What to do when a cat sheds in summer. My cat sheds a lot - what should I do? Causes of severe shedding. Vitamins for cats against hair loss. The cat is shedding a lot, what should I do?

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

[Hide]

Possible causes of shedding

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

Seasonal molt

It is important to understand that if a cat sheds in spring or autumn period, then there is no reason to panic. The reason is simple: pets' fur coats are preparing for changes. It is quite logical that before the winter cold, the pet should prepare itself and “put on” thicker fur. You've probably noticed that during such periods cats look bigger and fluffier.

In spring, on the contrary, the cat wants to feel most comfortable with a minimum amount of fur, and therefore gets rid of excess hair. Hence the wool in tufts all over the house - your pet is simply getting ready for warm days. Don't scold your pet. Why? Because it's quite natural process, and we’ll tell you what to do with it later.

Ambient temperature

In some cases, cats begin to shed heavily due to “jokes” of temperature. As it became clear above, a decrease in the mercury column stimulates the pet to acquire a new fur coat. If the process has already ended, and there is still no sign of cold weather, then the warm fur is rejected by the animal.

In cases where a cat lives indoors all its life, the shedding 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 shedding in cats is completely normal.

Health problems

In some cases, if a cat sheds a lot, it becomes a sign of health problems. It is important to understand that some breeds are prone to constant shedding. These include British cats, Siberian cats, and Maine Coons. This knowledge is needed so as not to mistake normal hair loss as an indicator of illness.

If your pet does not belong to the specified breeds, and does not look well, then you need to take him to the veterinarian. With some diseases, the fur of fluffy cats comes out in clumps. The cause of this unpleasant phenomenon may be hormonal problems or any “problems” in operation gastrointestinal tract. You can recognize them by itching, redness of the skin, and the appearance of noticeable bald patches.

Change of feed

Sometimes problems with the gastrointestinal tract or the appearance of 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, your beloved cat does not have a good relationship with any of the new ingredients, which is why the fur is coming out.

Stress

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

How to deal with heavy shedding

When a cat sheds heavily, the life of apartment owners turns into a real nightmare, since every few hours they have to launch a raid to clean up the hairs. There is no way to avoid shedding, however, it is quite easy to reduce its abundance. It's quite easy to do. If the process takes place with additional symptoms, then the pet must be shown to a veterinarian to prevent possible problems.

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

So, we reduce the amount of hair lost. What should you do when your cat begins to shed? A furminator, that is, a special comb, comes to our aid. Regular brushing of your pet helps to significantly reduce the amount of fur. In addition, using this comb you can prevent the appearance of tangles. The Furminator is gentle on the animal's skin.

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

Video “How to get rid of excess hair using a furminator”

In this video you can see how to use a furminator correctly and what you need to do to make the molting process easier for your pet.

Sorry, there are no surveys available at this time.

Shedding is a normal process. Thanks to it, a gradual change of coat occurs. For example, if the animal is hot (summer is approaching or the heating season in the apartment).

Without shedding, the pet will be very hot, which is why some of the hairs fall out.

However, in some cases, such a change in coat is not associated with an increase in temperature in the cat’s environment.

Or the amount of hair falling out is too large. Then the owner should be wary, because severe shedding can be a symptom of a disease.

Causes of severe hair loss

How can a veterinarian help?

First of all, you need to figure out why the cat sheds so much. And only after that solve the problem.

This should be done by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of the cat and some research (including laboratory tests blood).

If the veterinarian decides that it is an allergy, they will prescribe antihistamines, and you will have to identify and remove the allergen.

Add vitamins to the diet, but only do this after your veterinarian has told you exactly which vitamins and minerals your pet is lacking.

Needed for wool fatty acid(omega-3 and others), thanks to them the fur will shine, sparkle, and become thicker.

Carry out deworming. And don’t forget about it, make a schedule and stick to it.

Yes, they may not be to blame for the fact that the cat sheds, but prevention has never done any harm (if in reasonable quantities, of course).

What will help besides treatment?

