Do Burmese Cats Shed? Everything You Need To Know

All cats shed their fur, and Burmese cats are no different. 

Key Takeways

• Shedding Factors: Burmese cats generally shed less than other breeds, but factors like diet, health, and stress levels can impact the amount of shedding.
• Grooming and Diet: Regular brushing and a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can minimize shedding and improve coat health.
• Indoor vs. Outdoor: Outdoor cats tend to shed more due to climate exposure, while older and stressed cats also experience increased shedding.
• Allergy Considerations: Though not hypoallergenic, Burmese cats’ lower shedding rate may make them a better choice for those with mild cat allergies.

Read on to learn everything you need about shedding in Burmese cats.

Table of Contents

• Shedding In Burmese Cats
• How to Reduce Burmese Cat Shedding
• Why Do Some Cat Breeds Shed More Than Others?
• Are Burmese Cats Hypoallergenic?
• How To Remove Burmese Cat Hair From Carpet
• Frequenly Asked Questions

Shedding In Burmese Cats

Burmese cats are no different to most cats that shed their fur. 

The amount your cat sheds will depend on their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained below.

However, Burmese cats are known for shedding less than many other breeds.

This, coupled with their relatively short hair, makes Burmese cats a good choice for people with cat allergies.

Burmese cats are a specific breed with a fur pattern associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here).

Shedding By Season

Cats tend to shed more in the spring and autumn months.

This reflects the temperature change and mainly affects cats who spend time outdoors.

In spring, cats shed their thicker undercoat that keeps them warm during winter. With this heavier coat gone, they can keep their bodies cooler in the summer months.

Some cats can suffer from skin irritation due to dry winter conditions and the lack of humidity in our homes. Other cats may have allergies to tree or grass pollen which can cause skin problems during months when pollen levels are high. These skin issues can cause heavier shedding.

Diet

Burmese cats should always be fed a quality, balanced diet.

Although most readily available cat food will have a suitable balance of ingredients, it is still possible for cats to become deficient in specific nutrients. Vitamins A, E and B are necessary to produce and maintain healthy fur; when a cat does not get enough of these, they can shed more than usual.

All cats need plenty of protein to maintain healthy fur. Some dry foods have less protein than wet foods, which often have a higher meat content. If your cat is shedding excessively, switching to a mix of wet and dry food or entirely to wet food could improve this.

Many different food options are available, so experimenting with different ones can help find the right food for your cat to improve their coat and reduce shedding.

Keeping hydrated also keeps your cat’s fur healthy. Read our article to find out how much your cat should drink daily.

Stress and Shedding

If your cat is stressed, they may shed large amounts of fur in clumps.

There are many reasons your cat could be stressed, and it doesn’t always mean something is medically wrong with your cat.

Cats can become stressed from location changes. Bringing a new cat into your home can be a stressful time. Here are tips on introducing a new cat into your home. This is especially true for rescue cats with issues or a troubled past.

Loud noises can be stressful for cats. This can include loud music, excessive traffic noise and thunderstorms. It can be helpful to try and reduce background noise if you notice your cat is shedding lots of fur.

Baths

Most healthy adult Burmese cats rarely require a bath as they regularly groom themselves.

Some older or overweight Burmese cats may have difficulty bathing and need occasional baths to help remove dirt and loose hair.

Cats with certain health conditions, such as skin allergies, may be prescribed frequent baths with medicated shampoo as part of their treatment.

Cats should only be bathed with a specially formulated shampoo designed for use on cats. Cat skin has a different pH, so human shampoo should not be used. Even baby shampoo is too harsh for cats.

Cats will groom themselves after a bath, so all traces of any shampoo must be thoroughly rinsed out so your cat does not consume any residue that could cause them harm.

Indoor vs Outdoor

There is a big difference in the amount that indoor cats shed compared to outdoor cats.

This is because outdoor cats have more exposure to changing climate conditions such as temperature, sunlight and weather.

Outdoor cats will naturally shed more in the summer to help them stay cool in the hotter temperatures. Indoor cats do not have to deal with the same conditions as much, especially in countries where air conditioning is common.

Age & Gender

Older cats tend to shed more than younger cats.

This naturally occurring increase in shedding will become obvious as your cat ages.

Pregnant female cats also shed more than they usually do.

Illness

Shedding is normal for most cats, and illness often reduces how much they shed.

If your cat is shedding more or less than usual, they may have developed a health issue that a vet should check out.

How to Reduce Burmese Cat Shedding

• Groom and brush your cat regularly
• Bathe your cat at least once a month
• Change your cat’s diet
• Keep your cat hydrated
• Give your cat a stress-free environment

Brushing Helps With Shedding

Brushing your cat is one of the best ways to reduce excessive shedding.

Cats will need brushing in different amounts depending on their breed. Read on to learn which breeds shed more than others.

Brushing regularly removes longer hairs and ones ready to fall out anyway. This will prevent fur from falling on your carpet, furniture and clothing.

Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds. Grooming longer-haired cats can be more difficult as their fur easily tangles.

Short-haired cats like Burmese are much easier to groom.

Brushes We Recommend

These brushes are very effective and a favourite for cats who dislike brushing. They are the perfect size, remove a lot of fur and leave your cat’s fur soft and fluffy.

For cats that don’t like normal brushes, gloves can be helpful to get your cat used to being groomed.

Why Do Some Cat Breeds Shed More Than Others?

Some breeds of cats shed more than others but why is this?

This is because cats have different layers of fur and many breeds are double or even triple-layered.

Cats have a mixture of:-

• Down hair
• Awn hair
• Guard hair

Down hair is their thick undercoat which insulates and keeps them warm in the winter.  Awn hair makes up most of the cat’s visible hairs, contributes to coat colour, and helps protect down hairs. Guard hairs are coarse and thicker and help keep your cat dry.

Cat Breeds That Shed More

Below is a list of breeds which 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
• Scottish Fold
• Ragdoll

Are Burmese Cats Hypoallergenic?

Burmese cats are not hypoallergenic.

Like all cats, Burmese cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions.

Burmese cats are no different to other cat breeds in producing this protein. However, they shed less, so they will not spread it as much by shedding fur.

It is still present on their skin and saliva, so there is still a risk of allergies. 

Minimise Allergies

• 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

• Sphynx
• Siberian
• Bengal
• Savannah

How To Remove Burmese Cat Hair From Carpet

If you have a Burmese cat, you’ll know that most of the hair they shed is on the floor.

If you have carpets in your home, it will seem like no matter how much you vacuum, the hair doesn’t go away!

That’s where a handheld carpet scraper comes in handy. This little tool will easily brush all of the cat hair out of your carpet so you can vacuum it up. You will be amazed how easy it is and how much hair appears when you use it.

All cats shed their fur, and Burmese cats are no different. 

The amount your cat sheds will depend on their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained above.

However, Burmese cats are known for shedding less than many other breeds. This, coupled with their relatively short hair, makes Burmese cats a good choice for people with cat allergies.

Frequenly Asked Questions

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