Cat Shedding a Lot: Why Is My Cat Shedding So Much?

Cat shedding a lot is concerning and requires veterinary attention. A cat shedding its hair is a normal process and part of the hair growth cycle, but when the shredding is excessive, it signals a problem. 

Cat shedding is affected by many factors, including breed, age, and whether the cat lives indoors or outdoors. Outdoor cats shed twice a year in the spring and fall. Indoor cats shed hair continuously throughout the year. 

Excessive shedding warrants a trip to the vet since many health conditions affect coat quality and cause changes in shedding and grooming habits. Skin infections, parasites, allergies, hormonal imbalances, metabolic stress, and behavioral issues like anxiety and cat depression are the leading causes of excessive shedding in cats. 

See the veterinarian if the cat is shedding more than usual or out of season. The treatment for excessive shedding in cats depends on the underlying cause. 

Maintain skin and coat health and reduce cat shedding problems by providing a healthy diet, promoting hydration, and being diligent regarding the cat’s grooming routine, including daily brushing and occasional bathing. 

Skin and coat supplements help cats that shred a lot. The two best products for skin and coat health in cats are full-spectrum CBD oils and omega-rich fish oils.  CBD is safe for cats, and CBD oils help manage cat shredding by promoting skin health, managing the depression that causes shredding, and reducing inflammation, which is an underlying cause of cat shredding a lot.

Your cat is shedding so much due to seasonal changes, regular hair growth cycles, or health issues and diseases. 

The cat’s hair has a four-stage growth cycle and typically sheds daily. Cats have pronounced hair-shedding phases twice yearly, typically in spring and fall. 

A cat shedding a lot and hair loss “can be caused by self-inflicted factors like allergies or ectoparasite infestation, or spontaneous factors like infection, ectoparasites, immune-mediated disease, or neoplasia,” according to the study by Paterson S., titled “The Investigation of Feline Alopecia,” 2016.

Understanding the cat shedding a lot issue requires learning the basics of cat hair and coat, the hair cycles, types of coat, and purposes. 

Hair is the individual strands that comprise the fur, while fur is the densely packed hair. The cat’s fur is called the fur coat or hair coat; however, the terms are used interchangeably. 

Cats have multiple hair layers making up the coat, and the number, length, coarseness, and straightness of hairs vary among breeds. The hair layers have various functions, such as insulation, protection, and waterproofing. 

Shedding is a normal process in which dead hair is removed and natural oils are released into the skin. Dead hair in cats is removed through brushing or shedding. Unremoved dead hair causes skin irritation and impairs new hair growth in cats. 

Yes, it is normal for cats to shed. Outdoor cats shed intensely twice a year during shedding seasons in spring and fall, while indoor cats shed moderately year-round. Excessive shedding, however, is not normal and requires attention. 

Cats have shedding cycles, and all cats shed differently, some lose a lot of hair, and others slough off only small amounts of hair. 

The hair growth cycle in cats has four stages, including anagen, catagen, telogen, and ecogen. Anagen is when cat hair grows quickly. Catagen is where the hair reaches full length and stops growing. Telogen is where the cat’s hair neither grows nor falls. Ecogen is intense cat hair shedding or falling off for new hair growth. 

The typical amount of shedding varies among cats, and it is hard to determine what is normal. A cat shedding hair to the point of coat thinning is concerning. 

Yes, cat depression is one of the causes of excessive shedding. Cat depression affects the cat’s grooming habits, which results in losing too much hair. 

Depressed cats do not maintain their self-grooming habits, which causes poor skin health and an unkempt coat appearance. The long-term effects of not grooming are excess shedding and hair loss. 

Depression is a serious mental health issue and, while not life-threatening on its own, harms the cat’s quality of life. Cat depression is defined as a chronic low-mood state or a persistent feeling of sadness. 

A depressed cat shedding a lot requires proper attention to manage the depression problem and the excess hair loss. 

