My outdoor cat has a bug-like object on a matted tuft. Is it bad?

If her hair is matted then she will need to have the hair trimmed with a pair of clippers. She could develop a skin infection if the matted hair is against her skin. You could also bathe her and see if that helps.

Without seeing the bug it is very hard to say what it might be. It could have been a tick, a flea, lice, or something else. I suggest you take her to a vet for an exam. They can give you an anti-parasite medication to put on her.

If Chubbs' fur coat is heavily matted, this can be quite painful and he may be pulling out the mats due to discomfort. Cats typically groom themselves well, but when cats do not do so, they can have underlying skin or endocrine conditions. Start by having Chubbs groomed to remove all mats, be sure to apply a high quality flea preventative (such as Advantage) once a month, and monitor his behavior and appetite for changes. Laxatone is an over the counter medication that can be helpful if Chubbs develops a problem with hairballs.

Hi there. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and for posting the photos! This just looks like plant material to me. Maybe something in the cocklebur family? I don't see the "alive" thing you are referring to. Honestly, I think if there is something alive in the seed then it is just coincidence it is on your cat. I think the burr just got stuck in the fur. I have never heard of caterpillars coming out of any hair. If it is in the burr on your cat it is only because it is stuck in the fur. Not because it is "living" there. I recommend you just keep him brushed out daily. If you are really worried you can also take these things into your vet so they can see them. They may know more about these since they are local. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

This may be a cuterebra. A cuterebra is basically a maggot that has burned into the skin, and the hole is so the maggot can breath. You need to take your cat into a vet asap to get this removed. I hope this helps!

The white specks to are seeing may just be dander. Many times when the coat gets matted a great deal of dander will build up underneath the mat. If her fur feels sticky this could just be moisture but could also indicate a moist dermatitis or skin infection. I'd suggest giving Piper a bath using an oatmeal shampoo. If the flaking and moist skin does not resolve after a bath it's a good idea to take her to your veterinarian. Your vet can help clip the remaining fur around the area and decide if antibiotics are needed. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I am sorry to hear about Jewel. Fleas are definitely a possibility in any pet who is itching, even if they are supervised when outdoors, a flea can easily jump onto a pet without our notice. They can also be very difficult to find on a pet if there are just one or two fleas. In addition, some pets are very sensitive to flea bites and just one or two bites can make a pet very itchy. Other possible causes could include allergies to things in the environment such as grasses/pollens/dust. If your kitty has red lesions/spots/scabs/bald patches on the skin I would recommend an examination by your vet. If you don't see any skin lesions you could try using a flea preventative (your vet carries several types such as Comfortis, Bravecto, Revolution or you can purchase a product such as Advantage or Frontline at the pet store- be sure to purchase a product specifically for cats). You can also try a fatty acid supplement which can decrease inflammation in the skin, such as Cutaneo trubenefits which you can purchase online at: http://www.vrshealth.com/feline-products/?petcoach=1977956 If the itching persists or skin lesions develop then a vet exam is needed.