The causes of tangles in a cat and what to do

If you don't get rid of old hair in time, the number of tangles will only increase with each new day. Then moisture will accumulate under the coat, which will lead to sores and inflamed areas.

How to remove tangles in a cat

Cat breeds with long and thick fur have always attracted fans of whiskered pets for their grace, a certain independence and a fairly malleable disposition. But not all owners of cats with long hair know how to properly care for their pets, to her coat please her view.

However, it is quite a serious matter – the correct care for a long hair. Otherwise, if the hair is neglected, there are tangles or trichomes.

Breeding cats with a long coat has always emphasized precisely on the quality of the coat. Unnaturally thick hair in a domestic cat becomes the reason that the animal cannot lick and "comb out" it on its own. Therefore, owners should monitor it carefully.

Without proper care, the hair becomes faded, piled up and bunched into trichomes or tangles. In addition to unkempt appearance, tangles deliver a lot of discomfort to the animal, traumatizing the skin.

Causes of tangles

Curls in cats, or trichomes, appear mainly in long-haired breeds. This pathological condition of the hair is characterized by the formation of adhesions and tangles. The clump of formed hair is so thick that it looks like a dense felted cloth.

In the vast majority of cases trichoma appears in the animal in a hard-to-reach place. In these places the hair is most susceptible to mechanical friction. Locations of tangles are on the abdomen, groin area, under the tail, on the inside of the front and back legs, back and neck.

Veterinary experts associate the appearance of trichomes in long-haired cats with inadequate care of the cat by the owner.

In some cases, the cause of tangles become a pathological focus on the skin – wounds or sores, with a constant allocation of exudate, which provokes sticking and further pulling down of the hair.

In addition to the factors described above, there are a number of other causes that can lead to the appearance of trichomes. The main ones are:

• Dirty coat – dust and wet dirt cause hairs to be attracted and stick together;
• Stress conditions in a cat on a regular basis;
• endocrine system disorders (hormonal imbalance resulting in an imbalance in the metabolism of the skin)
• disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
• parasitic infestations – fleas, ticks and various dewormers;
• Age of the animal – old and weakened animals cannot take care of themselves properly;
• eating disorders (acute deficiency of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that affect the general condition of the skin and coat)
• improper care of their pets' fur (especially noticeable in breeds with long fur, because the coat is constantly changing and it is necessary to comb it out and untangle not big felted lumps, preventing big pelts)
• Excessive or irregular bathing of the cat – bathing is necessary when necessary and after bathing it is important to properly dry and comb the hair, which will prevent the formation of trichomes.

Causes of occurrence

If pets are healthy and can follow hygiene, they usually do not form tangles. However, there are breeds of cats with fluffy coats and thick undercoats that are prone to lump formation. These include Persians, British, Turkish Angora and others.

Not all long-haired breeds suffer from lumps. Siberian cats and Maine Coons, for example, rarely form lumps. Mainly in places of thick and wavy undercoat (on the "collar" and "pants").

• The pet is rarely brushed or not brushed at all;
• during the moulting period the pet is not combed out the old hair;
• the pet is sick;
• the cat is washed with an improperly selected shampoo and the soap is used to make the hair very dense and lumpy;
• the cat is lazy and fat, it is obese;
• the cat eats irrationally, that can cause avitaminosis (hair strongly crumbles, the risk of lump formation increases)
• sticky substances got on the fur (for example, jam, honey, paint, etc.);
• pathological conditions develop: cancer, parasites, dermatitis, endocrine disorders.

If a pet has tangles, it's the owner's fault. It means he didn't take good care of the pet.

What are the dangers?

The appearance of tangles spoils the appearance of the pet. This is a huge disadvantage for the breeder of purebred cats. In addition, stroking a pet with tangles is unpleasant.

However, these are not the worst consequences. The tangles can provoke the development of various diseases. Pathogens begin to multiply in the tangled hair. When a pet licks itself, they enter the body and continue their synthesis there.

Fleas, lice, mites and other parasites take good root in the tangles. The skin beneath the lumps gets bogged down and dermatological problems arise that are hard to treat. In addition, the cat will try to remove the matted hair with his claws, and in the process may cause wounds. These injuries will take a long time to heal.

What are the dangers?

