Cats are lovely animals that, with their incredible personality and beautiful physical appearance, end up making more than one person fall in love with them. But there is something that no matter how much of a cat lover you are, you will never end up liking, and it is nothing more and nothing less than the constant shedding. And when do cats shed the most throughout the year?
This “issue” is perhaps the only thing that someone could finally say against a cat because there are only a few lucky ones who don’t go through this situation. The vast majority of cats shed all year round. There are seasons when it seems they will end up bald from so much hair that they leave scattered everywhere.
Suppose you already have a cat or are considering adopting a little fur ball as your new pet. In that case, I advise you to go through the following article where you will find exciting information and important facts about this not-so-fun issue, which you can’t avoid. Still, I can certainly give you some tips to make it more bearable.
As a cat parent, I can tell you that you will get used to finding cat hair on every piece of furniture and article of clothing you own. But still, every once in a while, it keeps making me roll my eyes when I discover that even my car or office chair has the furry gift of my beloved Louie.
Cat breeds that shed the most
- Maine Coon
- American Curl
- Chartreux
- Cymric
- Nebelung
- Ragamuffin Ragdoll
- Russian Blue
- Persian
- Siberian
Cat breeds that shed the least
- Sphynx
- Bengal
- Peterbald
- Cornish Rex
- Devon Rex
- Siamese
- LaPerm
- Burmese
- Exotic Shorthair
- Bombay
While some people look for cats that don’t shed, having a cat that doesn’t leave hair around the house is not possible. That’s why we listed them as “cats that shed the least.”
Why does my cat shed?
Although you may sometimes think that your cat sheds hair to make your life miserable, the reality is that it does so because it is the natural process of renewing its coat. Just as humans also shed hair and our skin drops dead cells, cats’ coats lose dead hair almost daily, that is, hair that has served its purpose and no longer fulfills its function of protecting the cat’s skin from the weather and helping to diffuse the essential oils that nourish its skin.
While humans use clothing and sunscreen to protect their skin from the cold and heat, cats only have fur, so it must always be on point, renewed daily.
When do cats shed the most?
Cats start shedding between six and twelve months of age and continue to do so all the time, although there are two times of the year when they shed a more significant proportion, which are at the end of the spring and the end of autumn.
The reason is quite logical, as their wise body prepares in time for the heat of summer and the cold of winter, respectively. In the summer, the cat loses hair to withstand the temperature rise, while in winter, the opposite happens. It renews its coat so that it is ready to protect it from the cold.
Although you may think your pet sheds the most, cats that live outdoors are the ones that experience the most shedding because they are exposed to more radical temperature changes. A cat that lives indoors is in a controlled temperature all year round, so the hair change is not as notorious.
Help! How to deal with so much loose hair?
Although we can’t stop natural hair loss, we can significantly reduce it. Follow these tips and make your cleansing routine much more manageable during your cat’s shedding months.
1. Constant brushing
The fur your cat loses is either dead hair or hair about to fall out. All this loose hair will end up falling to the floor or floating around your house, but you can reduce the amount considerably if, during the shedding months, you brush your cat daily, even twice a day, if you have the time. No matter how much you brush your cat, you’ll never finish, but it will surely help.
2. Balanced diet
To maintain a healthy, shiny, and strong coat, you must help your cat by providing it with a diet that gathers all the nutrients it needs. Remember that, in the end, it is cheaper to buy expensive food than to pay a hefty bill at the vet. Your cat’s food should consist first and foremost of animal protein, i.e., meat, and be accompanied by fiber and rich fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6.
3. Excellent hydration
Cats don’t like to drink that much water, but ensure they always have a clean, fresh water source and an area with excellent shade to protect them from the sun. You can prevent your cat’s skin from drying out with good hydration, which translates into a more substantial coat and fewer tangles.
4. And your share, a good cleaning routine
What do I tell you? You will have to become an expert in vacuuming or invest a little in a robot vacuum cleaner, whatever you prefer to do, to avoid hairballs forming in every corner of your home. You can also help yourself with lint rollers to clean clothes and furniture!
When do cats shed the most? Final words
Now that you know when cats shed the most, you will be able to take better care of your pet and prevent its hair from becoming a headache for you. Implement these tips in your daily routine, and don’t forget to visit the vet regularly to check your cat’s health!
Do you have a cat that sheds a ton? Which breed is it? Do you have any other tips on how to deal with shedding? Please share them with us in the comments!