You may feel quite happy and content with a furry, fluffy feline companion in your home. Cats may not top the pet loyalty list, but cat owners know the charms of owning these moody creatures! However, you will have to put up with a few downsides of owning a cat, for sure. Your cat may be moody and fussy about food, and compatibility with other pets can be a hit-or-miss game. What any cat owner just cannot escape is coping with cat hair everywhere! For people with respiratory issues, this can be a menace, and the same can be said about people who are cleanliness freaks.
Getting the basics clear
Before you fret about cat shedding, you must understand the basics well. Cats of all breeds do shed hair, and that is unavoidable. The amount and frequency of shedding vary a lot, and you can do some research before bringing home a cat to cope better in this regard. A majority of cat breeds typically shed their fur two times per year- during the autumn and spring months. Cat hair tends to stick on every surface, including sofa, bed, clothes, furniture and even on the vacuum cleaner!
Understanding why some cats shed more than others
Some cat owners observe that their feline companions are shedding more than the other cats from time to time. If it is way more than usual and not limited to any specific season, you should be observing for certain root causes. These are:
Seasonal shedding– This is quite common, and you may not worry about this. Typically, cats that spend more time outdoors shed more hair than those spending more time indoors.
Breed– Certain cat breeds are prone to shedding more than others. The thick-coated and long-haired breeds, including Persian cats, tend to shed more fur.
Infections- Cats may develop skin infections at times, and that can be the root cause of excessive shedding. Look for signs like the cat scratching its body more than usual. They do get affected by Fleas, lice, and mites.
Allergies- Cats may develop allergies to flea bites and weeds. Some cat breeds may be allergic to specific foods and beverages as well. When they are exposed to such allergens, they may end up shedding more than usual.
Improper diet– Some cats are moody when it comes to food. As they try to eat in a picky manner, they do not get the required nutrients. This may lead to more than usual shedding in some cat breeds.
Stress- You may not have thought about it, but cats do get stressed, much like their human companions. A stressed cat may shed more than usual.
What to do when you find your cat is shedding more than usual
When you find more cat hair inside the house, it is time to fathom the root cause.
– First, check your cat all over for signs of any infection or skin problems. This can be hard to find if the cat is furry and fluffy. However, a sure-shot sign is a cat that is prone to scratching its body parts every now and then.
-You can ensure your cat is receiving proper grooming. Long-haired cats and those with thicker coats need brushing regularly. This helps in getting rid of dirt and dust that gets entangled in the fur, leading to infections.
-If you cannot fathom the root cause of your cat shedding a lot, the best thing you can do is take the creature to a vet. The vet can examine the cat properly and find the reason. Then the vet can recommend a suitable diet or medication to tackle the issue.
There is no need to panic when you find your cat is shedding more than usual. Timely inspection and medical intervention can resolve such issues easily.
