Why does my cat shed their fur and how much is normal?

As any cat owner will know, it’s usually quite easy to tell where a cat has been – just follow the trail of fur!

While it can mean a bit of extra vacuuming for us, it’s completely normal for cats to shed or moult their fur.

When their hair falls out, newer, healthier fur will usually grow back in its place quite quickly, helping to keep their coat thick and shiny. It also prevents the old hair from getting tangled and matted, which can particularly be a problem for long-haired cats.

Cats will even try to speed the process along by grooming. Licking their fur with their rough tongues helps to remove any old hairs that are still clinging on, allowing the new fur to grow.

You can give them a helping hand too by stroking or brushing them to remove excess hair. Short-haired cats will need to be brushed around once a week, while long-haired cats will require a daily groom to prevent matted fur. For more advice on grooming your cat, visit https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/grooming.

You may notice that your cat loses more fur at certain times of year too. As the weather turns warmer they’ll often start shedding their thicker winter coat, helping them to keep cool in the heat.

Is my cat shedding too much fur? 

The only time you may need to be concerned about your cat losing fur, is if new fur does not grow back in its place.

If you notice bald patches in your cat’s coat it could be that they have a skin condition or that they are over-grooming due to stress or behavioural problems.

The best thing to do is take your cat to a vet so they can figure out the cause of the problem and give you tailored advice on what to do next.