Many cat lovers dream of having a fluffy long-haired cat, but not everyone, for many reasons, decides to have such a pet. One of the most common reasons is the need for constant and painstaking hair care. And this is quite fair, because such a fluffy pet needs to be combed out regularly and correctly, and the coat should be treated with special means. Many owners of long-haired cats complain that it only takes a little “start” care, as tangles appear. However, tangles in a cat can also occur for other reasons, which we offer to learn more about right now.

[ Hide ]

Why do tangles appear?

Tangles or trichomes occur in both long-haired dogs and cats and are a pathological condition of the animal's coat. With trichomes, the hairs of the wool stick together and tangle with each other into a dense inseparable lump, which feels like a dense felt. Tangles most often occur in hard-to-reach places and where the coat is most exposed to friction: the abdomen, groin area, tail, inside of the paws, less often on the back or neck. Veterinarians associate this phenomenon with poor animal care, as well as with local pathological processes.

The most common cause of tangles in pets is insufficient care or untimely combing. However, among all the factors that cause trichomes, experts include:

Tangles are not only an aesthetic problem: due to metabolic disorders in the skin, they cause discomfort and many skin diseases. Due to discomfort in accessible places, the animal itself may try to tear out or gnaw out mats, injuring the skin.

We remove tangles correctly

Removing tangles from animal hair is not so easy without special tools. Many do not do without scissors or clippers. However, we do not recommend immediately resorting to drastic measures, because this will ruin the pet's chic hair. Of course, if other methods do not help, then there is nowhere to go. The first thing you can try is to take it apart with your hands and comb the matted wool. The second popular and effective method of how to get rid of tangles in a cat is to use a tangle cutter.

Combing

The first thing a cat owner should do after finding tangles on their fur is to try to comb them. To do this, you need to fix the animal in a comfortable position and follow the instructions.

1. If the tangles have formed recently, they can easily be untangled with your hands. To do this, you must first divide the tangle into several strands, then try to disassemble the pieces of hair in parts. Starting from the bottom up, comb through them with a fine-toothed comb.
2. If the tangle was only partially disassembled, for example, the top layer of wool, then the bottom one can be carefully cut lengthwise with a knife or use a tangle cutter.
3. When combing the mat, the skin must be held so that it is not pulled hard and does not cause pain to the animal.

Never bathe your pet before unraveling tangles. This will only exacerbate the problem. However, experts advise to pre-treat the tangle itself and the hair around it with a special combing spray or talcum powder.

Koltunorez

The mat cutter is a modern, convenient and completely safe tool that helps to remove matted hairballs and tangles. In appearance, it resembles a paring knife. Such a tool is equipped with special blades (usually about 10 of them), which are parallel to each other and sharpened on one side only for safe use.

Photogallery "Koltunorezy"

It is necessary to comb the matted wool with a mat cutter in the same way as with a regular comb. The blades of the tool should be turned down, movements - in the direction of the tangle. You can see how the splitter looks like in the video (pro100vesna).

Prevention of tangles

As experts say, it is better to prevent a problem than to get rid of it later. This is especially true for show animals, for which the removal of even minor areas of hair is a disaster. In the most fluffy long-haired cats, the coat after a haircut is completely restored only after 4-5 months. In addition, after cutting, the outer hair may change color. Therefore, for all thoroughbred show cats, the main rule of keeping is proper nutrition and high-quality regular care.

So, what is included in the concept of "regular care" and what does the prevention of tangles mean?

1. Regular combing of wool will allow to remove fallen hairs in a timely manner, to promote the proper metabolism of the skin.
2. Regular bathing of the animal with the use of special shampoos and hygiene products will help keep the coat clean. Clean hairs without skin problems do not fall off and do not tangle, they shine and lie evenly over the entire surface of the body.
3. A balanced diet and additional nutrients and vitamins will help maintain healthy skin and a beautiful coat.
4. If it is not possible to buy an animal in a timely manner, you can use dry shampoo. In addition to maintaining cleanliness, it will help remove static electricity, make the coat soft and shiny.
5. Always use a hair dryer after bathing and comb your cat thoroughly with a special brush.

How to properly care for a long-haired purring pet so that there are no problems with the coat? Grooming expert talks about it.

Luxurious long-haired pets walk around the house with dignity or lie imposingly on pillows - such a sight pleases the eye of many cat lovers, but such beauty is achieved with great effort and, sometimes, many hours of daily care.

When breeding cat breeds with long hair, the emphasis was on its quality and length, so only cats with the appropriate parameters were allowed into breeding in order to consolidate the breed trait.

No one, even the neatest cat, can serve a luxurious plume of wool, so the owners, acquiring a fluffy ball, received the right to care for such beauty as a burden. If the appropriate procedures (combing, conditioning, etc.) are not carried out at least every other day, then the long hair begins to get tangled and stray into ugly shreds - tangles.

