Causes of excessive cat shedding - treating your pet with food and vitamins

Hair change in cats is a normal seasonal phenomenon, although it causes a lot of worries for owners. A shedding pet leaves fur on the furniture, which must be removed with a vacuum cleaner and brush. A healthy cat does not shed profusely; otherwise, disturbances in the functioning of the body should be suspected. The animal must be shown to a veterinarian, because severe cat shedding can be a symptom of exhaustion and systemic pathologies.

Why cats and kittens shed

Shedding is a natural process of fur renewal. Old hairs fall out of the follicles, and new ones grow in their place. Depending on the breed and living conditions of the animal, the change of coat can be continuous or seasonal. Cats of all breeds shed except hairless cats.

Seasonal molt

Cats that shed seasonally change their coat twice a year. When spring and autumn come, fur renewal is due to climate changes: by winter the animal becomes warmer, becomes fluffier, and by summer it becomes lighter. Seasonal molting lasts up to 9 weeks. In long-haired individuals it is more pronounced in spring. In short-haired cats the intensity is the same.

Sometimes a cat sheds slightly in winter, reacting to changes in weather: the arrival of frost or thaw. Same in summer.

In addition to seasonal molt, short-term juvenile molt is observed. In small kittens, the change of coat to adult begins at six months, the hairs become stiffer, the color becomes more intense, and patterns appear on the body.

Change of coat

Year-round molting

Some breeds shed throughout the year. Owners have to constantly care for their pets' fur.

Another reason why a cat sheds all year round is the lack of walking. The adapted cat's body begins to react to the temperature in the home. It’s warm in the summer, and when winter comes, the heating radiators are turned on - the thermometer readings change slightly, so at home, fur is always growing.

Cats love to walk in nature

Hair loss is a serious symptom

Seasonal shedding in cats lasts from two to three weeks to one and a half months; the age-related change of coat in kittens can last for six months. In theory, anything outside these parameters should be considered an abnormality. But there is a nuance: as we said, after moving into houses, our smaller brothers can shed all year round, while remaining completely healthy.

Domestic cats can shed all year round

Yet hair loss in animals is often a symptom of a disease or other health disorder, and domestic cats are no exception. Thus, a paradoxical situation arises: the same external manifestations can be either a kind of “payment for shelter” or an alarm bell. In one case, nothing needs to be done, moreover, an attempt to treat the animal can cause harm to it, and in the other, the pet, on the contrary, needs qualified help. The problem is so difficult that even an experienced veterinarian is not always able to solve it. But a responsible animal owner simply must do this.

Let's start with something simple. It is not difficult to understand that a cat is shedding (losing fur). You can often hear advice to try, without making much effort, to pull out a tuft of hair from your pet’s fur coat, but believe me, this is actually not necessary. Just caress a purring animal, and you will see that a lot of fallen hairs will remain on your hands (try to pet a street cat, especially in winter, and you will see that its fur “fits” very firmly).

So the cat is shedding. Most likely, everything is fine with her if:

• the skin visible between the hairs retains a natural and uniform color;
• the fur does not fall out in clumps, leaving bare areas of skin (bald spots can appear behind the ears, above the eyes, on the stomach, thighs, and the inner surface of the paws);
• the pet’s behavior has not changed, the cat looks healthy, eats well, digestion is not upset;
• urine and feces have normal color and odor;
• the animal's nose is moist, its eyes are shiny;
• there is no frankly unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• body temperature, if you can measure it, is normal (for cats this is the range between 38.0 and 39.0 ° C).

In a word, you need to understand a simple thing. Hair loss is almost never the only symptom of a particular disease: as a rule, there are other signs. Finding them or making sure that they are absent is the main task of the owner.

Let's look at some of the most common causes of pathological hair loss in cats.

Hormonal disbalance

When experts strongly recommend sterilizing domestic animals of both sexes (with the exception of those specifically used for breeding), they know what they are talking about.

