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My 14-year-old cat has matted fur. Is it a sign of health problems?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 12 lbs

My cat suddenly has matted fur everywhere. He is about 14 years old and is an indoor cat. I have been brushing him daily but he won't let me even attempt to get rid of the matted fur. Could there be an underlying health reason as to why his beautiful fur is suddenly becoming all matted?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 19th, 2018

Your cat likely has arthritis or is not feeling well. Cats who do not clean themselves usually are either too lethargic to clean themselves or are in pain and cannot move well enough to properly clean themselves His teeth should also be checked. If he has a lot of tartar on his teeth, or red inflamed gums, grooming will also hurt. You should take him to your vet for an exam, and if the mats are very bad, a shave under anesthesia.

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