At What Stages is Shedding Normal for Cats?

Previously, we shared with pet owners several reasons for abnormal shedding in pets, including neglecting regular grooming, health issues, frequent bathing, and more. However, in the everyday life of grooming our pets, we can also observe that cats and other pets naturally shed their fur at certain stages. Using cats as an example, let’s explore the natural shedding changes that occur at different stages.
1. Seasonal Shedding Period Pets with fur experience seasonal shedding at different times of the year. This is most evident during seasonal transitions when pets shed a large amount of hair frequently. Pet owners should pay attention to the specific stage, timing, and extent of shedding during their daily grooming sessions. The seasonal shedding in cats differs from the everyday grooming where we remove dead or floating hairs. Cats adjust the amount of their fur to cope with seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, especially in spring and autumn. During these transitions, pet owners may notice an increase in the amount of dead hair shed. In general, during spring, cats shed the thicker insulating fur they grew in winter, similar to how humans shed their heavy coats. In the autumn, they shed to make way for the thicker, warmer fur they need for the winter. At this time, even without grooming, pet owners can easily pull out clumps of fur with their hands. 2. Growth-Related Shedding ① Cats naturally shed hair as part of their regular metabolic processes. So, even with daily grooming, pet owners will still notice floating and dead hairs being removed from the cat’s body. ② The reproductive period is particularly taxing on a pet’s energy, and pet owners may observe that cats shed a large amount of fur after giving birth. This may be accompanied by weight loss, thinning of the body, and other issues. In addition to regular grooming, it’s important to provide the cat with the necessary nutrients during this period. ③ During the mating season, hormonal changes can cause abnormal shedding in cats. However, this is considered a normal process. It is worth noting that if a pet owner does not plan to breed their cat, it is recommended to consider spaying at around 6-12 months of age to avoid excess shedding caused by this hormonal imbalance. ④ Older cats experience a gradual decline in bodily functions, including metabolism, which can affect the health of their fur. At this stage, pet owners should not only continue regular grooming but also provide extra care, companionship, and choose more suitable senior cat food. Additionally, using a more suitable grooming tool for elderly cats can help improve care standards and reduce shedding.

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