It has been observed that sterilized cats live an average of 15–20 years. For comparison, the average lifespan of a domestic cat is 10–12 years; outdoor cats rarely live past 5 years of age. And if the difference between a pet and an animal forced to fight for survival can be explained by the quality of life (in civilized countries people also live longer than in backward ones), then the obvious advantage of sterilized animals over their no less “caressed” brothers is explained by only one thing - the absence hormonal shocks.

In favor of sterilization, it should also be said that cats, like the vast majority of animals, do not have such a thing as orgasm. Mating and childbearing, contrary to the opinion of some “humanists,” are not beneficial to the cat’s health; this is just a natural need to preserve the species, which in the case of pets is perfectly solved through targeted breeding. If you do not agree with the position accepted as the basis throughout the civilized world, at least take the trouble to ensure your animal’s full realization of sexual instincts, but under no circumstances do you stuff it with hormonal drugs that suppress sexual desire, and do not endure heart-rending screams while clenching your teeth unfortunate beast. This is inhumane and very dangerous for the cat’s health.

Estrus causes a lot of inconvenience for a cat and its owner.

Severe hair loss is often caused by hormonal imbalance, and the latter, in turn, is inevitable when taking various “anti-sex medications.” The same reason, by the way, explains the increased shedding in cats after estrus, during pregnancy and after childbirth: hormones go crazy - just like in humans.

The author has heard complaints from cat owners who decided to sterilize their pets and were faced with the fact that after the operation, the fur literally came out of the animal in clumps. A few months after sterilization, the cats, however, fully recovered, and the problem of hair loss no longer bothered their owners. But the reason here is completely different - the stress suffered due to the operation and anesthesia.

Stress

We come to another problem that can cause hair loss. This is an emotional shock.

Cats, fortunately, have a fairly stable psyche. The author was lucky enough to keep a couple of chinchillas in the house; these animals usually did not shed, but at the slightest fright, tufts of loose hair instantly appeared on their coats. An offended cat is more likely to “sulk”, put the owner “ignored”, or begin to plan an act of retaliation (and, no doubt, will finish what he started).

Usually a cat knows how to stand up for itself

But there are factors to which even these proud and independent creatures react very painfully. These include, in particular:

• moving (the well-known formula that a dog is attached to its owner, and a cat is attached to the house, is only partly true, but there is certainly some truth in it);
• transportation, especially in tight carrying;
• painful medical procedures associated with anesthesia, fixation (tying up) and other violations of “personal integrity”;
• the appearance of another animal in the house, especially if it is perceived as a source of danger or a “competitor”;
• loneliness, especially if for the first time the animal is left alone in an empty room for a long period of time;
• a sharp change in attitude towards oneself on the part of the owner;
• the introduction of new rules and restrictions that did not exist before (for example, a cat got used to sleeping with its owner, and at some point they stopped allowing it to do so).

I will give two examples from my own practice.

The first days after the birth of our daughter, we were so tired that we literally fell off our feet, and when the Angora cat, who had lived in our house for ten years and knew the “rules” well, happily jumped onto our laps in anticipation of the allotted portion of affection or sniffed the crib with curiosity, trying to get acquainted with the new tenant, she was usually impatiently driven away. I admit honestly: I don’t remember whether the poor animal’s shedding intensified, but at some point we simply did not find the cat in the house. She quietly slipped out the door, unable to forgive the betrayal. The search did not yield any results.

The second example is directly related to molting. My daughter grew up and acquired an Abyssinian who literally idolized her owner. When the daughter left, there was no question of giving the animal to one of her friends or relatives: it was enough to look into the eyes of the animal, and the whole stupidity of the idea became clear. We just took turns going to feed and check on the cat. She accepted the food with cold dignity and even restrainedly allowed herself to be stroked. But when the red-haired beast dispassionately jumped from our laps, a dense layer of fur remained on our clothes. Moreover, just a few days after the owner returned, the severe molting inexplicably stopped by itself.

The cause of hair loss may be longing for the owner

In a word, if a cat begins to lose a large amount of hair, think about whether something has happened that has provoked strong feelings in the animal.

Allergy

Allergies in cats are usually accompanied not just by hair loss, but by the formation of bald patches (so-called alopecia). But the opposite rule does not work: allergies are not the most likely cause of baldness in individual areas of the skin, and their localization in this case will not clarify anything.

