How to reduce shedding in a cat

The disease is expressed by reddening of the skin, loss of hair, the appearance of scales on the affected areas, which cause itching. There is no pain syndrome, but the crusted area of the body looks irritated, vulnerable. The dermatosis will develop further, sores will appear.

The cat sheds year-round, nothing helps. What is the cause and how to deal with it?

Lumps of hair under the couch, in the air and even on your clothes are commonplace for many cat owners. On the one hand molting is a sign of health for your cat as he grows new fur. But how can you tell the difference between normal and excessive molting? In this article, we'll discuss the causes of year-round molting, how to deal with them, and what warning signs to look out for.

It should be understood that molting is a quite normal process, which is necessary to change the length and thickness of the coat in accordance with environmental factors: in winter it becomes more fluffy and thick, and in summer it becomes thinner and lighter. Each hair undergoes several growth stages:

Some cats molt more, others less. There is no universal rule for determining whether a pet molts normally or excessively. Also, because of cats' obsession with grooming, molting problems can be difficult to detect.

The hair growth cycle depends on two environmental factors – temperature and sunlight. Obviously, the effect of these factors depends on the cat's lifestyle, whether it is a house cat or an outdoor cat. Outdoor cats tend to molt more intensively twice a year, when the length of day and temperature changes are more pronounced. Domestic cats, on the other hand, molt with equal intensity year-round.

Causes of increased molting

There are situations when a cat not only molts all year round, but also in large quantities. Fortunately, in most cases such molting is not dangerous, and together with a veterinarian it can be put under control. There are 5 main causes of excessive molting:

• Allergies cause the cat to have excessive itching, active hair loss and the development of secondary bacterial infections. Cats can be allergic to many things, including environmental allergens (pollen, dust, dander), certain foods (chicken, beef), etc.
• Fleas, mites and other parasites can cause severe skin irritation, resulting in increased shedding and hair loss. You can get rid of parasites with a variety of remedies, and periodic prophylaxis.
• Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes hairless ring-shaped skin lesions. Despite its appearance, ringworm is painless. However, it is highly contagious not only to cats, but also to dogs and humans. As with any other fungal infection, treatment of ringworm is lengthy. The veterinarian will prescribe ointments, creams and shampoos. In more severe cases, oral antifungal medications are also recommended.
• Cats may also have a metabolic disorder, resulting in skin and coat changes and molting abnormalities. The two most common metabolic conditions are kidney disease and an underactive thyroid gland.
• There is a condition called psychogenic alopecia. This is hair loss due to a psychological imbalance. Namely, when cats are overly stressed or bored, they lick themselves excessively, resulting in skin irritation and focal hair loss. Managing this condition will require identifying and eliminating the stress trigger or, in cases caused by boredom, enriching the environment.

Therefore, when a cat molts heavily, you need to rule out any medical problems by consulting your veterinarian.

Peculiarities of molting in some breeds

Before getting a cat, owners should check their health for allergies. If a pet's hair loss can create discomfort for owners, then they should look for breeds that have a minimal molting process. These include Siamese, Bombay, Egyptian Mau and Singapore, Bengal and Burmese cats. Their fur is shed almost imperceptibly, in insignificant quantities.

Of course, we should not forget about bald cats – they are the safest for allergy sufferers because of the complete absence of fur.

Varieties with a strong molting tend to have a soft undercoat, which is often renewed. Because of this, wisps of down quickly accumulate indoors, it gets clogged in carpets, and the house needs frequent cleaning. Such breeds include British, Siberians and Persians.

Mr. Cat recommends: How to help a cat with shedding

The first thing to pay attention to is the reason for the hair loss. If it is a seasonal phenomenon, the cat should be brushed and bathed more often. In the case of apartment shedding, you need to be concerned about creating the proper conditions for the animal. The problem can be solved by buying a humidifier for the apartment. You should also bathe the pet regularly with therapeutic shampoos and feed vitamin complexes.

Under any other circumstances, the best solution is to go to the veterinarian. He will determine the cause. Depending on what caused the hair loss, he will make recommendations. In case of poor diet – will help you choose the right food, with a lack of vitamins – advise a complex, in case of illness – prescribe procedures and medications.

