My cat is shedding a lot: how to brush it and which tools to choose?

Cats shed fur all year round, and more heavily during the spring and autumn moults: this is normal, and regular brushing with the right tool is usually enough to limit loose fur and hairballs. Sudden, heavy, or patchy hair loss is not normal, however, and should be checked by a veterinarian rather than treated with brushing alone.

1. Normal shedding or a sign to watch?

Seasonal shedding means more fur on clothes, the sofa and the brush for a few weeks, usually in spring and autumn, without the skin becoming visible. This is nothing to worry about. However, some signs call for a veterinary opinion before trying any brushing or grooming solution:

• Bald patches or skin becoming visible in places.
• A dull, brittle coat, or fur that comes out in clumps at the slightest touch.
• Itching, excessive licking or redness linked to the hair loss.
• Hair loss that starts suddenly, with no link to the season.

In these cases, only a veterinarian can identify the cause (stress, parasites, allergy, a hormonal issue or something else) and suggest the right treatment. The brushing advice and tool choices below concern normal, moult-related shedding and everyday coat care.

2. Why brush a shedding cat regularly

Beyond the visual comfort, brushing removes dead fur before the cat swallows it while grooming, which limits hairballs forming in the stomach. It also airs out the coat, prevents tangles in long-haired cats, and remains an enjoyable moment of contact for most cats once the habit is established, even the more independent ones. A cat that grooms itself a lot inevitably swallows some of the dead fur a simple brushing session could have removed beforehand: the less loose fur sits on the coat, the less there is to swallow.

3. Which tool to choose depending on coat type

There is no single best tool: the choice mostly depends on fur length and whether there is a dense undercoat.

• Short coat: a fine-pin slicker brush or a rubber curry comb is enough, used once or twice a week.
• Medium to long coat: a soft metal-pin brush detangles without pulling on the skin, used more often during moulting.
• Dense undercoat (Maine Coon type, Siberian, double-coated cats): an undercoat-specific carding tool removes the excess deep down without damaging the top coat.
• Finishing and tangles: a fine-toothed comb helps spot and loosen small knots before they tighten.

Between brushing sessions, a sticky lint roller is handy for fabrics and clothes. Browse all the tools in the brushes and combs collection, and the complementary accessories in lint removers.

4. How to brush a cat without stressing it

A cat that links brushing to an unpleasant moment will struggle every session, making it difficult for both of you. A few habits help:

• Pick a calm moment, after a meal or a play session, rather than during high excitement.
• Start with areas the cat tolerates well (back, flanks) before moving to the belly or tail, which are often more sensitive.
• Do short, regular sessions rather than one long, occasional one.
• Always end on a positive note, with a treat or a cuddle, even if the session was short.
• If your cat tenses up or growls at a specific spot, do not push through: note the area and mention it to the vet if the discomfort continues, since localised pain can hide behind what looks like a simple refusal to be brushed.

5. How often should you brush your cat?

As a general guide, a short-haired cat usually does fine with weekly brushing outside moulting periods, and two to three times a week during the moult. A long-haired cat or one with a dense undercoat often benefits from more frequent brushing, sometimes daily during moulting, to prevent tangles. These are general guidelines: some cats have more sensitive skin or a coat that tangles faster, and a professional groomer can suggest a more precise routine if needed.

6. What about diet in all this?

A healthy coat also depends on the cat's everyday diet. Without replacing a veterinary opinion in case of an actual coat problem, a quality diet, fed regularly and suited to the cat's age, remains one of the pillars of fur that grows well and sheds less easily. Your veterinarian or the table on the kibble bag remain the best references for adjusting the daily ration. Combined with regular brushing using the right tool, this is often the simplest and most effective combination for a coat that stays healthy all year round, seasonal moults included.

Unusual behaviour alongside the hair loss? It is best to see a veterinarian to identify the cause before adding more brushing sessions or products.