Cat Fur Issues

One of the best things about owning a cat is the pleasure of petting its soft fur. A cat's fur is beautiful, sleek and often very well maintained by the cat itself. Although cats do an excellent job of keeping themselves clean, they benefit greatly from human grooming and care. Daily maintenance of your cat's fur protects its health and keeps it happy and comfortable.

  1. Ticks and Fleas and Mites, Oh My!

    • Parasites live outdoors and jump onto unsuspecting passerby cats.

      All furred animals are susceptible to parasites living in their fur and feeding on their blood and dead skin. Cats are no exception. Though parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites are a common occurrence, they must not be taken lightly. Severe infestation of any parasite in your cat's fur can cause loss of energy, illness and even death. Parasites can enter your home using your cat as a vehicle and infest your furniture, clothing and your own body. Groom your cat frequently, and look for any small creatures or abnormalities in its fur and skin. If you find something, consult your veterinarian. Ticks can be removed manually. Washes and flea collars are available to prevent your cat from being infiltrated by parasites.

    Hairballs

    • Long-haired cats are most susceptible to frequent hairballs.

      The length of your cat's hair determines the size of its hairballs and how often it coughs them up. Since a cat grooms itself with its tongue, it ends up swallowing fur. When the swallowed fur is too much to pass through its intestinal system, the cat coughs it up in what looks like a slimy bunch of matted hair.

      Hairballs are a natural part of a cat's life and are fairly harmless. However, an excessively big hairball could block your cat's throat or digestive system and cause it to become sick. Help your cat by grooming it regularly to reduce the amount of hair swallowed. Certain cat foods also assist in the digestion of hairballs. If you notice your cat retching a lot to no avail or not eating for more than a day, get it checked out by the vet.

    Matted Fur

    • Brush your long-haired cat daily to keep it beautiful and comfortable.

      Matted fur is an issue with long-haired cats. A long-haired cat's tongue can groom only the top layer of its fur, leaving the long fur underneath untouched. Over time, the hair underneath begins to form small tangles, especially behind the ears and front legs, on the haunches, between the back legs in the groin area, and under the collar. The clump of tangled hair then picks up dirt and debris, weighing it down and hardening it. These hardened, or matted, clumps of hair are uncomfortable for the cat and can cause sores on its delicate skin. You can use your fingers or a mat breaker to gently loosen the mat, but this is often unpleasant for your cat. Mats are best dealt with by professional groomers. In severe cases, the cat's fur must be shaved off to remove the matted clumps.

    Hair Loss

    • No need to worry about shedding fur with a Sphynx cat.

      Light shedding of fur is normal and should be expected. However, if your cat is losing significant amounts of fur, this may be a sign of a health concern. Bring your cat to the veterinarian if you notice any balding patches on its coat. The cat may have a skin issue, parasites, a bacterial or fungal infection, or an allergic reaction.