My cat has hard fur on his back along his spine

[gritz2003]

My cat has hard fur on his back along his spine

Please see photo....what could this be please? its hard to touch.....no liquids were spilled on his back so i dont know whats wrong with him

He eats and sleeps normally

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

From the picture they look like matts, but maybe this is too obvious? Are they like lumps of hard fur? If he goes outside perhaps he got himself tangled up in some undergrowth. If so, they can be combed out with patience, or if he is resistant to that (ouch!) he can have them shaved out by the vet. Apologies if I have interpreted the picture incorrectly.

[Marla]

Very cute kitty! How old is he?

[gritz2003]

2003...12yr old

[Janey]

Hi and welcome. It looks like matts to me too. If they have come gradually then that’s what I would say they are, older cats are prone to them if they can’t groom as well as they used to, if e.g their joints are getting stiffer. If so it would probably be easier for your vet to get them out for you. If your cat will let you, then regular brushing helps avoid them. If left they can get tight and pull on the skin when the cat moves. If on the other hand it’s not matts I’m not sure what it could be. He is a lovely cat by the way.

[lilynmitz]

I agree, he may be developing arthritis which makes it difficult to reach along his spine to groom. If he will let you, gently snip the worst bits out (taking care not to cut his skin of course) and tease the rest out with your fingers, then try to keep on top of regularly grooming him. But if they're really bad or he doesn't like you cutting them out, then pop him along the to vet for them to do it. it would also be worth talking through with the vet why he's unable to groom so well now, (it could also be due to injury), and get that sorted as well. There are some treatments that will help with his arthritis.

It would also be a good idea to have full "geriatric cat" blood tests done, as 10 yrs + is when they start getting age related medical conditions, many of which can be detected by blood tests, and the sooner treated, the sooner mended and the better the prognosis.

He's a lovely looking cat by the way, I do love tabbies! His markings are almost identical to those of my first lovely tabby, Tidds.