Cats often shed, which is normal. But excessive shedding could be due to sensitivities and food allergies that can be treated with a proper diet.
So, what should you feed your cat to prevent excessive shedding? You’ll need cat food that promotes a healthy coat while providing complete and essential nutritional support.
Shedding in cats has been one of the most common problems I have encountered in my veterinary clinical experience. Hence, I naturally got to test many cat foods to bring you some of my favorites based on their effectiveness.
My top pick for cats that shed is Purina ONE, Tender Selects Blend. It is specifically suitable for cats with sensitive skin and stomachs.
- Value For Money Cat Food
- Packed With Vitamins And Minerals For Strong Coat Hair
- Antioxidants And Fatty Acids For Good Skin And Coat Health
It has the essential omega-6 fatty acids, which keep the cat’s coat and skin healthy and strong. A healthy coat means less shedding.
No matter what your cat is going through that is causing it to shed, whether skin problems, bad fur, or digestive issues, I have used my veterinary experience and hours of detailed research to carefully select the best cat foods for shedding in cats.
This Article Will Explain & Discuss:
- Features & Benefits of 10 Best Cat Food For Shedding In Cats
- Preferred Ingredients In Cat Food For Cats Who Shed
- Causes of Shedding In Cats & Solutions
- FAQs Regarding Shedding
Our Quick Comparison On The 10 Best Cat Food For Shedding
| Image | Product | Features | Shop On |
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BEST PREMIUM  |
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BEST BUDGET  |
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BEST NATURAL  |
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BEST FOR OLDER CATS  |
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BEST VETERINARY RECOMMENDED  |
| Chewy | |
BEST FOR ALLERGENS  |
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BEST HIGH PROTEIN  |
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BEST WET FOOD  |
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BEST GRAIN FREE  |
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Our Detailed Reviews On The 10 Best Cat Food For Shedding
1) Purina ONE, Tender Selects Blend
- First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Rice Flour, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 34.0% min, Crude Fat 15.0% min, Crude Fiber 2.0% max, Moisture 12.0% max
- Caloric Content: 4,053 kcal/kg, 388 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Indoor, Natural, With Grain
- Food Form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: Adults
Why Is It The Best Cat Food For Shedding?
The first ingredient in this flavor-packed cat food by Purina is real salmon. Omega-6 fatty acids also nourish your cat’s fur to keep it healthy and soft while keeping the skin fresh.
The salmon keeps the muscles and heart strong while keeping your cat playful and active. It is easily digestible, so it suits cats with sensitive stomachs through natural prebiotic fiber. These constituents also keep immunity strong, keeping terminal illnesses that may cause shedding at bay.
It also contains vitamins A and E, which maintains cats’ sight, and the calcium keeps their teeth strong. These vitamins and minerals also support fur maintenance.
Since I specifically recommend chemical-free foods in my clinical practice, this too has no artificial additives.
- It Has Shown Significant Changes In The Fur of Cats
- Makes Fur Healthy, Shiny, And Thick
- Includes Chicken Meal
2) ORIJEN, Original Cat
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Giblets, Flounder
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 40.0% (min), Crude Fat 20.0% (min), Crude Fiber 20.0% (max), Moisture 10.0% (max)
- Caloric Content: 4120 kcal/kg, 515 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, High-Protein, Gluten Free, Natural, Raw
- Food Form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: Adult
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
Orijen Original Cat contains 90% premium ingredients, including fish and meat which takes care of the digestive health, skin, and coat health of the cat. The meats used are raw and fresh, high protein with turkey and fish.
It is full of nutrition to keep your cat and its fur coat healthy and strong. Made with premium quality ingredients, it also contains kibble coated with freeze-dried raw meat to keep it fresh, and flavourful.
I find raw ingredients to be the best for cats who shed as they are unprocessed and resemble their diet in the wild. It contains WholePrey which means animal organs and bones which ensure good immunity and coat health of your cat.
