26.08.2022

Siberian cat shedding—what is normal, and what is a cause for concern?

All cats shed, but the shedding intensity depends on various factors—breed, season, health, diet, and temperature in your home. When it comes to Siberian cats, whose fur is meant to protect them from the harsh weather of Siberia, the shedding is substantial but not over the top. They have a thick coat and a dense undercoat, which is a lot of hair that needs to change periodically.

It is essential to differentiate between the normal amount of shedding and excessive hair loss caused by an underlying health problem. To help you understand the Siberian cat shedding patterns, Untamed explains how much and how frequently these felines shed, including if and when to visit the vet.

How much do Siberian cats shed?

Siberian cats shed moderately—less than many breeds with a similar coat type. They won't typically leave loads of hair behind after lying on your lap or any other surface.

Most of the shedding occurs twice a year:

1. In spring, when they lose extra fur that kept them warm during the winter
2. In autumn, when they start growing new undercoats preparing for the cold months

You can expect heavier shedding in spring because Siberian cats' winter fur is longer and heavier. It is water-resistant and heat-preserving to protect them from the weather.

Can you regulate Siberian cat shedding?

Shedding is a natural process, so there isn't much you can do to control it. You can get your Siberian cat to sleep in a colder room, which might stop or reduce shedding, but there are no guarantees it will work.

Sterilised felines who live indoors might cause you a bit more trouble because they may not have distinct shedding seasons and often shed the same throughout the year.

The only thing you can do to ensure your Siberian cat has a healthy coat and prevent uncontrollable shedding is regular grooming and a quality diet.

How to groom your Siberian cat

Cats are incredibly clean creatures. They groom themselves and look beautiful even without your intervention. That may lead you to think you don't have to tend to your Siberian cat's fur much, but it would be a mistake.

As felines groom themselves, they ingest a lot of the dead hair, which leads to annoying hairballs. While hairballs are normal, if they become too common, they may cause problems in your kitty's upper digestive tract, leading to:

• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Low appetite

Regular grooming (and a well-balanced, protein-rich diet) is the best way to minimise hairballs, prevent potential health problems, and keep shedding under control.

Although Siberian cats have thick and long fur, their grooming is not demanding. Here are the steps to take:

1. Brushing—A Siberian cat's hair doesn't tangle easily, so brushing them once or twice a week should suffice. During the spring moulting season, you may need to do it more often. Brush your feline with a soft-bristled brush or a metal comb, whatever your kitty enjoys more. You can skip the tail because it doesn't shed
2. Bathing—Siberian cats have a somewhat oily coat that keeps their skin healthy and preserves heat. Bathing them too often can mess up their skin’s PH values, so only bathe your kitty when they get dirty. If someone in your household suffers from cat allergies, bathing them more often may help reduce allergens, but don't overdo it—once or twice a year is enough. Keep in mind that it may take as long as 45 minutes to thoroughly soak your Siberian cat's fur because of its thickness

Additional grooming steps

Besides tending to their coat, there are a few more steps to Siberian cat grooming:

• Nail trimming—Cut your kitty's claws using special nail clippers when necessary. Make sure to cut only the tip of the claw
• Teeth brushing—Clean your feline's teeth as frequently as you can. It will prevent gum issues that can lead to teeth loss and many other health issues because dental problems can be painful and lead to the loss of appetite and severe infections
• Ear cleaning—Clean your kitty's ears at least once a week using a cotton ball and mild vet-recommended cleanser

Should you cut your Siberian cat's fur?

Touch my luscious mane, and you get the silent treatment for a year.

Source: Вера Мезенкова

If you live in a warmer climate, you can and should cut your Siberian cat's fur in the summer.

You can help your kitty cool down by cutting or shaving the hair on the belly. It will be easier for them to lower their body temperature while lying on the floor.

When is shedding a cause for concern?

Shedding happens naturally, and it can intensify when the weather changes. You should be worried if your Siberian cat:

• Loses fur in patches
• Bites or scratches certain spots intensively
• Sheds excessively

The most common reasons for abnormal hair loss include:

• Stress
• Hormonal imbalance
• Illnesses
• Allergies
• Poor diet

Stress

Give me your attention, and I’ll be fine.

Source: Inge Wallumrød

Felines can respond poorly to environmental changes and develop obsessive-compulsive disorders, such as overgrooming. When cats lick themselves excessively, they usually start losing hair in patches.

The common stressors include:

• Moving homes
• Lack of stimulation
• Loneliness
• New family members
• Abrupt changes in their routine

Hormonal imbalance

Excessive shedding can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism. This condition typically affects older females. Besides shedding, the symptoms include:

• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination

Illnesses

If your Siberian cat loses hair in clumps, they may suffer from:

• Kidney disease
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Liver disease
• Cancer

When your feline friend sheds excessively, it’s always wise to have them checked by a vet.

Allergies

I long for the great outdoors, but the hooman says that green stuff makes me itchy.

Source: Lesli Whitecotton

Felines can have allergic reactions to food, other animals, and various environmental agents.

