Do Maine Coon Cats Shed A Lot: 9 Ways To Stop It
This large domestic cat breed is famous for its long thick shaggy coat and tufts of fur, but do Maine Coon cats shed a lot?
Maine Coon cats shed dead fur twice a year, during Spring and Autumn. They have a thick triple coat containing two dense undercoats and a longer silky outer guard coat that does not shed excessively. Owners with indoor Maine Coons notice their cats shedding year-round, whilst those with outdoor Maine Coons notice less shedding.
If you notice your Maine Coon shedding lots, make sure they do not have one of the underlying health conditions listed in this article.
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Do Maine Coon Cats Shed A Lot?
Maine Coons are one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America, easily recognizable by their luxurious coats and thick mane of fur.
These long-haired cats have three layers of fur:
- Two short dense undercoats
- One long waxy outer guard (semi-water-repellent)
Shedding is a natural process that enables them to remove dead hair or loose hair, from their thick furry coats.
A Maine Coon with a healthy coat will shed low levels throughout the year, but a more excessive amount of fur during their two seasonal shedding seasons:
- Spring
- Autumn
However, the Maine Coon’s normal shedding pattern will be affected if they are kept as indoor pets. In such cases, you can expect your gentle giant to shed year-round.
By comparison, owners with outdoor Maine Coons tend to only notice excessive shedding when dead fur is released as the outside temperature warms, twice a year.
What Causes A Cat To Shed?
A Maine Coon’s shedding cycle varies, and will be impacted by the following factors:
- Diet
- Stress
- Humidity
- Shedding Cycle
- Changes in climate
- Medical Conditions
- Hormonal Imbalances
A Maine Coon living in a warmer climate will likely shed year-round since they will not grow a thick winter fur coat to protect them from the cold.
Hair loss is also more likely in Maine Coons fed a poor diet lacking the essential nutrients, or those suffering from allergic reactions.
Do Maine Coons Shed More Hair Than Other Cats?
Maine Coon shedding is not usually more excessive than other cat breeds, though owners will notice their indoor cats shedding year-round, rather than seasonally.
Some cat specialists suspect the Maine Coon shedding pattern is different, depending upon the texture of fur these cats have:
- Fluffier Coat: Lots of shedding
- Soft and Silky Coat: Less shedding
A Maine Coon cat’s genetics ultimately determine the level of shedding, however, regular grooming will remove loose for significantly reduce hair shedding.
How To Stop Maine Coon From Shedding
It is inevitable that a Maine Coon’s coat will shed during season changes, though not to an excessive level.
Owners should keep a constant eye on their cat’s coat health.
Pet owners that feel the amount of hair shed is becoming excessive, should review the Maine Coon shedding tips below to reduce Maine Coon hair shedding:
1. Regular Grooming
Maine Coon cat owners should regularly groom their Maine Coon 2-3 times a week to remove loose fur, with a slicker brush.
Regular grooming significantly reduces hair shedding because it helps remove dead hair from a Maine Coons thick dense undercoat, that may have become caught.
Grooming builds a strong bond between a cat and its owner, whilst also preventing matted fur.
2. Bathing
Bathing a Maine Coon helps remove excess fur that may have become tangled in the cat’s long hair.
The good news is that most of these large cats love playing in warm water, provided you introduce the idea of bathing whilst they are still kittens.
Only use cat shampoos that have been specifically designed to be used on cats, like these.
3. Healthy Diet
A balanced diet is essential for these big felines because it helps keep the cat’s fur healthy, shiny, and smooth.
Owners should ensure they feed their Maine Coon high-quality cat food, so their Maine Coons diet contains proper nutrition:
- High levels of protein
- Omega-3 and Omega fatty acids
- Essential Nutrients
- Low levels of carbohydrate
- No grains or fillers
- Essential Vitamins
A poor diet will lead to Maine Coon hair loss and unwanted health issues.
4. Cat Wipes
Owners can wipe their Maine Coons guard hairs (outer fur coat) with cat wipes that help to keep the cat’s fur clean., without removing too many natural oils.
The stroking motion removes excess hair, without causing your cat any stress.
5. Medication
Pet parents should ensure their cat is fully medicated against fleas or parasites since this helps reduce excessive scratching and hair loss.
6. Health
A Maine Coon cat sheds more if they are suffering from an underlying health problem, like these.
Regular vet checkups are therefore essential to keep your Maine Coons coat healthy.
7. Deshedding Tools
Regular brushing reduces the amount of hair fall from a Maine Coon cat.
In particular, these de-shedding tools will significantly reduce hair shedding in long-haired cats.
8. Stay Hydrated
Maine Coon cats need a constant fresh water supply, ideally provided by a pet water fountain, to ensure they stay hydrated.
Drinking water regularly helps these large cats from developing dry skin conditions, skin irritation, and excess shedding.
9. Specialist Cat Food
Shedding in Maine Coon cats can be significantly reduced if you feed your feline these wet cat foods specifically designed to reduce cat shedding.
Here are 6 Wet Cat Foods That Reduce Cat Shedding.
Why Is My Maine Coon Shedding So Much?
If you feel that your Maine Coon is shedding excessively, you should seek veterinary advice, as your cat may be suffering from one of the following health issues:
Ringworm
Ringworm can affect cats of all ages. This fungal infection thrives on the skin, causing brittle broken hairs to fall out quickly.
Stress And Anxiety
If your cat is suffering from anxiety or stress it will shed more fur than normal. Watch out for these signs, which signal your Maine Coon is stressed.
Your Maine Coon might also over-groom themselves, resulting in bald patches of skin or redness.
Thyroid Disease
Cats with an over or underactive thyroid often experience higher levels of hair loss.
Cat Allergies
Some cats are prone to seasonal allergies that increase shedding, i.e. pollen or foodborne allergies.
Which Breed Of Cat Sheds The Least?
The following cat breeds are more hypoallergenic because they shed less fur:
- Oriental Shorthair Cat
- Cornish Rex
- Russian Blue
- Siamese
- Sphynx
- Japanese Bobtail
- Devon Rex
- Birman
- Siberian
Conclusion
These large cats are known for having a thick coat, but do Maine Coon cats shed a lot of hair?
Gentle giants shedding levels are subject to seasonal changes, so every Maine Coon owner will need to use their vacuum cleaner to remove excess fur shed during Spring and Autumn!