- Makes Coat Shiny, Velvety, Thick, Strong, And Healthier
- It Seems To Work Really Well With Most Cats, But Some Cats Do Not Like The Organic Taste
3) Purina Beyond, Simply Grain Free
- First 5 Ingredients: Hake, Chicken Meal, Cassava Root Flour, Dried Egg Product , Pea Starch
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 35.0% min, Crude Fat 14.0% min, Crude Fiber 4.0% max, Moisture 9.0% max
- Caloric Content: 3,570 kcal/kg, 392 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Gluten Free, High-Protein, Natural
- Food form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: Adult
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
Purina Beyond is amongst cheaper cat foods that offers a high-protein, natural cat food option. It is made with real, wild-caught whitefish. Also free of artificial additives and preservatives, it protects your cat from harmful chemicals. These chemicals may play a part in developing illnesses that may cause shedding and hair loss.
I have experienced this food pump up my cats at the adoption program full of energy, making them more active and playful. It also contains natural probiotics for good digestive health. Natural nutrition keeps the cat healthy and gives it a shiny coat.
No corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products ensure that the meal is wholesome and also prevents the chances of skin allergies that cause shedding.
There are no grains in this mix, meaning the food is made of complete animal-based protein without fillers. The added vitamins and minerals are essential to keep the fur thick and strong.
- Lessens Shedding Cats
- Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight
- The Kibble Size Is Too Large For Some Cats.
- Needs More Chewing Before Swallowing
- May Not Be Very Suitable For Cats With Tooth Problems.
4) Instinct Original, Grain-Free
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 42.5% min, Crude Fat 22.5% min, Crude Fiber 3.0% max, Moisture 9.0% max
- Caloric Content: 4,456 kcal/kg, 557 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Natural, High-Protein, Premium
- Food Form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: Adult & Kitten
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
Instinct Original contains high animal protein in the form of good-quality, natural chicken. High protein in cat food is responsible for forming the protein in cat hair. This is required for good hair growth. On the other hand, protein encourages energy and physical growth.
The real animal ingredients, fruits and vegetables in this mix keep the cat fulfilled with essential nutrients which also contribute towards a good coat.
The mix of fish and chicken along with natural DHA forms a good protein quantity for a healthy brain, eye, and coat health. Hence, I feed it to my kittens as well.
This cat food recipe also contains natural, active probiotics, omegas, and antioxidants that are good for digestion, which eradicates illnesses that cause shedding in cats. It also provides the cat with good immunity to prevent illnesses in the long run.
Raw nutrition gives cats a good pump of flavor with nutrition that is unprocessed and is superior to processed or cooked food.
- Contains Good Protein
- Provides Good, Shiny, Healthy Coats Of Fur
- Lesser Carbs & Gives Energy
- Does Not Smell Very Good Which Can Be Due To The Organic, Raw Substances
5) Iams ProActive Health, Healthy Senior
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 34.0% min, Crude Fat 17.0% min, Crude Fiber 3.0% max, Moisture 10.0% max
- Caloric Content: 3746 kcal/kg, 399 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Pea-Free, With Grain
- Food Form: Freeze-Dried Food, Corn Grits, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
- Lifestage: Senior
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
IAMs proactive health is good cat food for senior cats with excessive shedding. It made my older cats energetic and built muscles which helped reduce shedding. Lazy cats can get overweight, leading to bad fur quality due to immobility. The L-carnitine in this food helps cats maintain good body weight without obesity.
Vitamin E and antioxidants in this food keep the cat’s immunity strong as required for older cats which prevent long-term illnesses like certain cancers which can lead to shedding.
It has calcium and phosphorus which makes bones and joints healthy resulting in active and energetic senior cats.
Crunchy kibble helps to avoid plaque buildup on the teeth and gives your cat good, strong teeth and gums.
- Revitalization In The Fur of Older Cats
- Some Cats Tend To Not Go Crazy About It Which Also Keeps Them From Overeating
6) Royal Canin, Hydrolyzed Protein
- First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chicken Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Natural Flavors
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24.0% min, Crude Fat 18.0% min, Crude Fiber 5.7% max, Moisture 8.0% max
- Caloric Content: 3,940 kcal/kg, 351 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Hydrolyzed Protein, With Grain
- Food Form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: Adult
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
Royal Canin presents its veterinary winner cat food. This is a limited-ingredient cat food and can be good for cats going through an elimination diet to figure out food allergies that cause them to shed.
This food is made of hydrolyzed protein which is good for the strength of the cat’s hair. It helps to reduce skin reactions that can occur due to various protein sources found in cat food.
Such foods recommended by many vets, like myself, are good for those pet owners who are very cautious and sensitive about their cats.
