Thonglor Pet Hospital Presents: 6 Effective Ways to Manage Cat Shedding!

After the Covid-19 pandemic, more people started getting dogs and cats to care for, since these pets not only keep us company while working from home, but also improve our mental health and build our sense of responsibility. This is especially true for long-haired pets like cats, since new cat owners may worry why their cat is shedding so much -- is this normal, or is their cat facing a health problem?

Today, Thonglor Pet Hospital will answer all your questions about cat shedding, and what kind of hair loss is a sign that your cat may have a health issue. We'll also share some great tips to help ease every cat owner's worries about fur. So if you're ready, let's read on!

Is Cat Shedding a Sign of Illness, or Just Normal Shedding?

In this section, we'll answer the question: what kind of hair loss counts as normal shedding, and what kind is a sign of a skin condition? Shedding is completely normal for furry animals, especially long-haired cat breeds such as Persian, British Longhair, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, and others. Even short-haired breeds shed normally as part of their natural growth cycle. Fur shed from a cat's body typically comes out gradually, evenly across the whole body, in roughly similar amounts.

But if you notice your cat shedding abnormally heavily -- such as finding bald patches with red circular marks, or noticing your cat scratching and licking the same spot constantly throughout the day -- this may be a sign your cat has a skin condition, whether from bacterial infection, an allergic reaction to chemicals, hormonal imbalance, insufficient nutrition, or high stress levels.

Another fact worth knowing: cats shed heavily twice a year -- how do we know this? For domestic cats born in breeding facilities, or cats that don't live in the wild, most have adapted their behavior to their living environment. Heavy seasonal shedding, which wild cats typically do in the summer, is an unnecessary behavior for domestic cats, since even in summer, these cats remain in an appropriately controlled-temperature environment. So they don't shed on an annual cycle the way wild cats do.

6 Ways to Manage Cat Shedding

Now that you know which kind of shedding is normal and which is cause for concern, in this section we'll share tips to help keep your cat's coat beautiful and shiny, while reducing the amount of fur that sticks to your clothes, furniture, and floats around in the air. Here are the details of each method:

• Diet-- you'll notice that well-cared-for domestic cats have softer, shinier fur than stray cats. This is mostly due to high-quality food that improves their overall health, and when a cat is healthy, it shows clearly in both their behavior and appearance.
  • Recommended food should be high in protein, with Omega-3 or Omega-6, combined with a variety of vitamins.
• Brush Regularly-- once a cat sheds, some loose fur remains stuck to their body, and this is the fur that ends up on your clothes when you hold them, or on furniture. So regular brushing helps significantly reduce this loose fur.
  • Short-haired cats should be brushed at least once a week.
  • Medium-short-haired cats should be brushed at least 2-3 times a week.
  • Long-haired cats should be brushed at least 5-7 times a week (once daily).
• Watch for Symptoms -- if you notice abnormal behavior, such as your cat licking one spot constantly throughout the day, or finding clumped or clearly circular patches of hair loss, bring them to see a veterinarian immediately for diagnosis, to find the underlying cause, begin treatment, and adjust their care routine as needed.
• Bathing -- cats are naturally clean animals, and bathing too often can easily weaken their immune system. Bathing once every 1-3 months is enough for an indoor cat.
• Shampoo Used -- chemical allergic reactions are another common cause of hair loss, so choose a gentle product, or one formulated specifically for cats with sensitive skin, to help reduce shedding problems significantly.
• Control External Parasites (Flea Allergy Dermatitis) -- regularly apply parasite prevention treatment to your cat, and keep their environment clean, to reduce the chance of encountering parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites.

Dr.Choice cat products are made with the most beneficial ingredients for your cat, developed by veterinarians from Thonglor Pet Hospital, who have extensive experience caring for animals. The ingredients used are 100% natural, guaranteeing safety for both cats and owners.

In addition, Dr.Choice offers other pet-related products, including:

• Odor-Eliminating Spray -- helps eliminate odors and inhibit bacteria that cause various diseases, with a fresh, relaxing scent.
• Dog and Cat Shampoo -- a gentle formula suited for pets with sensitive skin, free from parabens and carcinogenic ingredients, nourishing the skin to help prevent skin problems.
• Cat Litter -- made from 100% cassava, with good odor control, low dust, and free from chemicals.
• Catnip -- made from specially selected 100% genuine catnip flowers and leaves, carefully ground with no irritating stems, with a clear scent that creates a relaxing, enjoyable experience.

Fully Treat Cat Shedding at Thonglor Pet Hospital

Even though cat shedding is a common, normal occurrence that every owner should prepare for and manage by keeping their cat healthy at all times, if you notice abnormal behavior or unusual symptoms in your cat, having a good advisor and a 24-hour animal hospital ready to help is an important option that can keep your cat safe and increase the chances of timely treatment, with information connected across more than 18 branches nationwide and 1 branch abroad.

We're ready to provide cat spaying/neutering services for pets of all sizes and breeds, with a team of specialist veterinarians, along with clean, sterile equipment and facilities of international quality, open to care for your pet 24 hours a day. Because we believe every illness deserves timely treatment, every problem your pet faces is our problem too. Trust us to care for your pet at Thonglor Pet Hospital.