Do you feel like your Russian Blue cat is shedding too much nowadays that you only see its fur ball everywhere more often? See, any cat breed, including the Russian Blue, generally sheds. But if you notice your Russian Blue shedding more than it actually should have, then knowing the reason behind it is significant. So, I have come up with this article to help you to learn about the query, why is my Russian Blue cat shedding too much?
Starting with the question, ‘Why is my Russian Blue shedding too much?’ Your Russian Blue is shedding too much because of various health-related issues, uncleaned environment, irregular intake of proper diet, and pregnancy (in female Russian Blue cat). Here, some health-related matters include stress, allergies, ringworms, parasite infection, thyroid disease, etc. Besides, sometimes, more or less, shedding can also cause due to climate change.
To acquire further general information related to the Russian Blue cat, stick till the end of this article.
Russian Blue Cat In Brief: Appearance And Shedding
Nowadays, the Russian Blue cat has been one of the most popular cat breeds. Many cat lovers are fonding it at a huge. Due to the appearance and the gentle behavior of the Russian Blue, it has marked itself as the most preferred, gentle cat.
To learn about the Russian Blue cat’s general appearances and shedding nature precisely, read out the following:
The Appearance
The first glance of the Russian Blue usually attracts most people. It is a medium-sized cat, which has an attractive appearance when compared to other cat breeds.
Generally, people assume that the Russian Blue must have a blue color coat as their name itself speak, but it is not accurate. The Russian Blue has fascinating soft, blue, dark grey, and silvery coat color. The coat of the Russian Blue cats is short, dense, beautiful, and double-layered. Meaning, their fur consists of two layers: undercoat and topcoat.
The coat of the Russian Blue is commonly very dense due to the double-layer, which makes them look greater than their actual size. Besides, the bright, attractive green eyes of the Russian Blue adds a charm to them. Mainly, the dense silvery blue coat and eyes keep them apart from other cat breeds.
Shedding (In Short)
The cat shedding is not a big issue. Likewise, when you pet a Russian Blue cat, the shedding seems to be a no critical concern.
A Russian Blue cat sheds as it has such a dense coat in its body. And it is okay. However, the more problematic situation arises if you notice your Russian Blue shedding more than in common. In such a condition, you should be concerned about it and see what is bothering your cat.
Do The Russian Blue Cat Shed?
For the fur creatures, shedding is not a surprising thing. And, of course, the Russian Blue cat is also one of them. They do have blue and silvery, double-layered fur, which means they also shed often. So, yes, the Russian Blue cat sheds just like any other cat breeds.
Commonly, the shedding of the Russian Blue is not a huge matter that you should worry about numerously. They shed like any other cat breeds, yet there may be a difference in shedding quantity as it has a dense double-layered coat.
However, sometimes, the Russian Blue cat sheds extremely. If you notice the increase in shedding of your Russian Blue cat unless during the summer season, then you should search for the reason behind excessive shedding.
The excessive shedding occurs due to various reasons that you may be unaware of till this date. Except at the summer season, too much shedding of the Russian Blue cat is not a natural condition.
Why Is Too Much Shedding Of The Russian Blue Cat Natural During Summer?
During the summer, you can usually notice your Russian Blue cat shedding more than in general. Some Russain Blue cat owners worry about such sudden excessive shedding, but in reality, it is natural or happens usually.
At the time of the winter, the Russian Blue cat generally gets a thicker coat. Though they already have it from the beginning, yet as the colder period of the year arises, their fur gets much denser or thicker. This thicker coat of the Russian Blue works great for them during the winter only.
As the summer comes up, the thicker winter coat of the Russian Blue starts shedding away. This shedding of winter fur results excessively, making it look like a sudden extreme shedding of the Russian Blue cat.
But in general, it is a common thing. That’s why too much shedding of the Russian Blue cat is natural during summer.
Why Is Russian Blue Shedding Too Much? Health-related Reasons
As discussed, the Russian Blue cat has delightful silvery-blue hair, which is denser and double-layered. Due to the thick fur of the Russian Blue, shedding seems to be a normal and natural thing.
But, if you see your Russian Blue cat shedding more than it actually should have, then there can be various reasons behind it. A sudden extreme shedding without any reason is not possible. Hence, it is necessary to look for and understand the real cause behind the Russian Blue’s too much shedding.
Therefore, here are some of the primary health-related causes due to which your Russian Blue cat sheds too much.
Allergies
Just like in humans, the Russian Blue cat can also get allergic to particular things. Some allergic reactions can be seasonal, whereas some don’t. No matter what kind of allergy does your Russian Blue has, it will eventually result in too much shedding.
Generally, when the Russian Blue has an allergy, they will frequently start scratching, licking, and biting their skin to get relief from the itchiness. While doing this, your Russian Blue cat loses lots of hair.
Thus, allergic reactions in the Russian Blue cat can result in too much shedding.
What Causes Allergies In the Russian Blue Cat?
