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What to give a cat so that it does not shed. Shedding in cats after childbirth, sterilization causes and how long it lasts. Nutrition in the fight against molting

If you are not the owner of a sphinx, then you have repeatedly encountered the problem of hair loss in a cat. Sometimes the pet's hair begins to fall out more abundantly. When a cat sheds heavily, what to do? Is this normal or does the pet need treatment?

Why is my cat everywhere?

It is one thing when a cat is always with you, because it craves attention and communication, and quite another when it is in every corner and even outside the home. More precisely, his fur, which is absolutely everywhere. If the cat sheds heavily, what should I do?

A cat can lose its fur in such cases:

  1. This is how nature intended. Or rather, this is a seasonal change of wool, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The cat, of course, is a domestic creature, but he still has a connection with nature. So for the winter the pet acquires another fur coat, and closer to spring it begins to actively “remove” it. If the undercoat is long, then it will fall out in the cold season, but not as plentifully as in warming. In any case, in the spring, every cat sheds, "What to do?" - you ask. Combing, bathing or even cutting.
  2. This is how the microclimate works. Everyone adapts to the environment in which they live. It seems that winter is still deep, and the pet's shreds are already everywhere. Perhaps it’s too hot at home, and the thick fur simply interferes with the cat. Therefore, he decided to “dump” her until he received a heat stroke. It's completely harmless and completely natural. What to do if the cat sheds heavily in this case? If possible, reduce the temperature of the house somewhat. If not, then you will have to comb your pet to reduce natural shedding.
  3. So conceived by the breed. Some cat breeds are more prone to shedding hair than others. This is especially true for long-haired cats and animals with a dense undercoat. In their case, only proper care will help.
  4. That's how the food came into play. Perhaps the cat sheds due to a lack of minerals in the food. Monotonous and poor feeding may well affect the condition of the coat. The body throws forces to maintain itself in a “working” state, and wool, in its understanding, is already superfluous. What to do if the cat sheds heavily because of this? Improve his diet and supplement it with vitamins.
  5. That's how the diet changed. Not only a poor diet, but also a change in it can affect hair loss. A pet may develop an allergy to inappropriate food, and because of this, the cat suddenly sheds heavily. With this option, it is worth returning to the usual diet.
  6. That's how stress worked. Everyone tends to worry too much, including cats. So if the pet was very worried because of something, then hair loss may be due to stress. A move, the arrival of another tenant, even a walk down the street can be a big experience for a cat. If a cat sheds due to stress, then she needs to be given time to get comfortable or even treated for nervousness.
  7. This is how the disease affected. It is likely that the cat sheds heavily due to the disease. The disease can affect the functioning of internal organs, the hormonal system and the skin. If the kitten not only loses its fur, but also has lost its appetite, has become inactive and sad, then it must be urgently taken to the veterinarian. It is better to play it safe and find out that the pet is just sad than miss the opportunity to cure it.
  8. This is how the treatment worked. If after treatment the cat sheds heavily, then the reasons may be in the medicines themselves. Some diseases require "strong" drugs, which may well provoke hair loss. In addition, some medicines treat only the disease itself, while the body remains weakened. So it's normal if a cat sheds after an illness, but what to do? Support her health with enhanced nutrition, vitamins and immunostimulating drugs.

Important! You definitely need to run to the doctor if the cat has noticeable bald spots or the hair is pulled out at the slightest impact. This clearly indicates serious problems.

If you doubt why the cat sheds heavily, then talk to your veterinarian. He will examine the pet, perhaps do some tests and accurately report the causes of hair loss. For prevention, you can “feed” your pet with vitamins.

Features of molting of some breeds

The coat changes in all cats. Even Sphynxes, Cornish and Devon Rex can "warm up" and "undress" according to the season or due to temperature changes in the house. However, some breeds are more plentiful and change their coat more often. And these are not only long-haired breeds, but also some representatives of short-haired seals. Not only purebred representatives are subject to molting, but also mestizos.

