Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Grooming Treatments to Reduce Shedding
• Method 2 of 3: Reduce shedding with good nutrition and good health
• Method 3 of 3: Protecting furniture and clothing from shedding wool
• Warnings
• Tips

Shedding in cats depends on several factors. Among other things, it is influenced by the nutrition of the animal, the state of its health, as well as the change of seasons. For example, by winter, cats grow thicker coats and begin to shed when warmer weather returns. Shedding cannot be completely prevented, but shedding can be reduced with proper nutrition and proper grooming. Combing out loose hair will help reduce the formation of unsightly tangles and hairballs in the cat's stomach. Improving the quality of your pet's nutrition will also improve the condition of his skin and coat.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Grooming Treatments to Reduce Shedding

1. 1 Brush your cat's coat regularly. To better control shedding, brush your cat for five to ten minutes at least once a week. If your cat has long hair or sheds heavily, it may need to be brushed out every two to three days, or even more often.
   • For short-haired and medium-haired cats, a soft-bristled brush is suitable. Metallic slickers and specialized cat combs are best for long-haired cats. In this case, the brush you use should not tangle or tug on the wool.
   • To comb out a shedding undercoat, use a flat comb that penetrates the coat all the way down to the skin.
   • Finish brushing by quickly rubbing your pet with a suede or cloth.
   • Avoid touching areas such as the face and ears with the comb, and be careful in the sensitive area of ​​the abdomen.
   • If your cat hates the use of a brush or comb, try grooming gloves. Working with them will be more like stroking an animal. At the same time, mittens are especially convenient, as they allow you to remove the fallen wool and immediately throw it away.
   • Another alternative is a miniature vacuum cleaner for grooming cats. However, the noise it makes can scare the cat. For the first few days or weeks, you will probably have to turn it on in another room and gradually move closer and closer to the cat until she gets used to the device and allows you to apply it to her. You can use a treat to create positive associations in your cat with respect to such a vacuum cleaner.
2. 2 Help your cat get used to regular brushing procedures. You may need to train your cat to tolerate grooming procedures calmly. Pay close attention to your cat's reactions and body language.Some animals are very sensitive to touch. To avoid shocking or angering your cat, pay attention to its body language signals.
   • Beware of twitching of the ears and tail. If you notice these signals, stop brushing your cat, praise and / or treat him with a treat, and then let him go. If you continue the procedure, the cat may bite or scratch you.
3. 3 Bathe your cat. To significantly reduce shedding, bathe your cat every one to four weeks. Since most cats do not like water, it is likely that your pet will not be very enthusiastic about bathing. In this case, you will need to gradually accustom your cat to full bathing.
   • To help the cat adapt to bathing, start by filling the tub with warm (but not hot) water to a level of 7.5–10 cm. For the first few times, simply place the cat in the bath so that its paws are in the water and get a little wet for a short time. Gradually increase the area of ​​the wet parts of the cat's body each time. Move slowly to avoid scaring your pet, and remember that some cats simply cannot get used to bathing.
   • When you're ready to give your cat a full bath, wet the cat's fur.
   • Use oatmeal cat shampoo to lather your pet's coat on all areas of the body except for the muzzle.
   • Then rinse the coat thoroughly, avoiding the eyes, nose and ears.
   • Dry the cat with a large towel.
4. 4 Use a cat cleanser. Visit a pet store and inquire about wipes and sprays that will clean your cat's hair without bathing.
   • These products can completely replace bathing for particularly resistant cats. Or they can be used between baths if the pet gets dirty or sheds heavily.
   • Instead of specialized products for superficially removing loose hair directly from the pet, you can use a paper towel or napkin dampened with warm water.
5. 5 See a professional groomer. Make an appointment with a professional groomer if you are able to handle the shedding of your cat on your own.
   • Grooming visits can be a necessity for cats with long and thick coats, as well as for animals that react aggressively to grooming procedures.
   • To reduce shedding, consider short-haired longhaired cats once or twice a year.

