Home Remedy for Shedding Cats

A cat sheds the dead hair from its coat naturally, and the hair can get all over your clothing and furniture; it can also cause hairballs if ingested by your cat. While certain breeds, such as the hairless Sphynx, do not shed, most other cat breeds do. To deal with your cat's shedding, you can take steps to reduce the amount of hair it sheds in your home.

  1. Brushing

    • Brush your cat daily to remove hair that has become loose from the cat's thick undercoat. Brushing not only removes the dead hair, stopping the cat from shedding it onto your furniture, but it also prevents tangling and matting of the dead hair with new hair in the coat. Use a special brush designed to remove dead hair from the undercoat or simply use a flea comb to remove as much of the hair from the coat as you can on short-haired cats. For long-haired breeds, use a slicker brush or wide-tooth comb daily on the coat to remove loose hair, according to CatHealth.com.

    Grooming

    • Bathing your cat also helps to reduce shedding in your home by removing the loose hair from the cat's coat. Use a soap-free, gentle shampoo with soothing ingredients like aloe and oatmeal so you do not dry your cat's skin. One to two times each month, bathe the cat in warm water and gentle shampoo, rinse the fur and towel dry the cat. Spray a leave-in conditioner onto the cat's coat, massaging it in with your fingers to add a glossy sheen and to help reduce shedding. Between baths, rub the cat down with pre-moistened pet bathing wipes, found in pet supply stores, to remove loose hair.

    Reduce Stress

    • Stress and illness can contribute to a cat's increased shedding. Cats who spend time outdoors normally shed more at the beginning of the fall and spring months; cats who experience stress will also shed more than usual, according to PetPlace.com. Keep your cat calm by rubbing a few drops of olive oil in your hands, and giving it a soothing massage daily, recommends the book, "The Passionate Olive." The oil will moisturize the cat's skin and coat, reducing shedding. You can also put a few drops of chamomile essential oil, known for its calming scent, in an aromatherapy diffuser to calm your cat.

    Nutrition

    • Malnourished cats or cats who do not ingest the proper amount of vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain their health will shed more than healthy cats, according to the Doctors Foster and Smith website. Feed your cat a diet of food specifically designed for cats and that contains omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These ingredients help moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation, so your cat does not scratch its skin and hair, and less hair is shed, says CatHealth.com. You can also supplement your cat's diet each day with 1/2 teaspoon of salmon oil or olive oil, both of which contain these acids.