The most "shedding" cats are Persians, Maine Coons, British and Siberian, and sometimes also Scottish. The secret is in their downy undercoat. It is very soft and light, so it falls out so easily, and it seems that the cat sheds a lot. But for these breeds, this process is quite normal.

As soon as it became clear why the cat sheds heavily, you can begin to eliminate this problem.

Every owner of fluffy pets sooner or later faces problems related to the health of their pets. If your cat sheds heavily, this article will tell you what to do. First of all, you need to understand what molting is in cats and how to cope with the fact that the cat is constantly shedding heavily. Most often, animals experience this period in autumn or spring, but in some cases, the process can continue throughout the year.

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Possible causes of shedding

Shedding always brings a lot of inconvenience to cat owners, as tufts of wool constantly appear throughout the house. If a cat sheds heavily, then the hairs can be found on clothes, on a carpet, on a blanket - in general, on any surface accessible to the animal. There are many reasons why your beloved pet may start losing hair. It is very important to know what to do if the animal sheds heavily and why this happens.

seasonal molt

It is important to understand that if the cat sheds in the spring or autumn, then there is no reason to panic. The reason is simple: the fur coat of pets is preparing for changes. It is quite logical that before the winter cold, the pet should prepare and “dress” in a denser coat. Surely you have noticed that during such periods, cats look bigger and fluffier.


In the spring, on the contrary, the cat wants to feel most comfortable with a minimum amount of wool, and therefore gets rid of excess hair. Hence the wool in tufts all over the house - just your pet is preparing for warm days. Don't scold your pet. Why? Since this is a completely natural process, and what to do with it - we will tell later.

Ambient temperature

In some cases, cats begin to shed heavily due to temperature “jokes”. As it became clear a little higher, a decrease in the mercury column stimulates the pet to acquire a new fur coat. If the process has already ended, and the cold weather is still not visible, then the warm fur is rejected by the animal.

In cases where a cat lives indoors all its life, the molting schedule is somewhat confused and sometimes hair loss becomes permanent. The most important thing is not to panic, know what to do, and understand that molting in cats is a completely normal phenomenon.

Health problems

In some cases, if the cat sheds heavily, then this becomes a sign of health problems. It is important to understand that some breeds are prone to constant molting. These include British cats, Siberian cats, as well as Maine Coons. This knowledge is needed in order not to take the usual loss of hair as an indicator of illness.

In the event that your pet does not belong to the indicated breeds, and it does not look good, then you need to take him to the veterinarian. In some diseases, wool from fluffy climbs in tufts. The cause of such an unpleasant phenomenon can be hormonal problems or any “malfunctions” in the work of the gastrointestinal tract. You can recognize them by itching, redness of the skin, as well as the appearance of noticeable bald patches.

Feed change

Sometimes gastrointestinal problems or allergic reactions with hair loss can be associated with a change in food. If you have recently changed your pet's diet, it is best to abandon the selected menu. Most likely, the beloved cat does not have a relationship with some of the new ingredients, which is why the wool climbs.

Stress

Our four-legged friends are very impressionable creatures. Very often, a cat sheds if she is very frightened or nervous. In some situations, the pet reacts with molting even to a change in the situation in the apartment, since cats are very conservative creatures.

How to deal with heavy shedding

When a cat sheds heavily, the life of the owners of the apartment turns into a real nightmare, because every few hours they have to start a raid to clean the hairs. There is no way to avoid molting, however, reducing its abundance is quite easy. Doing this is quite simple. In the event that the process proceeds with additional symptoms, then the pet must be shown to the veterinarian to prevent possible problems.

You should adjust the pet's diet and plan the intake of vitamins. There are special vitamin complexes aimed at reducing shedding and improving the quality of wool. Try to protect your pet from stress and not change his usual way of life.

So, we reduce the amount of hair falling out. What should you do when your cat starts shedding? The furminator comes to the rescue, that is, a special comb. Regular brushing of your pet helps to significantly reduce the amount of wool. In addition, with this comb, you can prevent the appearance of tangles. Furminator is gentle on the skin of the animal.