In some cases, the cat needs a haircut. This is especially true if the fur is already bunched up in tangles and cannot be removed by combing. After the procedure, the fur may grow longer than usual and even change color.

It is important to remember not to trim the head, whiskers or the tips of the legs, so as not to damage the claws. The pet may resist and even scratch. Therefore, it is better to give him a sedative before you start.

Why does the cat molt?

Heavy molting in cats and cats is due to one of three reasons: age, season or pathology.

Age-related molting Is caused by the change of baby down to adult hair. Typically, kittens begin to change their coat from 6-8 months of age. The molting process lasts for 2-3 months. By its end, the pet acquires brighter and contrast hair with a distinctive pattern, which must meet the breed standard.

In the period between the 14th and 20th months of life, a cat may experience facial alopecia, i.e. hair loss in the area of the eyes and between the ears.

The final formation of the hair coat is not completed until the cat's 2nd or even 3rd year of life. However, the typical dullness and fluffiness of children's coats goes away immediately.

Older cats and cats may encounter thinning coats and bald spots on the muzzle and around the ears. A pet over 10 years of age sheds heavily due to slowed metabolic processes and lack of tissue nutrition.

Seasonal shedding Is associated with changes in temperature outside the window and the length of daylight hours.

Cats and cats with free access to walks change their coats in the spring and fall. Severe molting occurs from February to March and September to October, and lasts for up to 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the animal may feel slightly tired, constantly licked and become less contactable. However, the general well-being and appetite is not affected by hair loss.

Cats and cats that are housebound shed all year round. However, with the beginning of the heating season, your pet's hair begins to grow stronger. And due to decreased humidity, hair can become stiff and more brittle.

The natural process of pet molting is accompanied by severe but uniform hair loss without baldness. The volume of lost hair depends on the breed peculiarities of the animal: the length of the hair and density of the undercoat.

What to do if the cat molts

If the cat sheds evenlyremains playful and does not refuse to eat, regulate the microclimate in the room and help the cat to comb out the excessive hair. Regular brushing will speed up hair renewal and stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles – this will help strengthen the hair follicles, so hair will fall out less often.

To get rid of excess hair during seasonal hair changes, proceed as follows:

Food rules for those who don't need the treatment

A complete diet is especially important for maintaining a well-groomed appearance. A cat should not be fed from its own table. The daily diet should contain proteins and vitamins.

When feeding natural food, you must include meat as a source of protein, fish (omega-3 fatty acids). It is these that are responsible for the healthy appearance of fur. Vegetables, greens, seafood are useful for a cat.

Dairy improves the absorption of vitamins and has a good effect on the health of the coat.

If the cause of alopecia is food allergies or lack of vitamins and minerals, you should carefully review the diet of your pet. Only premium, super premium and holistic foods have a balanced diet containing all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and amino acids.

General rules for avoiding problems

Regardless of the causes of alopecia, the following guidelines can help maintain healthy skin and fur:

• Comb the hair frequently, using a furminator. This will help reduce shedding. The comb massages the cat's skin, improving blood circulation.
• When bathing your pet, use therapeutic shampoos.
• Keep your pet safe from stress. If necessary, use sedatives recommended by your veterinarian.
• Have regular preventive examinations at the veterinarian to stop serious diseases in their early stages. Vaccinations and vaccinations can help.
• Add vitamin supplements to his food to improve his coat.

And remember: Care and attention to your whiskered pet's health will also help to solve problems and keep his fur coat healthy and shiny.

Methods to reduce the amount of fur during shedding

When a cat is shedding, a whole arsenal of remedies will be needed to combat it:

1. A complete, balanced diet.
2. Supplements and vitamins. Special emphasis on amino acids. Along with veterinary supplements you can give egg yolk and be sure to leave sprouted grass. For long-haired cats it makes sense to buy a paste to remove lumps from the digestive system.
3. Give your cat a bath. Water and subsequent combing will eliminate the lion's share of dead hairs.
4. Scrubbing. Cats with short fur without abundant undercoat will do quite well with an ordinary comb a couple of times a week. For fluffy ones or cats with thick undercoat, you may need to resort to a hair brush.

Are there any breeds that don't shed?

