Many prospective parents of furry cats are concerned about the shedding potential of these pets. Most are worried about allergies. So, do long-haired cats shed more and/or cause more allergies?
Long-haired cats do not shed more fur than short-haired ones but their shedding is usually more seasonal. Their fur is longer and often thicker, so it is just more noticeable, too. Furry cats do not, however, cause more allergies. That depends on the animal’s production of certain allergenic proteins.
To keep shedding to a minimum, brush your cat regularly with a shedding comb, use kitty wipes, and do your best to make sure that your cat is in good health in general. If your cat’s shedding pattern suddenly changes or he sheds in patches, it is important to rule out any pathological causes of hair loss.
Long-Haired Cats And Shedding
Furry cats do not shed any more than short-haired ones. They do, however, tend to have more seasonal shedding.
Long-haired cats have double-layered coats, and each layer has its function. The short undercoat insulates them and keeps them warm on cold days. The layer of longer hair protects them from moisture, insects, and direct sunlight.
Furry cats have adapted to shed some undercoat during spring, to prepare for the warmer season, and that is why they have periods of heavy shedding. They shed more or less throughout the year too but not more profusely than short-haired cats.
Naturally, long fur is more conspicuous on furniture and the floor, which is probably why many people feel that furry cats shed more.
Abnormal Shedding
Although most shedding is quite normal and healthy, it is important to pay attention if your cat’s hair loss changes or becomes patchy. Any other changes in behavior, along with the change in shedding, could also signal a health issue.
| Cause | Description |
| Stress or anxiety | Cats often overgroom due to anxiety and stress. Some cats can spend hours grooming, which could cause hair loss and even skin breakdown. A recent change, such as moving to a new place or welcoming a new pet to the household, could precede the development of overgrooming. |
| Allergies | Animals can also suffer from allergies. Dermatitis is a common reaction in cats and it leads to frantic scratching. Hair loss is inevitable and it tends to look patchy and localized to the areas the cat can scratch easily. |
| Hyperactive thyroid | Thyroid problems, in general, are very common in cats, especially as they become older. A hyperactive thyroid causes hair loss, among other problems. |
| Ringworm | This highly contagious condition would cause characteristic patches with scaly edges and hair loss. The patches increase in size and multiply. |
| Parasites | Intestinal and skin parasites can cause itching and, subsequently, hair loss due to scratching. |
How To Reduce Shedding
Shedding is normal and necessary and it cannot be reduced significantly but it is possible to make shedding more controlled.
Regular brushing and using a good shedding brush help localize the loss of fur and prevent the fur from diffusing around the house.
Some cats enjoy the process and even start rolling on their backs, which is a sign of comfort and trust. Some cats could make brushing more of a challenge if they happen to dislike it but most tolerate being brushed, just enough to help with shedding and prevent knots from forming.
In addition to minimizing the amount of hair on the surfaces in your home, brushing and using a shedding comb prevents your cat from swallowing hair during grooming, which implies vomiting fewer hairballs.
Along with proper regular coat maintenance practices, balanced nutrition, and good general health is a good long-term strategy to keep the shedding as minimal as possible.
Inspect your pet’s fur regularly for the presence of any parasites or skin problems, even if your kitty does not go outside.
Long-Haired Cats And Allergies
Many people believe that long-haired cats are more likely to cause allergies. Furry cats may cause milder reactions, although the amount of allergens an animal produces is not related to the length of the fur at all.
The pet’s dander is not as easily shed into the environment because of the long and thick fur. For that reason, furry cats may give off less allergen into the environment, even if they produce large amounts of it.
If you have allergies, it is best to assume that a reaction to a cat is possible, regardless of the kind of coat your prospective pet has. It is impossible to predict if a particular long or short-haired cat will trigger a reaction in any individual, so it is important to spend some time with the cat to test if the animal will elicit a reaction.
Long-Haired Cats And Litter Box
A complication of being furry is that using the litter box could sometimes get messy.
Feces can get entangled in the fur. If the cat has loose stools for a few days, it could get messy and unsanitary, although cats do a good job cleaning themselves up. A poop of regular consistency is easier to remove.
When it comes to preventing this issue from occurring, there is not much you can do, other than carefully trimming your kitty’s fur around the anus. Understandably, many cats do not welcome such a procedure and may fight or at least hide their bottom from you. It is important to be careful to prevent injuring your pet inadvertently.
If your cat allows you to trim his fur, use small scissors and put your fingers between the fur and the scissors to minimize the chance of cutting your cat.
Otherwise, examine your cat for the presence of any undesirable droppings under the tail and help your pet remove any poop or other debris. If not removed promptly, long fur can form mats around poop and lead to infections, not to mention that such mats are unsanitary.
If you sometimes take your kitty to a professional groomer, they could trim the fur nicely. If not, most owners of long-haired cats have no issues keeping their pet well by simply helping the cat remove any poop that gets stuck, carefully.
Related Questions:
Do Long-Haired Cats Cause More Allergies? There is a popular notion that cats with long fur cause more allergies but it is not the case. The kind of fur your pet has does not determine the allergenic potential of the cat. Animals with longer fur, however, may shed less allergen into their immediate environment. For that reason, cats with long fur may cause milder allergic reactions. There are about 10 proteins felines produce and secrete that are known to trigger reactions, and several breeds, such as Siberian and Sphynx cats, produce smaller amounts of the allergenic proteins.