Broadly, the Russian Blue cat can get allergic reactions due to some food and unhygienic or dirt areas. Being a hygienic living cat, the Russian Blue can create atopic dermatitis (itchy reaction) to their body if its surrounding areas are dirty.
Likewise, some food items that can cause allergic reactions to the Russian Blue cat are:
- corn
- chocolates
- dairy products
- gluten
- soy,
- excessive oil-containing items
- high lactose contained food etc.
Therefore, such allergic food and dirt environment can cause severe allergic reactions to the Russian Blue cat. It will further direct into too much shedding in them.
Stress
The Russian Blue cat stresses if he is highly nervous, scared, and uncomfortable. Yes, they are sensitive cats because of which they do stress if kept in an unfamiliar environment with strangers or with new pets.
At the time of stress, the Russian Blue often tries to hide or stay away from the people. If doing that is not possible, they will get involved in things like biting their skin, tearing out their hair, etc. In most extreme stress levels, they self-injure themselves by biting or scratching out the coats and skin.
However, they do stress if they are physically unwell too. But the Russian Blue cat does such injuring activities only at uncomfortable and scared moments, where their stress level reaches the mount.
Meaning, the Russian Blue usually gets into biting or scratching off their coats at stressful moments, which can cause too much of their shedding.
External Parasite Infections
If in case you don’t know about parasites, they are such insects, animals, plants, etc., that live on other living creatures to receive nutriment for their survival. In this case, some external parasites (they live on the surface, not internally) exist on the Russian Blue cat’s body, which can be a cause for their extreme shedding.
In the Russian Blue cat, the higher possibility for any external parasite to infect the cat’s skin is fleas. Fleas can cause an irritation in the Russian Blue cat’s skin, which makes cat bite, over-groom, scratch their body. It will eventually make too much shedding.
Ringworms
Here, you may think that the ringworms primarily affects the Russian Blue kitten only. But it is not correct. Ringworms can affect the Russian Blue cat of any age group.
Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the Russian Blue cat’s skin at a huge. Due to the ringworm, there is a possibility of developing skin infections in the cat’s body, which can result in extreme hair loss.
Hence, the fungal infection like ringworm can severely affect the Russian Blue cat’s body resulting in too much shedding.
Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease is one of the common illness that you can see in most of the Russian Blue cats. It is best if your Russian Blue is not suffering from any severe thyroid disease. If not, the sickness will bring various changes in the Russian Blue cat’s body, including excessive hair loss.
An under or overactive thyroid gland in the Russian Blue cat’s body is not normal. It will eventually invite serious thyroid sicknesses in the cat’s body. Also, weight loss and excessive hair loss are some of the definite effects that thyroid disease does.
Hence, thyroid disease can further be a cause for too much shedding of the Russian Blue cat.
Additional Reasons Behind Too Much Shedding Of Russian Blue
So if you think that health factor is the only reason for too much of the Russian Blue shedding, then you are thinking wrong. Not every time, health issues become the primary reason behind excessive shedding of the Russian Blue cat.
Hence, some of the additional reasons behind too much shedding of the Russian Blue cat are:
Lack Of Proper Diet
The most significant factor to look for while keeping the Russian Blue cat at your place is a balanced diet for them. A proper diet is necessary to manage to keep the Russian Blue healthy and pleasant. Also, a suitable diet that includes every requisite nutrient like protein, vitamins, amino acids, calcium, etc., helps to build the Russian Blue cat’s coat thicker and healthier.
But if there is any negligence while providing a proper diet to the Russian Blue cat, it invites various hazards or risks. The carelessness of diet doesn’t only refer to feeding them on an irregular routine, but planning unsuitable veg or vegan food items too.
An improper diet plan results in weak and less shiny coats of the Russian Blue cat. Also, if you are trying to keep them on a veg diet or at a vegan schedule, there is a high chance of shedding in them.
It happens because the veg or vegan food lacks to provide essential nutrition to the Russian Blue cat. It will ultimately bring an excessive hair loss problem in your Russian Blue.
Unhygienic Environment
Although the Russian Blue cats love to play and exercise more often, they too prefer to keep their body and their surroundings clean and hygienic. Keeping them in an uncleaned or unhygienic environment brings discomfort to them. Also, they try to avoid such surroundings as it can be one of the causes of their extreme shedding.
An unhygienic environment makes your Russian Blue cat dirty or dusty. And being hygienic cats, they will try to clean up their body by constant scratching and over-grooming, which eventually lead to their hair loss. Also, such an uncleaned or unhygienic environment brings uneasiness or discomfort in them, which builds their stress level too.
Thus, an unhygienic surrounding makes the Russian Blue scratch and over-groom their body, which causes too much shedding. Besides, such an environment can be stressful for them as well.
Pregnancy (In Female Russian Blue Cats)
If you have a female Russian Blue at your place and if you haven’t spayed them yet, then there is a possibility of arising from a pregnancy phase in them. And you may not know this, but during the pregnancy period, most of the female Russian Blue sheds too much.
