Why Your Cat Gets Mats on Its Back (and 7 Fixes)

You pet your cat and feel it: lumpy, clumped fur along the spine or at the base of the tail. The rest of the coat looks fine. So why only there?

Mats on the back are very common, especially in older and long-haired cats. They are also a clue: your cat is not reaching that spot anymore. Here is why, and how to fix it gently at home.

Why does my cat have mats on its back?

Cats pull loose hair out with their tongue. When they skip an area, that hair stays in the coat, twists around live hair and forms a knot.

1. It is the hardest spot to reach. Grooming the lower back takes a lot of bending and twisting, so even healthy cats do a less thorough job there.
2. Stiff or sore joints. Many older cats have arthritis in the spine and hips. PetMD notes that joint pain makes it hard for senior cats to reach some areas, and that mats most often show up at the base of the tail and along the back.
3. Extra weight. A heavier cat simply cannot curl around far enough to clean its back end. The fur there can get greasy, flaky and matted.
4. An oily or dry coat. As cats age, their skin can make more oil, and hair can get more brittle. Both make hair clump and tangle faster, even in short-haired cats.
5. Not feeling well. Cats who are sick, in pain or stressed often groom less. If the mats are new, that change is worth a call to your vet.
6. A long or thick coat. Maine Coons, Persians, Ragdolls and other fluffy cats shed a lot of undercoat. If it is not brushed out, it mats fast.

7 ways to fix and prevent mats on your cat's back

1. Check the back and tail base every few days

Run your fingers down your cat's spine, over the hips and around the base of the tail. Feel for lumps or hard, flat patches. Small tangles are easy to fix, so catch them early.

2. Keep sessions short and calm

Two or three minutes is plenty. Groom when your cat is sleepy, like after a meal. Give a treat and stop before your cat gets annoyed. If your cat fights the brush, our post on why your cat hates being brushed has more tips.

3. Mist knots with detangler spray first

A light mist of detangling spray helps the comb glide instead of pull. You can work on a damp or dry coat. If your cat does not like the spray sound, spray it into your hand or onto the comb and work it into the knot with your fingers.

4. Hold the fur at the base and work from the edge

Hold the hair between the mat and the skin with your fingers. That way the comb pulls against your hand, not your cat's skin. Start at the outer edge of the mat and use short, gentle strokes to break it up a little at a time. Never yank straight through a knot.

5. Use a dematting comb for knots, then a metal comb to check

A dematting comb splits small and medium mats into pieces so they comb out. Then slide a metal comb from the skin out. If it stops, a tangle is still hiding underneath.

6. Do not bathe a matted cat, and do not cut mats with scissors

Never bathe a matted coat before brushing out the mats, because water makes mats tighter. Also skip the scissors. Cat skin is thin and stretchy, and it is very easy to cut it by accident. A mat that is tight against the skin is a job for a groomer or your vet. Our guide to shaving a matted cat explains what that looks like.

7. Help from the inside, too

A healthy coat tangles less. Ask your vet about your cat's weight and joint comfort, since a cat that moves easily grooms more. Some cat parents also add omega 3 fish oil to food to support skin and coat. Check with your vet first if your cat has a health condition or takes medication.

The tools we recommend for mats on a cat's back

A quick note: we make these tools, so we are biased. Here is why we recommend each one for mats on a cat's back.

Dematting Comb & Deshedding Tool for Cats & Dogs

The 9-tooth side breaks up mats with short strokes, and the 17-tooth side pulls out the loose undercoat that turns into mats in the first place. Hold the fur at the base and go slowly. The blades are sharp, so keep the comb close to the coat and never drag it across bare skin.

"My maine coon had some minor mattes on his back and this took it literally almost off within 10 minutes when doing it straight after opening it."

Review by Juliana freitas

Metal Comb for Cats & Dogs

Your everyday comb and final check. The dual-length stainless teeth have rounded tips, so they are kind to thin, older skin.

"My vet recommended this comb because my elderly cat had some mats and has not been able to effectively groom herself. It worked beautifully at working out the mats and she loved being combed!"

Review by Heather C. Fraser

Cat Detangling Spray

A gentle conditioning spray that helps the comb slide through knots with less pulling. Mist a tangle, wait a minute, then comb.

"Worked like a charm on some very hard to clear matted fur on my Big British Shorthair.....Albert is so large he has a hard time grooming his hind quarters. This totally unmated the 'dreads' he was forming :)"

Review by Aaron

Omega 3 Fish Oil for Cats

A skin and coat supplement made for cats. A few drops on food each day supports healthy skin and a softer coat. It does not replace combing, but it can help a dry, flaky coat.

"I purchased this for my older cat who was very unmotivated also his hair was dry but I noticed a big difference after using the product."

Review by A Estrada

A simple routine for a mat-free back

1. Pick a calm moment and have treats ready.
2. Run your fingers along the spine, hips and tail base to find any knots.
3. Mist each knot with detangling spray.
4. Hold the fur at the base and break up the knot with short strokes of the dematting comb, starting at the edge.
5. Comb the whole back with the metal comb, from the skin out.
6. If any mat is tight against the skin, stop and book a groomer or vet visit.
7. Stop after a few minutes, give a treat, and repeat every day or two.

When to call your vet or groomer

Mats on the back are often the first sign that something has changed. Call your vet if the mats appeared suddenly in a cat that used to keep a tidy coat. Also call if your cat is jumping less, moving stiffly, eating or drinking differently, changing weight, having litter box accidents, or flinches when you touch its back. PetMD recommends checkups about every 6 months for senior cats, since problems like arthritis and some illnesses can lead to less grooming.

Ask a groomer or your vet for help if a mat is tight against the skin, covers a large area, or the skin under it looks red, raw or broken. Once the bad mats are shaved out, you can keep the regrowth tangle-free at home.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my cat's fur clumpy only near the tail?

The base of the tail is one of the hardest spots for a cat to reach. Loose hair builds up there and clumps, especially in older or heavier cats.

Will my cat's mats go away on their own?

No. Mats only get tighter over time as more loose hair gets caught in them. Small ones can be combed out at home. Large or tight ones should be removed by a groomer or vet.

Is it safe to cut mats out of my cat's fur?

It is best not to. Mats often sit right against the skin, and cat skin is thin and easy to cut. Use a dematting comb on small mats, and leave tight or large mats to a professional.

How often should I comb an older cat?

A few minutes every day or two works well for most senior cats, with extra attention on the back and base of the tail. Long-haired cats may need a daily comb.

Mats on the back do not mean you did something wrong. Your cat just needs a little help with a spot it cannot reach. A gentle comb every day or two, plus a vet check if the change is new, keeps that coat soft and comfortable. For more on keeping cat fur healthy, see our post on remedies for cat hairballs.