MATS ON FERAL CAT

I am hoping I am not revealing that I'm crazy here, but I've had a feral cat living with me inside my house for close to 12 years. She lived behind my office. I trapped her, spayed her and brought her home assuming she would acclimate to me. She was probably 5-6 years old when I got her. She interacts fine with my other cats goes out in the garden and suns but the minute I approach her she runs into my finished garage and hides. When I go to sleep she comes out and sits and sleeps inside the living area of the house. The same if I'm gone. I've tried to convert her but I've never been able to. We just have a separate existence. She seems happy. Anyway she is getting older and I have started to notice mats on her back half. Because she won't let me even approach her I can't brush them out. I've bought the pipe cleaner looking thing the cat is supposed to walk under to groom and she never used it. I bought those scratchers you put on the corners and put them at the tight spaces hoping her walking by would groom her and she just avoided those passages. Anyone have any ideas on getting rid of them? She isn't a long haired cat but I can't see that having those mats is a good thing how long do you think she can go having them? Some do fall off I find them in the garage and around the house but they are not falling off fast enough. Should I even be worrying or should I just leave it alone?

Aww she's getting old, I think she may not be feeling so well, mine went through a stage like that

neglecting to groom once his health was back (blood work meds etc) everything was normal again

is she dehydrated? Any weight loss? 

I found the easiest way was to trim them off carefully looks choppy but hey it grows back.

Leaving it for a little while is not that bad for a short coat if it's not bothering her and she's

clean. 

*even though I was able to brush comb them out he was much to sensitive I could no longer

use a brush anymore, vet suggested pain meds, I just trimmed them off, he gained some weight

was OK this lasted for just a few months...

I'm sure she is getting up in age. She hasn't lost any weight and she still eats and drinks and will come out to sun in the garden. I can't even get near her to cut them out.

hexiesfriend said:

I'm sure she is getting up in age. She hasn't lost any weight and she still eats and drinks and will come out to sun in the garden. I can't even get near her to cut them out.

Click to expand...

  Possibly arthritis or some other inflamation?  I offer Ionic Silver Solution little bit every day for a few days, it's better

than Collodial water it to is pure water but it's much more potent works great on inflamation, eye issues, skin coat, 

perfect for arthritis, many benefits. A little boost supplement can help.

Is that something I put in her food or water?

 It's water  pm ed you  

Are you sure they are mats? Could they be wounds or ticks?

Please be careful not to administer any treatment to a cat without a vet's approval. Alternative treatments can be as dangerous as any medication. I would suggest reading this -

 [article="33661"]Alternative Treatments For Cats How To Minimize The Risk​[/article]  

Oh, poor kitty with those mats.
Too bad you can't touch her. The best thing would be if you could brush her a little or try to trim them. All in all, though, if she seems happy and the mats are not bothering her, maybe just let her be. It depends on how bad the mats are. Sometimes it may irritate their skin if left alone. You are a good person for giving her a home. She may not be too friendly, but I am sure she is happy. She has a warm, safe home with food and is loved for who she is.
I wish all cats could have that!

The are definitely mats. She lives inside the house with me and goes and sits in the garden maybe 2 times a week. She is getting older and just from experience with my other cats older cats a lot of times stop keeping up with all their grooming. Her front is fine. It's on her backside which as they get older I know is hard to get to. The mats do not appear to be irritating the skin as the ones that fall off don't have scabs on them. I will try to leave her alone. I catch her rolling around outside maybe she will eventually shake them all loose.