If you want a cat with a flowing fur coat you can buy a Burmese, American Curl, Somali or Turkish Angora without having to deal with the grueling shedding.

Short-haired Siamese, Abyssinians, Burmese, Bengals, Singaporeans, Egyptian Mau and Bombay cats will cause a minimum of problems.

There is a very exotic solution to the molting problem: Rexes and Sphinxes. These cats certainly don't molt in the traditional sense of the word.

Choose a cat with the prospect of spending at least 10 years together with her, and if the circumstances are lucky, as much as 20. Moulting of Persians, British, Siberians or Maine Coons made them not the most popular cats among those who like order and cleanliness in the house. No amount of grooming and improved nutrition can prevent their marks from appearing in the most inappropriate places.

Tips for cleaning clothes from wool

It's especially frustrating if wool sticks to your clothes. You need to leave for work, and all your pants or sweater are covered with cat fur.

• If you need to get rid of the hair quickly, run a wet palm over your clothes.
• Other remedies include reusable sticky rollers or brushes that clean with water.
• Try cleaning an outfit with disposable sticky rollers, they cling even to small hairs.
• You can also wash things with fabric conditioner or spray clothes with an antistatic.
• Do not hang clothes where the cat can lie down. Store outfits in a closet or special covers.

Conclusion

Remember that it's not the cat's fault for molting. It is a natural process in the animal's body. Do not scold your pet under any circumstances.

If you are allergic to fur, then refuse to buy a fluffy kitten or choose anti-allergenic breeds.

Prevention of severe molting

If the molting is severe, also visit the veterinarian so that the specialist can rule out the development of pathologies in the animal's body. Adhere to the recommendations for caring for your furry friend listed above:

1. Comb his or her hair daily with a Comb, Coat comb or a furminator. If the cat does not like a comb with metal teeth, try combing the hair with a silicone glove.

2. Take your house cats for walks on the balcony or in an unheated room.

3. Keep an eye on the humidity in the room. Dry air is bad for the skin, causing dryness and irritation. For the same reason, do not put house or bed the cat's lodge or bed close to a radiator. If possible, purchase a humidifier.

4. Wash your pet as dirty as possible. Do not bathe too often, especially during the cold season. Regular water procedures have no effect on shedding.

5. Treat your pet to timely dehelminthization. A veterinarian can help you choose an antihelmintic. The procedure can be done at the clinic. Also do not forget about vaccinations. Every three months treat the cat against fleas, and in the season against ticks.

The main thing is to take care of your cat's fur all year round, not only during the molt. Then the process of hair change will pass quickly and easily.

Peculiarities of molting of different breeds

1. The "bare" breeds: Sphynx, Bambino, Elf, Minsky have almost no molting or it is weak due to the lack of thick hair and undercoat.

2. Weak shedding is also characteristic of breeds that do not have undercoat: Siamese, Oriental, Abyssinian cats. However, they are prone to skin diseases.

3. Strong shedding is encountered in breeds with soft undercoat: British, Siberian and Persian cats.

Regardless of the breed and the intensity of hair loss, all cats need regular care:

Do cats often shed their hair?

To begin with, let's think about why cats need their fur. And immediately the question arises – how do sphynx cats adapt to everyday conditions. But first, let's go in order. For a long time, representatives of the family of small carnivores lived in the wild. Naturally, they needed a covering to keep them warm, as well as camouflage from other animals. Another function of the coat is to protect against damage. Speaking of a pet, we can observe that the coat of a cat can be different from the coat of its congeners. For this reason, such varieties of felines are distinguished:

• Short-haired (Siamese, Bombay, Asian, tabby, chartreuse);
• Long-haired (Persian, Siberian, Maine Coon, Norwegian);
• Medium haired – this group usually includes some types of exotic pets;
• Hairless (sphynx cats).

By nature, a cat molts twice a year. In the fall, after molting, we may notice that the amount of hair on the animal's body will increase. The second peak is in the spring and the hair cover may decrease considerably. This is due to the need to prepare for winter or summer. But if you notice molting in another period of the year, permanent or excessive hair loss in the main periods, it is worth paying attention to.