There is also a factor that the proteins may be broken down in the cat’s body to such a size that is not recognized by the immune system. The formula of this cat food helps to prevent that situation from happening too.
It makes the skin barrier strong from overall nutrition which eradicates skin irritation or sensitivity and keeps the digestion healthy as well through added prebiotics and fibers.
- Relieves Cats of Itchy Coats
- Improves Problems Related To Shedding
- The Packaging Only Comes In a Big-Sized Bag
7) Purina Pro Plan, LiveClear
- First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Wheat Flour
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 36.0% min, Crude Fat 16.0% min, Crude Fiber 2.0% max, Moisture 12.0% max
- Caloric Content: 4,225 kcal/kg, 561 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: High-Protein, With Grain
- Food Form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: Adult
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
Purina LiveClear brings a very unique formula to the market, which claims that it is the pioneer for cat food that is sourced from eggs to normalize a major allergen found in the saliva of cats, Fel-D1. It reduces the allergens in cats safely and simply with it’s ingredients.
It has been created with extensive research that reduces the major allergen that causes shedding by an average of 47%, after three weeks of regular intake.
The main ingredient in this dry cat food is salmon. The oils found in salmon are also good to reduce shedding in cats.
It is high in protein and is very good for cat skin and coat care. It also has live probiotics for good digestive health and to prevent long-term illnesses through lasting immunity.
- Considerably Reduces Shedding And
- Works For Hypoallergenic Cats
- The Package Is Not Sealable
8) Taste of the Wild, Rocky Mountain
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat, Pea Protein
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 42.0% min, Crude Fat 18.0% min, Crude Fiber 3.0% max, Moisture 10.0% max
- Caloric Content: 3,745 kcal/kg, 425 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, High-Protein
- Food Form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: Adult
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
Taste of the Wild brings this smoky, roasted version of fine, high-quality protein for your feline friend. The protein in this mix totals 42%, making bones and joints strong.
The salmon in this food as the main ingredient encourages lean fats, creating a healthy body mass condition. Essential oils, which prevent shedding, are provided to your cat through the salmon as well.
Additionally, the vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids make the coat shiny and new. The ingredients of this grain-free recipe are from trusted sources, supplemented with fruits and vegetables like potatoes and peas.
- High In Protein
- Less Hair Fall
- Maintains Body Weight
- Some Cats May Not Like It As It Has a Strong Smell
9) Purina Pro Plan Focus, Sensitive Skin & Stomach
- First 5 Ingredients: Tuna, Meat By-Products, Water, Ocean Whitefish, OatMeal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 10.0% min, Crude Fat 4.0% min, Crude Fiber 1.5% max, Moisture 78.0% max
- Caloric Content: 1,028 kcal/kg, 87 kcal/can
- Type of Product: Wet Cat Food in the form of Pate
- Food Form: High-Protein, Sensitive Digestion, With Grain
- Lifestage: Adult
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
Purina Pro Plan Focus, has real tuna as its first ingredient that focuses on the cat’s skin health.
Through good, healthy skin, shedding can be prevented. Tuna is high in protein which keeps the cat’s skin and fur health strong.
The vitamins, minerals, and taurine in this canned cat food keeps your cat healthy overall with a soft and smooth fur coat.
The oatmeal included in it is easy to digest to avoid any health issues regarding digestion that may cause shedding.
- Improves Coat Health
- Relieves Cats of Shedding, Like Itchy Skin And Sensitivity
- Cats, Who Do Not Prefer Crunchy Food, May Avoid This Wet Food.
- Food Contains Oats, So You Might Want To Check Your Cat For Allergies.
10) American Journey, Turkey & Chicken Recipe
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Dried Egg Product
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 40.0% min, Crude Fat 15.0% min, Crude Fiber 4.0% max, Moisture 10.0% max
- Caloric Content: 3,670 kcal/kg or 395 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, High-Protein
- Food Form: Dry Cat Food
- Lifestage: All Life Stages
Why Is It a Good Cat Food For Cats Who Shed?
This dry cat food mix by American Journey is a good choice for cats that shed. It contains 40% high-quality protein from real turkey which is its main ingredient.
When I tested this food out for my cats, I was really happy with their digestive health as the antioxidants, fruits, and vegetables like carrots, and pumpkins provide easy digestion and packed full of nutrition for good stomach health.
Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids present in this food will give your cat a shiny, thick fur coat. It also includes taurine, which works for stronger hair as well as a healthy heart and eyes.
