Have you been coming across abnormal amounts of kitty hair lately? Does it seem like your cat is shedding so much fur that you can construct another feline if you collect enough of it? Today we’re going to look at the different causes behind excessive fur loss and some of the ways to reduce it.
All Cats Shed, Nothing Personal
Let’s go through the basics: Shedding is a completely normal and natural aspect of a cat’s bodily function. It’s an important biological feature that ensures your kitty's fur stays in good condition by allowing each hair to develop, sustain, and eventually shed away. So it’s actually very healthy for your feline friend. And although cats shed all the time, some breeds shed more. Persians, Russian Blues, and Maine Coons are known to be heavy shedders, as per PetMD, while American shorthaired cats top the list of felines that shed the most amount of hair. Research also shows indoor cats tend to shed in low levels throughout the year, while outdoor cats lose ample amounts of hair mostly during late spring and late fall.
So, if shedding is so normal when should you be concerned?
The Unusual Cat Shedding
You should only be concerned when your cat is going through episodes of unusually excessive shedding, which isn’t normal for your cat breed. It might also be an issue if certain areas of your cat’s body are thinning more or in patches. Here are four reasons why your cat might be going through abnormal fur loss:
1. CATS HAVE SHEDDING SEASONS
Yes, cat shedding season is a thing. Although cats shed generously throughout the calendar year they shift to overdrive when the days start to get longer. Cats can shed up a storm during this time, typically spring and fall when their bodies prepare for seasonal temperature shifts. Since there’s no way around this, the ideal way to reduce the fur layer in your house is to spend a few minutes each day grooming your cat using a brush or a lint roller. This helps dramatically cut down the amount of loose hair and cat dander floating around the home. A very small price to pay in exchange for dealing with your kitty puking golf ball-sized wads of fur all over the place.
Plus, maybe that's why cats love us so much. We are nothing but fur-mowers for them!
2. CATS SHED DUE TO ALLERGIES
Your cat could be suffering from allergies if the extreme shedding continues beyond shedding seasons. Like hoomans, cats may also catch seasonal allergies, but it’s unlikely they’ll develop a runny nose, itchy eyes, and watery sinuses like a hooman would. Instead, their allergies can result in skin issues such as rashes, itchiness, heavy shedding, and bald spots. Cats can be allergic to pollen, grass, fungi, mold, dust, specific foods, perfumes, cleaning products, and even cigarette smoke! And the flare-ups may aggravate the longer your furry friend is exposed to the allergen. It is possible to manage allergies with a closely monitored diet and medication.
3. CATS MIGHT SHED BECAUSE OF RINGWORMS
Ringworm is not an actual worm but a common name given to a fungal infection that thrives on the outer layers of the skin. While being relatively painless, ringworm infections can be very contagious and can infect humans and all domesticated species of animals. Adult cats can contract ringworms at any age and usually pick them up from other infected animals. The ringworm uses the skin, hair, and nails as sources of nutrition. This results in the weakening of hair follicles, causing them to become brittle and fall off quickly.
The symptoms of ringworm infections in cats often vary. While some cats may display severe hair loss and infections, others may appear completely normal with only subtle symptoms or no obvious lesions at all. It’s recommended you immediately take your cat to the veterinarian if you feel that your cat might have contracted ringworm. Your vet can prescribe special shampoos, creams, and medications for treating the infection effectively.
4. CATS SHED DUE TO STRESS
I’m sure you’ve heard that stress leads to hair fall. Scientific research backs the notion that significant emotional stress actually causes hair loss in humans. However, it may come as a surprise to you that the same phenomenon applies to cats as well! And yes, cats can get stressed! Put yourself in their paws for a moment… owning fully grown hoomans can be tough!
Stress in cats can lead to a myriad of health issues ranging from loss of appetite to excessive shedding. When cats are over-stressed, they may suffer from skin irritation which can often cause them to obsessively groom themselves to the point of inducing bald patches. There may be a wide variety of reasons for triggering stress in cats, including interactions with people, other animals, and the environment. Major changes, such as the introduction of a new pet or family member and suddenly relocating them can be enough to severely stress out some cats. Sharing food with another pet they can’t get along with has the potential to make any self-respecting feline ditch their fur and run for the hills.
Visible changes in behaviors, sudden aggressiveness, excessive vomiting, sluggishness, and diarrhea are among the indicators of stress in cats. Find out what major changes you might have made recently in your home (a new pet, loud noises) and try to restore normalcy. It’s great if you can ensure your cat has a few spots they can call their own to climb, hide, and retreat. This helps make them feel much safer. And just to stay on the safe side, give your vet a call (when your cat’s not around, of course)!
Low-quality food, fleas, pregnancy, and aging are also among other factors that may stimulate feline hair fall.
How to Reduce Cat Shedding
Feeding your cat a balanced and omega-rich diet, bathing them once a month, brushing them regularly, and keeping them hydrated are some of the key ways to prevent your cat from shedding fortunes of hair.
Luckily for cat owners, sudden loss of hair isn’t harmful in most cases, and your cat's hair will grow back. It’s a sign of a healthy feline and you don’t want their natural bodily functions to stop. As we say — rich people flaunt brand labels on their clothes, happy kitty owners rock cat fur! 😹
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