It is very important to wash the cat using special products. Check with your veterinarian, as a specialist can recommend effective conditioners and balms that restore coats and save cats from dry skin.

Video "How to get rid of excess hair with a furminator"

In this video, you can see how to use the furminator correctly and what you need to do to make it easier for your pet to shed.

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If a fluffy warm lump lives in the house, the owners do not get bored or lonely.

a photo of yesterday's Myrf's comb ....

At the sight of the games of your beloved cat or a new funny pose that the cat has chosen for a daytime rest (well, is it really convenient to sleep on the edge of the sofa with your head hanging down?!) A smile appears on your face. But it can immediately fade when the eye stops on the upholstery of furniture or on a carpet completely strewn with animal hair.

seasonal molt

Shedding in cats is a completely normal phenomenon, which usually occurs twice a year: in spring and autumn. At this time, the cat completely changes its clothes from winter to summer and vice versa. Moreover, in long-haired breeds, wool falls out in shreds, while in short-haired breeds it simply crumbles evenly. Cats that do not have an undercoat shed the least, but they also need care during this period.

First of all, you will have to go to the pet store for special devices: a long fur coat is combed out with a steel or chrome-plated comb, while the undercoat is removed with a bristle brush. Owners of short-haired breeds will need brush-gloves - they are very convenient to remove dead hairs.

It is also worth buying preparations for the stomach, which will help remove hair from the body of the animal, because it will still get into the digestive tract when the cat decides to clean itself up on its own. In addition, some fatty acids, for example, help the cat cope with seasonal molting faster, so it is advisable to add them to the feed in spring and autumn.

Reinforced molt

In general, the change of coat is easy to survive, given that this process does not occur all that often. Another thing is when it starts unexpectedly, because animals molt for various reasons. If the cat suddenly began to go bald or he developed a rash on the skin that causes discomfort, forcing him to lick himself intensively, an urgent consultation with a veterinarian is necessary. Your pet may have dermatological problems that require treatment.

Increased molting can also be the result of experienced stress. For example, a new family member has appeared in the house, to whom all the attention of the household is paid, and it seems to the unfortunate cat that she has been completely forgotten. Or the beloved owner left for a long time, leaving her in the care of relatives. After all, we just think that animals do not know how to worry. In fact, they all feel subtly and are quite capable of experiencing or even falling into depression. Here, only love and affection will become the most effective cure for longing.

Year-round molting

If the hair loss resembles a protracted seasonal molt, the pet may lack some vitamins or the room is too warm and dry. Experts recommend giving the cat a raw egg once a week and growing special cat grass on the windowsill. In addition, you should carefully consider the choice of food - some of its components can cause allergies.

A cat's love for a radiator and sleeping under a blanket looks funny, but it can also cause hair loss. On a cold winter evening, we love to sit with a cup of hot tea under a soft blanket in front of the fireplace. A bad example is contagious, and our pets also anoint themselves so close to the radiator that they seem to soon begin to smoke. Of course, in such conditions, a chic fur coat is not needed. Perhaps you should ventilate the room more often or take the animal out to the balcony from time to time. Just do not be zealous - some breeds of cats are prone to colds.

A few words about sphinxes and rex

Looking at the shreds of wool on the carpet, some regret that they did not purchase at one time or, because these breeds practically do not shed. But in vain. For the skin of "undressed" cats, no less care is required than for long-haired ones. It's just that the owner's efforts will be directed in a different direction. Therefore, when choosing a future pet, it is better to listen to your heart, it will tell you which baby to bring into the house.

If the pet is healthy, then all processes are going on, as it should be for the life of a cat. Molting is a normal part of life for them, and therefore you should not worry about this. But there are also situations when wool falls out in excessively large quantities, and does not stop throughout the year. Then many cat lovers begin to worry about their pets. But, despite this, it is easy to deal with the problem, even if the owner brought the animal for the first time.

