Natural process or disease - what to do if a Scots cat sheds?

Nature has blessed the Scottish Fold with thick, luxurious hair, despite the fact that the Scottish cat sheds heavily. Hair loss is often profuse and threatens to deteriorate its quality, forming areas of baldness. The causes of this condition may be stress, lack of calcium, medications or shampoos that cause allergies in the pet. To eliminate the root cause of hair loss in a cat, you need to observe the animal and then consult a veterinarian.

The main root cause of severe and constant shedding is improper, unbalanced nutrition, when the pet’s body lacks vitamins, macro- and microelements or fatty acids. To eliminate this pathology, it is necessary to correct the diet.

Preventing hair loss in cats

Seasonal molt

Beginning cat owners often panic when their cat begins her first seasonal shedding.
This usually occurs in spring and autumn. The behavior does not change, the cat is playful, the eyes are healthy and shiny, the nose is moist. Cats have a very delicate digestive system. Many owners love to feed their pet from their table, and then are surprised by the cat’s health problems. Human food flavored with spices, flavorings and salt is contraindicated for cats, as it causes severe hair loss - dermatitis. Excessive hair loss occurs. The cat's appetite worsens, it becomes lethargic and inactive.

If this problem occurs, you should put the cat on a diet: low-fat fish, kidneys, liver, cottage cheese. Give milk twice a week as independent nutrition. Vitamins containing biotin, B vitamins, antiallergic (tavegil or suprastin) and anthelmintic drugs are needed.

Hormonal disorders are also caused by special drops or tablets against the sexual desire of cats. Such drugs have a negative effect on the body and lead to diseases of the pet’s internal organs.

Dermatitis also occurs due to a cat’s reaction to a variety of synthetic substances, for example, to the product the owner uses to clean furniture, aerosols - air fresheners, or even to indoor plants.

If the fur begins to fall out in clumps, and round pink bald spots appear on the skin of cats, then you should think about the manifestation of the disease lichen. This disease is caused by a species of microscopic fungus. Ringworm is a highly contagious disease that also affects humans.

A cat can also become infected with skin mites. Hair loss is severe on the face, behind the ears and on the paws, and ulcers appear on the skin. The pet may even go bald.

You should definitely consult a doctor. After all, treatment takes place with toxic drugs and only a specialist can choose them correctly. Skin mites are not dangerous to humans. But the apartment should still be disinfected, and it is advisable to burn the cat’s bedding.

If your cat has been ill with any disease, then the immune system decreases and the hair begins to fall out. It is necessary to purchase special B vitamins for your pet and choose the right diet for the active development of the cat.

Nervous stress

Cats are very smart animals. They perceive current events very sensitively and can easily go into a stressful state. The reason may be moving to another place, for example, to the country in the summer. Death of the owner or any animal. The appearance of a new pet.

The cat's reaction to stress is manifested by hair loss, the cat spends more time washing itself. You should visit a doctor to really make sure that your cat is stressed and not sick.

The best way to relieve stress is simple affection, which needs to be given much more time. Medicines with a calming effect prescribed by a doctor will help.

Old age

As a cat ages, it begins to lack vitamins and essential minerals. All this is reflected in the fur; it begins to fall out in large areas.

It is worth mixing vitamins and nutritional supplements into food. There are various medicated foods on sale that will quickly help rid your cat of hair loss.

Caring for a cat's fur involves daily brushing. It is advisable to teach this from childhood, then it becomes a pleasant procedure for your pet. Brushing cleans the coat of dirt and hairs that have already fallen out. This is a kind of skin massage that improves blood circulation.

Proper nutrition

Organize your pet the right diet, add age-appropriate vitamins and mineral supplements to a varied diet. Do not overfeed older cats.

Be sure to vaccinate your cat against various skin diseases. A veterinarian will select preventative vaccines for you; they are individual for each cat.

Take care of your pet, feed it properly and brush it regularly, and your beloved cat will delight you with its health and beautiful fur coat!

The process by which the integument of animals changes is called molting. This occurs under the influence of a special hormone, most often in spring and autumn. The owners of such pets must be very observant so as not to miss the moment when your home is completely covered with fur.

Video review about cat shedding: an interview with a breeder and grooming expert about caring for a cat’s fur

• How to properly comb a cat?
• What to do if your cat sheds heavily all year round?
• Why do cats have more combs than people?

– Why do British cats shed? Cats typically shed twice a year.