One of the causes of receding hairline is allergies.

The only correct course of action is to analyze whether there have been any changes in the diet, and if there have been, exclude the probable allergen, and then continue observation.

Poor nutrition and dysbiosis

A cat's diet must be balanced; food from our table cannot replace it. High-quality cat food contains everything necessary for the health of the animal. Adherents of natural food need to put in a lot more effort to make their pet's coat shiny and glossy.

High-quality cat food contains everything necessary for animal health

Sometimes the cause of hair loss is dysbiosis, which is not caused by nutritional problems, but, for example, by recent antibiotic treatment. In this case, shedding is usually accompanied by other characteristic symptoms, primarily intestinal dysfunction.

Once we acquired a breeding kitten, which by the time it moved to a new home was observed, as they say. The road was long, planned in advance, and I didn’t want to change plans. When we found traces of bloody diarrhea all over the apartment the next morning, an urgent visit to the vet seemed completely normal. The doctor, having learned that the animal had been purchased the day before, also seemed to reasonably decide to play it safe and prescribed several “killer” injections for the kitten. At the same time, a blood test was taken, but it did not reveal any of the diseases that the doctor feared. However, the job was done. Weakened by an intestinal disorder and experiencing stress from a change of environment, as well as separation from its mother and brothers, the animal received a heavy dose of antibiotics, from which it could not recover for a year. Throughout this time, the unfortunate child suffered from severe diarrhea and desperately shed.

Old age

As we age, various diseases appear and worsen, and the body begins to work like a poorly regulated machine. The same thing happens with cats. In an older animal, the fur coat loses its thickness and silkiness, becomes tangled and falls out, sometimes forming quite distinct bald spots. This is a natural and, unfortunately, irreversible process.

In old age, the animal’s fur no longer looks thick and silky.

Diseases and parasites

Increased hair loss can be a sign of a disease, either skin, caused by parasites or fungal infections, or internal.

The first category of diseases includes:

• ringworm (fungal infection, pathogens - dermatophytes);
• demodicosis (caused by subcutaneous mites);
• dermatitis (can be caused by bacteria, fungi and even flea bites);
• scabies (caused by the Notoedris cati mite);
• eczema (can be caused by various reasons).

All these diseases have a very clear clinical picture, the lesions are clearly visible, and if you consult a specialist in a timely manner, diagnosis and treatment do not cause problems.

Ringworm is an infectious skin disease of a fungal nature.

The situation is more complicated with systemic internal diseases, which at a certain stage begin to acquire external manifestations, affecting, in particular, the quality of wool. In fact, this symptom can be caused by literally anything: from endocrine system disorders, including diabetes, to neoplasms. In such cases, hair loss is a secondary symptom; therefore, there is no point in fighting it: you need to look for the cause of the disease and treat it.

Increased shedding and its causes

When the fur comes out for a long time and strongly, pathological shedding is diagnosed. The table lists the reasons why cats shed heavily.

Combing

They comb out the fur only when shedding; normally this should not be done.
To do this, use combs with elongated, hard bristles with sharp ends. Soft teeth or rounded ends do not allow for effective hair pulling. Of course, you need to comb out the brush carefully, with straight (not circular) movements and not press it tightly. Combing begins from the back, moving from the neck to the tail. Make parallel movements with the comb.

They gradually descend to the stomach, and after combing the entire body, they move to the legs. They are processed from top to bottom, first from the outside and then from the inside. Finally, the hair on the head is combed out.

How to reduce cat shedding

In order to properly treat excessive shedding, it is necessary to find out what caused it. Therefore, the first thing the owner should do is contact a veterinary clinic. Do not treat your cat at your own discretion: incorrect actions will aggravate the condition. The veterinarian will find out why the cat sheds, prescribe appropriate treatment, tell you what drug to use for infection, seborrhea, parasites, and whether the cat’s diet needs to be changed.

In the vast majority of cases, a cat sheds due to poor-quality food, so the veterinarian gives advice on diet and recommends vitamins to strengthen the coat.