• The appearance of tangles on the coat of a pet will seriously spoil its appearance. This is quite a significant disadvantage for those breeders who breed pedigree cats. In addition, petting an animal with a lot of tangles is unpleasant.
• The skin under the lumps, among other things, can also wither, and the animal may have problems with it, which in the future will be difficult to cure, and it will cause serious harm to the health of the pet. Do not forget that the cat itself will try to "remove" the hair, bunched up in tangles, with its claws and can cause itself quite deep wounds. They can heal for a long time and bring suffering to the animal.
• However, this is not the most serious consequences of the presence of tangles. These formations may well provoke all sorts of diseases. Pathogenic germs quickly begin to multiply in a badly tangled coat. The pet will gently lick itself, these bacteria will enter its body and continue its life there.
• Tangles are not always just clumps of plain old or dirty hair. They often appear around neoplasms, hiding them from view and leading to more infection and delayed treatment.
• When cats and kittens become tangled, their natural ability to lick their coats is immediately compromised, and their coats become dirty and greasy quickly, making them a perfect breeding ground for germs. Such a pet is at great risk of "catching" fungus, various fleas, and also begins to suffer from fleas or lice.
• Under the coarse lumps that form the hair, inflammation can appear. The cat will begin to feel serious discomfort and even pain because the lumps will pull on the skin. If there are a lot of tangles, the pet may even become seriously ill, it can significantly deteriorate its character. A gentle and peace-loving cat can make a perpetually irritable and wild-eyed pet.
• There is another good reason why you should get rid of the different sizes of tangles as soon as possible, and that is the possibility of unintentional injury. Injury can occur during normal play, if the lump is accidentally caught on an object or furniture. The cat will immediately want to get rid of the inadvertent nuisance and will begin to twitch and lash out, which can lead to injury.

How to remove?

The following popular methods are used to remove pesky lumps from the hair of cats.

• If the lumps are not yet very large, you can try to gently comb them out. The pet should be placed on its side or on one's lap and stroked so that it is not worried or frightened. This should be done so that he calms down, trusts you and does not tear away. First you should gently brush the cat's sides and back, then move on to the neck and chest, and finish the process by brushing the front legs and tail. It is very difficult to get rid of the lumps that are on the cat's stomach and its hind legs.

The most important thing is that the animal does not feel pain while combing, then it will not bite and disturb you.

• If there are too many tangles and you cannot comb them out, just trim them to the bottom. You have to be very careful when doing this as the skin under the coat is very thin and therefore easily damaged. The coils are usually removed with scissors, you can use a standard hair clipper or a special device for trimming hair. The gaps will fully regrow after 2-3 months. Shearing will alleviate the condition of a cat suffering from tangles.

• In a pet store you can buy an interesting device, which is commonly known as a lint cutter. It is a special comb with blunt ends and blades between the teeth. Using this device is perfectly safe for your pets. When selecting the most suitable hair clippers, you can save money by buying a cheaper model. But in any case, the chosen model must perfectly suit your pet in all respects (the colt cutter with long blades is chosen for long-haired cats, short blades are perfect for cats with little hair). In addition, when choosing, other factors should be taken into account:
  • the number of teeth;
  • their length;
  • The material from which the blades are made;
  • the handle of the device.

  Causes of the development of tangles:

  Your cat may not have enough protein and minerals in his diet.

  Of course, tangles are not life-threatening, but you should not ignore them. And the problem is not just an unaesthetic appearance of the animal. The tangles can be bothersome for the cat.

  The skin under the tangle is tight, restricting movement and causing pain. Under the tangle, there may be skin lesions. Thus, excessive dryness of the skin leads to dandruff, excessive moisture leads to inflammation and ulceration. Affected skin becomes a welcome habitat for bacterial and fungal flora.

  What can you do to prevent shedding?

  Use an anti-tangle lotion. They help nourish the hair and prevent damage to the cuticle.

  5. Treat fleas and other parasites when necessary and take preventative measures.

  If there are a lot of tangles, they are close to the skin, it is better to get help from a grooming salon or a veterinarian.

  If, despite care, tangles continue to form, you should conduct a complete examination of the cat in a veterinary clinic and try to find the cause of the pathology.

  Preventive measures

  To prevent the formation of tangles, you need to take care of your pet. A cat needs to have its hair brushed at least once a day for 10-15 minutes. It can be done by different devices: comb for down, for undercoat, massage combs, combing device – Furminator (device for combing, which allows quickly and easily remove the dead hair).

  When it's hot outside, you can give your pet haircuts. This can be tricky, so it's best to take your cat to the vet. When bathing your beloved pet, it is best to use a suitable shampoo that will make the coat silky, such as, Perfect Coat 8 in 1, Luxury Lioness, Biovax, Herba Vitae. After the animal has been bathed, it should be combed well, and if it is not afraid of a hair dryer, it should be dried.

  This is important! Hair brushing should be done at least 2 times a week. Some cats get used to hair brushing and begin to treat it as a pleasure session. It is important to pay attention to the choice of a comb – it should not have hard teeth.

