The domestic cat is a tiny carnivorous animal.It is the only domesticated animal in the Felidae family which is playful in nature with cat owners. Forms of cat communication include meowing, snarling, and grunting.From spring until late fall, female domestic cats produce kittens, with a varying litter size. Cat shedding is a regular and natural part of a cat’s existence. Shedding is the process through which animals renew and maintain their fur. Due to climatic changes as the temperature warms up in the spring, cats tend to lose more hair. A wild cat’s coat is known to shed twice a year, once in the spring to shed the heavy winter under-coat and once in the fall to prepare the coat for the winter. However, domesticated cats are exposed to air conditioning in the summer and artificial heat in the winter, meaning they constantly shed. A feline cat sheds to get rid of dead hair on its body. This is because dead fur can irritate the skin and it must be removed. If the dead hair is not removed by combing and brushing, the cat’s body will shed it. A cat also sheds it hair because of medical concerns like stress, poor nutrition, allergies, medicines, and illness. Excessive shedding is seen as a sign or signs of a cat’s health since ill cats usually lose more their hair.Shedding happens for a variety of reasons, but it is primarily determined by how much time a cat spends inside or outside. Shedding is heavily impacted by sunshine, which is referred to as the ‘photoperiod’. The shedding process is triggered on exposure to sunshine every day. Furthermore, shedding differs significantly between breeds. At any time of the year, the volume of hair that indoor breeds shed is less than that of outdoor cats due to the difference in environment at home. Shedding in cats may be reduced by grazing and grooming on a regular basis. The length of a cat’s coat, regardless of the breed, is an important factor and brushing the coat of a cat is important. This should be done on a daily basis to eliminate loose as well as dead hair. It also aids in maintaining the condition of a cat’s coat and skin. Cats that have a healthy fur coat that is trimmed on a regular basis shed less. To help reduce natural cat hair loss, feed your cat a nutritious, well-balanced diet and brush and groom your cat on a regular basis. If the amount of shedding is too much, it is advisable to call a veterinary or a vet.If you enjoyed this article, why not also know about cat scratching ears and how big do Maine coon cats get here at Kidadl?Tips To Help With Shedding CatsThe main point to keep in mind is the reason cats are shedding their hair. The breed of the cat plays an important role in this too. It is always advisable to brush and feed cats properly to avoid excessive shedding.Some of the tips to help with shedding cats include the regular grooming and brushing of the cat. To keep your cat distracted while you comb its hair, you can offer it food rewards and treats to encourage your cat to love grooming. Brushing the coat could be a long process to make sure that you have fully removed all the dead skin and hair. If you take your time, this means you will have to do it less frequently.Grooming your cat on a regular basis can also help to minimize the quantity of hair your cat sheds around the house. Comb your cat’s coat gently to smooth the hair and remove any trapped dead hair. A wide-toothed comb or a fine-toothed comb are useful in the case of long cat hair. You should see a vet in critical situations before attempting to brush a cat yourself to avoid causing damage to your pet. The best way to reduce your cat’s shedding is to maintain a healthy diet and give a cat high-quality cat food. Fish oil and vitamins such as omega-3 fatty acids help to strengthen the coat. If the cat sheds heavily all year, this may be due to a dietary sensitivity or illness. Also, shaving your cat three to four times a year is recommended in extreme situations of shedding.Why is my cat shedding so much?One of their most notable physical characteristics is a glistening coat but due to several reason cats shed. It is a regular and natural part of a cat’s existence. Cats shed to get rid of loose hair on their body.Cats shed daily, but only once or twice a year do they go through a shedding period. Cats shed and eventually regenerate hairs on a regular basis, depending on the breed and habitat. Mostly, wild cats shed a thick winter undercoat in the spring and shed dry hairs in the fall to create way for a thicker winter coat to provide warmth in the winter. Even though, cats shed as part of a normal pattern, excessive hair loss could be a sign that there are bigger problems. Shedding is seen as a sign of a cat’s health since ill cats usually lose more hair. Medical concerns like stress, poor nutrition, allergies, medicines, and ringworm could cause a cat to lose a lot of hair.Seasonal allergies in cats can be caused by everything and cats are particularly prone to foodborne allergies as well. Ringworm is often detected in a kitty and is a fungal illness that grows on the skin. Adult cats infected with ringworm are more prone to developing other issues. This disease can cause rashes and itching. Thyroid problems are another one of the most prevalent causes of shedding according to cat owners. Always call a veterinary or a vet for further advice and medical care.How much shedding is normal?Cat shedding is a regular and natural part of a cat’s existence. Shedding is the way through which animals renew and maintain their fur. Feline cats shed to get rid of dead hair on their body.Cats shed daily, but only once or twice a year do they go through huge amount of sheds. Cats shed and eventually regenerate many hairs on a regular basis, depending on breed and habitat. Often due to climatic changes as the temperature warms up in the spring, cats tend to shed more hair. Wild cats shed their coat twice a year, once in the spring to shed the heavy winter