Anti-shedding food

With an unbalanced diet, after losing weight, a deterioration in the condition of the coat follows. The owner has two options on what to do to prevent the cat from shedding any more:

• buy high-quality premium or holistic food that contains a full range of vitamins and nutrients;
• diversify your natural diet, include dietary supplements and vitamin preparations.

The best brands of complete food are Acana, Royal Canin, Applaws, Brit.

Do not feed your cat only canned food, use it as a treat. This type of food does not contain the required amount of substances beneficial to the coat.

To make seasonal shedding easier, add chicken yolk and fish oil to your cat's diet. These products are valuable sources of minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids that have a general strengthening effect on the cat’s body, ensuring smooth and healthy fur.

Vitamins for cats

Buy vitamin preparations on the recommendation of a veterinarian, do not exceed the dosage so that your pet does not suffer from hypervitaminosis.

Which vitamins to buy depends on the purpose of use:

• for strength and health of the coat - group B, kelp, iodine;
• to prevent the cat from shedding excessively - Biofaktory Felvit Multi, Beaphar Laveta Super, Beaphar Kitty's + Taurine-Biotine, GimCat Katzentabs;
• to reduce the time during which a cat sheds, brewer's yeast.

A little about molting

Changing coats is a necessary “ritual” that allows cats to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Since the distant ancestors of today's couch potatoes spent most of their time outdoors, they had to adjust their fur to the current temperature.

Winter and summer cat fur differ from each other in thickness.

In the spring, free cats shed their warm winter “fur coat” and exchange it for lighter summer clothing, so as not to “melt” in the sun’s rays. In the fall, cats again grew thick fur, which saved them from bad weather and cold.

Features of shedding in domestic cats

According to generally accepted belief, cats shed heavily only twice a year - during the seasons described above. However, as already mentioned, molting is an element of adaptation. If a pet lives in a house whose temperature is stable, it will no longer have any need to change its woolen “outfits”.

Shedding of domestic cats, as a rule, is not confined to the season.

Does this mean that cats stop shedding altogether? Of course no. Experience suggests exactly the opposite. It seems that pets shed almost every minute, which is natural. Each hair has its own time, after which it falls out and becomes dead.

Despite the fact that in “greenhouse” conditions cats shed to a lesser extent than their wild stray relatives, it cannot be said that they are easier to care for. In any case, each owner will have to decide what is better - a radical renewal of the coat twice a year, or a slow but never-ending replacement of dead hair with new ones.

Short-haired and long-haired

For a person who suffers from allergies or does not have the opportunity to often care for cat hair, an important condition for choosing a pet is seasonal shedding. Do not choose a cat with long hair and lush undercoat. The hairs of the cat's undercoat come out more abundantly than the guard hairs and settle on furniture and clothes. The optimal breed for an allergy sufferer is one with short hair and little undercoat or hairless.

Cats that shed frequently

Let's list which cat breeds have the most severe process of hair loss:

• British and Scottish cats shed all year round;
• Maine Coons, Siberian cats, and other long-haired breeds - they are characterized not only by seasonal shedding, but also by less intense hair loss throughout the year;
• Angoras, Somalis, Burmese, American Curls are also long-haired, but little hair falls out, long hairs are easily removed from furniture.

Cats that don't shed

Breeds of non-shedding cats that you don’t have to fuss with:

• Siamese, Oriental, Abyssinian, Bengal, Singaporean - these cats have no or short undercoat, so shedding takes place in a short time, and much less hair falls out;
• Sphynx cats;
• curly cats - laperm, rex.

Vitamins for cats

During the molting period, cats often experience weakness due to vitamin deficiency, especially characteristic of spring. Vitamin supplements that normalize the pet’s metabolism and well-being will help cope with this problem. It should be borne in mind that vitamins must be in harmony with the food consumed by the animal.

Most cat vitamins come in the form of hearts or granules

If you feed him dry food, which initially includes some groups of vitamins, then most likely there is no need for additional supplements. Vitamin complexes will be a useful addition to natural food that does not take into account the basic needs of the pet. However, do not forget that only a doctor can prescribe vitamins - independent choice will not lead to anything good.