Check out the table below to see the common allergens:

Poor diet

An inadequate diet is the most common cause of skin problems in felines and a major contributor to many other diseases, such as:

1. Heart disease
2. Joint issues
3. Obesity
4. Diabetes

Balanced nutrition can prevent various health problems and reduce shedding.

What's the best diet for your Siberian cat?

If you want your Siberian cat to look and feel fantastic, you must feed them adequate portions of high-quality food. Your kitty’s meal plan should resemble their natural eating patterns.

In the wild, felines catch small animals, such as mice, birds, slugs, lizards, and larger insects like moths. For domesticated cats, protein-rich cat food—wet, dry, raw, or homemade—will do the trick.

It means that each meal you give your kitty should contain:

1. Animal protein
2. Animal fat

Animal protein

A meat-based diet is the best you can do for your Siberian cat.

Image (c) Untamed

Meat and fish are the most important ingredients in cat food. They are the only source of essential amino acids necessary for:

• Maintaining normal energy levels
• Building muscles
• Supporting normal organ function
• Promoting hair growth

Since felines are obligate carnivores, vegan or vegetarian diets are not suitable options. Plant proteins can be hard on a cat's stomach and cause numerous digestive issues, including:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Flatulence
• Indigestion

Vegetables also don't provide essential amino acids that cats need to stay healthy, so avoid products containing:

• Peas
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Beans
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Rice
• Corn or sweetcorn
• Wheat

Animal fat

Animal fat is necessary because it delivers healthy fatty acids that support the healing process, improve the immune system, and regulate inflammation. It will help your Siberian cat overcome any skin and coat issues faster.

Fat is also super tasty, and kitties enjoy its rich aroma. It is crucial because the healthiest food in the world won't do anything if your cat won't eat it.

Essential micronutrients 

To ensure your Siberian cat's coat is healthy and luscious, their meals should contain the necessary micronutrients, as presented in the table below:

Your Siberian cat will get all the micro and macronutrients they need to be healthy and have a gorgeous coat from lean meat and fish.

Here is what the ideal composition of cat food should be:

How can you keep your Siberian cat's coat healthy with Untamed?

Your Siberian cat will love our tasty dishes, and they will get a box to play with too!

Image (c) Untamed

Untamed provides your Siberian with all the nutrients they need to be healthy, happy, and pretty.

Our meals are:

• Made with human-grade quality meat and fish—Our tins contain at least 60% of meat and fish, delivering two times more protein than the industry standard
• Formulated by vets—We cooperate with vets to ensure our dishes are balanced, complete, and suitable for all felines, whether they are:
• Kittens who need high-quality food to grow up healthy and strong
• Adults who need to stay active and fit
• Neutered males struggling to maintain a healthy weight
• Pregnant queens in need of extra energy to raise healthy kittens
• Seniors who keep losing muscle tone or have dental problems
• Sick kitties recuperating from a serious illness
• Free from all known allergens—We steer clear of additives, artificial colourants, flavours, and harmful ingredients
• Tasty and easy to digest—Even fussy eaters approve of our paw-licking recipes and always come back for more. Our gentle steaming process keeps all the nutrients and deliciousness locked in and ensures our meals are easy on your feline's tummy

Untamed also cares about the environment, so we make sure that:

• We only cooperate with cruelty-free and sustainable suppliers
• Our packaging is fully recyclable
• Our operations are carbon-footprint neutral

Try Untamed and get the best of the best for your Siberian kitty. Watch their coats get softer and shinier by the day!

How to sign up for a trial pack

Ordering healthy meals online for your Siberian cat is as simple as one-two-three!

Follow these three steps and get a trial pack right at your doorstep in a day, without additional shipping charges:

1. Tell us about your Siberian cat
2. Create a tailor-made meal plan based on your kitty's preferences, life stage, and allergies
3. Complete your order

Once your feline companion samples our delicacies and picks their favourites, we can keep you stocked with regular monthly deliveries. You can change, postpone, or cancel your order at any time.

According to many satisfied cat parents whose felines have already switched to Untamed gravy and jelly recipes, you can expect the following results:

1. After a week—Neater litter tray, regulated bowel movement, easy digestion
2. After two months—Stronger and more defined muscles, reduced shedding, no mood swings
3. Within four months—Prettier coat, fewer hairballs, no food allergies
4. Life-long—Healthy eating habits, effortless weight control, efficient immune response, fewer health niggles

Are Siberian cats hypoallergenic?

Are you going to sneeze at me again? Please don’t.

Source: Phan Võ Minh Kỳ

No cat breed is entirely hypoallergenic. What people who suffer from cat allergies react to is a specific protein—Fel d 1. The substance is present in feline saliva, dander, and urine. The hair is only a carrier.

As cats groom themselves, they leave traces of saliva on their fur. The allergen Fel d 1 becomes airborne as it dries and spreads everywhere. Even if a cat doesn't shed much, you will have a problem in case you suffer from cat allergies.

The good news is that Siberian cats produce less Fel d 1 protein than most other breeds, making these kitties suitable for cat-allergy sufferers. Since shedding intensity can potentially affect the severity of allergic reactions, you should groom your feline friend regularly to remove dead fur and dander.