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What you
should know about Cat's Shedding
The truth about cat's shedding
is that every cat lover must accept it, because this is a
normal natural event in the cat’s life. Even humans
have periods of hair growth and shedding of hair. Shedding
is how
animals replenish their fur and keep it in good condition.
Cats in the wild generally shed
their coats twice a year, in the spring to lose the heavy winter
undercoat and in fall in preparation for the "grow-in" of
the next winters' undercoat. However, since we have domesticated
cats and subjected them to air-conditioning in summer and artificial
heat in winter, their systems have been confused enough to
put them into a constant shedding state.
Cats shed in order to remove
dead hair from their bodies. Dead hair can cause skin irritation
and thus needs to be removed. If you do not remove it for them,
they will release it on their own.
Hair shedding is considered a
sign of health in the cat, because sick cats do not shed.
It happens for different reasons, but basically it depends
on the time your cat spends outdoors or whether your cat is
purely an indoor cat. The shedding is largely influenced by
daylight, and this is called “photoperiod”. The
number of hours a cat is exposed to sunlight in a day (photoperiod)
triggers the shedding process. In addition, shedding varies
considerably with breed as well as husbandry practices (i.e.
bathing, grooming, activities, etc.).
Indoor cats shed at any time
of the year. The amount of shedding hair is less than the outdoor
cats due to the artificial light inside the house, but it also
depends on the control of the constant temperature in
your home.
The outdoor cats shed in the
spring and fall, when the days start to lengthen and there
is more sunlight. You will not see much, if any, shedding of
your outdoor cat during
the winter months, because they naturally
will hold on to all their fur to use as thermal protection
from the cold conditions.
Cat breeds that don't
shed
Two cat breeds are often touted
as shedding a minimal amount - the Cornish Rex that has short,
curly fur that lies close to her body, and the Devon Rex that
is similar and has curly fur that can be in a very thin coat
across the cat's body. Because of their very short and fine
fur, their shedding is not usually noticeable, but they also
shed.
The only cats that do not shed
fur are the purebred hairless cats, such as the Sphynx. This
unusual cat is not totally hairless. She has a fine down on
her body, rather like the fuzz on a peach. Some people say
the skin of a Sphynx feels like suede or chamois. This breed
is rare and it needs a special kind of care, but they are great
choice for people with allergies.
How to deal with
cat’s shedding
Shedding in cats can be controlled
with frequent brushing and combing. Daily brushing and combing
remove loose and dead hair and help keep a cat’s skin
and coat healthy. The cats with healthy fur coats tend to shed
a bit less.
Start brushing your cat slowly,
keep the sessions short and positive and always stop before
your cat protests. Using food treats can help make the situation
pleasant and help your cat learn to enjoy the situation. As
your cat learns to enjoy the sessions you can make them longer.
Brushing helps remove dead hair and therefore the cat will
be less likely to shed in your home.
When you comb your cat, comb
her carefully in the direction of hair growth to smooth the
coat and remove any minor knots or tangles. If the coat has
a particularly stubborn knot or tangle, you may have to trim
it off with scissors. For longhaired cats, begin with a wide
tooth comb and follow up with a fine tooth comb. To avoid injury,
if your cat's coat has severe matting, consult a veterinarian.
Whether purebred or mixed breed,
a key to good brushing lies in the length of a cat’s
coat. A cat with a very short, single coat similar to the Siamese,
Burmese and Cornish rex needs very little brushing. The dense-coated
shorthaired cats like American shorthairs, British shorthairs
and Scottish folds require a monthly brushing session. Semi-longhaired
cats resembling Maine coons should be combed and bathed even
more regularly. Cats with long, flowing coats resembling the
Persian should be combed and have their faces cleaned at least
every other day, and they should be bathed weekly or bi-weekly.
Combing and brushing
have so many advantages:
-
more
frequently you brush your cat and remove dead and loose
hair from her body yourself, she will not shed;
-
they
will reduce the occurrence of hairballs, especially in
the longer haired breeds;
-
keep
cat's coat smooth and free from mats - little clumps
of fur that sometimes form;
-
it
is a wonderful form of interaction for both you and your
cat, and can be a wonderful bonding occupation;
-
allow
you to keep an eye on your cat's coat and skin for potential
problems, such as parasites and skin conditions etc.
Other ways to reduce cat’s
shedding is to keep your cat healthy and feed her quality
cat food. You should feed your cat with nutritionally complete
and balanced cat food that has all the nutrients a cat requires
for healthy skin and hair coat. There are also some products
on the market that can be applied to your cat’s hair
coat to reduce daily shedding. There are vitamins derived from
fish oils, available at pet shops and from veterinarians, which
can also help. They provide omega-3 fatty acids that strengthen
the coat. Also available are topical sprays, which alter and
reduce the shedding cycle.
If the heavy shedding is consistent
throughout the year, the cats may have food sensitivity or
a dust allergy. In extreme cases of shedding, when your cat
is actually sick from excessive hair balls, some veterinarians
recommend shaving the cat three to four times a year. But In
both cases you should consult with your veterinarian to determine
the cause of such shedding.
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