  A cat may recognize its own disorder and will try to comb it out, but only the pet's owner can remove the lint properly. The main thing is to accustom your fluffy friend to this obligatory procedure, and then over time he will get used to it and will not resist. A healthy coat is very important for your pet's well-being.

  For information on how to trim hair with a hair dryer, see below.

  Causes and Consequences of Tufts

  

  Clumps of hair in cats are caused by the natural process of hair loss. Fallen hairs remain in the healthy coat and are bunched together in tight clumps usually behind the ears, on the abdomen and thighs, armpits, and tail. There can be several causes.

  Unbalanced nutrition.

  If a cat does not get with food the whole set of necessary proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, micro-and macro-elements, this can lead to a deterioration of the coat. The coat becomes dull and disheveled, the amount of natural grease decreases, the process of hair dying intensifies and the formation of tangles.

  Deteriorating health.

  Cats take care of their own hair by carefully licking and removing dead hair. If a pet has stopped brushing its hair, it may be due to inflammatory processes in the mouth, skin diseases, and apathy in the postoperative period. Also, parasites such as lice and fleas can provoke the appearance of tangles.

  Improper or insufficient care.

  Infrequent brushing, violation of washing rules and the use of shampoos not intended for cats, improper drying – all this provokes the appearance of tangles.

  External contamination.

  

  The sticky substances (paint, honey, tar, blood, feces, etc.) getting into a cat's hair stick the hair together. A cat is not able to remove such impurities on its own and as a result it becomes tangled. It is necessary to remove the loose hair not only for aesthetic reasons. The tangles quickly become soiled and become a breeding ground for bacteria, and they can lead to dermatitis and diaper rash, and they often harbor parasites. In an attempt to get rid of the hair on its own, the cat may damage its skin and get an infection.

  How to remove cat hair at home

  

  Particular attention should be paid to the choice of products that facilitate combing the hair. They must be hypoallergenic, suitable for a certain type of coat, and have a quality composition. For example, a spray conditioner Elite Professional series with allantoin, glycerin and a complex of conditioning components. It is adapted for home use, has an antistatic effect to reduce electrostatic, softening and moisturizing, gives the pet a shiny coat, facilitates combing and prevents tangling.

  It is worth consulting a cat grooming professional before purchasing cosmetic products and grooming tools.

  1. Spray a spray on a dry coat to facilitate combing.
  2. Gently detangle tangles using a fine-toothed comb. If this is not possible, you should cut off the tangle with a special tool or manicure scissors with thin rounded blades.
  3. Gently comb the hair with a brush.

  In especially neglected cases, when the cat is aggressive and restless, it is desirable to carry out the procedure in pairs. One person holds the pet and the other removes the tangles. This will avoid trauma to the animal's skin and protect the owner from scratches. After the procedure, you should give the cat a treat.

  

  If you can't cope with the cat's tangles on your own, it is better to contact a grooming salon. Specialists will help to tidy up the hair, trim the cat's hair if necessary, and give recommendations on proper care. A hygienic haircut "under the machine" can be done under general sedation at the veterinary clinic.

  Preventing tangles

  Curls in a cat's fur do not form overnight. It is a rather slow process. Anyone who keeps an eye on their pet will notice its beginning and take action. But even the initial stage of tangles can be prevented by:

  • Regularly comb the cat's hair. Long-haired beauties should undergo this procedure every day, and those with less luxurious coats can do with a couple of times a week. The pet should be accustomed to the procedure since its childhood, so that it will treat the combing calmly and will not be capricious. You should use brushes with different lengths and thickness of teeth and follow a certain sequence of applications. The process should be approached responsibly – thoroughly comb all parts of the body, from head to tail.
  • Give your cat a bath on time. Ideally, this should be done once or twice a month. It is desirable to use special shampoos that prevent the formation of tangles. In cases where bathing is impossible for some reason, veterinarians recommend using special sprays or dry shampoos, which will facilitate combing and prevent hair from getting very hairy.
  • Provide a balanced diet for your catIt should contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for a beautiful and healthy coat. Experts do not recommend feeding the cat from the common table, because human food is not quite suitable for the pet. It is better to stop at ready-made food from the store, but choose only high-quality varieties.

  To remove lint from the cat's fur is real, although often problematic. However, you should remember that the consequences of the procedure will still remind about themselves for a long time. It will take a long time before the new hair will grow back.

  This usually takes three to six months. This situation is a real disaster for cats who regularly participate in shows.. Yes, and other pets do not want to go "ragged. Therefore, it is best to avoid tatters, and then you won't have to clean them.

  Choose an appropriate time

  Do not pester your pet with scissors or a comb when he is in a playful mood or, conversely, avoiding you. There is a risk that he will bite or scratch you. So choose times when the cat is in a relaxed state – napping, just fed, etc.