under-coat. They also prepare a coat for warmth during winter. However, domesticated cats are exposed to air conditioning in the summer and artificial heat in the winter, meaning they constantly shed.Normal shedding depends on environmental conditions and the breed of the cat. Long-haired cat breeds may shed more than short-haired cats. Shedding is heavily impacted by sunshine, which is referred to as the ‘photoperiod’. Shedding is triggered by the amount of hours a cat is exposed to. Shedding differs significantly between different types. Indoor cats can shed any time of the year because of the artificial environment they live in.How can you tell when your cat is shedding too much?For most cats, some shedding is typical or part of normal growth. Excessive hair loss is a symptom of underlying health issues.Indoor or pet cats may have a consistent shedding pattern all year. Every cat has a distinct shedding pattern. So, the first sign that your cat is shedding too much is if you see more hair than normal or unusual hair loss. Cats groom themselves mostly, when they are awake. However, if you see your cat licking or scratching itself more than normal to the point where they spend most of the time grooming, then something is wrong. Brushing your cat on a regular basis can help minimize the quantity of fur it loses. Washing a cat can improve the coat and skin during a heavy shed. Finally, one of the most obvious symptoms of severe or chronic hair loss is cat alopecia. Call a veterinarian in such a situation for safe and effective treatment options.Cat Breeds That Don’t ShedThere is no such cat breed that does not shed. Shedding is the method through which animals renew and maintain their fur. It is a cat’s normal process. They shed to get rid of dead and unwanted fur, meaning all cat breeds undergo shedding.There are some breeds that do not shed as much such as the Sphynx, Siberian, Bengal, Cornish Rex, Siamese, and Bombay. Sphynx is a breed of delicate hairless cats with a thin coating. Hairless cats, like the Sphynx, are not always hypoallergenic. These cats require special care due to their thin skin. The skin provides less protection, making grooming essential. Siberian cats, on the other hand, lose less fur than many other breeds and are hypoallergenic. Bengal cats have an unique coat. They have low fur shedding and require less upkeep than other breeds. Bengals, despite their wild look, are generally loving and sociable. Cornish Rex cats have just an undercoat, known as down hair. This is good quality fur that is less likely to fall off compared to other breeds. Siamese cats are distinguished by their unique patterns and piercing blue eyes. They are a popular, low-shed animal. The Bombay cat is known for its smooth, rich black coat with low shedding. Bombay cats are trained like dogs and are highly loving and playful in nature.Some Causes For Increased SheddingShedding is the process through which animals renew and maintain their fur. It is a cat’s normal process and they shed to get rid of dead and unwanted fur. Wild cats require a thick, regenerating coat to maintain their body temperature during harsh climatic conditions.If your feline cat has is shedding more than normal, this could be a sign of a medical condition. It is important to consult a veterinarian for proper medical care. However, excess shedding in cats is usually not a major problem. There are five primary reasons for shedding in cats. These are allergies, thyroid problems, ringworm, metabolic disease, fleas, stress, and inadequate supply of nutrients in the diet. All of which are curable with veterinary care. Skin, food, or environmental allergies can cause cats to scratch and itch excessively, resulting in hair loss. Although allergies are not completely curable, they can be controlled with medicine and a change in diet. Thyroid problems are one of the most prevalent causes. A cat of any age might suffer from an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. Hair loss and weight loss are some of the symptoms of a thyroid problem. Parasites such as fleas and ticks can cause bald patches and blisters. Ringworm is a fungal illness that results in the loss of hair and is mostly seen in a kitty. Ringworm may be treated with specific shampoos and lotions. Hair loss in cats can be caused by metabolic diseases. These illnesses are actually not curable. Stress-related hair loss is known as alopecia. The treatment involves stress reduction.How to deal with cat’s shedding?Brushing and combing your cat removes loose hair and fur and can even reduce the quantity of hair loss. Grooming of a cat by brushing should be done on a regular basis. You need to make it as enjoyable as possible for you cat so they do not start complaining.Playful sessions and treats can encourage your cat to love grooming. Another method for controlling shedding is managing the diet. You should give your cat a nutritionally full and balanced diet, including cat food that has all of the nutrients that a cat needs for good skin and full coat. There are also various treatments that minimizes shedding on a daily basis. A diet rich in complete animal protein and an adequate mix of vital omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can help maintain your cat’s hair and skin healthy. Grooming your cat on a regular basis can also help to minimize the quantity of hair your cat sheds around the house. A wide-toothed comb or a fine-toothed comb is helpful in case of long-haired cats. One should see a veterinarian in critical situations before attempting to brush the cat yourself to avoid serious damage to the pet. The best way to reduce your cat’s shedding is to maintain make sure it is healthy and that you are feeling it high-quality cat food.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for do cats shed then why not take a look at black cat personality or Australian mist cat facts.
The domestic cat is a tiny carnivorous animal.
