Effective Solutions for Managing Ragdoll Cat Hair Loss

Just like us, shedding is a natural part of a cat's life. Their fur undergoes a process of renewal, with old and wornout hair being shed, while new hair continuously grows in its place.

However, cats have a significantly higher number of hairs than humans, many times more. This means that the normal shedding process in cats results in more hair loss than in humans. Moreover, since cats have long fur, the shedding can be more noticeable, even if the amount is the same as that of shorthaired cats.

Cat grooming can lead to hairballs

Cats are notorious for their love of grooming, spending about half of their time sleeping and the other half either resting or cleaning themselves. This grooming process, while beneficial for maintaining hygiene, can lead to a "side effect" — the ingestion of cat fur. When a large amount of fur accumulates in the stomach, it can cause a condition known as a hairball, which can be harmful to the cat's health.

Reminders:

Severe hairballs may require surgery, but with regular grooming and the provision of cat grass or hairball remedies, you can help your cat expel the normal amount of fur. There's no need to worry about it developing into a hairball problem.

Why is my cat shedding excessively suddenly?

1. Moulting Period

At around 46 months old (and sometimes up to 8 months), kittens will shed their natal fur, which is a normal part of growth and nothing to worry about.

2. Seasonal Moulting

Cats also have two major shedding seasons each year, usually around March to May and September to November, when the seasons change. This is a natural response to adjust their fur for the upcoming hot or cold weather.

During these periods, cats will shed a significant amount of fur, which is a normal part of seasonal shedding and not something to be concerned about.

3. Nutritional Deficiencies/HighSalt Diet

Cats with poor nutrition tend to be thin with dry, sparse fur. Due to nutritional issues, their fur may lack luster and become brittle, leading to excessive shedding. Additionally, 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.

4. Skin Issues

Severe shedding can be a sign of skin problems, such as ringworm, external parasites, or skin inflammation. These issues can lead to excessive hair loss, but since they are usually localized, they are often easy to detect. If you suspect a skin condition, seek veterinary care promptly.

5. Poor Grooming

Poor grooming primarily refers to bathing. There are two main reasons:

Too frequent bathing can disrupt your cat's skin health. A healthy skin surface has a thin layer of sebum, which can be washed away with too frequent bathing, leading to dryness and an imbalance that can exacerbate hair loss.

Using an inappropriate shampoo can also harm your cat's skin health. Human shampoos or those designed for other animals can be too harsh for cats, as they are formulated for different skin types with varying pH levels and ingredients. An unsuitable shampoo can cause dryness and severe hair loss.

Reminders:

Cats are naturally clean animals, so bathing is only necessary when they are particularly dirty or have a strong odor. Most of the time, they do not require bathing, and there is no such thing as a "bathing schedule." Avoid asking questions like "how often should I bathe my cat?" Remember to use a catspecific shampoo when bathing your pet.

6. Depression, Anxiety, and Sudden Stress

Cats, like humans, need a good mood. Even if they are physically healthy, mental stress can manifest physically. Longterm confinement, lack of sunlight, and sudden scares can lead to excessive shedding.

How to deal with cat fur?

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

1. Regular grooming with the right tools

Cat fur shedding is inevitable, so it's important to remove "dead hair" (hair that has already broken but is still attached to the cat's fur) as soon as possible. This will prevent the subsequent mess of fur floating around the house.

Regular grooming not only helps keep your cat's fur smooth and clean but also has a massaging effect on the skin, promoting blood circulation and improving the quality of the fur. It also helps remove old hair. Remember to use a comb regularly and, during shedding seasons, use a specialized deshedding tool to remove dead hair. A good deshedding comb is essential for cat owners.

2. Cleaning already shed fur

A vacuum cleaner can handle furniture like sofas (especially fabric sofas), beds, and floorboards. For clothes, an lint roller can be used to remove fur. An air purifier is effective against airborne fur, and a robotic vacuum cleaner can clean hardtoreach areas like under beds and tables.

By feeding your cat a balanced diet, ensuring they get plenty of sunlight, maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature, and regularly administering both internal and external deworming, you can help keep your cat healthy and minimize abnormal shedding. However, physiological and seasonal shedding are unavoidable, so it's important to be diligent about grooming and cleaning to keep your home furfree.