Tips to help with shedding cats

Why does my cat shed?

A cat's fur is cosy and soft, but did you know that it also serves an evolutionary purpose? Wildcats lived outdoors, so a strong and restorative coat was needed to regulate their temperature. So when temperatures start to rise or fall, cats shed in order to remove dead and unnecessary fur. That’s what the moulting season is.

Medical problems can cause your cat to shed more than normal. Do you suspect a medical reason? If so, contact your vet. 

When is the moulting season?

There are two moulting seasons for cats.

• Spring: around April/May, cats shed their heavy winter coat, including their undercoat. An undercoat is a fine layer of soft hair that provides additional insulation.

• Autumn: around October/November, cats shed to replace their summer coat with a fluffier winter coat.

Outdoor cats go through the moult much more distinctly than indoor cats. That’s because the temperature indoors is more constant. For this reason indoor cats often moult all year round.

Tips

1. Brush your cat regularly

Cats are already excellent self-groomers, but brushing them daily can make a huge difference to the amount of cat hair floating around your home. It removes dirt, dead hairs, improves the skin and prevents knotted & entangled fur (long-haired people, we know the struggle!). Not only is it practical, it's also a perfect way to give your cat attention. And let’s be honest, who doesn't love to get their hair brushed?

 2. Create a fur-iendly spot

Have you spotted your cat in your wardrobe? Or in your handbag or backpack? Cats like to hang out in places we don't want to be covered in hair. You can’t convince them that your wardrobe isn’t the perfect cat bed, but you can give them an alternative. How? Create their own safe space: Choose a place where your cat likes to hang out (and a place you allow). Cats like places that are safe, partially hidden and warm. Put a blanket or soft towel for your cat to lie on (a fleece blanket works wonders for cats that like to knead 'biscuits'!). Above all, a blanket is super easy to wash regularly to remove the hairs. Having a permanent spot doesn’t necessarily reduce the amount of hair, but it does help to keep shedding to a smaller area and away from your furniture or belongings.

3. Choose omega-rich food

Did you know omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are super important for the health of your feline friend's skin and coat? They help reduce shedding, so it’s a great idea to choose a diet full of omega-3 for soft and shiny fur like our recipe with fresh Salmon. We make sure our cat food is always made with at least 50% protein-rich meat or fish to satisfy cats’ carnivorous appetites. We also add prebiotics, salmon oil and dried chicory for extra nutritional value and better digestion. Curious to see the full list of ingredients? Click here!

4. Encourage them to drink water

A cat that drinks a lot of water is more likely to have good coat condition and better overall health. But getting your cat to drink enough is not as easy as it sounds. Cats are desert animals by nature and therefore tend to not drink a lot: so we have to give them a helping hand. Here are our top 3 best tips:

1. In the wild, cats would never eat and drink at the same time. So start by putting their food and water bowls in two different locations.

2. Do you have enough drinking spots for the number of cats in your house? We are big fans of this rule: make sure you have 'n + 1' drinking locations (which also applies to drinking bowls and litter trays). This way your cat can decide which spot is safest for them to drink. It’s all about giving them control, which cats love.

3. We always recommend feeding your cat a bit of wet food every day. Not only do they love it, it also helps them get enough moisture in their diets

5. Wave goodbye to cat hair

A lint roller or fluff roller is indispensable during your cat's moulting season. A fluff roller is the perfect solution to get rid of all the cat hair on your freshly washed trousers. Another way to remove excess cat hair, is a stick hoover. They can easily pick up pet hair, so your sofa will be hair-free in no time. Easy peasy! A fluff roller is also very practical for washing. The washing machine can’t always remove cat hair, but if you remove the hair with a fluff roller beforehand, your black trousers will come out perfectly clean! That way you also remove cat hair from the circulation. Win win!