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Some cats shed more than others, but it’s useful to know what’s normal for your own individual cat. Sometimes, excessive shedding can be a sign that something is wrong with your feline friend. If it suddenly seems like your cat is shedding more than normal, it can be a sign that they may need veterinary attention.
Let’s take a look at what kind of shedding is normal and when you might want to ask the vet for advice.
Why Do Cats Shed?
All cats shed their coats — except hairless ones, of course! Shedding is a completely natural process and gets rid of dead hairs that are replaced by healthy new hairs.
Longhaired breeds will typically shed more than cats with shorter hair. Normal shedding will affect your cat’s entire coat and isn’t a cause for concern. You can limit the amount of hair shed around your house by grooming your cat every day.
Cat Shedding Season
As the weather changes, cats will shed their coats in response to changes in the temperature. These seasonal shedding events usually take place twice a year: at the start of fall and spring. As temperatures drop, your cat will shed out their thinner summer coat to be replaced with a thicker winter coat. As the temperatures rise after winter, they’ll shed their thick coat once more.
An exception is if you live somewhere with fewer season changes, like somewhere with humid temperatures all year round or in Alaska where the temperatures will be lower than average, even in summer. In these cases, cats may not shed their coats seasonally.
Indoor cats often shed less frequently than outdoor cats, as they’re exposed to fewer extremes of temperature.
When to Call the Vet?
If your cat’s shedding is accompanied by bald patches or irritated skin or seems to be more excessive than regular seasonal shedding, you should book your cat an appointment to see the vet. There could be an underlying condition affecting their health.
1. Cat Shedding From Allergies
Allergies can cause hair loss, skin irritation, and bald patches. Some allergies are seasonal, including pollen, while others may occur if your cat eats something that triggers an allergy. If you notice your cat’s skin seems irritated, they seem restless, or they have any swelling combined with excessive shedding, it’s important to call your vet right away.
2. Cat Shedding When Stressed
Rapid shedding can be a sign that your cat is frightened or stressed. This type of shedding may happen during a vet visit, car journey, or any other type of event that puts your cat under more stress than normal.
This kind of shedding affects hairs that have completed their growth phase and are now in the resting, or telogen, phase. These are the hairs that would be shed naturally but slowly if your cat was at home under normal circumstances. Under stress, it’s thought that the muscles attached to hair follicles tense up, and the hairs due to be shed soon will then fall out.
There’s no harm done to your cat’s coat during these stress-shedding episodes — you might just leave quite a pile of fur at the vet clinic! If your cat does seem to shed their coat at times of stress, consider things that you can do to help them feel less stressed. Using pheromone diffusers or sprays or taking the time to get your cat used to car journeys can help them cope with stressful events better.
3. Cat Shedding Due To Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be passed between cats and to humans as well. Besides causing red and irritated skin, it can make your cat’s fur weak and more likely to break off. If you see patches of fur loss or thickened skin on your cat, speak to your vet for advice. Other fungal or bacterial infections can also cause hair loss, and your vet will be able to test your cat to find out what they’re suffering from.
4. Cat Shedding Due To Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease usually occurs in cats over 10. It can be difficult to diagnose without blood tests, but one symptom can be hair loss.
5. Cat Shedding From Parasites
Fleas, ticks, and mites can all cause skin irritation and hair loss. Make sure you keep up a regular schedule of anti-parasite treatments and check your cat’s skin regularly for any signs of infestation.
6. Cat Shedding From Pregnancy
Pregnant cats can undergo hormonal changes that result in them shedding their coats more than normal. They will usually shed most of the hair on their bellies, making it easier for their kittens to nurse. You don’t normally need to seek vet advice for this kind of shedding, as once the mother cat weans her kittens and stops lactating, her coat will grow back.
- You might also like: Cat Zoomies: What Are They? And When to Call the Vet? (Vet Answers)
How to Keep Your Cat’s Coat Healthy
Once you’ve figured out the reason behind your cat’s shedding and spoken to your vet if necessary, you can start thinking about how to keep your cat’s coat healthy in the future.
During regular shedding cycles, daily brushing helps remove loose hairs and reduce the chance of your cat developing hairballs as they groom themselves.
You can add foods rich in oils to add conditioner to your cat’s coat as well. Once you’re familiar with your cat’s normal amount of shedding, you’ll be able to seek advice quickly if they appear to be shedding far more hair than expected.
Featured Image Credit: DreamBig, Shutterstock
