My cat pulled out matted hair. Is it okay, or are there issues?

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.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Lily. Poor girl! Yes I would get those matts shaved out, they will be painful to her. I'd also recommend having her seen by a vet. She's stopped grooming herself for a reason, and it could be it's painful for her to groom. Arthritis is common in senior cats. A chronic illness, such as diabetes and kidney disease, could sap a cat's energy and lead them to not grooming. Both of those are common in senior cats. I recommend having her seen by a vet this week, and getting her a geriatric blood panel and urinalysis. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Harley! Sometimes there can be a dermatitis or an infection under the mat of hair. You can clean the raw spot well with warm water and a mild soap, dry it well and then apply a topical triple antibiotic twice daily as long as she can't lick it off. It is never wrong to have Harley looked at by a Vet. She may need antibiotics, with out seeing her or a picture I couldn't say. But if you want to try the above first since she feels fine then I think that is ok. I hope this helps and I wish you and Harley the best!

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!

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.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! i would see if your Vet can do it first. They will be more gentle, it may not look the best, but they will be conscious over her age and fragility. If she can not tolerate it then they can discuss maybe using light sedation. I hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would not pull on the hair and I would let it pass on its own. If it is just a single piece of long hair, your cat should be able to pass it on his/her own. If your cat ever becomes inappetant, vomits or has diarrhea, these may be signs of a gastrointestinal obstruction, which is a surgical emergency. It is possible the hair is attached to something else inside your cat's gastrointestinal system which could potentially cause an obstruction. If your cat is otherwise healthy and acting OK, I would simply monitor his feces for the passing of the hair. I hope this is helpful!