Why does my cat never stop shedding?

When you share your life with cats, you expect to deal with some shedding. There’s always bound to be a bit of cat hair on your furniture and clothes, and this is especially true when your cat is actively shedding. Brushing your feline is a great way to eliminate dirt, dander, and dead hair from his coat. It also increases blood circulation and improves the skin’s general condition. But if you notice your pet losing significantly more hair than usual, you should look for a deeper issue that could be causing the excess shedding.

Contents

• Why is my cat shedding so much?
• Why a vet check is important

Why is my cat shedding so much?

If you’re wondering, “Why is my cat shedding so much?” — then consider the following potential reasons. If you can identify a cause, you may be able to take some steps to reduce the shedding and minimize the amount of cat hair that ends up scattered around your house.

Allergies

If your cat sheds a lot, allergies could be to blame. The key to fixing this issue will be determining what kitty is allergic to. Cats who shed excessively during certain times of the year, like the spring and fall, may be allergic to plants and trees that are in bloom at the time. Just like humans experience fluctuating allergies, so can your little guy. This can sometimes be difficult to spot, though, since he will naturally shed at these times of the year.

Food allergies can be common in animals too. And lastly, it’s possible that your cat is allergic to something else in the environment, such as dust, perfume, and even cleaning products. If your cat has an allergy, you might notice that he’s increasingly itchy, shedding a lot, and losing so much hair that he’s developing bald spots. Your vet can help identify the cause of the allergy and provide a solution to make your mouser feel more comfortable.

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Stress

Stress can cause cats to both over-groom and not groom enough, which can contribute to increased shedding.

If your furry friend is stressed, you might notice other symptoms as well. Your cat might lose his appetite, start sleeping more or less, and become antisocial, retreating to secluded areas in your home. In some cases, a stressed cat might react aggressively to other family members with whom he’s usually friendly and comfortable.

If you notice some of these signs, then stress might be behind your pal’s increased hair loss. You’ll need to try to identify the stressor. Think about any lifestyle changes that you’ve made recently, like bringing home a new baby, adopting a new pet, or moving to a new house. Any shifts like these can be a major source of stress for cats. You can help reduce your cat’s stress by giving him a spot in your home where he feels safe and comfortable. This might mean a room all to himself. You can also try using cat pheromones to help calm and reassure your cat.

Pregnancy

Even pregnancy might increase hair loss. The hormone changes can cause your female cat to lose more hair while she’s pregnant. The good news is that this is temporary, and once your cat gives birth and her body goes back to normal, the excess shedding should resolve.

Why a vet check is important

Several other health conditions can cause excessive shedding in cats. Ringworm, thyroid disease, fleas, and other issues can make your cat lose more hair than normal. Sometimes a pet can have a reaction to a medication or a flea treatment that causes hair loss. If you notice any changes in your cat’s health, including increased shedding, it’s always a good idea to take your cat to the vet for a checkup, just in case.

Most of the time, increased shedding is harmless, and once you determine what’s causing it, you may be able to reduce it. Even factors like diet and nutrition can contribute, so it’s important to carefully consider all the factors. In the meantime, be sure you have the right tools to help control the hair in your home. A powerful vacuum designed for homes with pets can help, and a few lint rollers are essential. Regularly cleaning up cat hair can help reduce how much of it ends up on your clothes.

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 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. Also, shedding varies considerably with the breed and 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 a 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 hair growth direction 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. 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 with all the nutrients a cat requires for healthy skin and hair coat. Some products on the market 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 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 shedding cases, 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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