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Updated by Sheryl on Sep 22, 2021
Are you the owner of a cat who sheds excessively? Do you freak out at the flying fur tumbleweeds everywhere in your house? Have you replaced too many vacuums until now? If so, you may be thinking of getting your cat bald. But it is not a solution. Almost all cat owners face the same situation at certain times of the year.
But all the feline lovers, don’t panic. We have great suggestions for you to tackle and reduce heavy shedding in cats. Are you curious to know how to keep things cleaner and free of hair around the house? Then, just read on this post till the end.
Cat shedding is a normal process and differs in each cat. All the cats (except with hairless coats) go through excessive shedding once or twice a year. Because our cat’s coat should be clean and shiny without any tangles and mats. Typically, your feline friend gets rid of loose dry hair and dead skin follicles and makes room for new hair. You might have noticed that if your cat is not eating, sleeping, or playing, it is either busy tidying itself or grooming its buddy. Therefore, hair loss on a routine basis is normal except when your cat suffers from stress, disease, or shedding to develop winter fur. If your feline friend starts losing hair abnormally, it can be a sign of a big issue.
Here a question arises that why do cats shed? Outdoor cats shed when the weather gets warm. In this way, they get rid of heavy winter undercoats and prepare for their regrowth in the next season. However, indoor cats have a steady shed pattern year-round. If they lose excessive hair, it can be due to allergies, skin diseases, medication, poor diet, or stress.
Some cats are sensitive to fleas. The saliva of fleas causes flea-based alopecia in cats. As a result of an infestation, they develop hair loss. Your vet will recommend flea shampoo and itch-reducing medication for its treatment.
Certain environmental and food-based factors are responsible for allergies in cats. That can cause feline alopecia. Contact your vet and sort out the type of allergy that might cause excessive shedding in cats.
If your cat abnormally keeps on grooming itself and shedding a lot, it can be due to psychogenic dermatitis. Offer a variety of activities to your cat for distraction.
If you are feeding a poor diet to your cat, it may lead to hair loss.
If your feline is suffering from stress or anxiety, it will suffer excessive shedding.
Mostly indoor cats don’t feel thirsty due to a balanced temperature and lack of activity. Consequently, they suffer dehydration and shed extra fur.
Some bacterial and fungal infections cause irritation and inflammation on your cat’s skin. It may be a reason for abnormal hair fall in felines.
It is a fungal skin infection that causes a cat's fur to become brittle and break off in patches. The reddish areas often covered with a white or gray crusty on the ears, skin, paw pads of your kitten can be an indication of ringworm. A vet-recommended medication can treat this problem.
Although cats are self-groomers, they need human help to get rid of dead and loose hair. If you don't do that, your cat may ingest a large amount of loose hair that will cause intestinal blockage. In addition, the dead fur results in knotted clumps and matted coats.
Here are 8 tips that will help reduce the cat’s excessive shedding problem.
About 45 % of your cat’s diet should consist of animal-based protein and 35% omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. It will promote a healthy coat and reduce excessive shedding.
Offer clean, fresh and, cool water to keep your kitty hydrated. However, if your feline friend doesn’t like to drink more water, introduce wet cat food to its diet. In addition, you should notice if the water bowl is in a comfortable position or not. Slightly elevating the water bowl also helps to encourage more water intake.
Introducing a new pet, a new location, or new people to your cat can increase its stress levels. As a result, it sheds more fur. However, certain things help calm down your cat and reduce its anxiety. For example, playing with her regularly helps calm down your anxious feline.
A daily brushing habit helps a lot in the removal of loose hair, as well as helps limiting hair loss. First, select a comfortable pet comb that protects scratching the skin of your cat. You can also use a de-shedding brush or a slicker brush to comb your pet.
Your kitty may not like it but, giving a bath once a month helps removing excess undercoat hair and reducing hair loss.
If you don’t vacuum your house daily, your cat’s fur will be stirred up and float around in the place. So, you might think that your cat is shedding more. But, in reality, it is the fur build-up of new and old hair. That’s why regular vacuuming helps to keep your house and furniture clean.
If the problem shedding is uncontrollable, hire a cat groomer and shave your cat’s hair. Make sure not to use a clipper without a guard if you are doing it by yourself. In addition, shaving your cat in the spring and fall really helps since shedding increases during these timings of the year.
Your little cat thinks that it’s her right to shed on sofas, beds, and valuable house furniture. It doesn’t want to make a mess at her bed. Crate training is best to solve this issue. Provide a comfortable bed for your kitty and encourage her to rest in her confined area instead of yours.