If a cat sheds all year round, then the cat has health problems: 1. Worms .2. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.3. Problems with the pancreas.4. Liver problems.5. The cat is in constant stress (it is very afraid of something or someone, manipulations are often performed on it that it does not like).6. Problems with the anal sinuses .7. Lack of vitamins.

Your actions:

1. Give anthelmintic drugs2.

Submit feces for clinical analysis.3. Donate blood for biochemical analysis.4. Remove sources of stress5. Empty the anal sinuses6. Introduce a complex of vitamins into your cat’s diet7. Show the cat to the doctor. – Why do the British’s eyes water (run)?

Excessive tear production from the eye occurs in cats for several reasons:

1. Helminthic infestation. There are worms that pass one of the stages of their development in the lacrimal sac of the eye.2. Allergic reaction to a component of the external environment.3. Eye irritation, such as from tobacco smoke.

Your actions:

– Why is the British cat thin?

– Why are British cats angry?

Cats are most likely to become aggressive when they become distressed.

1. Stress develops with severe pain, with forced contact with a person. The owner often takes the cat in his arms and strokes it often. Children often forcefully touch the cat.2. New circumstances in a cat's life. The cat was moved to a new apartment, taken away from the dacha, and a new family member appeared in the family.3. Stress also develops in chronic diseases associated with pain.

Your actions:

Be sure to contact a zoopsychologist.

– Why does the British cat bite?

Cats bite in several cases:

1. Kittens up to 5 months old bite due to the hunting instinct, which is genetically inherent in cats. The need to bite in kittens subsides by the age of six months. This is especially true for their owners. The hunting instinct of adult healthy cats does not extend to people.2. Adult cats bite humans when they are under severe chronic stress.

Your actions:

1. Keep the kitten healthy and energetic

Everyone knows that representatives of the cat family periodically shed their hair, mostly seasonally. This process is called molting, and it is completely natural, so there is no reason to panic. This article will help you find out what to do when a British cat sheds heavily.

How to “convince” an animal

So, decide, if a British cat sheds a lot, what to do? What should you do correctly to avoid making mistakes?

Do not let the animal close to blazing heat radiators. Buy and install an air humidifier in your rooms. Open windows and doors often to ventilate the room. Don't be afraid to let in the cold, fresh air. By the way, this is also useful for people.

And on the loggia or balcony you need to arrange a “winter” house for the cat. Install a claw point fixture there. And all sorts of ladders, shelves, stands. Then the purr will be interested in going out onto the balcony.

About intense shedding in cats

Seasonal renewal of fur in cats is repeated in spring and autumn. At the same time, in representatives of long-haired breeds it falls out in whole clumps. Cats with missing undercoat shed less.

However, sometimes the process of fur coat renewal can be too pronounced in cats. No one can react indifferently to a situation when a Scot leaves whole clumps of his fur on the floor, chairs and other places. This is a concern for a responsible owner. He wonders why this is happening. Most often, this is caused by a deficiency of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the cat’s menu. Her body cannot produce these substances on its own. A deficiency of the above components is observed when the animal is treated with purely natural food. And when it consumes dry food of good quality, such a problem does not arise, since they contain the above-mentioned fatty acids in the required quantity. A lack of other minerals and vitamins also leads to intense hair loss in your pet. Sometimes they are simply not absorbed by the animal’s body. In this case, we are probably talking about hormonal imbalances, problems with the adrenal glands or thyroid gland, causing pathological molting.

Stress is another equally common cause of intense hair loss in cats. Representatives of exotic breeds of cats are very sensitive to a change in situation, owner, moving, physical punishment, and the appearance of a child in the family. Their body reacts to such situations with protest in the form of severe molting. Injuries are also a stress factor. Sometimes, despite seeming external well-being, an animal begins to shed intensively after falling from a height.

There are many diseases, a sign of which can also be severe hair loss. These are lichens, leukemic infection, allergic dermatitis. It can manifest itself in food components, medicines and hygiene products.

Pathological shedding in a Scottish cat goes away when its owner cures the cause that caused it. And you shouldn’t scold the cat, because he doesn’t shed his coat on purpose.

Cat shedding

In nature, life processes occur in cycles: birth, growth, rest and gradual extinction - this is a natural process. It’s the same with cats – the coat changes in a circular pattern. First, hair forms and begins to grow in the hair follicle - this is the growth stage. After the hair has grown, it remains in the follicle for a certain time - this is a period of rest. And then the hair stopped holding on, and the pet lost it.