Healthy cats should shed several times a year. In the spring, this occurs before hot weather so that the thick coat does not become a burden. The second time they molt occurs in autumn, in order to shed all their hair and grow a new one - warm.

Cats living permanently in an apartment sometimes lose this rhythm. During the heating season, they begin to shed their wool. The air during heating is warm and dry, which adversely affects the coat of the animal. Due to such climate changes, cats often shed it. Wool often sticks to clothes, rugs and sofas. This problem makes it difficult to clean the house.

Causes

  1. Long hair in the cat family. If by nature a cat's hair is long and thick, then you should not be surprised that the animal loses too much hair. These breeds include Angora, British, Scottish, Persian, Siamese, Maine Coon and others. If a cat lover decides to purchase a long-haired breed, then he should be prepared for frequent and heavy molts.
  2. Improper maintenance and care. Also, the cause of abundant molting can be non-physiological features of the cat family. Frequent hair loss may be due to improper care of the pet's coat. This may be the wrong shampoo for him, too frequent and abundant washing, or not brushing his coat. In addition to the above reasons, which are understandable to everyone and solvable, there are many others. These include diseases and poor living conditions for the animal.
  3. The main reason is an unbalanced pet diet. Due to the use of poor quality canned and dry food by the owners, the cat has a lack of vitamins, macro- and microelements. And with a mono diet, a cat loses hair continuously. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed your pet exclusively with fish and meat food.
  4. Shedding during illness, age and pregnancy (or lactation). In addition to the problems that arise with nutrition, molting also occurs when there are disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys. With allergic reactions, the cat partially loses its hair, and it quickly loses weight. When a cat is pregnant or if it has already dipped, the hormonal background is disturbed. You need to be prepared for tufts of hair coming out even when stroking.
  5. As a cat ages, it doesn't get healthier. She gradually weakens and fades. An elderly cat does not have the strength to care for its hair, to lick it. She lacks trace elements in her body. Therefore, in old animals, abundant molts are often observed.

There are many reasons for hair loss in cats. To help your pet, quickly and correctly find the cause of the problem. The right decision for the owner would be to go to a specialist. A good veterinarian will be able to determine the exact cause, and if it is a disease, they will be able to prescribe the right treatment that will make life easier.

Troubleshooting

The method of treatment will depend primarily on the cause of the molt. Some people select treatment with the help of errors and trials, but this method is not recommended. It is advisable to first find the root of the problem. Some ways to fix the problem will not take much time to eliminate all the causes. And others, on the contrary, will take more effort, and you will need to spend money.

Creation of suitable climatic conditions
If the reason is an unsuitable temperature climate, then the temperature in the house should be brought closer to natural conditions. Suitable temperature: in the summer, the apartment should be warm, and in winter, on the contrary, it should be cold.

To solve the problem with the temperature climate, it is recommended to settle the cat in a loggia or on a balcony - the climate there is more suitable for the natural one. To lure the cat to a new place, it is desirable to move the scratching post, sleeping place and favorite toys to there. The doors to the balcony should be constantly open, do not restrict the movement of the pet around the apartment.

Cat combing
In many cases, regular brushing can help to get rid of shedding. Cats should be taught to such procedures since childhood, but if this has not been done, then when hair falls out, the pet should be combed well. To carry out the procedure, you need to purchase a special comb or slicker. They are sold in many pet stores.

If the cat has long hair, and it constantly rolls into shreds, then another tool will be required to comb it out. For this procedure, it is better to purchase a furminator. It is not sold in all stores, and its price is much more expensive. But it has more advantages, for example, the device allows you to comb out not only the top layer of wool, but also the undercoat, which the comb does not reach. After using such a tool, the pet looks well-groomed and feels much better.