  Scissors or clump cutter are needed directly for removing big clumps of tangled hair. The difference is that the colt cutter is safer, it has small blades, but you can remove only small tangles with it. Therefore, in severe cases, manicure scissors are used.

  Comb or brush-trimmer You'll need it right after you remove the lint to give your coat a good detangling. Choose combs or brushes with sparse teeth.

  Combing sprays Makes any grooming procedure a lot easier. They simply make the coat smoother so it's easier to untangle. Sprays should never be used as a substitute for water, in which case it is best to leave the coat dry.

  Easy grooming at home

  To begin with, you need to determine the condition of the cat's hair – it is good if you can save it as much as possible. If the animal has non-voluminous lumps, you need to separate them into strands with your fingers, and then gently comb through with a comb with frequent teeth or use a lint cutter. Before the procedure, you can spray a special spray, or leave the coat dry.

  There are situations when you can save the pet only with scissors or a machine.

  The difficulty is that the tangled lumps are very close to the skin, and it is very difficult to cut them out. Therefore, act according to the following scheme:

  1. First, it is better to wash the cat – with a special shampoo and conditioner. This is necessary in order to moisturize the coat, to make it smoother. You can begin the procedure of removing tangles only after the pet is completely dry.
  2. If there are many tangles of hair and they are close to the skin, it is better to work together (one holds, the other cuts). This way your pet won't get hurt by the clippers and you'll protect your skin from teeth and claws.
  3. The most important thing is not to hurt the cat. So feel for the hairball, put the comb between the skin and the scissors, and gradually cut the hair.
  4. If the cat's coat is in a terrible condition, or there are too many tangles, or you cannot make it neat, use the services of a groomer. He will cut his hair without hurting him.

  How to get rid of lumps in a cat's hair

  At home, hairballs are combed out or trimmed. To get rid of it as comfortably as possible for the owner and the animal, use the following tricks:

  • Before combing out, apply a dirt dissolving agent – they soften the "rolls" and facilitate the procedure;
  • After the manipulation, the coat should be sprayed with anti-static spray – this will prevent electrification and tangling;
  • The pet should not be bathed before the procedure, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to comb it out;
  • give a mild sedative half an hour to an hour before the treatment;
  • If the pet resists strongly – use radical measures, put a restraining collar around its neck and wrap tape around its paws.

  How to comb out lint

  When the tangles have just begun to form, not yet too hard – they can simply be combed out. To do this:

  • The lump is distributed into several parts, releasing all the loose hairs;
  • Carefully comb through the loose hairs;
  • with one hand hold the skin so that the animal is not hurt;
  • if "roll" is too big or dense, it is cut lengthwise into 2 – 3 parts.

  It is better to work "in four hands", when one person holds the pets and the other gently brushes out.

  Cutting out a cat's tangles

  If the resulting tangles cannot be combed out, they are removed with manicure scissors or a shearing machine:

  • With scissors, carefully cut the formation as close to the base as possible – usually it is cut into several parts, and then remove each part;
  • put a nozzle of at least 2 mm on the machine, under the base of the lump bring the device and move it upwards.

  Clipping is preferred by a veterinarian or a grooming salon. Most cats sit quietly in unfamiliar surroundings because of fear. And if the coat is all tangled, it has many "icicles", they fit tightly to the body – you can't do without a professional haircut.

  Prevention of the formation of tangles

  Hair-pulling is better to prevent – cutting spoils the appearance of pets, and new hair will grow for several months.

  The main preventive methods are good nutrition, vitamin supplements and products to prevent the formation of tangles .

  Combing

  Cats with long hair combed daily, with medium – once every 2 days, with a short – 1 – 2 times a week. There are several rules to follow:

  • accustomed to the procedure while still a kitten – so the animal is easily given to combing;
  • At first use a comb with rare teeth for untangling hair;
  • In the second stage a feather duster is used to comb out the undercoat;
  • finish combing with a massage brush.

  Bathing

  Although cats are contraindicated frequent water procedures, in addition, they frankly do not like them, from time to time pets should be bathed. Adhere to the following recommendations:

  • Wash as needed (when heavily soiled, during the spring and autumn molting), if necessary, more often, but no more than once a month;
  • Use special shampoos, preferably with conditioners;
  • When bathing a pet do not shag, but gently iron from head to tail – so the hairs will not be bunched and tangled;
  • Wipe with a towel along the growth of the hair;
  • dry and comb out the pet.

  Single tangles are not dangerous, they can be easily removed with a comb and scissors. But if the hair is constantly dislodged and falling out badly, you should consult your veterinarian. Perhaps the animal is sick, or the owner is not caring for it properly at all.