Before getting a Siamese cat one of the most common questions is do Siamese cats shed?
Yes, Siamese cats do shed, but less than many other breeds!
This, coupled with their relatively short hair, makes Siamese cats a good choice for people with cat allergies.
Read on to learn more!
Table of Contents
- Important Facts About Shedding In Siamese Cats
- Why Do Some Cats Shed More Than Others?
- Are Siamese Cats Hypoallergenic?
- Minimise Allergies
- Best Breeds For Allergy Sufferers
- How To Remove Siamese Cat Hair From Carpet
- Do Siamese Cats Shed? Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
Siamese 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.
Siamese cats are a specific breed with a fur pattern associated with the group of tabby cats (read more about tabby cats here).
Important Facts About Shedding In Siamese Cats
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 cats like Siamese 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, these gloves can be helpful to get your cat used to being groomed.
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 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.
Diet
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 how to introduce 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 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, 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 standard.
Age & Gender
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 Siamese 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
Why Do Some Cats 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
- Ragdoll
Are Siamese Cats Hypoallergenic?
Siamese cats are not hypoallergenic.
Like all cats, Siamese cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions.
Siamese cats are no different to other cat breeds in producing this protein. However, they shed less, so they will not spread it around 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
How To Remove Siamese Cat Hair From Carpet
If you have a Siamese 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 Siamese Cats Shed? Summary
All cats shed their fur and Siamese cats are no different.
The amount your cat sheds will depend on their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained above.
Siamese cats shed less than many other breeds. This, coupled with their relatively short hair, makes Siamese cats a good choice for people with cat allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Siamese cats are not considered hypoallergenic. However, some individuals with allergies may find that they have fewer allergic reactions or milder symptoms around Siamese cats compared to other breeds. It’s important to spend time with a Siamese cat before bringing one into your home to see how you personally react to their dander.
Siamese cats are generally low to moderate shedders. While they do shed, their short coat makes grooming and managing their fur easier compared to long-haired breeds. Regular brushing can help minimize shedding and keep their coat healthy.
Siamese cats are generally considered low maintenance in terms of their grooming needs. Their short coat requires minimal brushing, and they typically groom themselves well. However, they do require attention, mental stimulation, and companionship, which should be taken into account when considering their overall maintenance needs.
While Siamese cats have many positive traits, it’s important to consider some potential cons as well. Siamese cats are known for being vocal and demanding attention, which may not be suitable for all households. They can also have high energy levels and require mental and physical stimulation. Additionally, their social nature may make them prone to separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
Many Siamese cats enjoy being picked up and held, especially if they have a strong bond with their owner. However, individual preferences can vary, and some Siamese cats may have their own comfort levels with being picked up or carried. It’s important to respect their boundaries and provide positive and gentle handling.
Related: Are Siamese Cats Affectionate?
Siamese cats have an average lifespan of around 12 to 15 years. However, with proper care, nutrition, and regular veterinary check-ups, some Siamese cats can live into their late teens or even early twenties.
Siamese cats are generally adaptable to both indoor and outdoor environments. However, they are known to be more susceptible to certain health risks when allowed to roam outdoors, such as accidents, exposure to diseases, or encounters with other animals. Keeping Siamese cats as indoor pets can help ensure their safety and well-being. Providing them with a stimulating indoor environment, including toys, scratching posts, and interactive play, can help keep them mentally and physically engaged.
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