Cat Shedding Problems

Shedding is very common among most breeds of cats (exceptions are the hairless breeds, such as the Sphinx and the Peterbald). According to Cat Health, breeds that still shed, but less so than others, are wavy-haired breeds like the Devon Rex. If you own a long-haired cat with a thick undercoat, however, chances are she sheds a lot. Many short-haired breeds also go through times of heavy shedding.

  1. Stress

    • Stressed cats can shed a lot in a short amount of time. Veterinarians witness this frequently in exam rooms--few cats enjoy vet visits and may shed quite a bit of fur on the vet's table. Pain from injury, as it also causes stress in cats, often results in excess shedding. This kind of shedding will usually stop soon after the cat calms down.

    Breed

    • Some cat breeds are more prone to shedding than others. Long-haired cats don't necessarily shed more, but it is more noticeable than with short-haired cats. Persians, for example, notoriously shed a lot.

    Dry Skin

    • Cats that have dry skin shed more. Dry skin may be due to environmental conditions (cats living in dry climates or during dry seasons). Diet is also a factor in dry skin. According to veterinary experts at Doctors Foster and Smith, cats fed a nutrient-poor diet will have more skin and shedding problems.

    Illness and Disease

    • Hyperthyroid disease and other illnesses and diseases may cause excess shedding. If your cat exhibits other symptoms besides shedding (weight loss, for instance), a vet visit is in order. Treatments to control the disease may help with the shedding problems as well.

    Seasonal

    • Hot weather prompts cats to shed their winter layers. Sometimes this seems to happen nearly overnight. This is entirely normal but you can speed up the process by brushing the cat at least once a day. Doing so will also help prevent fur balls, which are more common during shedding season.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Daily brushing and combing, especially with a de-shedding tool, helps remove excess hair in a more controlled way, preventing much of the fur from ending up on your furniture or clothes.
      Cats fed premium foods or supplement with vitamin supplements formulated for skin and fur health (these contain essential fatty acids) should shed less.