Yes, Birman cats shed, but not as much as other long fur cats. They have shorter, more compact coats whose fur does not fall off as often as many other cat breeds. Because Birman cats do not have an undercoat, their fur does not get matted or caught in furniture and other places. However, they need grooming to manage their coats and reduce how much fur they shed.
As exciting as having a kitty or two to share your home with is, nothing quite prepares you for the amount of shedding you get to experience on a regular. Of course, some cats shed a lot more than others depending on what breed they are and several other factors. For instance, long-coat cats like Maine Coons definitely shed a lot more than shorter-coat cats like the Birmans.
Birmans are some of the most popular cat breeds in many parts of the world, largely because they are friendly and easy-going, even as far as maintenance goes. They do shed, but very little. There are, however, many factors that may influence how much they shed. Here is a breakdown of some of them, as well as some grooming tips that will help you keep your carpets, sofas, and clothes free of Birman cat fur.
Factors that influence how much your Birman cat sheds
Even though they generally do not shed too much, you may notice an increase or decrease in the same based on several factors, and they are outlined here.
Diet
Cats are carnivores, meaning that their diet should comprise largely of meat. They are highly dependent on protein for growth, development, and survival. However, there are certain additions to the protein that are essential for their wellbeing, especially as far as their fur goes.
Burman cats and other breeds depend on certain types of oils such as Omega-3 to maintain a beautiful coat. Whenever they lack some of this dietary support from the said oils, you may notice a lot more shedding.
When the protein on which they are heavily dependent becomes scarce, the shedding worsens and, at some point, you may notice whole patches of missing fur on the cat’s coat.
Weather conditions
During warm months when ambient temperatures are within the normal range, you may notice that your Birman cat sheds ‘normally’. There isn’t excess fur lying around. However, during hotter seasons like summer, your cat may shed a lot more than usual as a way to try and maintain a normal core temperature. Lots of fur during hot months translates to a lot of discomfort for the cat, and this is why it sheds a lot more.
In colder seasons such as winter, you may notice far less shedding since the cat mostly depends on this coat to stay warm. As earlier mentioned, Birman cats lack an undercoat, meaning that they may get colder faster.
Frequency of grooming
Cats that are groomed on a regular basis tend to shed a lot less, and this is why it is important to make sure that your Birman cat stays groomed. Seeing as this cat breed does not have long fur which matts, you may not require elaborate tools to keep them well-groomed.
Failing to groom your cat means that it will shed a lot more since some of the hairs are not caught in time. Birman cats that are groomed on a regular basis shed a lot less. You can also expect to see less shedding on cats that are given baths as this helps to get rid of loose hairs that would otherwise have ended up on your carpet or couch.
How to keep your Birman cat from shedding excessively
- Regular grooming
The first, and possibly easiest, step is grooming. As mentioned, you may not need too many tools to keep Birman cats groomed since they have short coats and no undercoat. You can use a fine-tooth comb or brush to comb through the fur. This will make sure that any loose fur that would otherwise have been shed on your couch is caught in the comb or brush.
In addition, you can bathe your cat to keep it cleaner and to get rid of the said loose fur.
Note: Do not bathe your cat too often. Twice or thrice in a year is enough, but it goes a long way in helping to keep them well-groomed.
- Propper diet
Seeing as a cat’s diet has a direct influence on how much they shed, you should consider maintaining a healthy diet for them. Include lots of meat-based proteins and good fats to make sure that their coats remain healthy and luscious. This way, you can be sure that you will not have furless patches on their coats.
- Deworm your Birman cat frequently
Apart from offering a steady diet, you definitely want to make sure that your cat is healthy by constant deworming. Such parasites as ringworms have a direct impact on the cats’ skins, and this can eventually affect the cat’s shedding.
Keeping them dewormed allows the skin and fur to flourish, reducing the chances of extreme shedding.
Here is a tabulated representation of how to keep your Birman Cat from shedding excessively.
Practice | Effect |
---|---|
Regular grooming | Reduces shedding |
Proper diet | Maintains healthy skin and luscious coat |
Deworming | Maintains healthy skin and luscious coat |
Can shaving your Birman cat reduce shedding?
No, it cannot, and because Birmans have short fur and no undercoats, it is not recommended that you shave them. Grooming alone in the form of consistent combing and brushing, as well as occasional showers, are enough to keep your cat from shedding excessively.
Conclusion
Even though Birman cats do not shed excessively, you might want to reduce the amount of shedding you experience on a day-to-day basis. Thankfully, they are easy to care for, and only require a proper diet and regular brushing to keep them looking great and shedding less. During hot months, however, you may want to increase the frequency of brushing to keep the rate of shedding low.
FAQs
Are Birman cats hypoallergenic?
No, anyone who is allergic to cat fur will have an allergic reaction if exposed to Birman cat fur.
Does keeping my cat hydrated help to reduce shedding?
Yes, making sure that your Birman cat is hydrated helps to reduce how much it sheds.