Do Maine Coon Cats Shed A Lot? Here's The Quick Answer

Maine Coon cats are one of the largest domesticated cats in the world. They are well-known because of their flowy, soft, and long hair.

However, the prospective Maine Coon cats often wonder about the shedding of this particular breed. It is natural to think that these cats will shed a lot, considering the size and fur.

However, Maine Coons cats do not shed more than any other breed out there.

In this article, we will look at the probable reasons for shedding and figure out how you can reduce the amount of hair fall.

Do Maine Coon Cats Shed?

There are a lot of cat owners who are concerned about the shedding of Maine Coon cats. You should know that there is nothing to worry about the shedding of Maine Coon cats.

Like any other cats, Maine Coon cats shed as well. It is one of the general traits of a cat.

Of course, some cats shed less because of the genetics, but the shedding of Maine Coon cats is comparable to most other cats.

Every cat is different, and the amount of shedding can vary from one cat to another.

If you are one of the lucky ones whose Maine Coon doesn’t shed much, you should be happy about it. If not, there are simple ways to tackle this situation.

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Is There A Time When Maine Coons Lose More Hair?

There can be two types of Maine Coon cats, depending on the shedding cycle. Those are:

All year round
Seasonal shedding

The cycle can depend on the genetics of the cat. You can know the shedding cycle of its parents to have an idea beforehand.

It can also depend on the way you keep your cat. If you retain the cat in an air-conditioned house, it will not sense the season change outdoors.

Hence, it will shed all year long equally. However, if the Maine Coon cat goes outside, it will have a seasonal shedding cycle.

Reasons Why Your Maine Coon Is Losing Hair?

Shedding is a natural process for any cat, and Maine Coon cats shed a regular amount of hair throughout the year.

You can groom the cat regularly to have a fair idea about the rate at which they are losing hair.

If you observe that the Maine Coon is losing hair at an alarming rate, there can be several probable reasons.

In this section, we will explore the various reasons that can be responsible for this extra shedding.

1. Underlying Health Issues:

Unnatural hair fall often points towards several concerning health issues. There can be ringworm, stress, thyroid dis-balance, or allergies that can make the cat lose hair at a concerning rate.

Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes hair loss in patches.

Maine Coons of all ages are vulnerable to these parasites, and you should take the cat to a veterinarian as soon as you discover the problem.

Stress or anxiety-related issues can be responsible for hair loss, as well. Grooming is a natural trait for cats.

However, they tend to over-groom themselves if they are worried about something. It will be better for the cat if you figure out the reason for this anxiety or stress.

Thyroxine dis-balance often leads to excessive hair fall. If the thyroid gland works in a hyper or hypo manner, the hair becomes brittle and falls off.

Allergies are also an enemy when it comes to shedding. Seasonal changes in the flora can trigger allergic responses for the cat. Allergy leads to excessive hair fall.

2. Malnutrition:

A balanced diet is an essential criterion for maintaining soft and healthy fur. The diet should include sufficient amounts of protein, minerals, and vitamins.

If your Maine Coon is shedding in excessive amounts, you can consult a veterinarian or a cat-nutrition specialist to construct a balanced diet for the cat.

3. Inappropriate Grooming:

Grooming is a natural trait for any cat. If the cat is grooming poorly, it will reflect on the quality of fur.

You should help the cat in grooming to make sure that the fallen hair does not stay on top of the cat. It could lead to more hair fall.

Can I Reduce Shedding of My Maine Coon Hair?

Now that you know the reasons behind the unnatural shedding, you can mitigate the situation using the following tips –

Grooming is a crucial job for any Maine Coon owner. If you do not groom the cat properly, the fur can bundle together and cause matting. You can follow a daily grooming schedule to prevent the hair from doing so. If you can’t take out time from your busy schedule for daily grooming sessions, make sure that you groom the cat at least twice every week.
Bathing is another way of keeping the fur healthy and silky. Cats do not always like to bathe as they don’t like the idea of getting wet. However, Maine Coons can tolerate water to some extent, and you should use this fact for healthy maintenance.
Make sure that the Maine Coon has a regular and balanced diet. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for soft, silky, and healthy fur. So, it will be beneficial for the cat if you include cat food that incorporates these nutrients.
If your Maine Coon is repulsive to the idea of bathing, you can use cat wipes, and spritz-on cleaners to keep the fur clean.
Regularly check with your veterinarian and be up-to-date with the de-worming schedule. Keeping your cat free of parasites is crucial for a healthy coat.

Conclusion:

Maine Coon cats shed at a regular rate, and you should not worry about the shedding of Maine Coon cats unless it has increased significantly from the natural rate.

Daily or bi-weekly grooming sessions should help in controlling the shedding problem. It will also help in keeping the furniture and carpet free of unwanted hair.

No matter what, we will recommend having a large supply of lint rollers so that you can start doing your responsibility whenever you can.