Of course, long-haired cats shed more heavily. If quite a lot of hair remains on the comb, you need to pay attention to the diet and possible avitaminosis in the autumn-spring period. Moulting is normal. If there are any abnormalities and the cat's molting does not follow its natural rhythms, keep an eye on your cat. He may actually benefit from a preventive treatment. But, before giving your pet medication, try to look for other signs of avitaminosis and adjust the diet first. Depending on the time of year, age, your pet carnivore will benefit from certain foods on the menu. In this way, the stock of necessary micronutrients will be replenished. Interestingly, in nature, the integrity of the hairs is preserved by the fatty grease that is secreted by the skin. But also, as in humans, a cat under the influence of the sun produces vitamin D. And while in humans it remains in the skin, in an animal it gets into the body during hygiene procedures.

The main causes of molting

In addition to the usual molting twice a year, there are other factors that affect the hair of the pet. They also need to be known and taken into account not only after you notice hair in the house, but also for prevention. For example, a balanced diet can sometimes help you avoid trouble. This does not mean that the cat will not shed at all. Of course, in order to keep the apartment clean, you need to additionally comb out the pet during the period of hair changes. But we will talk about this later, but now it is important to understand what to do so that the cat does not shed.

The answer to this question will help us to study the possible causes of molting:

• Seasonal manifests itself in the spring and fall. This is a natural mechanism, but in pets molting is observed in a smaller volume. Also, the warmer your climate, the less your pet's fur grows. Even members of the same breed will have different hair lengths if they live in remote latitudes;
• Cats can also shed year-round if they do not have constant access to the outdoors. This does not mean that you have to change your habits and let a fully domesticated cat out for a walk. You can observe a similar manifestation of the natural process if the apartment stays at the same temperature all the time. If it is not very cold in winter, the hair will not grow much. But other possible factors should be considered;
• Changes related to hormone levels. It may take quite a long time to determine them medically. Therefore, it is better to observe the pet. Such manifestations often occur in pets if the cat has been neutered. A few weeks after the procedure, molting may be observed. What to do to affect the hair loss, we will tell in a separate chapter;
• The process of nursing kittens, childbirth. During this period the cat not only experiences stress, but also a period of restoring hormonal balance. The balance is achieved naturally;
• Talking about the causes of molting, you should know that nutrition plays an essential role. Especially vitamins and trace elements affect the appearance of the coat. Therefore, the diet should be balanced and include meat and dairy products;
• In some cases, it is recommended to thoroughly check the pet for worms. Ascarids can affect the balance of vitamins, trace elements and the metabolic process (metabolism). If you suspect this problem in your cat, contact your veterinarian, who will determine the type of parasite and select the correct medication;
• Allergic dermatitis, pathogenic fungi, fleas.

How to reduce molting in cats

Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Number of sources used in this article: 10. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

The molt in cats depends on several factors. Among other things, it is influenced by the cat's nutrition, health, and the change of seasons. For example, by winter, cats grow thicker coats and begin molting when warmer weather returns. Moulting cannot be completely prevented, but the volume of shedding hair can be reduced with proper nutrition and proper grooming. Combing out loose hair will reduce the formation of unsightly tangles as well as hair clumps in the cat's stomach. Improving your pet's diet will also improve the condition of his skin and coat.

Grooming Procedures to Reduce Moulting

• For combing cats with short to medium-length coats, a soft-bristle brush will do the trick. Metal combs and specialized combs for cats are best for long-haired cats. However, the brush you use should not tangle the hair and tug it.
• To comb out the shedding undercoat use a flat comb, which allows you to penetrate into the hair right up to the skin.
• Finish the combing by giving your pet a quick wipe with a chamois or cloth.
• Avoid touching areas such as the muzzle and ears with a comb and be careful of the sensitive tummy area. [2] X Reliable source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
• If your cat doesn't tolerate using a brush or comb, try using grooming gloves. It will be much more like stroking your pet. At the same time, the mittens are especially handy because they allow you to remove loose hair and throw it away immediately. [3] X Source of information
• Another alternative is a miniature vacuum cleaner for grooming cats. However the noise it makes can frighten the cat. You will probably have to put it in a different room for the first few days or weeks and gradually bring it closer and closer to the cat until it gets used to it and allows you to use it on it. You can use a treat to create positive associations with this vacuum cleaner for the cat.