How Often Should You Brush Your Cat
The answer to this really depends on the length of your cats hair. For medium to long hair, daily brushing may be ideal, particularly during the warmer seasons. For shorter-haired cats, at least once a week may suffice.
One thing to note, though, you do not want to force your cat if theyre resistant to being brushed. A tip to help ease your cat into a routine is to first pet your cat and, once they are more relaxed and comfortable, you can try gently brushing them.
Signs your cat may be stressed out from the brushing process include:
- The flicking or flattening of their ears
- Feeling tension or stiffening throughout their body
- Swishing their tail
- Noises
- Aggressive self-grooming10
If this is the case, set down the brush, and allow your cat to go about their business. Theres a chance they may just need a litter box break and youll be able to resume the grooming process later.
Whats Behind Your Cats Excessive Shedding
Youve always enjoyed brushing your cat Moxie, as you know brushing stimulates her skin and keeps her coat in good condition. Lately, though, Moxie has been shedding like crazy, generating several brushfuls of fur in a single session. While cats often shed their dead hair, and indoor cats shed throughout the year, Moxies current shedding volume is off the charts. Youd like to find out why Moxies shedding so much, and youd especially like to rule out a medical problem. Youve asked your Pelham veterinarian to solve Moxies shedding mystery.
When To Speak To Your Veterinarian
If your cat seems to be shedding excessively, or you notice other symptoms related to your cat’s skin and hair, it’s time to discuss your cat’s condition with a veterinarian. It’s possible there may be an underlying medical condition that could be affecting the rate of shedding. Symptoms to look out for include patches of hair loss, rashes, lesions, red and irritated skin, dandruff or other general illness indicators like vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Go See Your Veterinarian
It is important that you take your car to the vet if they are shedding a lot on a regular basis. There might be something wrong that needs to be addressed right away. It is particularly crucial that you do this if your cats shedding suddenly gets a lot worse.
Your veterinarian will be able to rule out some of the more common reasons for excessive shedding. The problem could be very serious, which is why it is important to make an appointment. A significant increase in shedding can be a sign of feline skin cancer.
Schedule A Veterinarian Appointment
Health problems or issues with anxiety can cause a cat to shed, and the most common ones people see with their cats are allergies, stress, anxiety, parasites, or skin conditions. A visit to the veterinarian can allow your vet to perform a thorough exam to ensure that they dont have anything going on that may cause them to shed on an excessive level, and they can also give you ways to treat whatever may be wrong.
Feline Dry Skin Treatment
With the exception of the hairless Sphynx, all cats shed their hair. Unfortunately, this hair usually winds up all over your furniture and clothing. To control your kitty’s shedding and prevent hairballs, frequent grooming and natural supplements can reduce that loose hair to a more tolerable level.
Brush Brush And Brush
Brushing regularly is the best way to take care of excess hair at the source before it starts blowing around your home or coming out of your cat in the form of hairballs.
A good indicator of how often you should brush your cat is the length and thickness of their coat. Your cats breed will often determine what kind of coat they have and how much theyll shed.
If your kitty isnt used to brushing or gets fussy, its important that you work to make it less of a stressful experience.
Start with brief sessions at first, and give plenty of praise and food rewards. Once your cat starts to get more comfortable, increase the duration of brushing sessions.
Make it a positive bonding experience, and your cat will come to appreciate it more.
Always brush with the grain in the direction that your cats fur naturally grows.
Brushing out knots and mats can be difficult, and some may need to be cut out. If your cat has a lot of mats, you should see a groomer or consult your vet before you attempt to get rid of them yourself.
Long-haired cats can benefit from starting with a shedding rake or comb which can reach down near the skin and dislodge some hair from the undercoat while leaving the outer coat mostly unaffected.
Shedding rakes are long and stiff, which makes them ideal for getting deep under long fur. Cats with long, flowing fur can require brushing every two days at least.
You can find a .
Itll help grab the hair that youve been dislodging with other brushing.
Do Not Trim Your Rottweilers Coat
No matter what you do, do not take matters into your own hands and trim your Rottweilers coat! Rottweilers have highly sophisticated systems through which their body knows what it needs to do in order to protect itself from various kinds of adverse weather.
If it is too hot, your Rottweiler will shed its undercoat so the layer of insulation can be dropped. If it becomes cold, then the Rottweiler will shed its overcoat so that the undercoat can become denser and provide insulation.
Now, if in the middle of all this you decide to shave your Rottweilers coat because the shedding is becoming too much to handle and you want to expedite the process, that would be intervening in the dogs natural thermoregulation process.
You want to let nature take its course and no matter how much you think you are being helpful by trimming your Rottweilers coat, you are doing more harm than good.
