Cat has a greasy coat

What a greasy coat commonly looks like

Owners usually describe it as the fur looking flattened, clumped or slightly matted along the back, especially toward the base of the tail, and feeling oily or waxy rather than clean and soft when stroked. Some cats also develop a stronger-than-usual smell along with the change in texture.

It can affect the whole coat or be more noticeable in specific areas the cat struggles to reach or has stopped attending to, particularly the lower back, tail base and hindquarters — areas that depend heavily on a cat being flexible enough to groom them properly.

Common causes behind it

Reduced self-grooming is the most frequent underlying cause, and it usually comes down to something making grooming harder or less comfortable: joint pain and arthritis, particularly in older cats, obesity making it physically difficult to reach the back and tail, dental pain that puts a cat off the repetitive licking grooming requires, or general illness reducing energy and interest in self-care.

Skin conditions themselves can also be the direct cause, including overactive sebaceous glands, parasites, allergies or infections, any of which can leave the coat looking and feeling greasy independent of how much the cat is grooming. Hormonal conditions, though less common, are another possibility a vet will consider if the coat change is one of several symptoms appearing together.

Red flags that mean this needs a proper look

A greasy coat that has appeared suddenly, is getting worse over days rather than staying the same, or comes with other changes — weight loss or gain, reduced appetite, visible skin sores or scabs, a strong odour, or the cat seeming generally less active — points to something that needs a vet's assessment rather than home grooming alone.

Matting that has become tight enough to pull at the skin, or any sign the cat is uncomfortable when touched along the back, are also signs to get seen sooner rather than waiting to see if brushing it out improves things.

When to see a vet

Book a vet appointment if the greasy coat has lasted more than a week or two without an obvious cause like a recent illness, if it is spreading or worsening, or if your cat shows any of the red flags above. A vet can examine the skin directly, check for parasites or infection, and assess mobility and dental health to work out why grooming has dropped off.

In an older cat especially, a change like this is often the first visible sign that something else needs looking at — joint pain or an underlying illness — so it is worth treating as a genuine prompt to get checked rather than a purely cosmetic issue.

What a vet visit is likely to involve

A vet will usually start with a full physical examination, looking closely at the skin and coat itself, checking for parasites, flaking, redness or sores, and assessing how easily the cat can move and twist to reach different parts of their body. Dental checks are common too, since a sore mouth is an easy thing for an owner to miss but a common reason a cat stops grooming thoroughly.

Depending on what the examination finds, further tests such as blood work or a closer look at the joints may follow, particularly in an older cat where several possible causes — arthritis, an underlying illness, or a primary skin condition — can overlap. None of this needs to feel like an overreaction to what looks like a coat problem: working out which of those is actually going on is exactly what makes the right treatment possible.

What can help

Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb

A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.

From£8.99

Pet Deshedding Grooming Mitt

A soft mesh grooming mitt you wear on one hand to lift loose fur while stroking your pet, turning shedding control into a soothing massage. Suits dogs and cats with any coat length.

From£7.99

Common questions

Why does my older cat's coat feel greasy?

It is often because arthritis or general stiffness makes it harder for an older cat to twist round and groom their back and tail properly. A vet can assess joint comfort and rule out other causes like dental pain or an underlying illness contributing to reduced grooming.

Can a greasy coat be a sign of obesity?

Yes, a cat carrying excess weight can struggle to physically reach and twist round to groom parts of their own body properly, particularly the lower back and tail base, which often shows up first as a greasy or matted patch in exactly those areas.

Will brushing fix a greasy coat?

Regular brushing can help manage the coat and remove some of the build-up, but it does not address why the cat has stopped grooming properly in the first place. If the underlying cause is pain, illness or a skin condition, that needs a vet's attention as well, alongside any grooming support you provide at home.

Is a greasy coat an emergency?

Not usually on its own, but it is not something to ignore either, especially if it has appeared suddenly or comes with other symptoms like weight change or reduced appetite. Book a routine vet appointment rather than waiting to see if it resolves by itself, and mention any other changes you have noticed at the same time.