Start with what’s in the house: remove flowering plants, do a few wet cleanings so that no trace of dust remains, use less chemicals at home.

Review your diet: choose hypoallergenic foods (chicken, rabbit, veal, buckwheat).

Normalize the conditions in the house. Buy an air humidifier (preferably an ultrasonic one, so the animal will not get burned by the steam, because it is cold).

Ventilate the room often. If possible, reduce the heat of the radiators during the heating season.

And try not to let the cat feel stressed.

Sometimes, based on the results of the examination and tests, the pet is completely healthy, and doctors shrug their shoulders, not understanding why the animal sheds so much.

And the reason is banal - the situation in the house is tense, or there was a move, renovation, children or pets appeared.

In general, if you normalize the diet, the climate in the house and remove all stress factors and allergens, your pet will feel much better.

But under no circumstances should you self-medicate. An in-person visit to the veterinarian with a heavily shedding cat is mandatory!

My cat sheds heavily and constantly. What to do?- similar questions are very often found on.

Take a closer look at the cat; perhaps he has begun to itch and lick himself more than usual? Hair does not fall out diffusely over the entire surface of the body, but are there certain areas of alopecia (skin lacking hair)?

Are you and your family members suffering? skin problems since the cat began to actively shed, for example, itching, red spots, a rash appeared on inner surface arms, legs, face?

If you answered “Yes” to one of these questions, then show the cat urgently veterinarian dermatologist.

If you answered no to all the questions and the fur has been growing diffusely for quite some time, then we can really say that your cat has pathological shedding.

What is the reason?

There are several “assumptions” why animals may have increased shedding out of season. “Assumptions” because it is impossible to accurately identify and prove the causes of pathological shedding in cats and dogs.

It is clear that hair growth processes are disrupted, renewal occurs too quickly, and therefore hair loss increases.

What reasons could influence this?

Firstly, there are breeds of cats that are predisposed to year-round shedding. These are cats with thick short hair, with a well-developed undercoat; such breeds include, for example, the “British”.

Secondly, pay attention to the environmental conditions of your pet. Perhaps your apartment is too hot and dry during the cold season? Does your cat like to sit on the battery? But it’s cold outside and the living conditions should be a little closer to natural. Create more humidity in the apartment using humidifiers and flowers. Prohibit the cat from lying on the radiator, make (if possible) the temperature of the radiator lower.

Thirdly (according to some data), the process of hair renewal is affected by elongation due to artificial sources light day. That is, ideally, if it’s dark outside the window, then it should be dark in the apartment. In apartment living conditions this is difficult to achieve.

How can we help our pets with increased shedding, other than changing their living conditions?

As a rule, in case of severe shedding, combing of the fur, washing medicated shampoos, adding essential fatty acids to the diet.

Hair loss in pets is familiar to every owner. Finding scraps in the farthest corners of the house that the cat couldn’t even reach is a common occurrence for owners of furry predators. Shedding is normal for felines and there is no way to avoid it. However, it is important to remember that each cat has its own “portion” of fur, which it sheds every season. If you notice that the fur shed by your pet is crowding the apartment, it makes sense to think about the pet’s health and take action. Why a cat sheds a lot and how to deal with it, we will tell you further.

Changing coats is a necessary “ritual” that allows cats to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Since the distant ancestors of today's couch potatoes most time spent on fresh air, they had to adjust their fur to the current temperature.

In the spring, free cats shed their warm winter “fur coat” and exchange it for lighter summer clothing, so as not to “melt” in the sun’s rays. In the fall, cats again grew thick fur, which saved them from bad weather and cold.

Features of shedding in domestic cats

According to generally accepted belief, cats shed heavily only twice a year - during the seasons described above. However, as already mentioned, molting is an element of adaptation. If a pet lives in a house whose temperature is stable, it will no longer have any need to change its woolen “outfits”.

Does this mean that cats stop shedding altogether? Of course no. Experience suggests exactly the opposite. It seems that pets shed almost every minute, which is natural. Each hair has its own time, after which it falls out and becomes dead.