During the molting period, the average ratio of growing and dying fur hairs in the coat is 1:1, i.e. half and half is the norm. By the way, during the winter season the animal almost stops shedding, because 90% of the hair is in the dormant stage.

The cat's hair is constantly falling out in clumps, all year round, in summer and winter: reasons

The causes of excessive hair loss, which is permanent, can be very different. However, they all indicate one thing: not everything is in order with the animal’s body. Let's look at it in order:

Lack of vitamins. The cat's diet should be balanced. Special food contains a certain amount of vitamins that are necessary for the cat’s body.

If you feed your cat natural products, pay attention to the diversity of the diet. Sometimes, due to an unbalanced diet, cats develop allergies or dermatoses. Hormonal disbalance

Often, owners suppress the cat’s sexual desire with special drugs. In this case, hormonal imbalance may occur. Along with hair loss, hormonal imbalance reveals itself through the following signs: cat apathy, reluctance to approach the food bowl, weakness, unusual behavior. Lichen. Round bald spots appear on the animal's body; the skin in these places may be reddened or too white, and there may also be scales. In this case, a visit to the veterinarian is extremely necessary, since the disease is dangerous, not only the animal suffers, but people can also become infected. Skin mites and helminths. A sign of skin mites is baldness of the face, paws, and ears. Pay attention to how often your cat itches. Helminths are also a serious problem; they have a detrimental effect on the functioning of internal organs and externally manifest themselves in the form of dermatoses.

It is a mistake to think that worms or skin mites cannot appear in a cat that does not go outside. Even if a cat does not eat raw meat, it is not a fact that it will not become infected with worms. These parasites can be brought into the house on shoes or clothes.

Dermatomycosis in cats

Important: Another cause of hair loss in cats can be stress. Like people, cats are prone to anxiety and overstimulation of the nervous system.

What may seem insignificant to a person may be perceived as painful by a cat. This includes physical and emotional factors.

Physical stress factors:

• Electric shock;
• Burns;
• Injuries;
• Past illnesses.

Emotional factors:

• Moving to a new place;
• The appearance of new residents (animals or people) in the house;
• Loss of owner;
• Restriction of freedom.

These or other events may not necessarily cause hair loss and deterioration of the cat’s condition, but it is still worth paying attention to the nervous shock of your beloved pet

Hair can be shed all year round

What to do?

The young girl now knows the answer to this question. But a year earlier...

After returning home, the cat team lost a lot of undercoat and guard hairs, even excessively. What's happened? Why? What to do?

Yana listened to my advice and immediately went to the veterinary clinic.

The doctor examined the animals and reassured the owner:

• the skin is clean, there are no blood-sucking insects;
• there are no bald spots or separate areas of baldness on the body of fluffies;
• a stool test did not reveal infection with worms, and a blood test for bacteria and fungi gave a negative result;
• Males and females are sterilized, which means they do not suffer from hormonal imbalances.

Wool is an indicator of a cat's health

The cat sheds a lot, what is the reason for this process, because shedding is a clear sign that not everything is going well for the cat?

When worms appear in cats, hair begins to fall out

A number of diseases lead to baldness in cats:

1. Allergy. The most pressing disease of our time has not spared animals, who suffer just as much as humans. Allergic processes in cats can be triggered by inappropriate food or frequent treats, as well as cleaning products used in the house. Cat allergies are accompanied by itching, the animals become irritable and nervous, often itch, and traces of dandruff appear on the fur. Another sign of an allergy is watery eyes. To determine the cause of the allergy, it is worth changing the food and limiting the animal’s diet, eliminating various excesses. It also wouldn’t hurt to give an activated carbon tablet once a day.
2. Worms. If the cat sheds a lot, the fur has become dull, there is an unpleasant odor from the mouth, and problems with the intestines are observed, the animal probably has a helminthic infestation. It is necessary to give the cat an anthelmintic recommended by a veterinarian, and repeat the procedure after 2 weeks. In the future, antihelminthic prophylaxis should be carried out at least once every 3 months.
3. Fungal infections. Among them, the most dangerous disease for humans, transmitted from animal to owner, is ringworm. It is difficult for a non-specialist to recognize the types of fungal infections; for this purpose, a laboratory test is carried out and specific treatment is determined. Among the common signs:

• dandruff;
• dull coat;
• clear boundaries of bald patches;
• the hair breaks off in the middle;
• There may be sores and blisters on the skin.