You can tell if your cat’s shedding is a sign of illness if the hair loss is accompanied by other worrisome signs and symptoms. The best way to determine the cause of the excess shedding is to have the cat shedding a lot examined by a licensed veterinarian. 

Changes in shedding and grooming habits are concerning, and a cat is shedding more than usual warrants a trip to the vet’s office. Cats hide signs of illness very well, and even subtle behavioral changes indicate underlying problems in cats. 

Obvious shedding-related issues, such as excessive mats, bald patches, or skin irritation, require immediate veterinary attention and must be addressed to avoid progressing into more severe conditions.  

The common causes of increased shedding in cats are listed below. 

You should be concerned about your cat’s shedding if it is more pronounced than usual, out of season, or accompanied by other signs of disease. 

Excessive shedding in cats is a serious and common issue. VCA Animal Hospitals say that 25% of all cat veterinary visits involve skin and coat problems, including excessive shedding issues.  

Schedule a vet visit if dealing with excess hair loss. A cat shedding a lot is not an emergency but requires prompt and professional veterinary attention.  

The general veterinary practitioner takes the cat’s thorough history and performs a full body physical examination. A cat shedding a lot is referred to a veterinary dermatologist for a more detailed assessment if necessary.

Yes, your cat’s diet affects its shedding significantly. Nutrition is key to maintaining cat skin and coat health and preventing excessive shedding. 

A cat shedding a lot is often caused by low-quality food lacking essential nutrients. A cat’s skin and coat need ample nutrients to stay healthy and shiny. Nutritionally imbalanced foods make the cat’s coat prone to breaking and falling off easily. The coat appears unkempt and feels rough to the touch. 

Zinc deficiency is able to trigger excessive shedding in cats, according to a paper published in Comparative Clinical Pathology, titled “The Possible Role of Zinc in Excessive Shedding of Hair in Two Persian Cats,” 2012.

Providing the cat with a quality and balanced diet ensures proper coat wellness and prevents shedding problems. The two nutrients essential for cat hair health are animal-based protein and fats, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. 

The best ways to reduce your cat’s shedding are listed below. 

Yes, there are breeds of cats that shed less. Cat breeds that shed less include the Sphynx, the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex, the Peterbald, the Bengal, the Donskoy, the Bombay, the British Shorthair, the Siamese, and the LaPerm. 

Hairless, nearly hairless, and short-haired cat breeds tend to shed less, especially when regularly and properly groomed. A hairless or short-haired cat shedding a lot is a cause for concern and requires veterinary care. 

Low-shedding cats are often mistaken for being hypoallergenic. Cats produce proteins, from Fel d 1 to Fel d 7, known allergens and trigger reactions in sensitive people. The Fel d proteins are found in the cat’s dander, urine, and saliva. 

A low-shedding cat disperses less allergenic dander but still has Fel d proteins in the urine and saliva. Cat breeds that shed less are not hypoallergenic. 

Seasonal change impacts cat shredding because the shredding increases or decreases based on the season. Sunlight and environmental temperature significantly affect hair growth and result in a cat shedding a lot of issues in some cases. 

Outdoor cats shed once or twice a year, typically in spring and fall. Cats shed their winter coats in spring to prepare for warmer weather. Cat sheds the summer coat in the fall to make room for the winter undercoat. 

Cat coat length varies. The“outer coat and undercoat length vary from 25 mm and 12 mm in summer to 30 mm and 15 mm in winter,”according to an observational study titled “Seasonal Changes in the Coat of the Cat” 1975, published in the Research in Veterinary Science. The study included four cats whose coats were monitored for 20 months over several seasons. 

Indoor cats spend time in controlled conditions and are not heavily impacted by sunlight and temperature. Strictly indoor cats shed continuously but moderately throughout the year.

Yes, CBD oil can help manage a cat’s excessive shedding. Pet CBD is a relatively new product in the pet market and a novel treatment for excessive shedding in cats. 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a health-boosting and naturally occurring compound found in Cannabis sativa, primarily in the hemp version of the cannabis plant. CBD is one of over 113 cannabinoids and comprises 40% of the plant’s extract. 