Also Read:27 Rottweiler Mix Breeds Thatll Blow Your Mind
Essential Amino Acids And Fatty Acids
Components like omega 3, omega 6, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid are all essential amino acids and fatty acids that help maintain the health of the skin. Once the groundwork is laid out, a cats fur has a better chance of growing and staying lustrous and healthy. Without these essential amino acids and fatty acids, you might notice your cats fur becoming dull, greasy, and its skin might become prone to itching and infection.
Brush Your German Shepherd Regularly
To keep a handle on normal shedding, brush your German Shepherd at least twice a week throughout the year. During shedding season, you may need to brush him daily or even twice a day until the entire inner coat has been removed.
Obviously, brushing your German Sheperd outside is preferable, since the loose hair wont immediately form tumbleweeds in your home. If you dont have a suitable outdoor space thats easily accessible or the weather prevents outdoor brushing, confine your brushing sessions to the garage or a small, easily cleanable room like a bathroom.
Always brush your dogs fur in the direction that it grows and be gentle so you dont pull any hairs that arent ready to shed. Since youll be spending a lot of time brushing your German Shepherd, itll be easier for you both if he enjoys it and doesnt come to expect pain when he sees the brush.
You can also motivate good behavior by providing high-value treats during brushing time, or by offering a tantalizing distraction like a treat puzzle.
To remove a blown coat, youll want to use a high-quality undercoat rake .
For everyday brushing, consider a rubber curry brush that will gently remove dead hairs. Im a big fan of this rubber curry brush from Safari .
Cause Number 2: Fleas
The common flea and her external parasite cousins like lice, mites, and ticks may lead to severe skin irritations, resulting in increased shedding and hair loss.
Fleas are a source of pain and frustration. Their presence results in extreme itchiness and often secondary infections. Plus, in cats allergic to flea saliva they cause a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis.
Getting rid of the fleas requires spot-on or oral anti-flea treatments combined with flea baths. To avoid infestations, keep your cat up to date on its monthly preventive.
What Is The Cause Of Shedding
Before you get into the logistics of how you can stop your Rottweiler from shedding as much hair, you need to get to the bottom of what may be the cause of the shedding. Only when you know what is causing the shedding, can you take measures to rectify the problem or at least reduce the shedding. The following are a few possible reasons that your Rottweiler may be shedding so much:
Why Your Cat Might Shed More In Spring
Seasonal shedding is actually more common with cats in the wild and those who spend a good amount of time outdoors.
Indoor kitties live with artificial lights that confuse their circadian rhythm, which can lead to a steady shed all year long rather than seasonal shedding. This is also completely normal.
Cats who shed in the spring lose their heavy winter undercoat to keep cool in summer. In the fall, theyll grow a new coat in preparation for winter.
Regardless of when your cat sheds, the process is natural and important. Dead fur can cause skin irritation, and it needs to be removed through shedding.
Its healthy, and if your cat doesnt shed, it could be a sign of poor diet or medical issues. The same can be said if your cat sheds too much. Pay attention. If your cat is shedding more than the yearly usual, or if you notice bald patches or a very thin coat, take a trip to the vet.
You can find more about the possible causes of excessive shedding here.
There are a few factors that determine a cats shedding habits.
Some breeds are prone to shed more or less than others. The amount of daylight a cat experiences tells their body when its time for a seasonal shed, too.
So if your cat spends a lot of time in the sunshine, they may be more prone to a spring shed as the days get longer.
Get Your Cat Accustomed To Regular Grooming
Take your pet to a professional groomer from time to time. However, it also works best if you can set up a regular home grooming routine. First, touch your cat only where he likes it. Use your hands gently to remove loose hair. Next, use a gentle cat grooming brush to detangle the hair and also get rid of parasites and stray hairs. . Repeat these steps every day, preferably at the same time. Make sure you place your cat on a table or a surface covered with an old cloth or newspapers to collect loose hairs and ticks or fleas. This will get him used to being groomed at the professionals.
Reduce Stress Or Anxiety
Another common cause of excessive shedding in cats is stress or anxiety. Cats are incredibly sensitive to changes in their environment, like a sudden move or even a death in the family Other symptoms of a stressed or anxious cat can be unusual hiding behavior, aggression, and lethargy. The first step is to try and pinpoint where the source of stress or anxiety may be coming from; that way, you can work to eliminate the source of the stress.
It is also important to keep your cat mentally and physically active for them to be their happiest, healthiest selves! Try taking 15 minutes to play with your kitty. Try a few toys to see what type they like best. Do they prefer a wand or teaser toy? Or are they more of a laser pointer fanatic?
Stressed or anxious cats will need extra compassion and care from their humans. Spending extra time with the cat, providing new toys or beds, interactive playtime, and special treats can all help.
