What this means
A healthy cat looks after its coat itself, and it takes up a good share of the day. When it stops doing so as it used to, the fur begins to mat, loses its shine or turns greasy. A worse coat is therefore information about the cat itself, not only about its fur.
A common reason is that it is hard or painful for the cat to reach the places it used to lick. Sore joints or extra weight stop a cat from arching its back or reaching the base of its tail and its flanks, so the fur there mats first. In other cases the skin itself is at fault: too dry or too oily, inflamed or itchy. A cat that feels unwell because of another illness can also lose the energy or the wish to wash.
Cats hide pain, so a less well groomed coat is sometimes the only change you see. Write down where the fur is matted, since when, whether the cat jumps as before and whether it eats and drinks as usual, and tell the vet.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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Sore or stiff joints
When the joints hurt, a cat can no longer arch its back and reach its flanks or the base of its tail. The fur on the back mats, often together with reluctance to jump.
About the condition: Arthritis -
Excess weight
A heavy cat finds it hard to wash its back and the base of its tail. The fur there can mat or turn greasy.
About the condition: Obesity (excess weight) -
A skin or coat disorder
Allergies, parasites, fungus or skin that is too oily or too dry change the look of the coat. It can turn dull, greasy or smell unpleasant.
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Pain in the mouth or teeth
A sore mouth can take away the wish to lick. The cat may also eat less or chew carefully.
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General illness or weakness
Sick cats often stop caring for their coat because they have no strength. An uncared-for coat can be the first sign of illness.
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Older age
Ageing cats sometimes groom less well. That is not simply old age, because pain or illness can lie behind it.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Where the fur is matted: on the back, at the tail base or all over
- Whether the coat is dull, greasy or smells unpleasant
- Whether the cat still jumps up and climbs stairs as before
- Whether there is dandruff, scabs, bald patches or red skin
- Whether the cat eats, drinks and behaves as usual
- Whether you have noticed a change in weight
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your cat's coat has become matted, dull or greasy, especially if it jumps less, has gained weight or is scratching. A vet will work out whether the cause is the skin, the joints or another illness.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Arthritis Bones and joints Inflammation of the joints in which the cartilage wears away over time and the joints become stiff and sore. Cats are good at hiding pain, so it can go unnoticed for a long time while it makes every day's movement harder.
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) Infections A virus that slowly weakens a cat's immune system, so the body finds it harder and harder to fight off other infections. An infected cat can look perfectly healthy for a long time, even for years.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) Hormones and metabolism A disease in which the thyroid, a small gland at the front of the neck, makes too much hormone. The whole metabolism speeds up, so the cat loses weight even though it eats more than ever.
- Intestinal worms Parasites Parasites that live in a cat's gut: roundworms, tapeworms and others. They take nutrients, irritate the gut and can slow a kitten's growth.
- Obesity (excess weight) General health So much fat builds up in the body that it gets in the way of moving and puts a strain on the whole system. Excess weight loads the joints and can be linked with diabetes and other illnesses.
- Skin and coat disorders Skin and coat A wide group of problems: allergies, parasites, fungal and bacterial infections, and skin that is too dry or too oily. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so its state and the state of the coat say a lot about a cat's health.
- Weight and joint issues Bones and joints Excess weight and joint problems feed each other: extra weight loads the joints, and sore joints make a cat less willing to move. The result is a vicious circle that is hard to spot, because the changes come on slowly.
Body systems: Bones and joints Infections Hormones and metabolism Parasites General health Skin and coat