Persian cats are favorites among the American public. They have long, beautiful coats and what most would call a “smooshed” face. Persian cats are exceptionally loving and enjoy being near people.
While their warm and affectionate nature is enjoyable, the shedding from a Persian cat can often leave a mess on furniture, clothes, and other surfaces.
Shedding is not an issue specific to Persian cats- anything with hair will inevitably shed- however, their long hair makes them even more susceptible to shedding, especially when compared to other breeds of cat.
To begin, it is important to note that all cats shed. Yes, Persian cats shed more than other shorter haired cats, but it is completely normal.
Some of the most common times of the year for a cat to shed is during changes of weather. Cats often shed during spring as their winter coat becomes too heavy for the warmer weather. Besides that, there are so many other reasons. Let’s have a look at them.
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1. It Is That Time of The Year
Like all creatures with hair, Persian cats shed. While they may shed all year round, you may notice that they shed more during certain times of the year.
Generally, Persian cats shed their entire coat twice a year. This means that you will notice a substantial amount of hair around the house during those times of the year.
As they are shedding their entire coat, it is important to brush your cat continuously and often. Put to rest the idea of redecorating your home to match your cat's coat and pick up a brush.
Brushing your cat's hair will remove most of the loose hair that is on your cat's body, keeping it from floating around your house and dirtying your surfaces.
It would be best if you brushed your Persian cat all year round, however, it is even more important to brush them during the heavier shedding seasons.
This will both allow you to keep up with the hair and will also relieve your cat from the unnecessary weight and heat that their hair may cause.
Another way to control the amount of hair loss that your Persian cat goes through is with a fresh new haircut. Not only does your Persian cat losing hair hurt you, but it also hurts your cat.
If left unkept, your cat's fur will start to cause your cat to go into a state of depression. One of the most common haircuts for Persian cats is the Lion Cut.
If this seems like a daunting task, fret not, many groomers are familiar with this cut and will happily help you relieve your cat from its hairy state.
A Lion Cut is when the body of your cat is trimmed short, and the head, feet, and tip of its tail is left poofy. This is also a style seen commonly on golden retrievers.
The short the hair on your Persian cat, the less it will shed. While this is fine for your cat during the summer, it is best to ensure that your cat has its full coat when it comes to winter, as a shorter coat will mean less heat is produced, and your cat may get cold.
2. Low-Quality Food
Another reason that your Persian cat might be shedding is because of the quality of food you are feeding it. Like in humans, when your Persian cat does not eat enough nutrients, it will not be at its fittest, and therefore, its normal bodily functions will not be working their best.
Besides shedding more than usual, low-quality food can cause your Persian cat's coat not to be as lustrous as it usually is.
Poor nutrition can lead to excessive shedding and fur loss. Be sure to note when you are trying to introduce a new diet to your furry friend.
While new diets may not have a significant effect on you, a new diet can completely change the coat and attitude of your Persian cat. Did you know that persian cats need amino acids to keep a healthy diet?
An easy solution for shedding due to low-quality food and an inefficient amount of amino acids is to simply choose a higher quality food. It is best to choose a food that promotes healthy skin and coat.
If you are confused as to which food is the best to buy, check out our Persian Cat Food Guide here!
3. Your Persian Cat has an Unwanted Traveler
Caring for a pet can be difficult sometimes; however, it is essential to recognize the signs that your furry friend is not feeling well.
By recognizing the signs, you will be able to better care for your pet, and you and your pet will both live a happier life.
One of the most obvious signs that your Persian cat may not be feeling their best is excessive shedding. Shedding can be a great indicator that your Persian cat is experiencing health issues.
One of the health issues that is most commonly associated with shedding is the addition of small creatures to your cat's environment. Some of these creatures include:
- Mites
- Ticks
- Fleas
- Lice
All of these are common in our everyday environments, and your Persian cat is very susceptible to an infestation.
Fleas and ticks are considered parasitic insects. These kinds of insects try to burrow into the skin of an animal, causing irritation. This irritation will cause your Persian cat to try to bite, scratch, or itch it out.
The scratching and biting will lead to a loss of more fur than usual. You may even see spots on your Persian cat where no fur is left.
If you notice that your cat is shedding more than usual at a time in which they are not shedding their entire coat, it is best to begin to check their coat and skin for any of these creepy crawlies.
These infestations can show up in the form of sores on your cat's face or even small, crusty bumps on their body. Another place you will notice these infestations is in their stool.
