Drop cat hair can cause a lot of inconvenience, because it has the ability to penetrate literally everywhere. Especially unpleasant if the cat sheds much. What to do in this case? How to distinguish the norm from health problems?
Shedding in different breeds of cats
Hair falls out in all animals. This is a natural process, and you won’t be able to avoid it. But the intensity of molting is highly dependent on the breed of the cat. Often on the forums of animal lovers, the question arises: “The British cat is very shedding. What to do?" After all, often problems with shedding are expected from long-haired breeds, and not from short-haired British. But this approach is incorrect, since it is the fluff that falls most of all.
British, Persian, Siberian cats and Maine Coons have a thick furry coat with a rich undercoat, which gives so much trouble to the owners. Often a Scottish cat sheds much. What to do in such cases, you will learn from this article.
If you like long-haired cats, but the prospect of spending a lot of time cleaning furniture is frightening, then pay attention to the sacred burma, Turkish Angora, Somalia, and an American curl.
Does it bother you that the Siamese cat sheds much? What to do in this case? This situation should alert you, since the Siamese have no undercoat, and the remaining hair normally falls out in small quantities. Shedding is less intense in Egyptian Mau, Burmese, Abyssinian, Bengal, Bombay, Singaporean cats.
Of course, Cornish and Devon Rex, Sphinxes will not have problems with molting.
How to reduce the amount of wool?
It happens that a cat sheds a lot. What to do in this case, how to reduce the amount of hair falling out? The first assistant to the owner of a molting cat with a thick undercoat is the furminator. To prevent the formation of tangles and gently get rid of fallen down, cats with long hair need to be combed daily.
The use of special shampoos and conditioners will also help. They moisturize the skin and repair damaged hair. It is worth noting that the finisher and cosmetics can eliminate only the effects of excess molting. And for the optimal elimination of this trouble, it is necessary to find out the cause of its occurrence. We will understand why the cat sheds much, what to do to solve this problem.
Causes and Problem Solving: Season
At the age of about six months, the hair of a kitten is completely replaced by an adult. Shedding can last up to two months. Soft baby wool is replaced by a coarser constant. The pattern on the wool becomes brighter, more saturated. During this period, the animal especially needs a proper balanced diet. A well-groomed and healthy kitten molts faster, and a new coat will be better.
Normally, a cat molts twice a year. With the advent of spring, a light summer coat replaces a lush winter coat. Fluffy cats can continue to molt all summer, getting rid of excess undercoat, this process stops by autumn. Shorthair cats lose their hair equally in spring and autumn. Seasonal molting can last from a few weeks to two months. To speed up the process, the animal needs to be combed out.
Health
Shedding can also cause health problems. Changes in hormonal levels can cause hair loss. Cats molt after childbirth, and that's normal. But changes can also be caused by the proximity of an animal of a different sex. Even if the prospective partner lives in a nearby porch, the cat or cat can smell it. Failure to satisfy sexual instinct or, conversely, exhaustion from frequent mating or childbirth can cause molting. Veterinarians recommend sterilizing animals not intended for breeding. This allows you to avoid hormonal surges, reduces the likelihood of tumor diseases.
Causes of molting can be various diseases. Severe hair loss can be an alarming symptom along with an unpleasant smell from the mouth, coughing, scratching, lethargy, etc. A veterinarian should prescribe what the pet is sick with and should prescribe treatment. Shedding caused by the disease will take place only after the recovery of the animal.
Conditions
It often happens that a cat, never leaving the apartment, sheds little by little all year round. She does not feel the change of seasons. The problem intensifies in the winter, when heating dries the air very much. Low humidity is harmful not only to the cat, but also to its owner. Air conditioners, humidifiers, aquariums without a cover will help to raise it to a normal level. For a domestic cat, you need to choose the right diet, care for your hair with the help of special tools. Vitamins from molting will also help, but courses can be given no more than twice a year.
Even under ideal conditions, hair loss can be caused by constant stress. A cat may be attacked by a child, another animal at home or outdoors. In such a situation, you need to try to remove the source of stress. In advanced cases, the veterinarian may prescribe a mild sedative medication.
Care and Feeding
Your cat sheds a lot. What if she is healthy and calm, but the coat continues to crumble? Pay attention to the quality of shampoos and balms for the care of a fur coat. Cheap low-quality cosmetics can cause molting. In addition, shampoos must be used according to the instructions, properly dilute the concentrate. Combing not only helps to get rid of lost hair, but also improves blood circulation and hair nutrition.
The cat sheds much. What to do? Finally, one of the most common causes of hair loss is poor nutrition. Cheap dry food can not provide a fluffy pet with everything you need. Choose quality products from reputable manufacturers. And natural nutrition should be balanced, the menu should be varied. It is wrong to feed a cat food from your table or chicken breast alone. She needs lean meat, fish, offal, eggs, raw vegetables, fruits, greens.
General tips
In conclusion, a few tips:
- comb out your pet, avoiding combs with sharp teeth;
- wash your cat only with quality shampoo;
- use vitamin supplements for natural feeding;
- get special conditioners for cat hair.