How Can I Make My Cat Shed Less?
Cats shed as part of a natural process essential to maintaining a healthy coat and skin. The amount a cat sheds depends on the time of year, diet and its age. Also, outdoor cats tend to shed more than indoor cats. No matter the cause, excessive shedding can become quite bothersome. While you can't ever stop a healthy cat from shedding you do have several simple options to help manage it.
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Things You'll Need
- Premium cat food
- Nutritional supplements
- Cat brush
- Deshedding tool
- Dry pet shampoo or cat wipes
Instructions
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Feed your cat an appropriate diet and avoid giving it food for humans. Cats have specific nutritional needs that require specially balanced diets. Choose a quality cat food that has high levels of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to help keep the skin soft and the fur shiny. If necessary, provide additional Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in the form of supplements designed for cats.
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Brush your cat daily. By brushing regularly, the fur gets trapped in the brush and won't go all over your clothes and home. A deshedding tool can also improve shedding by removing loose hair from the undercoat. As an added bonus, brushing and deshedding make hairballs less likely.
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Bathe your cat once a month using either a dry pet shampoo or cat wipes. Most cats hate taking a wet bath so using dry shampoo or wipes makes bathing less upsetting for them. Stress only aggravates shedding.
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Visit a veterinarian to find medical causes. Allergies to food or environment can provoke excessive shedding. Other medical reasons include thyroid disorders and hormonal imbalances.
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Tips & Warnings
If your cat does not enjoy brushing, start slow and be patient. Eventually it will learn to tolerate or even enjoy grooming sessions.
References
Resources
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