Often times, flea eggs will show up in your cat's stool. Like in humans, you can buy special shampoos and combs to help rid your Persian cat of their unwanted friends and help you with the shedding problem.
Using a fine-toothed metal comb can help rid your furry friend of its parasitic insects. This is a common practice used in humans when lice arise.
4. Your Persian Cat has Allergies
Besides parasite on your cat's body and in their stool, another health issue that can cause extreme shedding is allergies. As aforementioned, cats tend to shed a lot twice a year to prepare for seasonal swings in temperature.
If your Persian cat is shedding outside of those times, your cat might have allergies. Just like humans, your furry friend experiences seasonal allergies. Some of the allergies that are most common for Persian cats include:
- Pollen
- Ragweed
- Dust Mites
Allergies for Persian cats often cause skin irritation, which can lead to excessive shedding. Some skin issues include:
- Rashes
- Itchiness
- Bald Spots
One way to help relieve your Persian cat of its allergies is by running a warm, damp cloth over your cat’s fur. This will help to keep their irritated skin hydrated and healthy, especially during the warm, dry months.
If you notice that your cat is experiencing seasonal allergies, consult a veterinarian to see if the allergy is food-based or environmental and to see how you can help relieve your Persian cat.
5. Your Persian Cat is Experiencing Stress
Like humans, cat's bodies react differently to their environment and surroundings when they are stressed. One great indicator of your cat being stressed is excessive shedding. You may notice this at the veterinarian.
When Persian cats are stressed or scared, then begin to shed rapidly. This shedding is a very normal physiological response and is nothing to worry about.
When a cat gets stressed, the shedding that occurs happens to the telogen hairs. These are the hairs that are in the resting phase of the growth cycle.
These are also the hairs that would be the next to fall out in the next round of shedding for your Persian cat.
Cats often cat used to their environments, so the idea and act of being taken out of their comfortable environment is enough to make your furry friend want to shed its coat and run.
Besides shedding, some other common signs that your cat is stressed include:
- Hiding
- Trembling
- Litter Box Problems
Some way to reduce stress and therefore shedding for your Persian cat include making your cat feel comfortable. This can be done by bringing their favorite toy, giving them a place to hide, or using your own voice to comfort them in their time of need.
Look at all that fur!
6. Your Persian Cat is Getting Older
Age is another significant factor in why your Persian cat may be shedding more than usual. Not only does an older cat move around much less, but they are not able to groom themselves as well as they used to.
Often times, when a Persian moves around, they run their bodies against different surfaces. This essentially does the brushing for you.
When a Persian cat rubs their body against a rough surface, it combs through their hair, grooming the body and making it so they do not shed as much.
Likewise, an older Persian cat might not be able to groom themselves as well as they used when they were younger.
The inability to groom themselves results in matted fur, which leads to a larger portion of their hair shedding when it does shed and therefore leaving a bigger mess for you to clean up.
One solution for people dealing with an older Persian cat that is starting to shed more and more is to help them out.
Brushing your cat every day will help them shed the fur that they would have usually shed on their own. Not only will this make your cat happier, but it will also help to keep their coat shiny and clean.
7. Your Persian Cat is Expecting a Child!
Another common reason why your Persian cat may be shedding more often than before is that they are pregnant. Pregnancy in a cat, like in humans, causes hormonal changes. These hormonal changes can cause a cat to shed more than normal.
A mother cat will shed the most from her belly. This is due to the increasing prominence of her nipples, from which her new kittens will eventually nurse. Shedding is the most common during lactation as a mother cat gets reading to feed her kittens.
Conclusion – That's Just the Way They Are
Some cats simply shed more than others. Persian cats are one breed that sheds the most out of all breeds of cats. This is due to the length of their hair. A cat with longer hair will inevitably shed more than a cat with short hair.
As aforementioned, the best way to care for your Persian cat is to brush them every day. Brushing your Persian cat will help to keep their coats clean and shiny and luminous.
Although it is common for Persian cats to shed more often than other breeds of cats, please be sure to note how much your cat shed on a normal basis.
This will help you to notice if your Persian cat is shedding more than usual and will help you in detecting whether or not it is essential for you to take your cat to their veterinarian.
While some conditions are normal and cannot be treated, others can be treated and prevented. Make sure you know your cat and its behaviors so you can easily recognize when your cat is not being themselves.
