Why has my cat's fur gone lumpy?

Did you know that your cat spends a good chunk of their day keeping themself clean? When they’re not snoozing on our beds or donating their fur to our piles of clean clothes, they’re grooming themselves. 

But sometimes they miss spots, or they’re unable to reach them, and mats end up causing lumps in their fur. Lumpy or matted fur isn’t necessarily something to worry about. But it could indicate something more serious. Read on to learn more about matting, the causes, and what to do about it.

Lumpy fur is exactly what it sounds like – fur that is lumpy to the touch. Usually, the culprits of the lumps are mats – extremely dense tangles of fur that get stuck in your cat’s hair. Mats are made up of dead fur, dead skin cells, and dirt that doesn’t get removed. They are more common in long-haired cats but don’t need to be a cause for concern if you notice and remove them right away.

Although not cause for immediate concern, you should remove matted fur as soon as you notice it because it can be uncomfortable for your cat. The mats insulate warmth, and your cat can become overheated. Mats also pull on the skin, making it sore and irritated. And they can harbour bacteria which, when mixed with warmth and moisture close to the skin, can cause infections.

Your cat’s tongue is like a hairbrush. The rough texture combs through their fur as they groom themselves, picking up dead and loose fur before it turns into mats. A happy, healthy cat will spend about 30-50% of their day grooming themselves – they have a very busy schedule. However, if you’re noticing mats cropping up more often, your cat might not be feeling well, and it’s best to take them to the vet. 

Cats who are old, overweight, or have tooth/mouth problems might not be as able to groom as needed, and these issues will need addressing. That being said, long-haired cats sometimes simply can’t reach everywhere and will often develop mats under their armpits and around their rear end and might need a bit of help removing them.

Health issues can cause mats in your cat’s fur.

Cats with dental problems won’t be willing to groom themselves as often. No one wants to do something that hurts.. 

Similarly, old cats might not be able to reach as many areas as they used to, particularly if they have arthritis or joint pain, which can cause dead fur build-up in those areas. 

Cats who are feeling unwell might also stop grooming as much as before. Just like you don’t bother doing your hair when you’re sick, cats avoid grooming if they’re not well. 

If you start noticing more mats than usual or if your cat’s fur feels lumpy, it might be time for a check-up at the vet's.

Obesity is a common cause of more matted fur. They struggle to reach many areas, such as their bellies and backs. If your cat is looking a little too rotund, and it’s affecting their ability to groom themselves, it might be due to the food that they’re eating. A lot of people overfeed kibble and other commercial cat foods. Cats then eat more because of the tasty additives these cat food brands add to make it more appealing. Learn more about the Obesity Epidemic in cats to decide if it’s time to switch to better, fresh food.

Just like humans, it’s not unheard of for older cats to develop mobility issues like arthritis or joint pain. And sadly this impacts their ability to groom themselves. They may need a little extra help with keeping clean if they can’t do it themselves. A soft brush and grooming wipes can help you keep your cat clean and tangle-free.

Dental or mouth pain will also impact your cat’s ability to groom themselves. Just like how brushing our teeth can be unbearable if we have a toothache, cats will avoid grooming if their mouths hurt.

Did you know that cats can become depressed? It’s sad but true. And just like humans, when they’re feeling this way, they stop taking care of themselves. 

Some things that can cause our cats to feel depressed are:

• The loss of a family member.

• Moving to a new house.

• A change in the family’s schedule.

• A change in physical health.

• Sudden onset of extreme stress or a traumatic event.

You can tell if your cat is feeling depressed if they have a decreased appetite, lose interest in playing with toys (even their very favourite ones), have less interest in the other cats or dogs in the house, spend more time sleeping than usual, or if they stop grooming themselves as thoroughly. If you suspect that your cat is depressed or their behaviour has changed suddenly, take them to see their vet.

The best solution is prevention. Make sure you brush your cat at least once a week or daily if they’re prone to mats. Especially during shedding seasons – Spring and Autumn – to remove dead fur. This will help to stop the build-up of fur that causes mats. And it will stop so many hairballs from ending up on your rug.

If you do find a mat, it can be painful to try to brush it out. A metal-toothed comb might be a good option to help tease out the tangle. Alternatively, you might want to take your cat to a professional groomer to remove any serious matting. They’ll have the tools to get in there and get rid of every last one.

If you’re noticing more mats than usual in your cat, or if they meow when you touch a matted area of fur, it’s time to take a visit to the vet. Serious matting can indicate that your cat isn’t feeling well. They can cause skin conditions or hide something more serious. So it’s important to get them checked over if you suspect there is something going on.

Or you can perform an at-home MOT (a Moggy Overview Test) to check their overall condition. Just remember that this isn’t a replacement for a real vet.  

If you suspect that your cat’s matting might be related to their weight, skin, or health in general, you might want to consider switching their diets. KatKin fresh food is 100% meat, gently cooked, and is a far cry from the dry kibble you find in bags. A better diet can help them get back to feeling themselves – even if that means putting up with 3am zoomies again.