All cats shed their fur, and Scottish Fold cats are no different.Â
Key Takeaways:
- Shedding Patterns: Scottish Fold cats shed similar amounts to most other cat breeds. The shedding varies based on factors like diet, health, and season. They can have either short or dense, long fur.
- Grooming and Maintenance: Regular brushing can significantly reduce shedding. Short-haired Scottish Folds are easier to groom compared to their long-haired counterparts. Baths are rarely needed but may benefit some older or overweight cats.
- Seasonal and Environmental Factors: These cats tend to shed more during the spring and autumn. Outdoor cats shed differently than indoor cats, and factors like age, stress, and diet also influence the amount of shedding.
- Not Hypoallergenic: Scottish Folds are not a hypoallergenic breed. Like all cats, they produce the Fel d1 protein that can trigger allergic reactions, particularly when shed.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about managing and understanding shedding in your Scottish Fold cat.
Table of Contents
- Shedding In Scottish Fold Cats
- How to Reduce Scottish Fold Cat Shedding
- Why Do Some Cat Breeds Shed More Than Others?
- Are Scottish Fold Cats Hypoallergenic?
- How To Remove Scottish Fold Cat Hair From Carpet
- Do Scottish Fold Cats Shed? Final Thoughts
Shedding In Scottish Fold Cats
Scottish Fold 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.
Scottish Fold cats shed a similar amount to most cat breeds.
They can be either short-haired or long-haired. The short-haired cats have thick, soft fur, while the long-haired cats have incredibly dense fur around their legs and tail.
Scottish Fold 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
Scottish Fold cats tend to shed more in the spring and autumn months.
This reflects the temperature change and mainly affects cats who spend much 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
Scottish Fold 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 existing issues or troubled pasts.
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 Scottish Fold 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 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 Scottish Fold 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 more or less than usual, they may have developed a health issue that a vet should check out.
How to Reduce Scottish Fold 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 the fur from falling out on your carpet, furniture and clothing.
Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds. Grooming longer-haired cats can be more challenging as their fur easily tangles.
Short-haired Scottish Fold cats are much easier to groom than their longer-haired counterparts.
Brushes We Recommend
This brush is very effective and a favourite for cats who don’t normally like being brushed. 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.
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 Scottish Fold Cats Hypoallergenic?
Scottish Fold cats are not hypoallergenic.
Scottish Fold cats, like all cats, produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions.
Scottish Fold cats are no different to other cat breeds in producing this protein, and when they shed their fur this spreads the protein around and can trigger allergies.
It is also 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
How To Remove Scottish Fold Cat Hair From Carpet
If you have a Scottish Fold 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.
Do Scottish Fold Cats Shed? Final Thoughts
All cats shed their fur, and Scottish Fold cats are no different.
The amount your cat sheds will depend on their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained above.
Scottish Fold cats shed a similar amount to most cat breeds.
They can be either short-haired or long-haired. The short-haired cats have thick, soft fur, while the long-haired cats have incredibly dense fur around their legs and tail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sottish Fold cats are relatively low-maintenance pets.
While Sphynx cats shed the least because it has no hair, Bengals and Siberian cats shed less than other breeds.
Scottish Fold cats can suffer from a degenerative joint disease, which can cause issues with their tail, ankles and knees.
Scottish Fold cats are usually very friendly and well-tempered. They aren’t hugely active, so they will often want to cuddle.
Scottish Fold cats are very friendly and sociable, so they should not be left alone for long periods. Often having two cats can help as they will keep each other company.
Scottish Fold cats can live to around 15 years old.
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