Cats shed a great deal, and when the dander in the cat fur becomes airborne, it increasingly bothers people with allergies. There is no single way to eliminate shedding, but there are ways to minimize and manage it. Minimizing shedding will not only help reduce the amount of cat hair in your home and on your things, but it will improve your cat’s overall health as well.
First, examine your cat’s diet. Cats should eat quality food formulated specifically for cats. Avoid feeding your cat human food and table scraps. Human food is more difficult to digest and can have an impact on your cat’s digestive system, which can in turn impact the health of the skin and coat. If your cat seems to be having difficulty with a new food, check with your vet about recommended brands.
Possibly the best thing you can do to minimize shedding is to keep your cat properly groomed. Cats are proud animals and spend a great deal of time grooming themselves, which is what causes hairballs. As cats groom, they ingest dead hairs that form hairballs in their stomach and later on your carpet. Cats may not seem to welcome the attention at first, but if you get in the habit of brushing them regularly, they will get used to it.
Brush your cat with a grooming brush made for cats, and also use a shedding tool for cats. This is a stainless steel comb with blades that remove dead hair from the cat’s undercoat. Grooming your cat by brushing the topcoat and combing the undercoat once a day will minimize the amount of hair loss.
You should also avoid bathing your cat too frequently. Cats do not appreciate baths and the experience stresses them out. Cats often experience periods of heavy shedding when they become stressed. A cat does not need to be bathed more than once a month, and once every three to four months is sufficient.
Remember that no product or food can completely eliminate shedding, which is a natural process for cats. A proper diet and grooming routine will help keep shedding to a minimum and will positively impact the overall health of your cat as well — leaving time for you to enjoy each other’s company.