It is made of wholesome goodness and is free from fillers or by-products like wheat, soy or corn that some cats may be allergic to and are also used as fillers which brings the quality of food down.
- Improves The Coat Health of Many Cats
- The New Version of This Product Has a Smaller Kibble, Which May Be Less Attractive For Some Cats
Guide To Buying The Best Cat Food For Shedding
Here is a guide that will help you choose the best food for cats that shed based on some of the reasons that cause cats to shed, their treatments, and the preferred nutrients and macros.
What Causes Shedding in Cats and How to Control it?
Here is a list of 6 most common reasons that can make your cat shed hair.
1. Poor Nutrition/Diet
Nutrition deficiency is one of the most common problem that cause shedding in cats.
This can occur if you have been feeding your cat a homemade diet for too long, or due to poor quality commercial dry cat food fed on a regular basis.
It can also occur if your cat is fed packaged food that is excessive in nutrients or inappropriately supplemented. Excessive nutrition can cause problems with the hair and skin.
Excess of some vitamins and minerals can cause conditions and illnesses.
How To Control: Good Diet Support
Provide good nutritional support through diet (Proteins & Fatty acids) while avoiding artificial flavors and preservatives
Changing diet is a good start to control cat shedding. You should look for alternatives which are rich in protein and fatty acids.
There may be a chance that the food you are giving your cat contains artificial flavors and preservatives. These are more attractive but contain less nutrition than natural, original cat food alternatives.
Taste of the Wild, Rocky Mountain is a good cat food option for cats going through such conditions.
2. Allergens: Common Food, Flea, and Skin Allergies
Allergies can be caused due to many problems like flea bites, skin problems, or by not using the right litter for long haired cats. Skin allergies can affect a cat’s nutrition as well. These allergies can also cause itchy skin in cats or flea infestation.
How To Control: Avoiding Allergens
Food allergies can be avoided by eliminating the specific allergen from your cat’s diet. These can be identified through an elimination diet. Usual food allergens are beef, chicken, dairy, or fish.
It is good to give such a cat food full of omega-3 fatty acids as it creates a big health difference. Such chemicals are produced in the body due to such fatty acids which relieve the cat’s skin inflammation and allergies.
Choose cat food with ingredients such as cold-water marine fish, which is a bioavailable source of fatty acids.
For cats with food allergies, Purina Pro Plan, LiveClear is a good recommendation for cat food.
3. Fungal Infections
Fungal infections affect cats through fungi being inhaled from the air or infected through a cut in the skin. These fungi can also cause cats to shed hair through skin infections along with other symptoms like skin rash, flaky or greasy skin, etc. (8)
How To Control: Anti-Fungal Products
To cure your cat, you will require to check what kind of fungi has infected your cat. Some skin creams for such conditions can be found in the market. (8)
Fungal infections caused by yeast infections can be cured through special anti-fungal shampoos.
4. Age & Pregnancy
Pregnancy in cats leads to hormonal changes that can cause more shedding than normal, especially near the belly area, which makes it easier to nurse. It will generally get back to normal once the lactation period of the pregnant cat ends.
Cats become less energetic as they get older which makes them lazy or unable to groom themselves as efficiently as younger cats. This can lead to entangling, knots, dandruff, matting of cat hair, and consequently, more cat shedding.
Apart from this, some older cats can develop such conditions, which cause excessive shedding.
How To Control: Good Quality Cat Food and Supplements
For a lazy or pregnant cat, it might work if you help the cat with grooming by combing through the fur every day, giving occasional baths, and using good quality shampoos.
Getting the cat checked by the vet may recommend supplements for healthy fur. If the shedding is due to your cat’s condition, then supplements can be used that fulfill the dietary deficiency.
For cat food, try to get your cat hooked on good quality food for older cats with additional vitamins, minerals and natural ingredients to keep your older cat energetic.
Iams ProActive Health, Healthy Senior cat food is a good option to get your cat healthy, playful, and full of thick, shiny fur in no time.
5. Excessive Self-Grooming
Cats can shed more frequently when they are stressed or anxious. This stress can occur through many circumstances, like when visiting the vet’s office, changing their environment, or ignorance by their owner. Signs of stress are over-grooming, increased meowing, littering around the house, loss of appetite, etc.
