Our feline friends spend a lot of time grooming themselves, but even with all that work and attention, they occasionally get mats in their fur. This is especially true when it comes to the back, as matted fur along the spine is quite common. But why is your cat’s fur draped over their back?
A cat’s back fur can become dry for a variety of reasons, which we’ll look at in detail below. We’ll also share why matted fur is bad for your cat and what you can do to help them, so keep reading!
The 10 Reasons Your Cat’s Hair Is Wrapped Around His Back
1. Difficulty Fixing the Back
For some cats, the issue is that they can’t straighten their backs properly. After all, the back is a difficult place for any cat to reach, and without another cat around to help them groom that area, they can easily develop mats. Difficulty adjusting the back is a more significant issue in overweight cats, as they may have too much mass to reach around to get to that part of the body. Stiff fur on the back may also be more likely to occur in cats that experience pain that prevents them from bending their spine to reach the back.
If you notice that your cat seems to have a hard time reaching over his back for grooming, find out if he’s showing any signs of pain or if he’s a little thick. Take them to the vet if you believe they are in pain, and if your cat is overweight, talk to your vet about how to help them shed a few pounds.
2. Age
As cats age, they often lose flexibility, making it more difficult to reach their back to the groom. So, if your cat has been getting up there for years, there is a good chance that this is the reason why the fur on their back has turned into a mat. While it’s always important to brush your cat (especially if they have longer fur), it’s important to do so once your cat reaches an age where he can no longer groom himself due to being less flexible. .
3. Infrequent Grooming
Another reason why the fur on the back can be dry is because some cats don’t groom themselves often. While this could be due to your cat being lazier than other cats in the area, it could also stem from some type of oral problem. Toothache, stomatitis, oral tumors, or cuts or sores in their mouth can cause this so they don’t want to groom themselves. If your cat is always a little loose in the grooming area, it just means you’ll need to brush them more often. But if your cat used to enjoy grooming but doesn’t groom as often now, it could be due to an issue with his mouth.
Aside from oral problems, a cat that is not feeling well for any reason may not groom itself very well. So, if your kitten shows any signs of illness, such as not eating, changes in behavior or litter box habits, changes in water consumption, or anything else that seems off, see your vet.
4. Conflict
Cats are constantly clinging to things—your legs, furniture, blankets, cat litter, and more. All rubbing against things equals friction, which can make fur more likely to knot, tangle, and dry out. So, if your kitten likes to rub their back against things or likes to roll around on carpets, this could be why the fur is wrapped around their back.
5. Long Hair
Cats with long hair are gorgeous, but all that hair makes them more likely to have mats. If they just have too much fur or a thick undercoat, longhaired feline breeds are more prone to mats, which can appear on their backs. If you have long-haired cats, it’s important that you brush them regularly to prevent mats from occurring!
6. Pouring
All the cats fell. However, if a cat’s loose hair is not regularly removed from the rest of their coat, it can increase the chances of matting. Again, this is especially true for long-haired kittens because their long locks tend to tangle more easily.
7. Humidity
Interestingly, humidity can also cause cat hair on the back mat and other areas. So, if you live in a particularly humid part of the country or your cat is outside a lot when the humidity hits, it can cause their mats.
8. Foreign Objects
This reason is more likely for cats that spend time outside, but foreign objects can become tangled in the fur and lead to the mat. It can be anything, but the things that tend to get tangled the most include sticky substances, burrs, and branches. Of course, foreign objects can get into the hair of indoor cats, but if your pet is running around in the backyard, they are at greater risk of catching something in their fur.
9. Skin Conditions
Does your cat have skin allergies, dermatitis, or other skin conditions? If so, this may be why their fur is draped over their backs. Skin conditions like these can cause itching and irritation, leading to excessive licking, scratching, and biting of the affected area. These behaviors can cause shedding if they continue for too long.
10. Stress
It may seem strange to think that our pets are stressed, but they do. For cats, stress can be caused by significant life changes, such as a new baby in the house, a move, or the death of another pet. If your cat is experiencing stress, they may or may not groom excessively. This can lead to the fur on their back becoming matted. If your cat is stressed, they may also show signs such as loss of appetite and frequent shedding. You can try to help your pet with their stress or talk to your vet if what you’re doing doesn’t seem to be helping.
Why is Matted Fur Bad for Cats?
A few small mats here and there may not seem like a big deal, but matted fur is often uncomfortable for cats. Additionally, if the fur becomes an incredible mat or large areas are mated, the mats can cause pain for your pet. On top of that, cat fur mats prevent the skin under the mats from receiving fresh air, so the skin can become hot, dry, itchy, flaky, or even infected. And more—matted fur is the perfect hiding place for parasites like fleas and ticks; your cat could have them, and you wouldn’t know.
Keeping your kitten’s fur as mat-free as possible is essential to their health and well-being!
How Can I Help My Cat With Their Mats?
If your cat’s fur is mated on the back, you can help him in different ways depending on the size and severity of the mats.
If the mats are small, you can use a metal mat comb to try to straighten them (gently!) Hold the mat fur close to the skin as you comb in short strokes to minimize pulling on the skin. You can also try an oil-based detangler on your pet’s mats.
If the mats are large, the comb probably won’t work on them. Instead, you can try to separate them (again gently!) with your fingers. If that doesn’t work, the mats will have to be cut. Unless you have repair experience, you don’t want to cut the mat yourself. A cat’s skin is incredibly delicate and can easily be cut or nicked. Instead, take your pet to a groomer or your veterinarian to have the mats removed.
And if you want to prevent mats on your cat’s back, brush them regularly! Not only will this make Kitty feel better, but it also offers the two of you a great bonding opportunity.
Conclusion
Cats can develop fur mats on their backs for a number of reasons. This can happen when a cat ages and loses flexibility, has an issue with his mouth, doesn’t feel well, is stressed, and more. You can help prevent mats on your cat’s back by brushing them regularly, but if the cat already has mats, you can try gently removing them with a comb or your fingers. If this does not work, the mats will have to be cut.
Featured Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
