Moulting is an occurrence that’s more often associated with birds, reptiles, and bugs. In mammals, like cats and dogs, this is more commonly known as shedding. 

This happens all year round in cats and dogs. If you’re an owner of certain breeds, like the Siberian Husky, you would understand the struggles of moulting or shedding for pet owners. Their fur can go everywhere!

This is why new pet owners must be aware of the moulting cycles in cats and dogs. Knowing why it happens and how often pets shed their fur can help in managing their hairy situations.

Understanding Moulting in Pets

The first thing you must keep in mind is that moulting is a completely natural phenomenon. It happens because cats and dogs grow new hair, so their bodies shed the old ones. This is often seasonal in most pets, but some cats and dogs continuously shed the entire year.

However, you must keep an eye out for excessive shedding. Too much moulting may mean that your pet has a health condition and must be checked by a veterinarian.

Common Reasons for Moulting in Cats and Dogs

While moulting is normal in cats and dogs, it’s still important to know the reasons this happens so you can be prepared when your pet starts shedding.

1. Seasonal Changes

   Animals often shed during the spring and fall seasons. The reason is that during spring, cats and dogs shed their thick undercoats, which helps keep them warm in winter. Their fur becomes lighter and less dense, so they won’t feel too hot in summer.

   
   

   Then, they begin to shed the summer coats they grew in preparation for cold winter days. Heavy shedders will moult more during these seasons and regularly shed their fur on most days.

   
   

2. Age Factors

   Kittens and puppies moult faster and more often than older pets. This is because they are growing rapidly. As their bodies grow bigger, they’ll need to shed their old fur to make way for newer, healthier coats.

   
   

3. Hormonal Fluctuations

   Sometimes, hormones are the culprit in why cats and dogs shed. When there’s movement or an imbalance with their hormones, they may shed more or continuously. It may affect pets that are pregnant or have recently given birth. Newly neutered cats and dogs can also affect their hormones for a while, which may cause moulting.

   
   

4. Genetic Attributes

   Certain cat and dog breeds are considered heavy shedders. These are pets that shed more frequently and in larger amounts of hair compared to others. In some cases, those that have longer coats tend to shed more, but that’s not always the case.

   
   

   Besides the Siberian Husky, Golden Retrievers also tend to moult more, and they also have a genetic condition that leads to excessive hair loss and dandruff. In cats, the long-coated breeds, such as Persians and Maine Coons, shed more than short-coated breeds.

   
   

5. Skin Conditions

   Allergies and infections can also cause your pets to shed, especially if excessive itching is one of the symptoms. Some conditions that can cause shedding include ringworm, mange, and pyoderma. Besides moulting and itching, there will be other signs that your pet has a health issue and would require veterinary intervention.

The Moulting Cycle and How Long It Lasts

A complete moulting cycle can last for around six to seven weeks. It can be longer and more intense during spring as cats and dogs will be shedding their thick winter coats. 

Animals go through four phases of moulting:

1. Anagen – This first stage is when the hair follicles actively grow the current hairs.

2. Catagen – Next is the phase where the current hairs separate from the follicles in preparation for the next stage.

3. Telogen – The third phase is when the follicles slowly grow new hairs under the current ones.

4. Exogen – The final stage would be the moulting or shedding phase. This is when the old hairs fall off from the skin to make way for the new hairs to grow.

Humans also go through this hair growth cycle, but the timing is different for animals. People usually undergo the anagen phase longer than pet cats and dogs. 

Heavy Shedders vs. Low-Shedding Breeds

In many breed guides, information regarding how much and often cats and dogs shed is also included. This is to help potential pet owners decide which pet is the best for them.

Some people have little time for home cleaning and pet grooming, so they prefer low-shedding or non-shedding pets. At the same time, others don’t mind the extra time they give to their pets. Still, they want to know what to expect before getting one.

Here are some examples of heavy shedders and those that shed minimally or do not moult at all.

Heavy-Shedding Dogs

• Akita

• Alaskan Malamute

• American Eskimo

• Border Collie

• Chow Chow

• Dalmatian

• German Shepherd

• Labrador Retriever

• Shiba Inu

• Siberian Husky

Heavy-Shedding Cats

• British Shorthair

• Maine Coon

• Persian

• Russian Blue

• Ragdoll

• Savannah

• Siamese

Low to Non-Shedding Dogs

• Bichon Frise

• Chinese Crested

• Goldendoodle

• Italian Greyhound

• Labradoodle

• Maltese

• Poodle

• Schnauzer

• Shih Tzu

• Yorkshire Terrier

Low to Non-Shedding Cats

• Balinese

• Bengal

• Cornish Rex

• Devon Rex

• Siberian

• Sphynx

Useful Tips on Managing Moulting

When you have a heavy-shedding dog or cat, it doesn’t mean that you’ll end up with a home full of fur. There are several ways you can manage your pet’s moulting.

• Brush and comb your dog or cat daily using special combs for their undercoats.

• Remove the knotted or matted fur with a slicker brush or a de-matting comb.

• Give your pet a balanced diet that contains vitamins A and B, zinc, and unsaturated fatty acids.

• Ask your vet for recommendations on supplements for healthy fur metabolism.

• Use robot vacuum machines that can help clean up fur regularly and efficiently.

Taking your cat or dog to a professional groomer can also help manage the shedding. They use specialized tools and products to remove dead and loose hairs. You can bring your pet during the heavy moulting seasons to lessen the fur in your home.

When Shedding Becomes a Health Concern

Cat and dog shedding is normal and only becomes a concern when you find other symptoms with it.

Observe whether your pet is excessively scratching and when the area on their body is starting to go bald or becoming red. Check whether their skins appear scaly or if they’re producing dandruff. 

Other symptoms like weakness, irritability, diarrhea, or vomiting might be pointing out that your pet is severely ill. 

If you notice any minor or serious symptoms accompanying your pet’s shedding, bring them to the vet clinic immediately. A veterinarian can provide an accurate diagnosis and give effective treatment for their condition.

Conclusion

There’s no need to worry if you find too much pet fur around your home, especially if you have a cat or dog that sheds heavily. Moulting is natural and can be managed with enough knowledge about it.

Remember that proper nutrition, grooming, and occasionally bringing your pet to the groomer can help in managing and lessening the shedding in your home.

Still, not all shedding occurrences are healthy, as they might already be a sign that your pet is sick. It’s important to monitor them closely for any signs of infections, allergies, or parasites.