Stress causes cats to groom themselves more frequently and excessively, which can result in cat shedding. It can also cause patchy fur and irritated skin as well.
How To Control: Observing & Listening to Cat Behavior
You can talk to your vet about stress-related problems with your cat and they can help you figure out why your cat is acting out of normal.
Keeping the cat happy by observing what it wants is a good way to go about this. Cat treats that your cat likes along with food it prefers can be fed under such circumstances.
6. Endocrine Disorders or Cancers
Shedding in cats due to skin conditions can be a sign of underlying diseases or illnesses such as autoimmune diseases, thyroid problems, diabetes, endocrine disorders or certain cancers. The cat shedding can be an effect of cancerous tumors in the cat’s body.
A very clear indication of such a condition can be the appearance of shiny, greasy-looking bald patches between the cat’s fur. This is one step ahead of just shedding and is the loss of a skin layer.
How To Control: Veterinary Care & Prescribed Diet
Usually when there are such clear signs of a disease, it means that the sickness has spread quite much and now the cat requires serious care so be sure to get your cat checked by a vet and to follow-up with regular appointments and treatment.
There can be several cat foods depending upon what kind of diet is required by the specific condition of your cat. This diet can be listed out by your vet and should be subjected to your cat immediately.
ORIJEN, Original Cat cat food has all the ingredients required to keep the immunity of cats strong to avoid such problems in the long run.
Macros: Required Nutrients In Best Cat Food For Shedding
The following is a list of ingredients that the cat food you are choosing for your cat should contain for effective cat shedding control.
1. High Protein Quantity
Even if your cat is a cute, innocent pet, it still is a carnivore by nature. This means that their bodies require more protein than other animals, and that too, animal protein rather than plant-based protein. The protein from an animal source is more high quality.
The hair of cats is made of keratin, which is a protein. If the protein provided to your furry carnivorous pet is of poor quality, then one of the factors affected may be its coat of fur.
To ensure that your cat is nicely nutrified, you should look for, firstly, animal-based food or animal-based protein, Secondly, there should atleast be 45% protein based on dry-matter, in guaranteed analysis of the cat food product.
2. Omega-3 & 6 Fatty acids
Whatever your cat consumes will be visible in its physical traits. Dietary fat is also a big factor in the coat health of the cat, especially omega 3 & 6 fatty acids. Fatty acids encourage the development and maintenance of a healthy fur coat through healthy skin.
The presence of this constituent can be identified through the ingredient list by name or through the presence of fish oils such as salmon oil. Flaxseed oil is another alternative for fatty acids, but it is less valuable.
The quantity to look for would be around 25%-35% dry matter for fatty acids. If your cat is overweight, then you might want to consider the lower end of this range, depending on how much your cat eats. (1)
3. Vitamins & Minerals
If cat food is not fulfilling the nutritional requirements for your cat’s body, then you might notice hair loss or poor quality of hair, such as dullness, knots, or patches.
Vitamins and minerals such as zinc and copper nourish the cat’s skin and fur to prevent shedding. Look for vitamins A and E in cat food as they work as antioxidants for good cell growth. If there is a deficiency of these vitamins then it can result in the deficiency of a vital constituent of hair i.e., keratin.
B vitamins are also essential for cats to prevent dry, flaky skin, reddening of the skin, shedding, thinning, and loss of pigment or shine. These deficiencies are not common if you are feeding your cat good quality cat food, but it may happen if your cat feeds on treats, table scraps, or other sources of food.
4. Biotin (Vit B7), Taurine & Sulfur
The best vitamins for your cat’s body are biotin and taurine. These are water soluble vitamin B and sulfur-containing amino acids, respectively. The deficiency of these can result in inflammatory diseases of the hair follicles and shedding.
Biotin is responsible for maintaining the metabolism of hair tissues. These vitamin complexes help to treat inflammation of hair follicles, and maintain the natural hairline of your cat while also giving it a shiny, silky fur coat.
Look for cat food that includes a combination of biotin, taurine, and sulfur in its ingredients.
Purina Pro Plan Focus, Sensitive Skin & Stomach is a good option for such conditions.
5. Original Ingredients: No Artificial Flavors and Preservatives
Your cat may be more attracted to cat food with artificial flavors as it tends to taste better than food made with original ingredients. The color of such food made with artificial coloring may also look more appealing to you, the pet owner. Both of these qualities may try to hide the nutritional weakness of the product.