Method 2 of 3: Reduce shedding with good nutrition and good health

1. 1 Feed your cat high quality food and ensure she has constant access to fresh water. Proper nutrition will keep your cat healthy, which can reduce shedding.
   • Look for canned cat food that contains the first two to three ingredients of meat (such as chicken, beef, or fish). Since cats need animal proteins, they are an important part of a healthy cat diet.
   • Dry cat food and low-quality canned foods contain many grains and other sources of carbohydrates (wheat, corn, soy). These ingredients are not as nutritious for cats as animal proteins. They can even cause an allergic reaction and indigestion in the cat, which will further lead to dry skin and increased shedding.
2. 2 Help your overweight cat get it back to normal. Obese cats have difficulty keeping track of their coat and are more prone to shedding.
   • If you are not able to feel the ribs of the cat without any effort, then it is overweight. Another alarming symptom is the absence of a tapering waist in front of the hind legs.
   • Your veterinarian can make a special meal plan for your cat, if necessary.
   • You can also reduce the amount of food you feed your cat to the recommended dosage and refrain from using any treats.
   • Play with your cat regularly to keep it getting enough exercise.
3. 3 Increase your cat's intake of omega fatty acids. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are especially important for the healthy condition of the cat's skin and coat. They are able to reduce the amount of shedding.
   • Omega fatty acids are found in canned cat food supplemented with fish oil and flaxseed oil.
   • You can also buy fatty acid supplements for your cat and give them alone or with food.
   • No one better than a veterinarian can determine the most appropriate dietary changes for your pet. However, supplementation with omega fatty acids is a safe step as long as a cat-specific supplement is used and the recommended dosage is not exceeded.
4. 4 Keep your cat free of fleas and other parasites. If your cat itches a lot (and sheds more because of it), it may be bothered by fleas or other parasites.
   • Look for traces of flea excrement on the skin at the base of the cat's tail. If you find fleas themselves or their excrement, treat your pet with a flea agent. Repeat the treatments monthly thereafter to keep fleas under control. Ask your veterinarian to recommend the most suitable flea treatment for your cat.
   • If you are unable to determine the cause of your cat's itching, take it to your veterinarian. In addition to external parasites, itching can be caused by an increased sensitivity to pollen, mold, or grasses. Itching can also be a symptom of food allergies. All of these problems can cause itching and increased hair loss.

Method 3 of 3: Protecting furniture and clothing from shedding wool

1. 1 Use cat repellant sprays. Look at pet stores for a cat repellent spray that is safe for upholstered furniture.
   • In addition to commercially available repellents, natural remedies can also be used to discourage shedding cats from visiting places where they should not climb.
2. 2 Provide the cat with her own bedding. Place a comfortable litter box where your cat likes to rest. This will help limit the area of ​​shedding hair to a small area and protect the rest of your furniture and floors.
   • Cats generally prefer to sleep in a safe, sheltered and warm place. Try to find just such a place for your pet and place the cat bed there.
   • Purchased cat litter can carry unfamiliar odors that can scare your cat away. If you notice that your pet is avoiding the litter, try covering it with a napkin or your own shirt with your scent or your cat's scent.
3. 3 Protect furniture with covers. While this is not ideal, you can cover the furniture with a sheet, blanket, or cover. In the future, the covers can be washed to remove the wool accumulated on them.
   • If there is a specific place on the upholstered furniture where the cat prefers to lie, put a napkin or pillowcase there, or put a rug.
4. 4 Remove loose hair with a sticky roller or vacuum cleaner. Use a sticky roller or vacuum (some models even have pet hair removal brushes) to clean cat hair from clothes, furniture, and floors.
   • Keep the sticky clothes roller in your purse or in your car so you can get the fluff off your clothes after you leave the house.
   • A ring of duct tape wrapped around the palm with the sticky side facing outward can be a great replacement for a special roller.

Warnings

• Dry skin, receding hairline and excess hair loss can be symptoms of allergies, parasites, or skin infections. If you notice any problems like this, take your cat to your vet.

Tips

• Cats shed more when under stress, which can be caused by major changes in their lives, such as moving house, new family member or pet.Stress is often temporary, but the additional use of fumigators with calming feline pheromones can help reduce pet anxiety.
• If you are allergic to cat hair and over-the-counter antihistamines are not working for you, your doctor may prescribe a stronger prescription drug for you.