Lack of vitamins and minerals
Often the problem arises from a lack of nutrients. Then you should contact a specialist to prescribe more suitable minerals for the cat. Such products can be in the form of drops, powder or tablets, which should be added to the feed. Vitamins allow you to replenish the entire balance of various trace elements, as a result of which the cat's coat will become better and more beautiful. Basically, veterinarians prescribe drugs such as Radostin, Shestevit, or Farmavit Neo. Thanks to the biotin contained in these medicines, cell regeneration improves, and the coat becomes thicker and shinier.

The cat should be fed a variety of foods. Various soups and cereals should be added to the diet. People who think that cats only like dairy products and fish are wrong. Such food will only harm the health of the pet.
And remember that clean water should be constantly poured into a separate bowl.

Folk methods against molting
Some cat problems can be solved with folk methods. No one can guarantee that hair loss will stop completely, but sometimes it is possible to get rid of the cause.

  1. To replenish biotin in the body of an animal, you should add egg yolk to food. But it is important to watch that protein does not get into the cat's food, as it can interfere with the absorption of the substance.
  2. You can also give your pet fish oil. It contains many vitamins. This method will help restore the cat's immune system, after which the coat will become healthy. It can be purchased at any pet store.

What are the normal times for shedding?

For normal seasonal hair loss, a duration of no more than four weeks is considered. Sometimes such terms are slightly delayed, but they should not exceed one and a half months.

If the cause lies in stress, pregnancy or poor nutrition, then the poor condition of the cat's coat will be much longer. To stop shedding, it is recommended to eliminate all factors that cause the process of hair loss.

If you follow the simple rules of keeping your beloved pet, you can easily get rid of the problem. Regular combing of wool, replenishment of the body with vitamins and rational nutrition will help solve all problems, and the cat will be well-groomed and beautiful.

Video: how to deal with molting in cats?

My cat is shedding heavily, what should I do? All cats shed, both wild and domestic. This is quite normal. Shedding occurs in spring and autumn. In spring, cats shed their warm undercoat, and in autumn they change their summer light outfit to a warmer one. The first time a cat begins to change its coat at 5-7 months.

In nature, under natural conditions, this does not cause any inconvenience to anyone, on the contrary, cat down serves as a bedding for birds and chicks in their nests.

But in apartments, cat fluff can be a big problem. Good only for those owners who have hairless cats. And if the cat is long-haired and prone to shedding (some breeds of long-haired cats hardly shed), then you will have to be patient and accustom yourself to order. Otherwise, your things and bed will be constantly down.

Cats are good at housekeeping. A real person can be identified by his habits. He always hides his clothes and shoes in the closet, and tries not to wear pure black and white woolen clothes, because it is on these colors that cat hair is especially noticeable.

But not always a cat sheds only in spring or autumn. This process can take up to a year or more. Here you need to think about whether your pet is sick. Increased shedding will cause your cat to go bald. And the longer you don't take action, the more difficult the treatment will be.

The most common cause of increased molting is a lack of vitamins or trace elements. You don't need to prescribe vitamins on your own. It's not as harmless as you think. An overabundance of vitamins is just as dangerous as their lack. Be sure to take the animal to the vet.

You may need to change your pet's diet. After all, it can lead to many diseases. , hormonal imbalance and skin diseases can also affect hair loss in cats. Even one single one can cause hair loss.

But there are cat breeds that shed all year round, so before you panic, do some research on your cat's breed. These breeds primarily include the British cat. But in any case, there should not be any bald patches on the skin.

In winter, molting may be due to the fact that the cat is constantly lying on a hot battery.

In a pregnant or lactating cat, hair can also fall out a lot.

In order for the coat to be in good condition, it is necessary to take care of it. Buy special combs-brushes at the pet store and try to comb your pet at least once a day. By doing this, you will not only reduce the number of flying shreds around the apartment, but also improve the condition of the skin and coat of your pet.

Cats like to be scratched, but this must be done gently, without causing pain. And it is necessary to scratch, both long-haired and short-haired. And if you want to get a cat, but do not want to constantly clean your clothes and carpets from fluff, then get a Devon Rex, Canadian Sphynx or Ukrainian Levkoy, or cut it.