Tabby cats do shed their fur, especially in spring and autumn months.
Key Takeaways:
- Breed Matters: Tabby cats aren’t a specific breed but a fur pattern. Long-haired breeds usually shed less but require more grooming. Short-haired breeds shed more but are easier to groom.
- Seasonal Shedding: Cats shed more during the spring and autumn months. Outdoor cats are affected more by seasonal changes compared to indoor ones.
- Diet and Health: A balanced diet rich in specific nutrients like Vitamins A, E, and B, as well as plenty of protein, can maintain healthy fur and reduce shedding.
- Grooming: Regular brushing is the most effective way to manage shedding, and the type of brush used can make a significant difference.
Read on to find out more!
Do Tabby Cats Shed?
Tabby is a coat pattern rather than a specific breed.
This means they are no different to most cats that shed their fur.
The amount your cat sheds will depend on their domestic cat breed and factors such as their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained below.
Long-haired cats typically shed less. Grooming longer-haired cats can be more challenging as their fur easily tangles.
Short-haired cats shed more but are much easier to groom.
Some pure-breed cats are popular, such as Himalayan and Bengal, which are more likely to have genes that cause hair loss.
Others, such as Sphynx, are bred to be hairless.
Why Do Tabby Cats Shed?
Shedding By Season
Cats shed varying amounts depending on the season and will naturally shed more in the spring and autumn.
This reflects the temperature change and mainly affects cats who spend time outdoors.
When is cat shedding season?
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 have skin irritation due to dry winter conditions and 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 cats do 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 feed your cat 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 cats rarely require a bath as they regularly groom themselves.
Some older or overweight cats may have difficulty washing themselves and might 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 completely 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 weather conditions such as temperature, sunlight and weather.
Outdoor cats will 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 tabby 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 you notice your cat shedding less than usual, it may have developed a health issue that a vet should check out.
How to Reduce Tabby 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 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 tend to shed more but are much easier to groom.
More Tips
- Groom and brush your cat regularly – this is usually the best treatment for excessive shedding in cats
- Bathe your cat at least once a month – normally bathing shouldn’t be required as cats clean themselves but if your cat is shedding more than normal a bath could help
- Change your cat’s diet – your cat may be shedding more than normal due to nutrient deficiencies or allergies to food. Try upgrading to a higher quality food to see if that helps
- Keep your cat hydrated – make sure your cat is drinking enough water
- Give your cat a stress-free environment – a relaxing, quiet environment can prevent cats from shedding more than normal
Why Do Some Tabby 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.
Tabby 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
Tabby Cat Breeds That Shed Less
- Sphynx
- Burmese
- Bengal
- Bombay
- Russian Blue
- Devon Rex
- Cornish Rex
- Colorpoint Shorthair
- Siamese
- Birman
- Oriental
- Tonkinese
- Korat
- Scottish Fold
- Ragdoll
Are Tabby Cats Hypoallergenic?
Tabby cats are not hypoallergenic.
Like all cats, Tabby cats produce the Fel d1 protein in their saliva, fur and urine. This protein is what triggers allergic reactions.
As tabby cats are not a specific breed, they are no different to other cats in producing this protein.
No cat breed is entirely hypoallergenic, but some breeds, such as Siberian cats, produce less Fel d1 protein and can be better for people with cat allergies.
Sphynx cats still produce Fel d1 protein, but because they are hairless, they do not spread it by shedding fur.
It is still present on their skin and saliva, so there is a risk of allergies, but this may be lower than with other breeds.
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 Tabby Cat Breeds For Allergy Sufferers
How To Remove Cat Hair From Carpet
If you have a tabby 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 tabby cats are no different.
Tabby cats have a certain fur pattern and are not a breed. This means they are no different to most cats that shed their fur.
The amount your cat sheds will depend on their breed and factors such as their diet, health, the season and other reasons explained above.
Long-haired cats tend to shed less than short-haired breeds.
Short-haired cats tend to shed more but are much easier to groom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some breeds of cats known to shed less than others include the Sphynx, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex. However, it’s important to note that all cats shed to some extent, so even these breeds may require some grooming.
Some cats, such as the Persian and Himalayan breeds, are known to shed more than others. However, the amount a cat sheds can also depend on individual characteristics and the season.
Tabby cats are not hypoallergenic, but some people may be less allergic to certain cats than others. This is because hypoallergenic cats produce fewer allergens, but no cat is completely hypoallergenic.
Read More: Are Tabby Cats Hypoallergenic?
Indoor cats may shed less than outdoor cats because they are exposed to fewer environmental factors, such as weather changes and other animals, that can trigger shedding. However, regular grooming is still important for all cats to maintain healthy skin and coat.
To reduce cat hair in your house, you can regularly groom your cat with a brush, vacuum your home frequently, use furniture covers or slipcovers, and wash bedding and other fabrics often.
Cats typically start shedding their winter coats around March or April in the spring.
They may also shed their summer coats in the fall, around September or October.
Most cats do not need regular baths because they groom themselves well. However, some cats may benefit from a bath if they have a skin condition or get into something dirty or sticky. It’s important to use cat-specific shampoo and to avoid getting water in their ears or eyes.