Despite the fact that in “greenhouse” conditions cats shed to a lesser extent than their wild stray relatives, it cannot be said that they are easier to care for. In any case, each owner will have to decide what is better - a radical renewal of the coat twice a year, or a slow but never-ending replacement of dead hair with new ones.

Molting as a healthy phenomenon

Shedding accompanies cats throughout their lives and, as a rule, does not cause them discomfort. The amount of hair shed depends on physiological state pet, its age and emotional experiences.

Causes and methods of control

Before you begin to understand the pathological reasons for increased shedding, you should clearly understand those cases when hair loss is normal and does not require concern.

1. Baby shedding. Many kittens are different in color from their parents. For example, newborn Siamese can hardly be recognized due to the fact that their fur is snow-white. Points appear only with age. Having reached six months, most kittens begin to gradually shed their “fluff”, replacing it with a full-fledged one. adult wool. This coat is stiffer and heavier than the soft and silky coat of kittens, and its color is more saturated. Baby shedding lasts for two months, during which the owner is recommended to comb the pet daily to ease the process of hair loss.

   

2. Seasonal shedding. This type Shedding is most clearly seen in felines that spend a lot of time outdoors. Such animals begin to intensively shed their autumn-grown wool with the first rays of the spring sun. The duration of seasonal shedding depends on the breed and can take from two weeks to two months. You can speed it up by brushing your pet. Spring molting is more intense than autumn molting, since it takes less time to shed the light summer coat.

   

3. Domestic shedding. Shedding of domestic animals continues constantly, but it is less pronounced than seasonal. However, even at home there are some peculiarities. Thus, increased molting, which occurs in the spring months, can occur in a couch potato in late autumn or even winter. The reason for this will be the heating that started working, which increased the temperature in the apartment and gave the pet’s body a signal to shed its fur. If your cat reacts badly during warmer periods, consider purchasing a humidifier to help keep your cat's fur looking its best.

   

4. Change hormonal levels. Hair loss in uncastrated animals sometimes coincides with periods of sexual heat. In this case, the tufts of fur that overflow the house will be complemented by behavior typical of a male or female during the mating period. Males can make loud screams and try to escape from the apartment, and females can roll on the floor and obsessively fawn over people and inanimate objects. The only way to avoid this behavior is to sterilize your pet. It also happens that hormonal surge is a consequence not of sexual arousal, but of dysfunction internal organs, For example - thyroid gland.

   

5. Pregnancy. This point is a variation of the previous one, but has its own specifics. During the period of gestation of kittens, a number of changes occur in the cat’s body, including at the level of hormones. The restructuring of the body is completed soon after the birth of kittens, and the cat returns to its usual “calendar” of coat changes.

   

Molting as a consequence of the disease

Hair loss is accompanied by a wide range of diseases, so one fact of increased shedding cannot make an unambiguous diagnosis. You should be concerned if the pet's fur does not recover, and in its place pink bald spots appear, which the pet diligently combs. A veterinarian is also required when permanent shift coat is accompanied by changes in the pet's behavior.

Causes and methods of control

Excessive hair loss in cats is typical for diseases that somehow affect the skin. Less often we're talking about about global pathologies affecting the entire body as a whole.