Chemical preservatives, and artificial additives may cause deficiencies, allergies and develop fatal illnesses, which in turn cause the cat to shed excessively. So it is important for you to look for cat food made with original ingredients and free from artificialities.
6. Grains
There is a probability that cats who shed have developed an allergy or are facing some allergic reaction. Some ingredients in their cat food can also cause this allergy. For this kind of problem, vets recommend using an elimination diet to figure out which ingredient is causing discomfort. Grain-free foods are recommended in such a case.
7. Wet or Dry Cat Food
Wet or dry cat food can be selected based on your cat’s preference but usually in a balanced quantity. There is wet cat food in the market, used as dry food toppers, which can be quite effective for a balanced diet.
Keep in mind that being expensive does not necessarily mean that it is good for your cat. So it is important to understand the ingredients of wet cat food or dry options and keep the requirement of your cat in mind.
Wet cat food options are good for cats who face dandruff problems. Since wet foods contain more water content, they keep cats hydrated and keep their skin from dryness which ultimately reduces dandruff.
8. Veterinarian Recommended
If you are a sensitive cat owner and would like to be extra careful about what to feed your cat, then a checkup from the veterinarian and vet-approved foods are a good option for you.
Such foods are made with the most study and research, and are the best kinds to achieve the guaranteed results in the least amount of time. This is also essential for cats going through chronic problems such as very excessive shedding.
FAQs: Best Cat Food For Shedding
Do cats normally shed or is it seasonal?
Cats shed all year round. This process removes dead hair from their bodies. However, there are certain times of the year when you may notice some excessive hair all over the house. This happens during the ‘shedding season’, which generally takes place twice a year when the season is changing, i.e., spring and autumn.
This helps cats adjust to temperature changes. In spring, the shedding takes place to help cats lose the fur for a lighter coat and in autumn, the hair loss lets a thicker coat grow to keep your furry friend warm for the cold winter days. (11)
How do I know if my cat sheds normally and excessively?
All cats have different shedding cycles and volumes of hair loss. Some cats lose less hair, while more shedding is normal for other cats. To know if the shedding is normal or not, you will need to observe the cat’s coat for signs of it getting very thin on normal days. Skin irritation or redness is also a sign of skin problems.
Excessive hairballs or vomiting due to the ingestion of more hair than normal can also be a sign of weak hair. Noticing clumps of hair around the house is another thing to keep an eye on. (12)
Why is my indoor cat shedding a lot?
There can be many reasons for a indoor cats to shed hair. It is normal for cats to shed during shedding seasons, but if your cat is shedding fur beyond this time then there can be a problem. These problems can range from minor to major, depending upon the frequency of shedding and if your cat has a skin condition.
Indoor cats may shed lesser than outdoor cats in normal conditions due to lighting and weather conditions.
It can be due to the food quality that you are giving your cat, so it may be time to change your cat’s diet with a nutritious cat food alternative, good for fur health. Other factors include stress, age, pregnancy, etc. (13)
Purina ONE, Tender Selects Blend cat food is a good option for indoor cats who face shedding problems.
What to feed cats to stop shedding?
Foods that are full of high-quality animal protein, omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and free of artificial additives.
How long does it take to see results?
There are many factors that cause shedding. If the reason for shedding is allergies, then it may take some time in trying to figure out which ingredient from the cat’s diet is causing the problem.
Once the food item is identified through an elimination diet, then a suitable cat food product can be selected for your cat. This process may take some days or weeks.
However, if there are other problems that your cat might be facing, like some kind of skin disease, then after identifying the problem, veterinarian may recommend cat food products for fast effectiveness.
Royal Canin, Hydrolyzed Protein cat food is a veterinary-recommended feed with limited ingredient to help with the elimination diet process.
Final Thoughts
There are many different kinds of products that will suit cats with different preferences of taste and texture. These preferences, combined with the ingredients your cat needs to keep it from losing hair, will result in the perfectly suitable food for your cat.
However, In my clinical practice, I always recommend checking your cats for allergens and sensitivities while picking cat food. Overall best cat food for shedding is Purina ONE, Tender Selects Blend.
- Value For Money Cat Food
- Packed With Vitamins And Minerals For Strong Coat Hair
- Antioxidants And Fatty Acids For Good Skin And Coat Health