Cannabidiol or CBD is safe to use in cats and is non-psychogenic and non-addictive, and cats do not overdose on hemp-sourced CBD products. 

CBD oil is the most popular cannabidiol-based product for cats, but CBD treats and topical CBD balms are excellent for skin and coat health and managing a cat shedding a lot. 

CBD works through the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a regulatory system responsible for maintaining health and balance. Cats have thin skin layers with many endocannabinoid receptors, which help boost the CBD benefits.  CBD oil for cats helps with shedding on several levels. 

CBD supports the production of specific cat fat molecules that moisturize and protect the skin, promoting skin and coat health. CBD is rich in essential omega fatty acids vital for healthy skin and shiny coat in felines. 

CBD has strong anti-inflammatory properties and inflammation is the foundation of many skin problems, resulting in a cat shredding a lot. The reduced inflammation, combined with cannabidiol’s anti-pruritic effect, decreases itchiness, reducing hair loss and shedding.  

Cannabidiol is excellent for managing anxious and depressed cats. Cat anxiety and depression contribute to shedding by altering the cat’s grooming habits. CBD promotes a healthy appetite, and balanced nutrition is essential for optimal skin and coat health.   

CBD for cats is safe to combine with many mainstream treatments and medications. Talk to a veterinarian before using CBD for a cat shredding a lot to determine the best product and CBD dosage. 

Yes, CBD is safe for cat treatment. CBD is an excellent complementary treatment for excessive shedding in cats and is safe to combine with traditional therapies. 

Hemp-sourced, THC-free CBD, made exclusively for cats, is safe when used responsibly, in the recommended doses, with the veterinarian’s approval, and as directed by the manufacturer. 

PetMD says that “CBD itself appears, on the surface, to be very safe in cats” based on reports by pet parents and veterinarians. 

CBD is safe for cats, according to the Annual Reviews of Animal Biosciences 2023, which published a study titled “Scientific Validation of Cannabidiol for Management of Dog and Cat Diseases,” that found “CBD appears to have good bioavailability and safety profile with few side effects.”

Tools recommended for managing cat shredding are a metal comb with fine to medium teeth between 6 and 8 inches long. The National Cat Groomer recommends the comb because it helps remove dead hairs and catches mats and tangles hidden within the coat without irritating the cat’s sensitive skin. 

Metal de-shedding tools or rakes are not recommended for a cat shedding a lot because they damage the cat’s delicate skin and hair, which has the opposite effect and increases the risk of matting and tangles. 

Two other recommended tools for managing cat shedding are a rubber curry cat shedding brush and a grooming glove. The rubber curry cat shedding brush is perfect for lifting loose hair and offers an excellent massage, while the grooming glove is best suited for short-haired cats.  

Yes, there is a way to prevent excessive shedding in cats. Shedding is not preventable, but avoiding a cat shedding a lot is possible. 

Prevent excessive shedding in cats by providing a high-quality diet, giving cat supplements for skin and coat health, promoting daily hydration, practicing regular grooming, minimizing stress, and staying up-to-date on dewormers and flea and tick preventatives.  

Diet and hydration greatly impact cat coat health, hair cycle, and shedding. Grooming, including brushing and bathing, directly affect the shedding. Dewormers and anti-flea and tick products prevent parasites that cause hair loss and shedding. 

A cat shedding a lot is more challenging to manage and nurture back into health than preventing the excessive shedding problem. Talk to the veterinarian to create an individual shedding prevention plan if unsure of what is best for the cat. 

No, indoor cats shed less than outdoor cats. Indoor cats shed moderately year-round, while outdoor cats have two marked shedding seasons, in spring and fall. 

Outdoor cats are exposed to sunlight and temperature which impact hair growth and shedding, hence having typical shedding seasons. Indoor cats live in controlled environments and do not have a shedding season. 