Causes of tangles in cats. This is a fairly common problem with longhaired breeds, especially Persians. In shorthairs, this problem is practically absent, and the cause of tangles in them can be the poor health of the animal, during which the cat stops caring for itself, as well as the ingress of any adhesive substances on the coat. Tangles are formed from old, fallen hair, which is tangled with living hairs. With frequent combing (with a tongue or brush), all old hairs are removed, and tangles do not appear.

What's wrong with tangles?

Cats with tangles acquire a completely unaesthetic, untidy appearance, and in place of a chic handsome man with a silky cascade, the owners will one day see an unfortunate cat that has fallen down. It makes no sense to start a long-haired individual if you bring it to such a state.

The tangles are very disturbing to the animal and, trying to get rid of them, it can damage the delicate skin. In addition, mats do not allow air to pass through well, and the skin under them gradually begins to rot, forming extensive dermatitis.

Cat mats are very fond of “settlement” behind the ears, in the inguinal region and on the hind legs (pants), in the armpits, as well as on the tail and neck.

Long-haired cats should be examined daily and even the smallest tangle should be removed, as the area of ​​tangled hair will gradually grow and then the removal of tangles in cats will have to be decided radically.

Do not try to pull out the tangle with a comb or hands. The skin of cats is very delicate and a wound can form in this place. If the felted piece is small, you need to gently tear it apart with your fingers, and then slowly comb out the fallen hair with a comb. As a rule, cats do not like this procedure, and in order to hold it, you will need another pair of hands.

A dense lump is very close to the skin, and it is not always possible to remove it with fingers, so you have to resort to scissors. But, it should be remembered that when performing such a procedure, the cat must be held very tightly, otherwise injuries to the skin with sharp scissors cannot be avoided.

Grooming tangles in cats – a rather exhausting procedure that requires stamina and good nerves, and is also quite lengthy if the animal is completely felled. Therefore, in order to avoid sometimes a waste of time and effort, you can contact a veterinary clinic with a grooming center, where experienced specialists will quickly rid the animal of unnecessary ballast.

Tangles in cats treatment and prevention

When purchasing a long-haired ball, you need to be prepared for the daily procedures of combing wool and processing it with special products, which are sometimes quite expensive. A kitten from an early age must be accustomed to a comb, otherwise, when he grows up, it will not be possible to carry out the procedure. Future owners of pussies should remember that a luxurious plume is created by their hands, since cats themselves cannot lick and comb themselves with high quality with their tongues. In addition, if you constantly let the cat lick, then there is a risk of blockage of the digestive system with bezoars - pieces of swallowed wool, which often leads to death.

For each cat, combs and care products are selected individually. Do not get carried away with "slickers". Poor quality, they injure delicate skin and tear out "live" hair. It is best to use a comb with sparse, rounded teeth, carefully combing the cat through the strands, choosing dead hair. Do not hurt the cat, otherwise she will not let herself be combed again and the necessary cosmetic procedure will turn into torture for everyone.

To improve the quality of wool, it is necessary to choose the right diet, giving preference to premium-class foods that are created specifically for long-haired cats.

To prevent hair from rolling, you need to comb it once a day and treat it with special anti-tangle compounds, and use shampoos only with conditioners.

Veterinary center "DobroVet"

The owners are very proud of the beauty of long-haired cats. This beauty is given by daily work, because in order for a pet to please its owners, its coat has to be regularly looked after. If a short-haired cat copes well with the task of grooming on its own, then luxurious beauties simply need help. When the process is already running, the cat has tangles, and naturally, the owners face the question of how to get rid of this trouble, and why his beauty had this problem.

Many owners of luxurious pets often wonder why their pets have a tangled bun in their hair, which interferes not only with the owner, but also with the animal itself. The appearance of tangles is the most common problem of long-haired cats. The most common causes of such problems are:

1. Hairballs that appear on the neck, underarms, and on the stomach are formed due to regular movements, during which the cat's coat is affected.
2. Improper bathing of the pet. A long-haired animal needs to be washed more carefully than its short-haired counterpart. Movements during washing should be stroking, slightly scratching the pet's coat. If a cat's coat is ruffled, then it will become tangled, it will have lumps that are difficult to comb out. After washing, you need to dry your pet no less carefully, since lumps may also appear at this time, which will be quite difficult to get rid of. In no case should the cat be rubbed during drying. It is best to just blot it with a towel at this time.
3. Often the appearance of tangles is the first heralds of health problems in a cat. Usually at this time, the animal's coat grows dull, a fatty imbalance appears. At this time, it is not at all easy to take care of the luxurious hair of a pet, sometimes it is impossible to get rid of lumps of six.
4. Another reason, physiological, wool is constantly updated, the old one falls out, a new one appears. If the old hair was not removed in time, then the pet has a tangled patch of hair.
5. An unbalanced cat diet can also lead to this problem. A cat, especially a long-haired one, should receive all the necessary food ration. If she eats natural food, then it is necessary to include beef, vegetables, vitamins and various mineral supplements. When an animal is fed dry food, one of the important rules is not to buy cheap low-quality varieties of food. To maintain a beautiful hair in a cat, you can add special additives to the diet that improve the structure of cat hair.

