A cat will shed its coat twice a year. Once in early spring and again, to a lesser degree, in early fall, the cat’s hair will begin to fall out in large amounts. Depending upon the breed, the cat may shed large clumps of fur as its body gets ready for the next season. There is no reason for alarm in most instances. It is just a cat’s way of preparing for the change of seasons.
Why Cats are Shedding
Most cats actually shed small amounts of hair year around. This is particularly true of cats that are kept indoors throughout the year. One underlying factor to year around shedding is that cat’s body may not be able to figure out what season is approaching, thus, it is constantly preparing for everything. There is also the natural shedding which is part of healthy hair growth.
Warning Signs of Shedding Cats
However, if your cat suddenly begins shedding more than usual, it may be a symptom of a health or allergy problem. At no time, should your cat have patches of completely hairless areas. If you find bald areas on your pet, you should take him to see a veterinarian. The veterinarian may find it is a simple dietary problem and have you adjust your cat’s diet.
Cat Shedding and Weather Predictions
An old saying goes, “You can tell it’s going to be a bad winter because the cats are shedding early.” This can be observed today. If a cat begins to shed early, such as in August, and its undercoat becomes thicker before fall actually arrives on the calendar, then the winter will be long and cold. If the cat does not begin shedding early but waits until late September or early October, then there is a good chance that the winter will be mild. By keeping an eye on your pet’s fur, you will know how to prepare your household for the winter.
Helping Your Shedding Cat While You Help Yourself
To help keep your sanity while housekeeping around a shedding cat, be sure to groom your cat regularly. Used a cat brush and comb your cat’s fur to help remove any lose hair. This will also help your cat in the prevention of hairballs. You can also use an old towel or throw where your cat sleeps to try to keep the worst of the shedding fur off of your furniture.
As long as a cat owner knows that shedding is natural occurrence in their pets, both the owner and the cat can survive the experience. If you have any concerns about your cat’s shedding, be sure to talk to your vet.