If you are lucky enough to have a furry feline in your family, you’re probably very familiar with a lint roller. Cats’ beautiful hair coats definitely come with one major caveat: shedding. It may seem like the shedding is constant, but there are actually variations in hair growth with seasons and with hormones.
Feline fur is super important, albeit annoying to clean off your upholstery. The cat’s coat acts as a mechanical barrier protecting the skin, and plays a very important role in thermoregulation.
What is a winter coat?
Hair can refer to the individual strands that make up the pelage (fur), whereas fur generally refers to the pelage as a whole. Also, the pelage is usually collectively called hair when there are no secondary hairs that make up any kind of undercoat. The undercoat is usually comprised of shorter fuzzy hairs. Fur is used to refer to a pelage that consists of both outer primary hairs and a fuzzy undercoat or secondary hairs.
The type of fur or hair is very dependent on the species of animal (for example cat vs dog) and the breed (Maine Coon vs Rex). Long haired cats will have a much different shedding pattern than their short haired cousins. In addition, the conditions that the pet lives in will also dictate fur growth. Cats that are kept primarily outdoors will have different hair coats than indoor only cats.
How fast does cat fur grow per month?
Hair growth varies based on the region of the body (face vs abdomen vs back), and depending on hair type (long vs short), but it is reported to be 0.25 -- 0.3 mm daily. Which is about 9 mm per month on average.
When does a cat’s winter coat grow in?
In natural lighting situations, cats’ hair sheds most in the spring and fall, at which time they replace their summer and winter coats. Sunlight is a trigger for the hormones that regulate coat growth and shedding. Hair grows the fastest after these seasonal sheds, and the fall growth is typically faster than the spring growth. The difference is pretty minimal, indicating that despite some seasonality to feline hair growth, replacement growth after shedding is mostly gradual and consistent1.
How can I help keep my cat’s hair coat healthy?
Regular brushing is important for longer haired cats, but can help keep a coat shiny and healthy in short haired cats too. Using a bristle brush can help distribute oils from the skin onto the hair shafts, protecting them and making them shiny. Using a comb on longer haired cats can help keep the coat tangle and mat free. Most cats don’t need to be bathed, as they tend to be fastidious groomers.
Tips for keeping cats warm in the winter
The very best way to keep your cat comfy in the winter is to keep them indoors. Indoor cats tend to be healthier with less injuries and illnesses than their outdoor counterparts. If Fluffy insists on exploring the great outdoors in the wintertime, be sure she comes inside at night, or is provided with a warm place to shelter.
So, the next time you grumble about all that fur on your couch, remember how important shedding is, and how all those cat hairs are keeping your cat’s skin protected and body warm! Pets Best Pet Insurance can also keep your cat protected. Get started on a quote today!
1Ryder, M. L. (1976). Seasonal changes in the coat of the cat. Research in Veterinary Science, 21(3), 280-283.