How Can Certain Foods Help Control Shedding
Lots of pet owners often ask how dietary changes can help with shedding and the answer all lies in micronutrients. Keep in mind that different cat foods have different formulations. This blend of ingredients ultimately dictates how well certain dietary needs are met.
For instance, for a healthy coat, your cat needs omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which is derived from fish. So cat food choices that dont incorporate any fish products or by-products might not be able to satisfy this need. Zinc, biotin, copper, and riboflavin are also essential micronutrients in the synthesis of hair and the maintenance of healthy fur in cats.
An optimal diet for your cat will help guarantee that its entire system is aptly cared for and nourished, so it will shine through to outward appearances. Thats why cats that are kept healthy and well-fed often look that way just with a glance.
Easy Ways To Keep Your Cat From Shedding Too Much
Shedding is a natural process for cats. It occurs at different times of the year so that your cat can modify its body temperature and cool down or keep warm accordingly. Indoor cats and dogs typically shed all throughout the year to allow new hair growth. If we lived outside, we would not notice our cat shedding. But indoors, excess shedding can be a huge problem. There is not much one can do to stop shedding but there are certain deshedding tools, dietary factors and grooming techniques that can help bring things under control.
How To Stop Your Rottweiler From Shedding So Much
Rottweilers are medium-sized double-coated dogs that shed their hair through the year, but especially so during the shedding season at the onset of summer and fall. If you have a pet Rottweiler, you may have gotten used to this cycle of shedding and are not too concerned by it.
If, however, you notice excessive shedding happening because of reasons you cannot put your finger on, then that may be a cause for concern. There are a few ways to reduce the amount your Rottweiler sheds. The following sections will take you through some of these methods and some important information about your Rottweilers well-being:
The Fur Tumbleweeds Are Flying How To Reduce Your Cats Shedding
If you are a cat owner that has had to replace one too many vacuums, we know the struggle. How to keep your cat from shedding so much is a common complaint we hear a lot at Cat Care of Vinings. Unfortunately, shedding happens.
Did you know we offer grooming for long haired cats? We dont always recommend shaving them down simply for shedding, but a lot of owners with long haired cats choose shave-downs to prevent matting and hairballs!
There are some good solutions to reduce your cats shedding, which is why we are devoting an entire blog on this hairy situation!
Accept The Slight Inconvenience
As a cat owner, shedding is a part and parcel of your life. The sooner you accept and get used to it, easier it will be for you. Teach your cat to go outdoors when he starts shedding heavily. This can keep things in control. Do keep an eye on him while he is outside make sure he does not use the neighbors garden for its litter box. If needed, keep its litter box in your yard. Vacuum your home thoroughly twice a week to get rid of hair from carpets and rugs. Do invest in a good lint roller for getting rid of cat hair from clothes.
Related Content: Easy Ways to Get Rid of Pet Hair from Furniture
How Do You Stop A Catfrom Shedding
If you read the site you know I have a lot of cats, six tobe exact! So, cat hair is a constant battle in our house. Like any problem Iset out to find the solution to cat hair and shedding.
So, how do you stop a cat from shedding? You cannot stop your cat from shedding. Ahealthy cat will naturally grow a thicker coat in the fall and winter months,and then molt to a thinner coat in the spring and summer months. Your cat ishowever constantly growing and losing hair!
Many people assume that you need to get a specific breed ofcat or provide supplements to improve this shedding. That is not the case.There are a lot of things you can do however that will improve your cats hairand keep shedding on your clothes and furniture to a minimum.
When To Call The Vet
If your cat is shedding more and has other signs of illness, such as:
- Lethargy
- Drinking more water than normal
- Lack of appetite
- Urinating outside of the litter box
- Scratching more than usual
- Dull, unkempt coat
- Patches of missing fur
If your cats shedding has become noticeably worse, it is best to have them examined to rule out any illness. Certain health problems, especially in older cats, can be the cause of the excessive shedding.
How To Prevent A Cat From Shedding
Once you have identified the reason for your cat shedding so much, we can take a look at some of the solutions. Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Be vigilant and keep an eye out for insects or other reasons you may have problems with fur loss in your cat. Here are some tips to make sure your cat’s coat is thick and healthy and only sheds when necessary:
Once you have dealt with these reasons why your cat may be losing more fur than usual, you can invest in a good vacuum cleaner to get rid of it all. If your cat is still shedding excessively, then go to the vet and get a professional diagnosis.
If you want to read similar articles to Why is My Cat Shedding so Much All of a Sudden?, we recommend you visit our Fur care category.
What Is A German Shepherds Coat Like
German Shepherds have thick, luxurious, double-layer coats. The fur you see at first glance is the coarse outer coat, which is often the signature black and tan colors.
However, the outlines that German Shepherds can also be white, black, gray, blue, liver, sable, or a variety of bi-color options. These colored outer guard hairs protect your dog from cuts, sunburn, and so on.
