Anyone who owns pets already knows just what a nuisance the shedding can be. And if your cat is an indoor only pet then you’ve probably noticed that the shedding is even worse. Outdoor cats shed twice a year, once in the spring to lose their heavy winter coat and once in the fall to prepare for their new winter coat.
But indoor cats tend to shed most of the time, this is because exposure to air conditioning, and heating as well as artificial lighting keeps their system in a state of confusion. And that means means constant shedding.
Start with the diet, one of the main causes of excessive shedding is allergies to grain products which can be found in most brands of commercial pet food. In fact one of the best things that you can do for the over-all health of your cat is to switch him or her to a brand of grain free cat food that contains healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Cats are carnivores and as such were not meant to consume carbohydrates, in fact they can’t digest the grains which leaves them open to developing several different diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Invest in a good brush, I personally recommend the furminator but that’s really up to you, and be prepared to brush your cat depending on the length of his or her coat at least once or twice a week. Some cats can be a little cranky when it comes to getting brushed but if you keep at it, they will over time come to enjoy grooming time.
Bathing your cat once a week can also be a good way to help remove excess hair but as many cats won’t tolerate a bath you can also use cat bath wipes which also work well to remove cat dander and can be a big help for people suffering from cat allergies.
Window seats, cat beds and other cat furniture may help by keeping your cat off your furniture. Otherwise you might find it helpful to use a through in the areas where he or she likes to sleep. And don’t forget to keep a lint roller or special pet hair vacuum on hand to help deal with any excess hair.
For those who still want a cat but don’t want to deal with the hair there are couple of breeds of cats that don’t seem to shed as much. The Cornish Rex and the Devon Rex which both have very short fine hair. Of course they do shed but it isn’t quite as noticeable as with other breeds. But if you’re looking for a cat that doesn’t shed at all then you might be interested in the Sphynx, this breed of cat which is touted to be hairless actually has a fine down covering their body. They do require special care but can make a great pet for someone who wants a cat without all of the shedding.