7 Natural Ways to Reduce Cat Shedding

All cats shed. Except for the hairless breeds of cats, of course. This is a fact that all potential feline pet owners should consider whenever deciding on bringing home a cat. When pets shed their fur, it can end up on the carpet, the bedding, the curtain, the furniture, and on any other surface in the house. There are ways on how to reduce cat shedding. Here are seven natural ways you can try:

More Frequent Brushing

Brushing the cat’s coat does more than make its fur look shiny and smooth. It can also help minimize the amount of fur that the pet sheds. Brushing improves the circulation underneath the skin. Adequate blood supply helps deliver the right nutrients necessary for hair growth and health. This keeps them strong at the roots.

A cat shedding a lot will benefit from a daily brushing routine. Brushing can also remove dead skin cells and fur. Instead of the tissues ending up on different surfaces in your house, they will end up on the bristles of the comb. It is best to use slicker brushes if you have a longhaired breed of cat. This kind of brush can work all the way near the skin of your cat and through the undercoat. A soft-bristled brush is best for cats with short to medium length fur. There is also a cat grooming glove that comes with a surface with small nubs. This is perfect for kitties that do not like getting combed or brushed.

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Use a Deshedding Tool

As the name implies, a deshedding tool will help reduce the amount of shed hair by as much as 90 percent. There are many products in the market that can provide such a benefit. These brushes look like a cross between a hand rake and a fine-toothed stainless-steel comb. They work like conventional pet brushes.

However, deshedding brushes are more effective in removing loose, dead fur from the cat’s coat. The secret is in the spacing of the individual tines or teeth. The spaces are narrower than conventional pet brushes. This allows the tool to remove many of the loose pet hair that may slip through the teeth of traditional cat brushes or combs. The edges of these teeth are also designed in such a way that they will not hurt the cat.

Give Your Cat a Well-Balanced Diet

One of the reasons why you may have a cat that sheds a lot is because it is not receiving the right nutrients from its food. Healthy hair requires a number of nutrients for it to remain strong at the roots. It also needs high-quality protein to help stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen provides the framework upon which the stem cells of the hair and skin grow. Without it, the animal’s fur will be weak.

In addition to proteins and nutrients, your cat also needs healthy fats. Unsaturated fatty acids work best on guaranteeing healthy coats. They also help protect the skin against dryness. Healthy fats serve as a protective barrier against harmful substances that can undermine the health of the skin and coat.

Encourage Your Pet Cat to Drink More

Nutrients are important in ensuring healthier and stronger pet hair. Your pet cat also needs water to keep the cells hydrated. Adequate water intake can promote healthy skin and coat. It helps prevent dehydration and brittleness. This minimizes the risk of hair breakage and its eventual loss.

Make your cat water bowl more interesting. Add several drops of a tasty, unsalted chicken broth or the broth from a can of tuna. You can also make your own frozen fruit cubes as a means to enhance the flavor of the water. It also makes it more refreshing. Putting ordinary ice cubes works, too. Having pet drinking fountains in your home can be a good way on how to prevent cat shedding.

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Consider Giving Your Cat a Bath Once a Month

There are those who say that you should not bathe a cat. It strips the natural oils from their skin. This can make the skin drier and more prone to shedding. However, bathing them once a month will help remove dirt that may be present on both the coat and skin. Bathing can also remove excess fur in their undercoat.

The trick is to use the right kind of cat shampoo. You may also have to use a pet-safe conditioner to help replenish lost oils. This can facilitate the healthier growth of fur while removing the dead ones. This is one way on how to stop a cat from shedding.

Give Your Cat Supplements

If your cat’s pet food does not contain omega-3 fatty acids, you can give your pet a supplement. Omega-3 fatty acids can help improve the health of the coat. It makes them look shinier and can strengthen them at their roots, too. Omega-3 fatty acids can be a great way on how to prevent cat shedding.

One of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil. Some say that flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, too. However, flaxseed oil often contains ALA and not EPA and DHA. The latter two types of omega-3 fatty acids are more significant than ALA.

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Use a Pet Hair Vacuum

Despite your best efforts, there will still be some pet hair that you will see in your home. This is where a pet hair vacuum will be very useful. A cat shedding a lot often translates to fur everywhere. Using an ordinary vacuum cleaner can work on removing these hairs. However, most are very noisy that they can make your cat anxious.

Pet hair vacuums are more specific for picking up very fine debris, including pet hair. They also have a number of attachments that can make pet hair removal a lot more efficient than conventional vacuum cleaners. They also have HEPA filters and other filtration systems to help control pet dander.

Pet parents need to learn how to stop a cat from shedding to keep their homes spick and span. From frequent grooming to improving its nutrition and hydration, there are at least 7 ways you can minimize pet shedding in your house.