Do Siamese Cats Shed? Everything You Need To Know
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Do Siamese cats shed? Yes, but less than many other breeds.
Their short, fine coat means less loose hair around the house, which is why some people with mild cat allergies get on well with them. They are not hypoallergenic, though, and the sections below explain what affects shedding and what to do about the hair that does end up on your floor.
Siamese cats shed like most cats do. The amount your cat sheds sheds depends on their diet, health, the season and the other things covered below.
If you are comparing coats, there is more on tabby cats and shedding too (and a general guide to tabbies here).
Important Facts About Shedding In Siamese Cats
Brushing Helps With Shedding
Brushing is one of the best ways to cut down on shedding. Cats need brushing in different amounts depending on their breed (there is a list of heavier and lighter shedders further down). Regular brushing takes out the hairs that were about to fall out anyway, so they end up in the brush rather than on your carpet, furniture and clothes.
Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds, but their fur tangles easily, so they are harder to groom. Short-haired cats like Siamese are much easier.
Brushes to Consider
These brushes are a good size, pull out a lot of loose fur and tend to go down well with cats who dislike brushing. If your cat won’t tolerate a normal brush, a grooming glove can help them get used to being handled.
Shedding By Season
Cats tend to shed more in spring and fall. It follows the change in temperature and mostly affects cats who spend a lot of time outdoors.
In spring they lose the thicker undercoat that kept them warm over winter, which helps them stay cooler in summer.
Some cats get irritated skin from dry winter air indoors, and others react to tree or grass pollen when levels are high. Either can cause heavier shedding.
Diet
Feed a good-quality, balanced diet. Most commercial cat food has a suitable balance, but a cat can still end up short of a nutrient, and vitamins A, E and B are needed for healthy fur. Without enough of them, a cat can shed more than usual.
Protein matters too. Some dry foods have less than wet foods, which often have a higher meat content. If your cat is shedding heavily, a mix of wet and dry, or all wet food, may help. It can take some trial and error to find the food that suits their coat.
Water helps as well, since hydration keeps fur healthy. Read our article to find out how much your cat should drink daily.
Stress and Shedding
A stressed cat may shed fur in clumps. The cause is often not medical.
Moving house or bringing a new cat home can stress a cat, especially a rescue with a difficult past. Loud noises do it too: loud music, heavy traffic noise and thunderstorms. If your cat is shedding a lot, try turning the background noise down.
Baths
Most healthy adult cats rarely need a bath because they groom themselves. Older or overweight cats who can’t manage it themselves may need an occasional bath to remove dirt and loose hair, and cats with skin allergies may be prescribed regular baths with medicated shampoo.
Only use a shampoo made for cats. Cat skin has a different pH, so human shampoo is wrong for them, and even baby shampoo is too harsh. Rinse out every trace, because cats groom themselves afterwards and will swallow any residue.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Indoor cats and outdoor cats shed differently.
Outdoor cats are exposed to changing temperature, sunlight and weather, and they naturally shed more in summer to stay cool. Indoor cats deal with that much less, especially where air conditioning is standard.
Age & Gender
Older cats tend to shed more than younger cats.
You’ll notice the increase as your cat gets older. Pregnant cats also shed more than usual.
Illness
Shedding is normal, and illness often reduces it. If your cat is shedding less than usual, have a vet check for a health problem.
How to Reduce Siamese Cat Shedding
- Groom and brush your cat regularly
- Bathe your cat occasionally if needed (most cats rarely need it)
- Change your cat’s diet
- Keep your cat hydrated
- Give your cat a stress-free environment
Why Do Some Cats Shed More Than Others?
Some breeds shed more than others because cats have different layers of fur, and many breeds are double or even triple-layered. A cat’s coat is a mix of:
- Down hair
- Awn hair
- Guard hair
Down hair is the thick undercoat that insulates and keeps them warm in winter. Awn hair makes up most of the visible coat, contributes to coat color and protects the down hairs. Guard hairs are coarse and thicker and help keep your cat dry.
Cat Breeds That Shed More
These breeds tend to shed more than others:
- British Longhair
- Himalayan
- Coupari
- Persian
- Siberian
- Ocicat
- American Bobtail
- American Curl
- Chartreux
- Cymric
- Nebelung
Cat Breeds That Shed Less
- Sphynx
- Burmese
- Bengal
- Bombay
- Savannah
- Russian Blue
- Devon Rex
- Cornish Rex
- Colorpoint Shorthair
- Siamese
- Birman
- Oriental
- Tonkinese
- Korat
- Ragdoll
Are Siamese Cats Hypoallergenic?
Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic.
Like all cats, Siamese produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions.
Siamese shed less, so they spread it around less through loose fur. But it is still in their skin and saliva, so allergies are still a risk.
Reducing Allergens
- Change clothing and bedding regularly
- Vacuum regularly
- Clean out litter tray often
- Use an air filter
- Wash hands regularly
- Change carpets to solid flooring
Best Breeds For Allergy Sufferers
How To Remove Siamese Cat Hair From Carpet
If you have a Siamese, a lot of the hair they shed ends up on the floor. With carpets, it can seem like no amount of vacuuming gets rid of it.
A handheld carpet scraper helps. It brushes the cat hair up out of the carpet so you can vacuum it, and it’s surprising how much comes out.
How Much Siamese Cats Shed
Siamese cats shed, but less than many breeds, and how much depends on diet, health and the season. With their short hair they can suit people with cat allergies, though they are not hypoallergenic.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Some people with allergies get milder symptoms around Siamese than around other breeds, but spend time with one before bringing it home to see how you react.
They are low to moderate shedders. The short coat is easy to groom, and regular brushing keeps shedding down.
For grooming, yes. The short coat needs minimal brushing and they groom themselves well. They do need attention, stimulation and company, though.
They are vocal and demand attention, which does not suit every household. They can also be high energy and need plenty to do, and their social nature can make them prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
Many do, especially with an owner they are bonded to, but it varies. Respect their limits and handle them gently.
Related: Are Siamese Cats Affectionate?
Around 12 to 15 years on average. With good care, food and regular vet check-ups, some live into their late teens or even early twenties.
They adapt to both, but roaming outdoors brings risks such as accidents, disease and other animals. Keeping a Siamese indoors is safer, as long as they have toys, scratching posts and interactive play to keep them busy.
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