Shedding is a factor that soon-to-be cat owners should consider when deciding between breeds.
So, do Chartreux cats shed?
Key Takeaways
- Chartreux cats are known to shed more than many other cat breeds, especially during the Spring.
- Regular brushing can significantly help in managing a Chartreux cat’s shedding.
- The amount a Chartreux cat sheds can be influenced by several factors such as diet, stress, and seasonality.
- Chartreux cats are not hypoallergenic. Extra precautions like frequent vacuuming and air filtration may be necessary for homes with allergy sufferers.
Read on to determine whether these cats are the right choice for you.
Shedding In Chartreux Cats
Chartreux cats are known for shedding more than many other breeds, especially in the Spring.
How does the season affect shedding in Chartreux cats?
Cats tend to shed more in the spring and autumn months.
This reflects the temperature change and mainly affects cats who spend a lot of 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.
How diet affects shedding
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.
Does stress affect how much a Chartreux cat sheds?
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.
Should you bath a Chartreux cat?
Most healthy adult cats rarely require a bath as they regularly groom themselves.
Some older or overweight cats may have difficulty bathing themselves and, therefore, may need occasional baths to remove 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 than human skin, 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 cats
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 standard.
Do older cats shed more?
Older cats tend to shed more than younger cats.
This naturally occurring increase in shedding will become evident 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 less than usual, they may have developed a health issue that a vet should check out.
How to Reduce Chartreux Cat Shedding
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 falling on your carpet, furniture and clothing.
Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds. Longer-haired cats can be more challenging to groom as their fur easily tangles.
Short-haired cats like Chartreuxs are much easier to groom.
Brushes We Recommend
This brush is very effective and a favourite for cats who dislike brushing. It’s a perfect size, removes a lot of fur and leaves your cat’s fur soft and fluffy.
For cats that don’t like normal brushes, these gloves can be helpful to get your cat used to being groomed.
- 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
Why Do Chartreux Cats Shed More Than Other Breeds?
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 Chartreux Cats Hypoallergenic?
Chartreux cats are not hypoallergenic.
Like all cats, Chartreux cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions.
Chartreux cats are no different to other cat breeds in producing this protein. However, they shed more than many other cat breeds, so they will spread it around by shedding fur.
It is also still present on their skin and saliva, so there is a great risk of allergies.
How To Minimise Cat 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
How To Remove Chartreux Cat Hair From Carpet
If you have a Chartreux cat, you’ll know that a lot of the hair they shed ends up 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 the cat hair out of your carpet so you can vacuum it up. You will be amazed at how easy it is and how much hair appears when you use it.
Final Thoughts
All cats shed their fur, and Chartreux cats are no different.
The amount your cat sheds will depend on their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained above.
However, Chartreux cats are known for shedding more than many other breeds, especially in the Spring. This, coupled with their relatively short hair, makes Chartreuxs a poor choice for people with cat allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no definitive “number 1” hypoallergenic cat as individual allergic reactions can vary. However, some cat breeds are often considered better for allergy sufferers, including the Sphynx, Russian Blue, and Balinese.
Chartreux cats are generally not known for being excessively vocal. They tend to have a softer and quieter voice than other cat breeds.
Chartreux cats can adapt well to both indoor and outdoor environments. However, keeping them primarily indoors can help protect them from potential dangers and ensure their safety.
Chartreux cats are not typically aggressive. They are known for their gentle and calm nature, making them good companions and family pets.
Chartreux cats have an average lifespan of around 12 to 15 years. Some can even live into their late teens or early twenties with proper care.
Chartreux cats are known for their distinctive copper or gold-colored eyes, complementing their blue-gray coat. The orange eye color is a characteristic of the breed.
The eyes are the main physical feature that will help you differentiate between Chartreux and Russian blue. Chartreux has brilliant, deep orange eyes. On the other hand, Russian blue has vivid, intense green eyes.
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