Existing fleas and ticks cause severe itching, causing fur to fall out

The development of fungal infections is sometimes caused by excessive care of the owner, who scratches the cat too much - small scratches on the skin contribute to the development of a pathogenic environment. Frequently washing your cat also helps the fungus to appear. Only a specialist can completely cure a fungal infection by prescribing treatment, which may consist of antifungal ointments, sprays and medications or injections. It is better to start treating fungal diseases in time, especially if there is a small child in the house who does not often wash their hands after handling an animal.

1. Skin parasites. Existing fleas and ticks cause severe itching - the cat actively itches and introduces infection into the wounds, and the hair begins to fall out. To eliminate skin parasites, there are single-use preparations that need to be dripped onto the animal’s withers.
2. Hormonal problems. In adolescence, during pregnancy or after sterilization, the cat began to shed very much - this is how problems in the functioning of the internal organs (gonads, adrenal glands, thyroid gland) manifest themselves. To improve the condition of the animal, fatty acids should be added to the diet. It usually takes six months to restore hormonal levels after sterilization or pregnancy. While the cat is expecting kittens or feeding them, her diet must be supplemented with vitamin supplements.

Baby shedding, or When Scottish kittens change their fur

Does your Scottish cat have a lot of fur the first time? Perhaps this is the so-called baby molt. When do Scottish kittens' coats change from baby to adult? The first molt occurs when cats are 5-6 months old, give or take. At this age, within 1-2 months, the Scottish cat's hair grows so much that it seems as if there will be no end to this problem.

The molting period of a Scottish kitten will end, but it can smoothly transition into a calmer phase, the duration of which sometimes reaches 1 year. During this period, the teenager must gradually change the primary, soft fur given to him from birth with adult, coarser, denser and more contrastingly colored fur. At the end of the child's molt, the coat becomes more beautiful, and the pattern required by the color appears in all its glory.

Why and how cats shed

Subsequently, molting will become regular. For cats, this is a natural process of preparing for the change of season. Ideally, a cat sheds twice a year:

• before the cold weather begins. Reducing daylight hours and a significant decrease in temperatures include protective mechanisms that involve a change in wardrobe. Cats are rapidly growing a new coat that can protect them from frost. For example, the British grow a powerful, dense undercoat, which is much thicker than the summer one;
• before the onset of heat. Rising temperatures make it necessary to prepare for the summer heat. “Winter” fur, having served its purpose, is no longer needed. Therefore, a lightweight version is growing.

Cats that have free range react most strongly to the change of seasons. Their bodies are exposed to natural weather conditions and are sensitive to the changing seasons.

Cats living in an apartment without walking, despite the lack of seasonality in the home climate, also shed. Only the time of this process is not strictly tied to the environment. Depending on the breed, cats shed 1-2 times a year.

It should be borne in mind that in mature, uncastrated cats, shedding can begin at any time as a reaction to certain changes in physiology. This is how the body will react to hormonal changes during estrus or after kittens are weaned from mother's milk. This is not a reason to panic, you just need to provide your cat with improved nutrition and vitamins.

Types of molts and their causes

The first shedding in Scottish cats begins at the age of 6 months and under normal conditions ends by 8 months.

The frequency of subsequent molts depends on the following factors:

Seasonal

Under normal conditions, the shedding cycle in Scottish cats involves renewal of fur 2 times a year, which occurs during the change of seasons (from warm to cold and vice versa). At the same time, in the natural environment, the body of a lop-eared pet must respond to a decrease (increase) in the duration of daylight hours and temperature conditions. However, during seasonal molting, the Scottish coat is renewed in different ways. In autumn, the undercoat becomes denser to protect the skin from exposure to cold air, but in spring, on the contrary, its density decreases, and the coat itself becomes thicker and longer.

Constant

This mode of coat change is sometimes called “apartment”. This shedding is typical for all Scottish Fold cats that live in apartments and are never or extremely rarely outdoors. Their body loses touch with the natural seasons, for which all its natural protective algorithms are designed. In recent decades, this phenomenon has occurred quite often. Constant shedding negatively affects the immune system, general health, depresses the animal and often causes diseases that are not typical for ornamental breeds.

Reasons for regular shedding in Scottish cats include:

The only thing you can do when your Scottish sheds a lot is to organize a change in temperature and living conditions for the cat. To do this, give the pet a place on the balcony, take it outside more often, turn off the lights at night, humidify the air and regularly ventilate the premises. As soon as the body receives a signal about the change of season, the process of changing coat is normalized.

