Cats and shedding - what to expect

Cat owners are well aware: no outfit is complete without cat hair. But there are phases when our feline friends lose even more hair than usual. Depending on the breed, a cat's coat should ideally be silky, shiny and dense. It protects the cat's sensitive skin from UV rays and the cold. To ensure the cat's coat can fulfil these functions, they must shed. As such, their coat adapts to the seasons and changes in line with the transitions. The shedding season in cats therefore goes hand in hand with the change of seasons and takes place twice a year. The transition from summer coat to winter and from winter to summer causes cats to lose their old coat. In order for the new winter or summer coat to develop, a particularly large amount of old hair is shed during this time. Cats need more care and attention during the shedding season. 

When do cats shed?

Depending on coat length and structure, kittens shed their coat for the first time between six and twelve months. Following this, adult cats shed their coat twice a year and it is triggered by changes in temperature and daylight. As soon as the cold or warm season begins and it gets light earlier or later, cats start to shed their coat. Hair structure and density change in response to changing temperatures and daylight hours. These changes usually affect the cats' coats in the months of April and October. 

What happens when a cat sheds its coat? 

Cats are constantly renewing their fur and usually lose around a thousand hairs a day. When cats go through a seasonal shedding, this process is significantly stimulated and greatly accelerated. The old coat is shed and replaced by a seasonally appropriate coat – just like most mammals, cats really do change their coats. During this time, they need special care and attention due to the increased care required as a result of losing a lot of hair at once. 

Not all hair simply falls out, usually the hair sits loosely in the skin and must be removed. This can also lead to the side effect of increased itching. If the old hair is not removed, it can result in unsightly matting and dandruff. This happens when the cat's skin is particularly stressed due to shedding and the cat does not lick up all the dead skin particles immediately or scratches a lot. 

How long does the shedding season last for cats?

The shedding season in cats lasts between six and eight weeks on average. How long your cat's shedding period lasts depends largely on the habits of your feline friend and any breed-specific characteristics. Pedigree cats that shed a lot of hair are usually those that have a lot of very long fur, such as Norwegian Forest Cats, Siberian Cats and Maine Coons or Ragdolls. Outdoor cats are more exposed to temperature changes due to the change of seasons and usually start shedding their coat earlier and more intensively. Indoor cats, on the other hand, have less pronounced shedding and usually lose less hair in a shorter period of time. 

Tips & tricks for reducing fur in the home: 

• use a special pet hair hoover to remove as much fur as possible

• always have a lint roller to hand

• put your laundry in the tumble dryer

• use damp rubber gloves to remove hair from upholstered furniture 

Symptoms of shedding in cats - how do cats behave during shedding?

If you share your home with cats, you will notice the seasonal coat change mainly through increased shedding, even more cat hair adorning upholstered furniture and full-on tufts of fur falling out. Cats generally spend a lot of time grooming their fur, but during the shedding season, most felines groom themselves even more thoroughly and extensively than usual. 

The shedding season is exhausting for the cat's system as the growth of new hair requires a lot of energy. The metabolism runs at peak performance and many resources are used. This can lead to symptoms that directly affect the cat's skin and coat, such as tangles, dandruff and itching. Sometimes, however, seasonal shedding in cats is also accompanied by tiredness and loss of appetite. This can also be due to the increased ingestion of hair and the associated formation of hairballs. 

The coat is generally a good indicator of a cat's health. If it shows tangles, bald patches and dandruff over a long period of time - i.e. beyond the shedding season - action should be taken. Unfortunately, these conditions weaken the skin and can lead to inflammation and parasite infestation. You should also consult your vet if your cat scratches excessively in certain areas. 

How to support your cat during seasonal shedding in summer and winter

Our feline friends do most of their grooming themselves – up to six hours a day. Due to the increased grooming during the shedding period, cats also ingest more of their own hair than usual, which leads to an increase in hairballs. These are regurgitated by the cat or passed via the intestine. However, problems can also occur if too much hair is ingested and can then no longer be passed. There are some helpful tips to avoid this.  

Here's what you can do to give your cat the best possible support during the shedding season: 

• brush your cat’s fur regularly to promote blood circulation and help remove dead hairs
• offer them cat grass, especially in spring and autumn, as this supports your cat's digestion and can help reduce hairballs 
• pay special attention to a balanced, healthy diet during these phases: a diet rich in protein and nutrients will help your cat to get through the shedding season in good health. Foods that contain a lot of omega 3 fatty acids are particularly helpful (such as CAT'S LOVE Adult pure salmon)