An indoor cat shedding a lot suddenly is a cause for concern and requires proper veterinary attention. An outdoor cat shedding excessively out of season requires veterinary examination.

The health issues excessive shedding in cats can indicate are listed below. 

Hormones influence cat shredding cycles because they affect the hair growth cycle, increasing or decreasing shedding in cats. Reproductive hormones significantly affect hair cycles, so pregnancy and lactation result in a cat shedding a lot. 

Ovarian and testicular tumors promote the production of specific female or male reproductive hormones, which causes shedding problems, but tumors of the reproductive glands in cats are relatively rare.  

“Testicular tumors are rarely reported in cats,” according to “Interstitial Cell Tumor and Sertoli Cell Tumor in the Testis of a Cat,” 2007. “Ovarian tumors are uncommon in cats” and “account for 0.7%-3.6% of all tumors in cats,” according to The Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology.

Adrenal and thyroid hormones influence cat shedding cycles, too. Adrenal gland problems, like Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) or Addison’s (hypoadrenocorticism), are infrequent in cats, but hyperthyroidism is very common. 

Grooming plays a pivotal role in cat shedding. Marty Becker, DVM, says, “Grooming will attract a large amount of hair that would otherwise be shed.”

Regular grooming, specifically brushing, is the most effective way to manage a cat shedding a lot. Brushing helps remove loose hair and promotes skin health by massing the skin, promoting circulation in the skin, and helping distribute natural skin oils. 

Brush the cat daily to reduce shedding and support healthy skin and coat. Start brushing while the cat is a kitten to create a habit and make grooming a more pleasant experience. 

Yes, hairballs are related to your cat’s shedding habits. Hairballs are a normal part of the cat’s grooming routine, and grooming is more intense during heavy shedding seasons, in the spring and fall. 

Hairballs are blobs of undigested coats. Hairballs are tube-like and have entangled grass, digestive fluids, or partially digested food in some cases. Cats lick dead hairs while self-grooming. 

The cat’s tongue is covered in throat-facing sharp little barbs that prevent the hairs from escaping, and the cat swallows the hair. 

A small amount of the swallowed hairs get through the digestive tract, but most accumulate in the stomach and form hairballs, which are then thrown up or coughed out. 

Seasonal hairballs and a cat shedding a lot are more common in long-haired cat breeds, such as the Persian, the Himalayan, the Siberian, the Ragdoll, and the LaPerm. 

Yes, allergies in cats lead to increased shedding. Poor skin health, reduced coat quality, and excess shedding are signs of cat allergies. Cats are allergic to food, environmental factors, or flea bites. 

Allergies cause skin irritation, which directly affects coat health and quality. Skin irritation is itchy, and a cat constantly scratching itself damages the hair follicles, resulting in excess shedding, hair loss, and, eventually, patches of bald skin. 

A cat shedding a lot is suspected of having allergies, but cats’ allergies are hard to diagnose and manage. Modern veterinary medicine still fails to provide a 100% accurate test determining the cause of the cat’s allergy. 

No, a cat shedding a lot during pregnancy is no cause for worry. Excessive shedding during pregnancy and lactation is normal and does not require veterinary attention in most cases. 

Cat pregnancy and lactation are demanding and deplete the cat of the calcium and essential minerals and nutrients necessary for a healthy coat, resulting in shedding. 

Some cats start shedding at the end of the pregnancy, but most lose excess hair after birth and during the kitten nursing period. 

Talk to a veterinarian about special coat health nutritional supplements for pregnant cats to prevent excess shedding in pregnant and lactating cats. 

Yes, it is possible for a cat to shed too little. Hairless cats and cat breeds with extremely short hair shed almost not at all or minimally. 

Examples of hairless cat breeds are the Sphynx and the Peterbald, and for short-haired cats, the Devon Rex, the Cornish Rex, the British Shorthair, the Siamese, and the Bengal. 

The number of cats that do not shed or shed very little is small. Most cats, whether purebred or mixed, shed year-round or during certain seasons. The only difference is the shedding intensity.