Important! You can restore the natural cycle of coat renewal in a Scottish cat with the help of vitamin and mineral complexes. They are selected by veterinarians depending on the health status and analysis of the pet’s living conditions.

Sudden

Sudden hair loss in a cat most often indicates the development of negative processes in the body. They can be associated both with the state of physical health and with the presence of psychological problems. Only a professional veterinarian can figure out the reasons, and independent actions only aggravate the negative trend, and then the molting will become permanent.

During pregnancy and lactation

Very often, pregnancy and the postpartum period become a trigger for the onset of molting. The reason why a Scottish cat has a lot of hair is that the body devotes all its energy to the health of the kittens, and leaves its own needs “for later.” Normally, hair loss ends after kittens are weaned from the cat. If the process does not stop, you need to contact a veterinarian.

For diseases

If a cat sheds heavily, the owner should pay attention to its health. Hair loss is directly related to the physical and psychological condition, and it can only be stopped after neutralizing the underlying disease. Also, the coat of a Scot changes in the following cases:

Scottish kittens shed a lot during their first change of residence. This is how the pet’s body reacts to adaptation to a new place.

How long does seasonal molting last?

If you are scared by your kitten's long first molt, don't worry. This is due to complex processes of physiological maturation. Shedding in cats that can be called adults goes back to normal. On average it lasts a couple of months a year. Once in the spring, and again at the end of autumn. There may be minor time shifts in the schedule.

Usually short-haired pets fit into the schedule and timing of shedding. It’s more difficult with the fluffier ones. Persians or Maine Coons, after shedding their guard hairs, take a long time to get rid of the undercoat. They definitely won't be able to do it without your help. If you don't help them with their struggle, the consequences can be serious. From local tangles to completely matted fur.

Sometimes shedding in cats occurs unplanned or does not stop for a long time.

All cats are so different

The coat of Highland cats (that is, Scottish, long-haired cats) needs more careful care. But don't worry - it's not difficult at all. Highlands do not have such a voluminous undercoat as Persians, for example. That’s why there are no tangles. And you don’t need to comb the cat’s fur often, but from time to time.

This is how difficult it turns out to be to keep an animal at home. But if you do it with love, then you get a lot of joy in return.

Why does a Scottish cat shed a lot?

There are times when shedding is stronger than it should be, which threatens a deterioration in the quality of the coat and health and the torment of the owners, who will literally drown in the hair. The fact that shedding is excessive is indicated by the rapid deterioration of the coat and the formation of areas of baldness.

Before you begin to act, you need to find out the reason for the abnormally heavy shedding. To do this, you need to consult with a veterinarian, who may find some kind of disease in your pet.

The most common cause of severe shedding is poor nutrition, which lacks vitamins, microelements and fatty acids. To eliminate this problem, just read the information on how to properly balance the diet of a Scottish cat, and include vitamin complexes with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the diet.

However, it also happens that a cat receives all the vitamins, acids and microelements, but they are simply not absorbed. Most often this occurs due to hormonal imbalance, which, in turn, can be caused by cysts and tumors, poor functioning of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands. In this case, a veterinarian should take care of the treatment.

What to do if the cause of molting is illness?

The Scottish Fold differs from other cat breeds by its unusual folded ears. This is a gene mutation. Due to genetic characteristics, the cat has thick, beautiful fur. It falls out and is renewed almost all year round. But, if the hair loss is intense, the cause of molting may be health problems. The most common of them:

If the cause of abnormal molting in a Scottish Fold is a disease, you should find out what triggered it. The veterinary clinic will prescribe and carry out all the necessary tests, determine the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. To prevent the accumulation of hairballs in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, you need to provide him with access to fresh grass. You can buy it or simply plant it on a balcony or windowsill. The plant will help the cat regurgitate accumulated hairballs. The specialist will recommend special cat treats or food that contain ingredients that provoke hair loss.

Features of the British cat

The British cat was bred artificially by man. Using the selection method, almost “plush” animals were obtained that bring indescribable bliss to the owner. However, such cats have lost part of their resistance to diseases and the endurance inherent in their wild relatives. Therefore, they need to be given more attention and care.

