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What are the reasons for a cat's heavy shedding?
A cat's heavy shedding usually stems from seasonal shedding, pathological shedding, lack of nutrition or minerals, etc. If the cat has no symptoms such as redness, itching, etc., it is likely a normal seasonal shedding phenomenon, which is more evident in spring and autumn. However, if the cat experiences localized massive hair loss along with symptoms like crusting, dandruff, and itching, the chances of having a skin disease are higher. Additionally, if the cat's diet lacks unsaturated fatty acids and lecithin等 nutrients, it can also lead to hair loss.
- Seasonal Shedding
Cat shedding is a relatively normal phenomenon, especially during spring and autumn. For example, in spring, the cat's molting period lasts 1-3 months. Due to temperature changes, the cat's downy hair falls off in large quantities to help regulate its body temperature. During this time, cat owners only need to use a pin brush to comb the cat's hair daily and prepare some hair removal creams and catnip for the cat.
- Skin Disease Shedding
If a specific area of the cat's body experiences significant hair loss, skin diseases are usually the cause. Parasite infections, bacterial infections, and fungal infections can all lead to severe hair loss in cats. A skin scraping examination at a pet hospital can diagnose the condition.
- Hair Loss Caused by Lack of Nutrition or Minerals
Lack of unsaturated fatty acids and lecithin can cause non-physiological shedding in cats. The cat's hair also loses its luster and becomes coarser. In this case, owners can feed the cat foods rich in lecithin, such as eggs, and salmon to supplement fatty acids.