During pregnancy, there occur many hormonal changes in the Russian Blue cat’s body. And, a hormonal change generally results in excessive shedding. The mother cat seems to shed a lot at its stomach area where its kittens sustain.
Thus, pregnancy can cause too much shedding in the female Russian Blue cats.
Season Change
As discussed before, like any other cat breeds, the Russian Blue cats shed too much at the specific season, i.e., summer. Whereas, during winter, they shed less.
During winter, the coats of the Russian Blue cat gets more denser, which keeps their body warm. But when the season changes and summer comes up, the thicker coats of the Russian Blue starts to shed at a huge. It is natural for all cat breeds, including the Russian Blue.
When Should I Worry About My Russian Blue Cat’s Excessive Shedding?
If you are someone who has never kept any pets before, then this is something you shouldn’t miss. Identifying an excessive shedding of the Russian Blue cat is necessary so that you can help your cat if it is in any difficulty.
Anyway, shedding is common for the Russian Blue cats. It makes many Russian Blue cat owners wonder about when they should worry.
Therefore, I have listed some points to help you to identify the excessive shedding of the Russian Blue so that you can timely aid them.
- Except at the summer and pregnancy phase (female cats), if your Russian Blue is producing more furballs when they are grooming by themselves, then it is a time when you should worry and aid them. It is because a sudden shedding of furballs is not possible.
- If you notice texture changes in your Russian Blue cat’s coat, usually a sharp kind of texture, then it is because of extreme hair loss. Meaning, your cat is chewing off the ends of the fur either due to stress or sickness. A healthy coat of the Russian Blue generally looks clean, soft, and smooth.
- Though the Russian Blue cat has a thick double-layered coat, excessive shedding makes their fur too thin. Due to this, the Russian Blue will look tinier than before. Such shedding is unhealthy, and you should recognize the reason behind it.
Hence, if you notice any such condition in your Russian Blue cat, then you should immediately consult a vet. If neglected, later your Russian Blue might suffer severely, which I guess you wouldn’t want.
Preventive Measures To Reduce Extreme Shedding Of the Russian Blue Cat
The Russian Blue cat shedding is natural. But if you suddenly see your Russian Blue shedding too much, then you should identify the reasons behind it. Also, it is necessary to reduce the constant extreme shedding of your Russian Blue cat.
So, here are some points below that you can adopt to reduce and prevent the extreme shedding of the Russian Blue cat:
- Regularly brush your Russian Blue cat’s coat. It will remove loose and dead fur, fur knots and reduces the possibility of extreme shedding.
- Prepare a high-quality diet for the Russian Blue cat, including every requisite nutrition to keep your cat’s coat healthy and strong.
- Provide adequate clean water to the Russian Blue cat. It keeps the coats of the cat fresh and healthy.
- Don’t change your Russian Blue’s diet often. If necessary, consult a vet before changing the diet plan.
- Avoid introducing your Russian Blue to new people and new pets suddenly, as it might scare your cat. It will build stress levels in them.
- If you see your Russian Blue cat vomiting, losing appetite, along shedding too much, then it is likely to have ringworms and thyroid disease in your cat. See your vet immediately if such a situation arises.
- Don’t feed allergic food items to your Russian Blue cat.
- Manage a neat and clean environment for the Russian Blue. Also, keep their body tidy.
- Keep the Russian Blue away from an infected cat. It is because sometimes some external parasite like fleas infects your cat from other cats as well. Also, regularly check if your cat’s body has any wounds caused by fleas.
In some severe conditions like vomiting, loss of energy, loss of appetite, along with extreme shedding, then consulting a vet is necessary.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Russian Blue Cat Hypoallergenic?
The Russian Blue cats generally produce a lower level of Fel d 1 protein, which flows in the cat’s skin and saliva. When this protein gets into some human bodies, allergic reactions are probable to some people. Here, the Russian Blue cat creates a less allergic reaction to people when compared with other cat breeds. Therefore, the Russian Blue cats are kind of hypoallergenic.
What Are The Essential Nutrients For The Russian Blue Cat?
The nutrients like protein, vitamins, fatty acids (mainly omega-3 and omega-6), calcium, minerals, amino acids, etc., are essential for the Russian Blue cat. Food containing the mentioned nutrients helps them to have a healthier and happy life.
Conclusion
At present, many cat lovers prefer Russian Blue cats as a pet due to their distinctive features. Despite this, the shedding of the Russian Blue is natural, like in any other cat breeds. As they have soft, beautiful, dense, and double-layered coat, the chances of shedding are predictable.
Shedding is natural, but too much shedding of the Russian Blue cat is not normal. There remain various reasons behind it, as mentioned above. And it is necessary to timely work on the causes of the excessive shedding of the Russian Blue cat.
Otherwise, there are many minor to severe consequences that your cat will get through. Therefore, work on giving a healthy lifestyle to the Russian Blue to avoid too much shedding.
Lastly, I believe this article was helpful for you to know why is your Russian Blue cat shedding too much along with its preventive measure. Keep your Russian Blue safe and delightful!