Causes of shedding

There are several reasons:

1. Seasonal molting occurs - in autumn and spring within one month. It `s naturally;
2. Weakened immunity;
3. Experienced stress;
4. Pregnancy or postpartum period;
5. Poor nutrition;
6. Lack of vitamins and microelements;
7. Allergic reaction to changing the type of food. For example, switching to dry food;
8. Infection with one of the types of skin fungi;
9. Hormonal imbalance due to a missed mating period or the use of hormonal drugs in the treatment of any disease;
10. A serious disease that can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian.

What to do?

First of all, take care of the fur. Wash the cat with shampoos intended for this purpose, comb it and keep it in a room with a comfortable temperature. The coat should be smooth and shiny.

When changing these parameters, if the fur becomes dull and ruffled, immediately pay attention to nutrition. Is it complete and varied, are all the vitamins and microelements needed by your pet at different stages of life present?

After all, during pregnancy and especially after childbirth, you need a more carefully selected diet.

Special preparations and complexes are used, which are now abundant in veterinary pharmacies, making the coat delightfully soft and silky.

All possible stress factors are eliminated. Fluctuating temperature changes, unexpected loud sounds, encounters with other animals.

Even the appearance of strangers in the house can cause anxiety. British cats become very attached to their owners and experience serious shock in the presence of a stranger.

If the above conditions for caring for a British shorthair cat are met, the owner may not even notice how the seasonal shedding has passed.

If all the necessary precautions are taken, the threatening factors have been eliminated, but the animal continues to experience hair loss, then you just need to run to the veterinarian in order to prevent more serious consequences for your pet’s body. It’s worth starting with the fact that the molting process is a natural physiological manifestation in the life of a pet.

Almost everyone is susceptible to seasonality. Pets can shed at any time of the year, other cats only change their hair coat

It’s worth starting with the fact that the molting process is a natural physiological manifestation in the life of a pet. Almost everyone is susceptible to seasonality. Pets can shed at any time of the year; other cats only change their hair coat.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

In pregnant fold-eared cats, the intensity of hair loss increases. This continues until childbirth. This is normal. Before giving birth, in order to make it easier for the kittens to access the nipples, the cat often chews out the fur on her tummy. The condition of the coat can be affected by age, or more precisely, by the onset of old age. Scottish Folds go bald when they reach 10-13 years of age. This occurs due to a slowdown in vital signs. They start to freeze. To prevent this from happening, you need to monitor the temperature, nutrition, well-being, and always love and protect your pet.

Source

Are there any non-shedding cat breeds?

The desire to have a cat with a flowing coat can be realized without the exhausting struggle with shedding if it is possible to have a Burmese, American Curl, Somali or Turkish Angora.

Shorthaired Siamese, Abyssinians, Burmese, Bengals, Singaporeans, Egyptian Mau or Bombay cats will cause minimal problems.

There is a completely exotic solution to the shedding problem: rexes and sphinxes. These cats definitely do not shed in the traditional sense of the word.

Choose a cat with the prospect of spending at least 10 years side by side with her, and with a successful combination of circumstances, as many as 20. The shedding of Persians, Britons, Siberians or Maine Coons has made them not the most popular among lovers of order and cleanliness in the house. No amount of care or improved nutrition can prevent their marks from appearing in the most inappropriate places.

A healthy cat living outdoors sheds twice a year, in spring and autumn. By summer, cats actively shed their fur in preparation for the hot season. In autumn, on the contrary, they increase their fur coat in anticipation of the winter cold. Animals living in an apartment are also subject to shedding, but often this process is delayed or becomes uncontrollable when the cat sheds heavily almost all year round.

If your pet is an apartment dweller, without access to “free range”, then most likely he is prone to increased hair loss. In winter, when the fur coat should grow, the opposite process is observed. In apartments with central heating, dry and warm air dictates the animal to shed excess fur for a more comfortable feeling. A hot battery replaces thick winter fur for our pets, and artificial lighting and, as a result, longer daylight hours complete the picture.

To avoid hair loss from overheating, if possible, keep the animal away from radiators, install air humidifiers, and ventilate the apartment more often. If you have a balcony or loggia, set up a “winter” house for your cat on the balcony, install scratching posts, multi-level shelves and ladders there so that the animal is interested in going out into the fresh air.

Gastrointestinal disease or hormonal imbalance

Some breeds with a thick undercoat, in particular, British, Siberian, Maine Coons, shed all year round, so if there are no other visible problems with the coat, then there is no reason to worry.