Table 1. Diseases leading to hair loss

Pathology	Description
	The first sign of fungus is the appearance of bald spots, which itch and give the cat no rest. If left untreated, the fungus progresses, bald spots increase in size and turn into foci of inflammation. Scales and dark crusts form on the affected areas due to constant scratching. The disease requires a mandatory visit to the veterinarian and a course of treatment. During the recovery period, it is necessary to limit contact with animals, since the fungus is contagious.
	The culprit of the disease is subcutaneous mite Demodex cati, which causes a violent reaction in the body. Demodectic mange begins with damage to the animal's face - redness appears around the eyes, mouth and ears. In the absence of treatment, the mites spread to the rest of the body, covering the body of the animal with small tubercles containing pus. It is interesting that a certain number of such mites are contained in the body of every animal, but only with weakened immunity their activity becomes obvious
	The disease is quite rare and consists of dysfunction of the thyroid gland, as a result of which thyroid hormones are not produced in sufficient quantities. Hypothyroidism also occurs in congenital form– kittens are born with no fur, or completely lose it in the first months. In addition to hair loss, hypothyroidism has such unpleasant manifestations as decreased temperature, weakness, apathy, and prolonged constipation. Prescribed as a treatment for hypothyroidism radioactive iodine or surgery is performed if a tumor is detected
	This type of dermatitis is a manifestation allergic reaction animal for some factor environment. Atopic dermatitis is accompanied by severe itching, forcing the cat to literally tear out tufts of fur along with its skin, after which wounds remain on its body varying degrees depths. As a result of such activity, the animal's body becomes covered with bald spots. If the source of the allergy cannot be identified, the pet is prescribed antibiotics. wide range actions and/or antihistamines depending on the severity of the condition

Since most diseases affecting skin covering, is associated with obsessive itching; during treatment, veterinarians often advise putting medicinal “collars” on animals. They will keep damaged areas of skin intact and protect them from bacteria that abound in cat claws.

Shedding as a result of improper care

If excessive hair loss is not associated with living conditions or painful condition, then the reason must be sought in the owner’s approach to his pet. Even the most caring people can make fatal mistakes that lead to weakened health of pets.

Causes and methods of control

The most common of these errors are the following:

1. Incorrect use of shampoos. Many shampoos these days help keep your cat's coat in pristine condition, making it silky. However, the wrong brand can lead to the opposite effect. It is enough to remove the fat layer from the animal’s skin to start the endless process of hair loss. To avoid this result, when choosing a shampoo, strictly follow the instructions and dilute it exactly in the quantities indicated in the instructions.

   

2. Prolonged stress. Prolonged negative experiences weaken the animal’s body, which leads to a variety of painful consequences. Cats become constipated, hair falls out, appetite decreases, and sleep is disturbed. In a word, emotional condition is one of the most important components healthy image life. Some of the most common causes of stress include moving to new apartment, the arrival of a new pet, the experience of a journey. Moreover, pets subtly sense the state of their owners and sometimes perceive their tragedies as their own.

   

3. Unbalanced diet. Violation of the rules of nutrition is probably the most common cause ailments of varying severity in cats. If feeding does not allow the cat to restore the minimum amount useful substances in the body, sooner or later it will begin to malfunction. Both a deficiency and an excess of vitamins can negatively affect the condition of the coat. Therefore, if you feed your pet selected meat, do not be surprised that due to an excess of protein, he begins to have health problems, and hair loss is one of the first harmless symptoms. The optimal solution for pets with hair falling out is to switch to ready-made feed, designed specifically for such circumstances.

   

4. Lack of care. The owner's tasks should include weekly combing of the pet in order to rid it of dead hair. This procedure will help the animal not only change its coat faster, but also get rid of excess hair in the stomach that occurs during frequent licking. The duration of scratching and its regularity depend on the breed of the pet. Siberian cat will take longer than the Siamese. The less hair an animal's undercoat contains, the easier it is to process. Slicker brushes, massage brushes, and furminators are used. The latter have the advantage of being able to effectively remove guard hairs without damaging the cat’s skin.

Video - Fighting shedding in cats

During the molting period, cats often experience weakness due to vitamin deficiency, especially characteristic of spring. Help to cope with this problem vitamin supplements, normalizing the metabolism and well-being of the pet. It should be borne in mind that vitamins must be in harmony with the food consumed by the animal.

If you feed him dry food, which initially includes some groups of vitamins, then, most likely, in additional additives no need. Vitamin complexes will be a useful addition to natural food that does not take into account the basic needs of the pet. However, do not forget that only a doctor can prescribe vitamins - independent choice will not lead to anything good.

Biotin

It is believed that it is the lack of biotin in the animal’s body that causes inflammation of the hair and subsequent hair loss. Therefore, owners of cats that constantly shed should pay attention to vitamin complexes that include this element.

