Features of cat shedding: when kittens shed for the first time, how long it lasts, how often cats shed?

Although their soft, fluffy coats are well-known, shedding is an inevitable part of owning a cat. Even though it might seem like your cat is always shedding, there are certain periods of time when the process is more obvious. You can better handle your cat’s fur if you know why and when they shed.

The first time a kitten sheds is a significant developmental stage. An adult cat’s thicker, more resilient coat eventually replaces its baby fur as they grow. Knowing what to anticipate can help both you and your pet have a more seamless transition as this change doesn’t happen overnight.

Adult cats usually lose fur at different times of the year, but generally speaking, they shed year-round. Since they adjust to the changing seasons, it’s frequently more intense in the spring and fall. Monitoring your cat’s shedding cycle can assist you in avoiding fur accumulation in and around your house.

Why cats shed?

When it comes to your pet’s health, you shouldn’t be afraid of the natural process of shedding. Wool grows and sheds all year long; new hairs gradually replace the dead old ones, so it goes mostly unnoticed—that is, until a white cat lies on a black object, and vice versa.

The cat sheds more heavily, replacing nearly all of its coat, several times a year. First and foremost, this is a result of a shift in temperature; the animal must either grow a thicker, denser coat that will keep it warm during the winter or replace its "summer" coat. Many breeds have thick undercoats that grow and shed in the spring before the cold weather arrives.

The following variables affect the yearly shedding cycle:

• temperature conditions;
• length of daylight hours;
• hormonal changes;
• nutrition.

How often do cats shed in natural conditions?

In wild cats, the shedding process is influenced by seasonality, temperature and humidity variations, season changes, and the duration of daylight. Cats that live in the wild or on the streets shed twice a year, in the spring and the fall.

The coat becomes thicker and denser in September and October, and an undercoat develops. The rationale behind the animal’s coat is to prevent hypothermia by extending the time that heat is emitted from the body. In March and April, the opposite happens. The cat will not overheat because its fur coat changes to a lighter one.

See also: Why does the baby meow silently, and why does a kitten scream incessantly and without cause?

Why do domestic cats shed all year round?

All year long, domestic cats live in consistent, unchanging environments. The apartment is kept at the same temperature and humidity, so the animal doesn’t have to get ready for the impending cold or, on the other hand, heat. Shedding, however, cannot entirely be eliminated because its mechanism has developed over millions of years through evolution.

The majority of domestic cats still undergo periodic shedding; they typically change their coat twice a year, though the exact timing varies. Certain pets—long-haired ones in particular—can shed all year round, while other pets change coats in response to humidity variations in their apartments. The coat starts to change in the fall because when the heating is turned on, the indoor air gets too dry.

When kittens start to shed?

Baby fluff, which is different from adult hair in structure, is present when a kitten is born. The fluff is thinner, softer, and lacks hard guard hairs and an undercoat.

The transition from baby fluff to adult hard fur starts at 5-8 months of age. The owners must give the kitten extra attention during this time, giving it vitamins and taking care of all its hygienic needs.

It is challenging to predict the coat type of an adult pet before six months of life. The coat’s color and pattern may somewhat alter after shedding. Breeders advise against bringing home purebred kittens before this age because the final color will not show until the fluff has transformed into an adult coat.

In order to maintain the health of their coat, cats naturally shed their fur, and the amount of shedding that occurs depends on the breed, age, and season. Around six months, kittens shed for the first time, changing from their fluffy baby coat to an adult one. Adult cats typically shed year-round, with longer, more intense periods in the spring and fall. Shedding can last a few weeks. Maintaining a clean home and managing fur loss can be achieved through regular grooming.

How long does it normally take for the coat to change?

Your pet has begun to shed, leaving clumps of fur all over the apartment. In addition, the owners must regularly launder their clothes—especially after the cat has slept on them. How long will you have to put up with this process and how long does cat shedding last?

See also: What causes a kitten or adult cat to twitch its paws and entire body while it sleeps?

For a healthy cat, the procedure usually takes no longer than one month. In two to three weeks, pets with short hair can change their fur coat. Pets with long hair "change clothes" every four to five weeks and need more care. If a cat sheds for longer than 1.5–2 months, you should be concerned about its health as this prolonged process may indicate a number of illnesses.

Kittens take longer than seasonal shedding to transition from baby fluff to adult hair. A two- to three-month process is possible.

Causes and signs of pathological molting

How can one tell that molting is an illness symptom rather than a normal seasonal occurrence? Indices of pathological loss of wool:

• The change of cover lasts longer than 2 months;
• On the site of the resulting wool, bald spots remain, which do not overgrow for a long time;
• redness, rash, ulcers appear on the skin;
• The behavior of the animal is changing: it becomes nervous, irritable or, conversely, sluggish, loses its appetite.

What may give rise to pathology:

• Hormonal failure. Endocrinological diseases, the inability to multiply in non -castrated animals – all this can affect the condition of the hair of a pet.
• Stress. Change of the situation, moving, severe fright – all this can cause wool loss. Some animals calmly relate to a change in external circumstances, while other cats are nervous even if a stranger comes to the apartment and tries to stroke them.
• Improper nutrition. The condition of the cat is greatly affected by nutrition. The food should be balanced, contain the necessary amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements. If the owners give the pet food from their table, feed cheap food, then its fur may become dull, lose its natural shine and begin to fall out.

• Allergy. One of the symptoms of allergic dermatitis is hair loss. The disease is also accompanied by itching, the cat scratches the sore spot, non-healing wounds form on the skin. Allergies can be caused by household chemicals, medicines, food.
• Infection with parasites and fungi. The fur begins to fall out in patches, extensive bald spots form. The skin itches, a rash appears, festering ulcers. The animal should be immediately taken to the veterinarian, because such infections are dangerous for people and lead to serious consequences for the cat"s health.

Cats naturally shed, and the amount that sheds varies with age, breed, and season. When a kitten changes from having soft baby fur to adult fur, which can happen between 6 and 12 months of age, it usually sheds for the first time.

While shedding usually lasts a few weeks, each cat will shed at a different rate and for a different length of time. Seasonal shedding is a common occurrence in cats, particularly in the spring and fall when their coats adjust to the changing weather.

Frequent brushing will help control shedding and maintain the health of your cat’s coat. Although shedding is common, significant hair loss in cats could indicate underlying medical problems, so it’s important to keep an eye on any changes in your cat’s fur.

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