair balls too (and we all know cleaning up hair balls isn't fun)

If the knoting isn't so bad you can actually just leave it alone and just cut the knots out every few months with a pair of blunt nose scissors (unless you are really skilled at it, pointed scissors can prick the cat's skin and you get a bundle of claws in your lap). To clip them out with scissors, one you need a cat that will tolerate it, two, find the base of the hair mat/ball/knot and then locate the skin - whatever you do, don't cut the skin, it may take a little bit to figure out where the skin is, where the knot is and the fur that can safely be cut is. Take the time, last thing you need is to explain to the vet how you cut your kitty. Some cats (I've had one) hate getting their hair cut so be careful the first few times.

You really don't want to leave knotted hair for too long because the fur can start to pull on the cat's skin, it becomes hard to clean and could smell. It's not going to kill the cat or anything, just doesn't look all that pretty.

My long hair call gets the knotted balls of fur in his arm pits, the big baby that he is will lie on my lap on his back while I clip them out ever few weeks. He just purrs away, try and brush him and his in attack, bite at the brush until he drags it from your hand and behind the couch. Lots of fun there.

Answer 2

You Have to brush your cat at least once a week especially now that it's summer. Cats tend to shed their winter coat in the summer and if you don't brush him on a regular basis he will form hair mats which are very difficult to get out and most of the time have to be cut out. To save you cat from this torture, start brushing him. If you find that the mats have gotten out of hand, take him to the groomer. This will save what's left of his coat and then you can start off on the right foot.

Answer 3

It sounds like your cat has mats in it's fur. These occur when the animal doesn't groom itself on a daily basis. Some reasons cats don't groom themselves are obesity (can't reach the areas) and illness. If you haven't had your cat to the vet in awhile you may want to consider a good checkup to rule out illness. Cats are masters at hiding illness as most animals are. If they were in the wild and other animals were aware of the sick cat it would become prey. As well as we think we know our pets they are great at keeping illness a secret. One of my cats was eating, drinking, playing, and in general acting normal. Her vet check revealed a 105 degree temperature, a very sick kitty!

Answer 4

Stuart has matted fur because he can't or won't reach the spots to groom himself and you are not helping him out by brushing him. You should groom him, matts can get so tight they start pulling the fur and becomes painful.

Answer 5

Ahhh. Your cats condition sounds like it's matted. I plead you to a vet to be shaved, that's if needed, if its only in certain areas it doesn't have to be shaved.

Although, brushing matted cats is said to be inhumane, and may be expensive.

However if you wish not to have your cat shaved take it in to a dogs groomers and ask for it to be dematted. In my advice a god dogs groomers would be Le chein. Go to Le Chein professional dogs grooming on the web. As all other dogs groomers i have been to are rough with there animals.

Good luck!

Answer 6

you need to work out those knots gently with your fingers, or if they are too tough, use a pair of kids scissors and cut them out. Brush brush brush him every day with a 2 sided brush, one with wire bristles and the other a soft brush. Be gentle with him and he will LOVE you forever. My cats get a thorough brushing every day.
Cat

Answer 7

you don't comb him enough. It is old hair trying to come out & getting caught, & it becomes a vicious circle.
Or, it could be outside stickers & burrs if he is an outdoor cat.
Take him to a groomer, & brush him a lot!

Answer 8

If it's an outside cat then he just needs to be groomed.

Answer 9

well, you need to brush him. (with a cat brush). you can cut of the knots, but be careful doing it.
then you need to start brushing it everyday.

Answer 10

he needs to be brushed