With the exception of tablets, vitamin H is also found in raw yolk, but it is not recommended to give it to cats due to the risk of salmonellosis.

In addition to strengthening the coat, biotin promotes:

• normalization of metabolism;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• reducing embryo mortality;
• improves the condition of the skin;
• general strengthening of the immune system.

Along with biotin, during the period of seasonal molting, it is recommended to give the cat:

• fat supplements (especially on the eve of winter);
• Brewer's yeast;
• B vitamins;
• amino acids.

A list of the most popular vitamin complexes for cats can be seen below. It includes foreign manufacturers, but if you wish, you can also look for Russian companies, such as Doctor ZOO and Agrovetzashchita.

The most non-shedding breeds

If you are thinking about what kind of cat to get so that you have virtually no dealings with fur, then the following is a list of breeds that do not have a tendency to shed heavily.

Table 2. Breeds that are not prone to shedding

Breed	Description
	Even sphinxes have fur; its presence alone is almost invisible. The Canadian Sphynxes have fur that is only a couple of millimeters long, while the Don Sphynxes are completely hairless.
	Six representatives of the breed are very short and feel like astrakhan fur to the touch. She is silky, but at the same time stubborn and resilient. Most attention When caring for a Devon Rex, its huge ears require weekly cleaning
	There are both completely hairless individuals of this breed, and those with minimal fur, reminiscent of stubble. Breeders note the low survival rate of “naked” Peterbalds and advise purchasing brush or flock dogs.
	Representatives of the breed have significantly longer hair than previous cats - within 1 cm. Due to the small amount of guard hair, these cats practically do not shed, which greatly simplifies their care
	Despite having a thick coat, the Russian Blue cat needs weekly brushing to avoid leaving hair all over the house. To make the coat of representatives of the breed silky, it is recommended to rub it with a piece of suede or fur.

Don't think that less hair will mean less grooming time. The more exposed a cat's skin is, the more susceptible it is to mechanical damage and burns from ordinary sun rays. In addition, due to the lack of fur, such cats have their own heat transfer characteristics and in cold seasons sometimes even need insulated overalls.

You must be prepared for the fact that in the off-season there will be scraps of wool scattered around the apartment - pet. But if too much of it falls out, then this may not be entirely normal. Absolutely everyone is subject to the molting process, with the exception of those who have no fur, and therefore have nothing to shed with. The reason is that when a new season comes, the animal completely changes its hair coat, shedding the old one. This usually happens in felines, but domestic cats have a slightly disrupted seasonal rhythm, so they are susceptible to shedding at any time of the year. Cats often shed their hair after nursing kittens. Much depends on how well the conditions for keeping the pet are maintained and whether it has enough vitamins. During shedding, you should take additional care of the animal, especially if you have a long-haired cat. It is necessary to brush your cat every day to avoid tangles. If your domestic cat sheds all year round, and the fur falls out very much, which is a reason to worry. This most often occurs because the animal lacks nutrients: minerals and vitamins. A good coat requires omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The cat’s body cannot synthesize them itself, so it can only get them from food. If you give her special feed, then make sure to buy ones that contain these substances. Additionally purchase vitamin complex for your animal to support it. If the situation does not improve, and despite the fact that you feed the cat quality food and give her vitamins, she still continues to shed, the reason may be that the pet hormonal disbalance. Possibly not functioning properly thyroid or the problem is in the gonads or adrenal glands, maybe in the cerebellum. A veterinarian can determine the cause. Be sure to show your pet to a doctor and consult with him. Also, the reason for excessive shedding can be the stress to which the animal is exposed. It is also caused by certain diseases, such as lichen, leukemia, allergic dermatitis, parasites, pathogenic fungi and others. If you pet a cat and tufts of fur remain on your hand, then this is pathological shedding. A veterinarian will be able to find out what exactly is wrong. We can sum it up. If your cat is shedding, it's most likely seasonal molt. If hair loss persists, take care to improve your pet's diet by adding essential vitamins and microelements. If this doesn't help or the shedding is too severe, it's time to contact your veterinarian.