Biotin

It is believed that it is the lack of biotin in the animal’s body that causes inflammation of the hair and subsequent hair loss. Therefore, owners of cats that constantly shed should pay attention to vitamin complexes that include this element.

Biotin strengthens not only the coat itself, but also the skin, reducing the risk of dermatitis.

With the exception of tablets, vitamin H is also found in raw yolk, but it is not recommended to give it to cats due to the risk of salmonellosis.

In addition to strengthening the coat, biotin promotes:

• normalization of metabolism;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• reducing embryo mortality;
• improves the condition of the skin;
• general strengthening of the immune system.

Brewer's yeast for cats and dogs

Along with biotin, during the period of seasonal molting, it is recommended to give the cat:

• fat supplements (especially on the eve of winter);
• Brewer's yeast;
• B vitamins;
• amino acids.

A list of the most popular vitamin complexes for cats can be seen below. It includes foreign manufacturers, but if you wish, you can also search for Russian and Agrovetzashchita.

Vitamins for cats

Memo for the owner

If your cat sheds abnormally heavily, or if you need to promptly prevent excessive hair loss, follow these recommendations:

1. Don't buy economy cat food. They practically lack the nutrients and vitamins the animal needs.
2. Brush your cat regularly. Use a furminator or a comb with flexible teeth.
3. Bathe your pet periodically using grooming products. To strengthen hair follicles and speed up coat change, buy cat shampoos containing vegetable oils, tocopherol, retinol, panthenol. Find out from your veterinarian which product is suitable and how often to wash your cat so as not to harm the coat.
4. Don't stress your pet. Treat him kindly, pet him, play with him. If the animal becomes nervous, give a sedative, for example, Feliway, as directed.
5. Make sure the air in your home remains moist.
6. If possible, let your cat go for a walk in the yard.

If your pet has lost weight and begun to shed intensively, there is a high probability of infection with helminths that take away nutrition from the body. To prevent helminthiasis, carry out antiparasitic treatments according to the schedule established by the veterinarian.

Use a sticky roller to remove cat hair from furniture and clothing, or use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean the carpet.

Grooming salons offer express shedding procedures. This is a good way to speed up the cat's natural shedding period. The specialist applies a special composition to the animal’s fur, then washes it, dries it while combing it out.

Hormonal disorders, infectious and oncological diseases that cause molting are treated by a veterinarian. The course and dosage of medications is also determined by a specialist.

How to deal with shedding

Almost all cat owners ask this question. Some are sincerely concerned about the health of their ward, others are more concerned about the condition of the furniture and carpets. Let's reveal a terrible secret: hair loss in cats cannot be cured.

Inaction is the best course of action

Above we have listed the six most likely causes of excessive shedding. Of these, only the last requires intervention, and only because hair loss in this case is an indicator of the presence of a disease that needs treatment.

Moreover, there is no need to “help” a cat with seasonal or age-related (children’s) shedding; this process, even if it lasts for a whole year, does not cause any inconvenience to the animal.

Those who advise buying their pet vitamins “for the fur” are either their manufacturers (distributors) or naive victims of advertising. If a cat receives a balanced diet, it does not need any additional vitamins. As a rule, under this “sauce” we are offered drugs with unproven effectiveness, which, however, absolutely does not exclude side effects, including allergies.

You shouldn’t get carried away with planting green grass, which mustachioed pets love to feast on. Cats, like people, do not always eat what is healthy. The author has heard stories more than once about how “stupid” purrs selflessly ate leaves of Dieffenbachia, asparagus, ficus, geranium, and then the animals had to be rescued, and not always from ordinary food poisoning.

Houseplant poisoning is not uncommon for cats.

If an animal sheds its fur, but still looks healthy and happy, it does not need treatment.

Grooming

This procedure has varying degrees of importance depending on how long and dense your pet's coat is. In general, it is useful to accustom any cat to brushing from childhood, but for owners of long-haired, semi-long-haired and plush breeds this is mandatory. You should always comb your cat only in the direction of hair growth. Movements against or alternately in different directions are a common mistake.

