The truth about cat’s shedding is that every cat lover must accept it, because this is a normal natural event in the cat’s life. Ragdoll cats have long hair and sheds but they are the best pet for cat lovers. Cats shed in order to remove dead hair from their bodies. Dead hair can cause skin irritation and thus needs to be removed. If you do not remove it for them, they will release it on their own.
Hair shedding is considered a sign of health in the cat, because sick cats do not shed. It happens for different reasons, but basically it depends on the time your cat spends outdoors or whether your cat is purely an indoor cat. The shedding is largely influenced by daylight, the number of hours a cat is exposed to sunlight in a day triggers the shedding process.
- Brush your pet. Regular, even daily, brushing is the best thing you can do to keep your home free of hair. Brushing will also make your cats coat softer, cleaner, and less likely to shed.
- Feed an appropriate pet food. A cats coat is often a reflection of what they eat. Feed a high quality food with good digestible protein sources.
- Feed a fatty acid supplement like Vita coat® Plus. Giving this to your cat keeps his coat healthy and prevents broken or damaged hair which can lead to increased shedding.
- Cover your furniture and car seats. Upholstery is a magnet for pet hair, and removing pet hair from furniture or car seats can be a tedious task. If you allow cats on your furniture or bed, you would be wise to invest in a few furniture throws. Throws will keep your furniture looking (and smelling) better, and make your home more inviting to guests.
- Vacuum often. Be diligent in your vacuuming efforts. Frequent vacuuming is the best way to keep your home hair free.
- Bathe your cat occasionally during the summer. A clean cat will have a healthier coat. A gentle oatmeal shampoo once a week or so will clean without drying the skin and rejuvenate a lacklustre hair coat.
- Have regular checkups. Many diseases can affect the skin and hair coat. Regular visits to your veterinarian will help identify problems early, and provide more effective treatment.
- Use the right brush. Slicker Brushes, Shedding Blades, Mat breakers and Love Gloves each have a specific function and work best on the type of coat they are designed for. Most pets need more than one type of brush to remove all of the dead hair.
- Remove hair from upholstery and your dog’s bed as soon as possible. Hair that is newly shed is easier to remove before it works its way into upholstery fabric. A Tape Roller is one of the best tools for removing hair.
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