Less obvious is their fluffy white inner coat, which is only visible when you part your German Shepherds fur with your hands or a brush. This coat serves as an insulator, growing in thick in the winter to keep your German Shepherd warm and then being replaced by a thinner coat in the summer to provide a natural cooling mechanism.
Historically this was critical since German Shepherds were outside much of the time herding livestock.
Their outer coat is medium to long, and can either be straight or a bit wavy. Most German Shepherds have medium length coats, but theres actually a recessive gene that can cause longer, fluffier hair. In some cases , long-haired German Shepherds have only a single layer coat.
Although the AKC accepts the long-haired variation, its considered a defect but shh, dont tell your extra-floofy German Shepherds that. Hes perfect just the way he is!
Try Out A German Shepherd Shedding Suit
Finally, if your German Shepherd can handle the potential embarrassment of wearing what amounts to long underwear, consider an .
They come in a variety of sizes and snazzy colors, so theres a onesie for every dog. Justtry not to laugh too hard when you put this thing on or your German Shepherds pride will be forever injured.
Jokes aside, the onesies are a good way to contain shedding for a short period of time, such as riding in the car or if someone with a pet allergy is visiting. The tight fit can also help alleviate anxiety, so its a double-whammy of benefits.
Still, its important to remember that the dog onesie should only be a temporary solution to short-term problems. The use of a onesie over a long period of time may be harmful as it could restrict healthy airflow to the skin and fur.
Questions About Your Cats Shedding
We hope some of these recommendations will help keep the fur from flying at your home. Along with the recommendations, vacuum and dust regularly, launder bedding and your pets bed weekly, and get some lint rollers to use on your clothing to help eliminate the fur that gathers. If you have more questions about why your cat is shedding, please contact us.
Choosing The Right Grooming Tools
When it comes to de-shedding tools for cats, the National Cat Groomers Institute recommends a 6- to 8-inch-long . This comb will remove the dead coat and catch all the tangles and mats that lie hidden underneath without irritating your cat’s delicate skin. A rubber curry cat shedding brush is also great for lifting loose hair. And, like dogs, most felines enjoy the massage the brush offers.
“We don’t recommend using a metal de-shedding tool or rake,” Paolillo says. “They can damage hair, which makes mats form faster. They can also damage delicate skin.”
Marty Becker, DVM, recommends using a for shorthaired cats. The grooming will attract “a large amount” of hair that would otherwise be shed, he writes.
It’s a myth that longhaired cats shed more than their shorthaired relatives, Becker says. You just see more of their hair on your floor and furniture. You’ll see less of it, however, if you brush or comb your cat, no matter its hair length, daily, he says.
Keep Cat Hair Under Control Through These Grooming Practices
When it comes to grooming, cats are quite impressive spending 30-50% of their day on the practice.7 And while this may give them the reputation for being self-cleaning, to keep shedding under control , cat parents should expect to take part in their cats grooming ritual. But fear not, it wont be anything near 30% of your day.
Starting with the basics regularly brushing your cats coat is your first line of defense against pet hair on your clothes. The benefits of brushing are immense and include helping to:
- Remove dead hair, grease, and dirt from the coat
- Remove dead skin
- Maintain a coat free of knots and clumps
- Reduce chances of hairballs, particularly in cats with longer hair8
Another important benefit to brushing your cat is it gives you an opportunity to look out for:
- Ticks, parasites, and fleas
- Bare patches9
Dietary Ways To Reduce Cat Shedding
Writing on PetMD, Jennifer Coates, DVM, says cat owners can engineer a diet that could reduce shedding that’s not caused by some other underlying health problem. The two main components: protein and fat.
Because cats are carnivores and need more protein that lots of other animals, parents should find a food containing at least 45 percent protein “on a dry matter basis,” she says. It should be animal-based protein, too. Without the protein, a cat’s hair, which is made of a protein, and coat can suffer.
The write combination of fatty acids can help foster a healthy coat, too, Coates writes. Look for cat food labels that list omega-3 and omega-6 acids or cold water fish oils. The total fat content should fall between 2535 percent, again on a dry matter basis. Coates recommends staying on the low end of that range if weight gain is a concern.
Lauren Brickman, another veterinarian, writes that you can add a to your cat’s food, but “unfortunately there is no real magic to control shedding.”
Blankets And Furniture Covers
If your cat has a favorite spot on the furniture, an easily washable blanket or furniture cover is a must.
Place it where your cat likes to rest. That way, youll be able to spare your furniture from at least some of the hair storm. Anything that can easily be thrown in the laundry or taken outside to shake out will work fine.
If your cat likes joins you in your bed, consider getting a duvet cover that you can remove and wash.
Does your cat shed more in spring? How else do you fight the fur? Let us know in the comments below!