What is the danger of tangles

Firstly, such a cat does not look very aesthetically pleasing. The whole feature of long-haired beauties is a rich head of hair. If there is no time for proper care, then you can think about whether it is worth getting a pet of this breed.

Secondly, hairballs can damage the pet's skin. They do not provide normal ventilation and contribute to the appearance of dermatitis.

Thirdly, mats are not only untidy and ugly, they are a breeding ground for bacteria, infections and fleas.

How to remove the resulting tangles

Removing the pellets formed in the pet's chic hair is not entirely simple and this is not a very pleasant procedure that requires patience from both the owner and their pet. For this you need:

• When problems with the hair have formed recently, you can try to stir up the spools with your fingers.
• In order to save some part of the cat's hair, you should not immediately cut out the caked lumps. First, you should try to cut them very carefully with a knife along. Lightly touching the old wool with your hands, while trying to comb the animal, you need to start from the ends, gradually rising up the hairline.
• You can use a tangle cutter - this is a specialized comb with blades that helps to remove the pellets from the cat's fur.
• If the process is sufficiently started and it is not possible to comb out the cat, then you should not torment the animal, you need to cut it with a typewriter. You can use both special machines for cutting animals, or you can take the human version. The nozzle on the machine must be larger than 2 mm. This procedure is best done with an assistant who will immobilize the animal, which is necessary for its safety. When cutting a pet, the skin should be stretched along the body, this procedure must be approached very carefully, since the skin of a cat is thinner than that of a person. Therefore, it is easier to hurt him.
• When the owner decided to cut the animal, then you need to remember that you do not need to cut the head and paws of the pet. If the owner is afraid, then to get such domestic lions, you can contact either a veterinarian or a hairdresser.

If your cat has tangles, it's best to delay taking a bath until the problem is fixed, as this can only aggravate the situation.

Prevention of the formation of tangles

For cats with a luxurious coat, the appearance of tangles is a rather serious problem. Especially if the cat is a show animal. After all, all pride and luxury is manifested in a well-groomed pet coat. If in this case you have to cut the animal, then this can be the cause of a real tragedy, since it will take up to 6 months to grow new wool.

Moreover, additional time will pass when the cat's hair will even out in length, and then, for this, you will have to cut the animal again. In addition, it is possible that the new wool will be slightly different not only in the structure of the hair, but also in color. Prevention includes:

• Regular washing of the animal with the use of special shampoos and conditioners for the care of cat hair will help to avoid such a nuisance. After applying these products, the handsome man's chic fur coat shines and does not stick together.
• The use of special vitamins will help the owner to cope with the problem of tangles.
• Daily combing of the animal will help to avoid the appearance of lumps on the coat of the intestine. If the owner does not have time for this event, then a similar procedure should be carried out no less than 3 times a week.
• You can use dry shampoo to care for cats, these products will help to avoid the appearance of static stress, make the coat soft and obedient.
• Some cat owners use a hair dryer to dry their pet after washing the animal. This prevents the appearance of pellets after improper drying of the animal and will help to properly comb the pet.

Long-haired beauties have a unique beauty and are the pride of the owner. But they themselves are not able to properly care for their luxurious fur coat. In order not to bring the animal's coat to a critical state, simple, but daily care is necessary, and then the cat will avoid such problems as the appearance of tangles.

Lovely fluffy domestic purrs are more popular with most people than shorthaired cats because of their adorable coat. It is a great pleasure for a person to stroke and squeeze a home fluffy. But the same luxurious fur coat gives the animal and its owner a lot of unpleasant minutes if trouble happens to it and instead of silky fur, the hand comes across tangles from the cat.

You need to deal with the situation as soon as possible, otherwise the only thing that can be done when the wool has time to completely fall off is to cut out coarse hairballs, ruining the beautiful fluffy skin of your pet for a long time.

Reasons for the formation of tangles

Most cats do not develop hairballs if they are healthy and able to take care of their fur. But some of the breeds, which have a long fluffy "cotton" coat with a very thick undercoat, are more prone to the formation of matted and compacted wool. This and .

At the same time, such long-haired domestic animals as "Siberians" and Maine Coons suffer less and less often from tangles, since they have a long awn, and mostly lumps form in places of a very thick, wavy and curly undercoat - on the "collar ” and on the “pants”.

Such wool tends to cling to neighboring hairs and becomes strongly compacted, forming a felt - this is the tangle. It occurs in most situations in the following cases:

• the animal is poorly monitored or not combed at all;
• often formations appear during the period when the hair begins to actively climb, and no one helps the cat to get rid of it;
• often the fact that the cat's hair began to fall off indicates that the animal is sick;
• in rare cases, the animal refuses to lick itself, so the owners have to follow its fur, and they wash it with their own and, when lathering, vigorously crumple the wool, resulting in a dense felt;
• tangles are a frequent occurrence in lazy and obese animals.

In most situations with health problems in animals, a person is to blame, so all owners should know exactly how to get rid of tangles in a cat and how to prevent their formation in the future.