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Cat's hair is funky...help?

post #1 of 13
2/25/11 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
I just adopted a male cat who is 2 and he is a sweetheart. I have noticed lately though the hair on his back looks separated and not very attractive looking . I have tried brushing him but it doesn't seem to help this funky looking hair on his back. is there something I can do to make his hair look nice? I don't want to bathe him because I have only had him for about a week and I don't want to traumatize him. Any suggestions?
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post #2 of 13
2/25/11 at 8:03pm
Is it on his spine or all over his body? You can take a warm damp washcloth and wipe him down. Don't get the cloth too wet, just damp.
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post #3 of 13
2/26/11 at 1:17am
Is he overweight? What is he eating now? Was he recently neutered(shaved still back there?)
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post #4 of 13
2/26/11 at 1:24am
Thread Starter 
It is on his back area about midway, the hair just seperates and doesn't look nice and silky like the rest of his fur. He was neutered quite awhile ago and he is not overweight or underweight. I feed him Blue Buffalo dry cat food. I guess I could try the wipe thing on his back to see if this helps. Is this common? Does anybody know what I am talking about?
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post #5 of 13
2/26/11 at 9:26am
My two long haired cats have hair like you describe on their backs along their spines. Does he have long hair?

It doesn't bother me, though.

I have found with all my cats, who all came from a shelter, and were there 10 months to 3+ years, after a month or two at home their fur got a lot better. It's probably better food, less stress, and general better well-being. Their fur got shinier, silkier, and softer.

I'm sure the wiping down with a washcloth would help. Or you could apply a small amount of cat shampoo (nothing else because he'll lick anyplace you wet) to the area, and then rinse it off. They also sell cat wipes at the big pet food stores.

But, if I were you I'd wait a while to address this at all. He's still getting to know you and his new home, and building relationships there. You don't want to jeopardize the good feelings he's developed.

Congratulations on your new cat!

Robin
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post #6 of 13
2/26/11 at 10:51am
Buttercup has always been a fashion model, but Wesley had a dry coat when I first got him.

Didn't do anything special, but its much nicer now, although he still sheds way more than her.
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post #7 of 13
2/26/11 at 11:29am
If it's a greasy spot, you can rub a bit of cornstarch into the fur to absorb the oils. Make sure to brush most of out. . .ingesting a little bit won't hurt but you don't want him to get too much in his mouth.
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post #8 of 13
2/26/11 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
He is a short haired cat and it's not a greasy spot but more of just a seperated look of the hair. I will try the wipey thing and maybe invest in a furminator. Hopefully with this and the better food he is eating this will take care of it. Anybody have any opinions on the furminator? He is such a lovebug. I adopted him from a rescue group and his tag said he was the perfect lap cat. There is no doubt he is exactly that. He is sitting on my lap as I speak....lol I had another cat for 15 years and then we had to put her down due to sickness. She wasn't sweet or friendly as she got older but we still loved her. Come to think of it she had that nappy cat look at times too. Hmmm maybe it's just that they need a good bath or brushing. Anyway I will give these a try and in the meantime my new buddy Asher is warming my heart.
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post #9 of 13
2/26/11 at 5:35pm
AW Congratz on Asher!!!. I have seen this alot on short-haired cats, especially shelter cats. Diet, stress, lack of grooming themselves all has a bearing on this look in their fur. Once your cat settles down and starts eating a good diet and is happy, he will start grooming and caring for himself also. You can speed up the process (and spring shedding is upon us!!!!) by starting to brush, gently, and see if he enjoys brushing. Start slowly and short sessions. Use non-fragrant sensitive baby wipes or pet wipes to kind of wash his back. You might see that the baby wipe looks a bit dirty after the wiping. Also, greasy skin will cause the hair to separate like that too. Sounds like he is a very sweet cat with a dirty back. He just needs some TLC and brushing, and good food!!!!
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post #10 of 13
2/26/11 at 9:44pm
Does he groom himself? Midnight's fur got pretty bad because he had to wear a cone collar, and couldn't groom himself. After we took him to the groomer to bathe him, his fur is back to normal now.
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post #11 of 13
2/27/11 at 6:32am
Could be the way he's sleeping, too. I'd definitely start brushing him daily. I have a furminator and use it, but I prefer just a plain brush or a Zoom Groom. All of my kitties go wild for the Zoom Groom!!
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post #12 of 13
2/27/11 at 2:43pm
What kind of brush are you using? I found when my RB kitty, Chynna, started to have icky fur on her back, it was related to her undercoat. I started brushing her a couple times per day using a wire brush meant to get to the undercoat. Within a few weeks her fur started to improve.

Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take your cat in to the vet and have it checked out. It could be that it is sick and one of the early symptoms is the fur you are noticing. Better to be safe than sorry later.
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post #13 of 13
2/27/11 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
He does groom himself but the area on his back might be an area he can't reach to clean. I had him to the vet already and they said he is in tip top shape. I didn't notice the fur thing till after the vet visit so maybe that stressed him out a bit although he was great at the vet, rolling over on his back and then just laying there letting the vet do her thing. I brush him with just a regular brush so I think I will invest in a good brush to get to the undercoat and maybe a bath is in order down the road. Thanks everyone for your help.
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