How to reduce cat moulting

As cat lovers, we all know the frustration of finding our felines’ fur all over our clothes and furniture. The truth is, moulting (or shedding) is unavoidable. It’s actually a sign of a healthy coat, and a natural way for our felines to freshen up their fur. 

The amount of moulting a cat does varies, depending on how much time they spend indoors versus outdoors, how much sunlight they’re exposed to, and simply on what breed they are. To help minimise this hairy situation, follow these few simple steps:

Brush, brush, and brush again 

Frequent grooming is the most effective way to reduce shedding in your cat. The brush will collect any extra hair before it falls out, and it’ll also strengthen the bond between you and your pet. It’s important to choose the right brush for your cat’s fur. Short-haired cats prefer a slicker brush with fine bristles. For long-haired cats, start with a wide-toothed comb to remove any tangles before using a finer brush.

It’s best to groom your cat when they're relaxed. If it’s your first time grooming, present the brush to your cat so they can have a sniff (and hopefully rub their scent on it). That way, it’ll smell familiar to them in future. Most cats especially enjoy being stroked around the head, cheeks, chin and lower back – so it may be a good idea to start in these areas before moving onto grooming elsewhere. Just so you know, a cat’s tummy can be very sensitive, and a lot of cats would rather not be touched in this area.

Make sure you brush your kitty in short sessions so you don’t overwhelm them. Try using treats to make the experience easier and, of course, if you notice any signs of distress in your cat – such as tail swishing, sharp movements, ears rotating backwards, hissing – then it might be time to call it a day.

Switch up their diet

One reason for excessive moulting in your feline friend could be over-grooming, caused by an unhealthy coat or itchy skin. On the flip side, under-grooming can also have an impact on the health of their skin – this is something you especially need to watch out for in older cats. To promote a healthy coat, your cat needs a balanced diet that’s rich in nutrients. YuMOVE Skin and Coat Care Moulting Cat offers the perfect balance of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Linoleic Acid, to help support your cat’s coat and reduce the tendency to over-groom.

Cats also need enough water and moisture to maintain healthy skin and a smoother coat. Try introducing wet food into their diet, increasing the number of water bowls in the home, or perhaps adding a cat water fountain. Cats are obsessed with running water!

Reduce stress

When cats are anxious or scared, they tend to shed fur more often. This is perfectly normal. However, if you’re hoping to reduce the amount of fur on your carpet, it’s important to understand signs of stress in your cat and the steps you can take to ease their anxiety.

 If you do spot some signs of stress in your kitty, try and deal with it as soon as possible. YuMOVE Calming Care for Cats is a calming supplement with natural ingredients like lemon balm and L-Theanine. By tackling your cat’s stress levels head on, you’ll be sure to see less shedding – which means a well-deserved break for your hoover!