Cats usually love being brushed

Combing is not only a way to remove loose hair and prevent it from becoming tangled, but it is also an excellent massage that improves blood circulation, strengthens the hair follicles and, accordingly, improves the quality of the coat. In addition, this procedure prevents the cat from excessively swallowing hairs during the licking process, which, by the way, can cause various disorders, including gastritis, pancreatitis and even intestinal obstruction.

The following tools are used to comb furry pets:

• A double-sided comb with different gaps between the teeth.
• A brush. Tools with natural bristles should not be used: they do not cope well with the task at hand, and they can also harbor insects. Rubber brushes are suitable for massaging and polishing the coat of short-haired cats; owners of long fur can be pampered in this way, but only after the main combing.
• Puhoderku. This is a special device for removing dead undercoat. It can be of different thicknesses, the choice is determined by the type of animal's fur.
• Furminator (aka trimmer). This is a professional comb with very fine teeth that removes excess hair so thoroughly that it appears as if the animal has been lightly shaved. Suitable for cats with any type of coat.

I would venture to suggest that I know the most original way of combing cats. Most pets are afraid of the vacuum cleaner, or at least prefer to stay away from it. But one of our favorites simply adored the humming machine. With visible pleasure, she put one side after the other under the brush, which made it very easy to care for her thick plush fur coat, which was simply combined with regular cleaning of the house. We appreciated this useful trait with renewed vigor as the animal aged and began to lose much more hair.

Combing with a vacuum cleaner is reliable and hygienic

You need to comb your pet daily if we are talking about long-haired and semi-long-haired breeds, and at least weekly if the animal has a thick undercoat. In other cases, you can carry out the procedure from time to time or even not carry it out at all. However, if the cat is actively shedding, timely brushing will help save energy during cleaning.

Photo gallery: tools for combing wool

Furminator - a modern device for pet owners

The slicker is suitable for all types of wool

A rubber mitten removes lint perfectly.

For a long-haired cat, you can use a regular comb with sparse teeth.

A double-sided hair comb does the job perfectly.

Video: how to deal with shedding in cats

The quality of wool is a mirror in which you can see not only the health of your pet, but even how satisfied he is with his life. Almost all cats shed. In the vast majority of cases, this situation is normal: the animal does not need any treatment, and cleanliness in the house can be maintained only with regular combing and cleaning. If this option does not suit you, choose a breed with short, sparse hair or get a Sphynx.

What to do: how to help the cat?

Vitamins and nutritional supplements

The doctor will select the appropriate drug and regimen for taking it.
If a cat sheds in winter and summer, the process of shedding hair does not stop, it is better to take the animal for examination to a veterinary hospital. After carrying out the necessary tests, the veterinarian will be able to accurately determine the factor of heavy shedding. Often the secret lies in the lack of nutrients; in such cases, the pet is simply prescribed a course that includes vitamins, diet and a balanced diet. If the cat has no appetite, you can give brewer's yeast, which helps to gain weight, strengthens the coat and improves overall well-being.

Folk remedies

If you don’t trust store-bought medications, you can use advice from the people that will help stop many of the troubles associated with severe shedding. Examples:

• Home remedy for fleas and parasites. A strong decoction of wormwood, in which cats are bathed, will help get rid of uninvited residents.
• For your appetite. Egg yolk is added to your pet's food.
• Complex for skin and wool. Fish oil in capsules, which is added to food and drink.
• From wounds and ulcers. Homemade folk ointments based on medicinal herbs that can be made at home.
• Anti-hair loss products. Decoctions from plant components.

Kittens' first molt

Kittens have their first moult

is accompanied by the replacement of undyed hairs with the hair of adult animals and
occurs
, most often,
at the age of 5-7 months, in spring or autumn
. When purchasing kittens, you should understand that their color will likely change. Shedding starts from the head and gradually continues throughout the kitten's body. The animal's head will receive its permanent color before other parts of the body, and the rest of the body can molt for a whole year or even more.