Reasons for Ragdoll Cats Excessive Hair Loss

Cat shedding is a natural occurrence

Just like humans have hair that goes through a cycle of growth and shedding, cats also experience a process of hair renewal. Old and wornout hair falls out, and new hair continuously grows in its place. However, cats have a significantly larger number of hairs compared to humans, which means their normal shedding due to metabolism is much more noticeable.

Additionally, since cats have long fur, it's akin to a woman with long hair shedding at the same rate as a man with short hair; the woman's hair loss is more apparent. Therefore, even if a Ragdoll cat, being a longhaired breed, sheds at the same rate as a shorthaired cat, it can still seem like there's more shedding visually.

Cat grooming can lead to hairball formation

Cats enjoy grooming themselves, spending about half of their waking hours doing so. This behavior is for selfcleaning purposes, but the "byproduct" of this grooming, the hair that they lick off, can pose a health risk. If a large amount of hair accumulates in their stomach, it can lead to a condition unique to cats known as hairballs.

Pandora Baby Ragdoll Cat Reminds: Severe hairballs may require surgery, but with regular grooming and providing cat grass or hairball remedies, you can help your cat expel the normal amount of hair and avoid the development of hairballs.

What's causing my cat to shed excessively suddenly?

1. Moulting Period

Young cats around 46 months old (and sometimes up to 8 months) will shed their kitten fur, which is a normal part of growth and does not require concern.

2. Seasonal Moulting

Cats also shed a significant amount of hair twice a year during seasonal changes, typically around March to May and September to November. This is because the temperature shifts during these months, prompting cats to adjust their fur for the upcoming hot or cold seasons. This excessive shedding is a normal seasonal occurrence and should not be a cause for worry.

3. Malnutrition or HighSalt Diet

Cats that are malnourished tend to be thinner and have drier, thinner fur. Nutritional issues can lead to dull, brittle hair, which can cause excessive shedding. Moreover, a highsalt diet can exacerbate hair loss, so it's best to provide your cat with lowsodium food, primarily cat food with occasional supplementary treats, and keep the diet low in salt.

4. Skin Issues

Severe sudden shedding can be a sign of skin health problems, such as ringworm, external parasites, or skin inflammation. These issues can also lead to hair loss, but since they are usually localized, the affected areas are more noticeable. If skin diseases are detected, seek veterinary treatment promptly.

5. Poor Grooming

Poor grooming primarily refers to bathing, with two specific reasons:

Overbathing can disrupt a cat's skin health, as the healthy skin surface has a thin layer of sebum. Overbathing can wash away this layer, leading to dryness and an imbalance, which can also cause excessive hair loss.

Using inappropriate shampoos, such as those designed for humans or other animals, can also harm skin health, leading to dryness and severe hair loss. Different shampoos are formulated for different skin types, with varying pH levels and ingredients, so it's crucial to use a catspecific shampoo.

6. Depression, Anxiety, or Sudden Startle

Cats, like humans, need a good mood. Even if physically healthy, cats with an unhealthy mental state can reflect that in their bodies. Longterm confinement, lack of sunlight, and sudden scares can lead to excessive shedding.

How to deal with cat hair?

Since shedding is a constant, battling cat hair is a longterm task. Here are some methods to reduce the amount of cat hair that ends up in your home:

1. Regular grooming with the right tools

Cat hair shedding is inevitable, so removing "dead hair" (hair that has already aged but not yet broken or broken but still caught in the fur) as soon as possible can prevent the later hassle of floating cat hair around the house.

Regular grooming not only helps keep the fur smooth and clean but also has a massaging effect on the skin, promoting blood circulation and benefiting the hair quality. It also helps remove old hair.

2. Clever cleaning of shed hair

Vacuum cleaners are effective for dealing with cat hair on furniture like sofas (especially fabric sofas), beds, and floorboards.

For clothes, a lint roller can be used to remove attached cat hair. An air purifier is very effective for dealing with floating cat hair in the air.

Additionally, a robotic vacuum cleaner can help clean hardtoreach areas like under beds, tables, and in corners.