Cats shed year-round at a low level, but most breeds have one or two heavier seasonal sheds tied to daylight changes rather than temperature, which is why indoor cats under artificial lighting sometimes shed on a looser schedule than expected. A proper deshedding routine during these heavier weeks makes a genuinely visible difference, both in loose fur around the house and in reducing the hairballs that come from a cat grooming all that loose undercoat itself.

What you'll need

A slicker brush for the top coat, an undercoat rake or deshedding tool for the dense layer underneath, and a lint roller for finishing touches.

Steps

  1. Brush the top coat first, not the undercoat

    Starting with a slicker brush over the whole body clears loose surface fur and detangles before the deshedding tool goes anywhere near the skin, preventing the rake from snagging on mats that a slicker brush would have caught first.

  2. Work the undercoat rake in the direction of growth, in short sections

    Going against the grain pulls harder than necessary and can irritate skin. Small sections, following the natural lay of the fur, remove more loose undercoat with less discomfort than long, sweeping strokes.

  3. Pay extra attention to friction zones

    Behind the ears, under the arms, and around the tail base tend to trap the most loose undercoat and are also where mats form fastest if missed during regular sessions.

  4. Stop before the cat's patience runs out, not after

    Ending a session while the cat is still relatively relaxed, even if the coat isn't perfectly finished, builds a much better long-term association with grooming than pushing through to complete a session with a clearly irritated cat.

  5. Increase frequency during the heaviest shedding weeks

    Two to three short sessions a week during peak shedding removes noticeably more loose fur than one longer weekly session, since a smaller amount comes out more easily each time rather than accumulating into mats.

Skip the shave, in almost every caseShaving a cat to deal with shedding is rarely necessary and can interfere with natural temperature regulation and sun protection. It's occasionally used for severe matting under a vet's guidance, but isn't a routine shedding solution.

Frequently asked questions

Does diet actually affect how much a cat sheds?

Yes, meaningfully. A diet with adequate omega fatty acids supports coat health, and cats on lower-quality food sometimes shed more than the same cat would on a nutritionally complete diet.

Is excessive shedding ever a sign of a health problem?

Sudden shedding well beyond a cat's normal seasonal pattern, especially with bald patches or skin irritation, can point to stress, allergies, or a medical issue and is worth a vet visit rather than assuming it's just heavy seasonal shedding.