Shedding is a natural process for all cats. All cat owners must accept the fact that their cat will shed from time to time. Through the process of shedding, cats are changing their fur and keep it in good shape.
Wild cats that live in nature are changing their fur a couple of times per year, once in spring and once in autumn. However, domestic cats are often confused by the winter heating and the air-conditioning in the summer. They have a hard time knowing whether it is winter or summer, so they start shedding constantly.
Is Shedding Good Or Bad?
By shedding, cats remove their old and dead hair from the body. Hair must be removed otherwise it may cause irritations on their skin.
Shedding shows that the cat is healthy, so you should not worry. Only sick cats are not shedding. Shedding is also caused by daylight, and it can be triggered if the cat spends a few hours outside. Besides daylight, shedding also depends on the grooming, cat activities, and whether the cat is bathed or not.
Indoor cats can shed in any period of the year. However, they shed much less hair in comparison to cats that live outdoor. This is because of the moderate inside temperature and the artificial light they are exposed to in the home.
Outdoor cats shed twice – once in spring and once in autumn. During winter months, they do not shed at all, keeping their fur as protection from the cold weather.
Keep in mind that shedding is a perfectly normal and healthy process, but if you notice that your cat sheds excessively, then that may be a sign of a problem. There are many factors and medical issues that can cause the cat to lose hair rapidly, including parasites, bacteria, allergies, infections, and others. If you notice that shedding is unusually high and that your cat starts to get bald spots, call a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Which Breeds Shed A Lot And A Little
There are plenty of cat breeds out there, so it is difficult to say which ones shed a little and which ones shed a lot. If you are looking to adopt or buy a cat, it is recommended you explore the specific breed characteristics before taking it to your home. In general, all cat breeds shed, with rare exceptions. Cats that do not shed a lot are those that are either hairless or that have very little hair on their bodies.
A couple of examples of cats that shed very little are the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex breed. They have nice, short hair that does not shed very often. However, it does not mean that they will never shed. They will, just not as much as other breeds. One and only cat breed that does not shed at all is the Sphynx. This is because they do not have any hair on their body. Sphynx only have skin, but they also require special care. If you love cats, but you have allergies, then this cat breed may be a good choice for you.
How To Deal With Cat Shedding
The good thing is that you can easily control your cat’s shedding if you take good care of your cat. That means brushing and combing it regularly. Daily combing and brushing will remove the dead hair off your cat’s coat and will keep it healthy.
For optimal results, start brushing your cat very slowly and easily. Do this like you are petting the cat, and stop when your cat starts to protest. Brushing sessions should not be too long because your cat will start panicking. To calm your cat down, give it some nice treats as a reward. With time, the cat will learn that brushing is not something unpleasant, so you can increase your brushing sessions.
When you comb your cat, be very careful and go in the direction of hair growth. That way, you will smooth the cat’s coat and will remove any tangles in the cat’s fur. Longhaired cats need brushing with a wider comb and then finishing the process with a fine, smaller comb.
Good brushing largely depends on the hair’s length of the cat. Shorthaired cats, including Burmese and Siamese cat breeds, do not require much brushing. Shorthaired cats, but with dense coats such as the British and American shorthairs, as well as Scottish fold cats only require brushing once a month. On the other end, cats with long and elegant coats such as the Persian cats need to be combed quite often, at least a couple of times per week.
Main Advantages Of Regular Brushing
- It removes loose and dead hair of your cat, preventing further shedding
- Reduces the number of hairballs and tangles, especially in those breeds that have longer coats
- Brushing and combing does not allow mats and keeps the cat’s fur nice and smooth
- Brushing is a good way to interact with the cat and to strengthen the bond between you and the cat
- With regular brushing and combing, you get an opportunity to examine your cat’s hair and body for any possible problems or medical issues.
Other Things To Do To Prevent Cat’s Shedding
Another thing that prevents cats from shedding is eating healthy foods. Feed your cat with food of top quality and their fur will also be of top quality. Their food must be balanced and contain all necessary nutrients for healthy fur and skin.
Besides giving your cat quality food to prevent shedding, you can also buy some products to apply on their hair to reduce shedding. You can find these in pet stores, and some examples include cat oils that contain vitamins and acids that keep their fur stronger and healthier. Some sprays also reduce shedding, and there are many other helpful products as well. Consult your veterinarian about these things, apply some of the advice here, and your cat will not shed that much.
