Cat Matted Fur Old Age

That s a lot of kitties with the potential for stiff sore joints.

Cat matted fur old age.

When animals don t feel well they stop grooming. Dental issues the easiest place to start your investigation into why a senior cat isn t autogrooming as often is their mouth. While a lack of grooming sometimes is just part of old age many times there may be a medical cause for it in your elderly feline. Old infirm overweight and long haired cats in particular are more susceptible to tangled fur which can become clumped mats or knotted dreadlocks.

Dry food has been linked to matted fur problems and some owners have reported a positive change in fur health after switching away from a dry food diet. Indications a cat is dying of old age. Illnesses such as hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism hypertension and kidney problems can cause dandruff and matted fur and these conditions are common in older kitties. You might also start adding more oils into your cat s diet for example fish oil capsules if they prefer this to coconut oil treatment.

It s also important for aging cats to drink plenty of clean fresh water to help improve kidney function and prevent dehydration. Brittle or damaged cat hair also can become tangled and form mats she says. If she has an underlying health condition your vet might decide to place her on a therapeutic pet cat food such as hill s prescription diet to help control her condition. The symptoms of aging and death are similar.

When a cat no longer shows an interest in grooming it s important to look for the underlying causes as an old cat with matted fur may be indicative of an underlying health issue. Senior cats may also become lax in their grooming habits due to obesity which can come on from decreased activity in old age millward says. These tangles are not only unsightly they can also cause discomfort facilitate skin disorders or harbor worms mites or other pests. This can lead to unkempt fur and a dirty posterior because your cat cannot lick himself clean in that area.

Overweight old or sick cats can have a hard time reaching all areas of their bodies for grooming. Their paw to wash. These types of diseases are more common during the feline geriatric years. It s thought around 90 of cats aged over 12 years have radiographic signs of arthritis.

Indoor only and shorthaired cats can also get mats from a buildup of dust and dander. A stiff elbow or shoulder makes it awkward for a cat to use their facecloth a k a.