Animals that spend the winter months in an apartment and move to the country in the summer tend, on the contrary, to increased hair growth in the summer months, when they have access to walking, and therefore upon returning to a city apartment are subject to more intense molting.

Considering seasonal factors and the specifics of keeping pets, it is very important not to mistake skin diseases for normal shedding. Such diseases include allergic reactions to food or medications, fungal diseases

Hair loss can be associated with gastrointestinal and hormonal problems and may be accompanied by itching, redness, and the formation of patchy bald patches.

Do not self-medicate under any circumstances; take the animal to the veterinarian.

The clinic will do the necessary tests (scraping at the site of alopecia, blood test), conduct diagnostics and prescribe treatment. It is possible that excessive hair loss is due to a lack of vitamins, in which case the doctor will recommend a complex that is suitable for your pet.

Most often, cats with focal lesions are prescribed simple and effective vitamins, for example, brewer's yeast. If all other vital signs of the animal are normal, then within two weeks you will notice a significant improvement in the condition of the hair coat.

Shedding may be associated with food changes

The cat sheds heavily due to problems with the gastrointestinal tract or food-related allergies. Excluding certain foods from the diet, as well as adding vegetable fats, will help restore your pet’s coat and return it to its usual shine and shine.

Change your diet completely

This is the situation: it is clearly visible that the cat is shedding a lot. What to do? You are looking for the reason, and it is quite simple - you offered the cat new food. So, exclude certain foods from the animal’s diet and don’t experiment anymore! And adding vegetable fats to food will only help to quickly restore the shine and beauty of your beloved cat’s “fur coat”.

It is recommended to brush the coat regularly. There are cats that are predisposed to hair matting. The same Persian or Siberian ones. It is best to brush them every day. And not just an ordinary comb, but a special one - a furminator. It significantly reduces shedding and prevents the formation of tangles.

Caring for British women

Caring for cats of the British breed cannot be called special, and keeping these plush creatures is not at all difficult. However, you still have to take some nuances into account, especially if you want your pet to shine at exhibition events and participate in breeding.

If British kittens have everything they need for full development, and the owner takes care of them on time, no problems will arise in keeping these animals.

How to choose a Scottish Fold kitten

Obviously, choosing a good pet can be problematic, especially a purebred one. Before purchasing, you need to take note of the following nuances:

1. You can only take home a baby over three months old. Thanks to this, the kitten will receive immunity and can easily get used to living independently. He will probably also have age-required vaccinations.
2. It is worth carefully examining your future pet. He should be active and playful, with no discharge from the eyes or ears. The tummy is plump, but not bloated, elastic.
3. It is very important to make sure that one of the kitten's parents is not lop-eared. Otherwise, there is a risk of encountering some genetic pathology.
4. It is not recommended to purchase a baby from unknown people on online ad platforms. The nursery must be registered and have reviews. The same applies to the breeder.
5. If possible, it is recommended to look at the baby's parents. And also find out in what conditions the animals are kept.
6. Don’t be shy to ask the breeder any questions you have. He will tell you what to feed your pet, how best to care for it, and what kind of litter to buy for the tray.

Features of the British cat

The British cat was bred artificially by man. Using the selection method, almost “plush” animals were obtained that bring indescribable bliss to the owner. However, such cats have lost part of their resistance to diseases and the endurance inherent in their wild relatives. Therefore, they need to be given more attention and care.

Causes of shedding

There are several reasons:

1. Seasonal molting occurs - in autumn and spring within one month. It `s naturally;
2. Weakened immunity;
3. Experienced stress;
4. Pregnancy or postpartum period;
5. Poor nutrition;
6. Lack of vitamins and microelements;
7. Allergic reaction to changing the type of food. For example, switching to dry food;
8. Infection with one of the types of skin fungi;
9. Hormonal imbalance due to a missed mating period or the use of hormonal drugs in the treatment of any disease;
10. A serious disease that can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian.

Why do you need to watch your diet?

Fold ears need good nutrition, including a sufficient amount of vitamins and macro- and microelements. To maintain health, veterinarians do not recommend mixing dry and natural food. With a mixed diet, the animal’s fur becomes dull and then begins to “fall off.” If your Scottish Fold cat is constantly shedding, you should completely review the diet and change its composition. If necessary, consult a veterinarian. Due to the characteristics of the Scottish breed, such felines are characterized by a lack of calcium. And if changes to the cat’s diet are made correctly, then within a maximum of two weeks the fur will become thick and shiny.