It's no secret to anyone: cats shed hair But why? In general, the most common causes are: shedding, external parasites, inadequate nutrition, skin diseases or stress. If hair loss is part of your nature, there are a number of steps you need to take to prevent your home from being cluttered with dead hair. But, when the problem lies in your he alth, you should go to the vet urgently.
On our site we know that more than recommendations on how to clean, the really important thing is to find out what is happening to your cat's coat, and why its fur comes off so easily. That is why we present this article with the most common causes of hair loss in cats and some tricks to avoid it.
Why does my cat shed so much hair?
Before considering different ways to clean your home, it is essential to know why your cat sheds a lot. Well, it's natural for a cat to shed a bit of hair, as this means that is shedding, so those strands you see all over your house are dead hair that has come off. Moulting is necessary for the coat to remain he althy and shiny.
However, when the fall is excessive it may mean that there is a problem. It is possible, for example, that your cat has fleas or ticks, and that the itching caused by the bite of these parasites makes him scratch violently and, eventually pulling out entire strands of hair.
Another reason is feed deficiency Poor-quality food, whether wet or dry, not only affects the he alth of your kitten, since it does not provide all the nutrients it needs and also includes ingredients that are harmful, but also affects the appearance and conservation of the coat.
Skin diseases
Most skin diseases in cats cause abnormal hair loss, so this is one of the main symptoms. The most common in felines are the following:
- Scabies. Depending on the type of mange, the animal may present generalized hair loss or, conversely, hairless patches on certain parts of its body.
- Dermatitis. It is accompanied by itching and, depending on the type of dermatitis, skin peeling or dryness.
- Mushrooms. They are characterized by showing hairless circles in specific areas of the animal's body.
- Allergy. Depending on the allergy, the cat may have hair loss in addition to itchy eyes and nose, swelling, coughing or sneezing.
As we say, localized or general hair loss is usually accompanied by intense itching, rashes, inflammation and even wounds caused by excessive scratching. If you suspect that the cause that explains why your cat loses so much hair is a skin disease, do not hesitate and go to the veterinarian to identify the pathology and establish a treatment.
Stress and anxiety
As it happens with us humans, situations of stress and anxiety can also cause excessive hair loss in the animal. In addition to presenting this symptom, the cat can be hyperactive, somewhat aggressive, apathetic and without appetite. What can cause stress? Changes in your routine, spending many hours alone at home, visits from strangers, loud noises, etc.
How to prevent the cat from shedding too much hair?
Once you have identified the cause that causes your cat to shed too much hair, it is time to look for solutions to this problem, which affects him as much as it affects you. If the cause is related to a he alth problem, the solution is obvious: go to the vet. If we are simply facing the moulting period, inadequate nutrition or stress, we offer you the following recommendations:
- Brush your cat's fur weeklyAt first you may not like it very much if you are not used to it, but soon you will love it, because a good brushing makes an excellent massage. It is recommended once a week for short-haired cats, and two to three times for long-haired cats.
- Get a fine-toothed metal comb for brushing. When you use it, be careful not to hurt your cat in areas with less hair, such as the belly.
- As a complement to brushing, you can moisten a cloth with warm water and pass it through your cat's hair, you will see how the hairs adhere to the fabric easily.
- There are some products for external use that serve to reduce hair loss. The name will depend on the country in which you are and the commercial brand that manufactures them. The method of application is usually to rub on the fur against the grain, repeating when the product tells you to.
- In the presence of fleas or ticks, look for a solution immediately. Pipettes, baths, powders, collars, etc., there are many options available on the market to put an end to this problem, consult your veterinarian.
- Offer your cat quality feed. Not only will it be beneficial for your he alth, but in a very short time you will notice that less hair falls out and that the coat is much shinier and silkier.
- Get a good vacuum cleaner. If you have carpets, furniture, cushions and other similar objects at home to which your cat has access, it is important to acquire a good vacuum cleaner to optimize the cleaning of your home.
- Eliminate the stressor If you have identified that the cause that explains why your cat sheds so much hair is a certain situation or object that makes the animal enter a stress box, makes the appropriate modifications so that it recovers emotional stability.
