How Much Do Snowshoe Cats Shed? Facts & Grooming Tips

The Snowshoe cat is a medium-to-large hybrid breed of the Siamese and American Shorthair cat breeds. They get their name from the four distinctive white paws, which is the signature breed trait. These cats are popular for their affectionate, playful, and sociable personality.

If you’re considering a Snowshoe cat, you may be wondering how much they shed. Fortunately, these cats are short-haired and very clean, so Snowshoe cats don’t shed much.

Snowshoe Cat Grooming Requirements

The Snowshoe cat is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. They have a short coat and keep themselves clean, including minimal shedding. You will need to brush your cat at least once a week to remove dead hairs and prevent mats and irritation, however.

Because of the short coat and low shedding, a lot of people mistakenly believe the Snowshoe cat is hypoallergenic. While they may not shed enough to irritate cat allergies, they are not a hypoallergenic breed.

How to Reduce Shedding in Your Snowshoe Cat

Shedding is natural and necessary for your cat’s health, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Some shedding is normal, but excessive shedding can cause problems.

So, how much is too much? The amount your cat sheds depends on their breed, fur type, and seasonal changes. It’s important to pay attention to your cat’s normal shedding pattern to identify a problem.

The normal process of shedding old hair and growing new hair, as well as shedding hair as the weather changes.

Some other common causes of shedding in cats include:

Medical conditions are the biggest cause for concern if your cat’s shedding patterns suddenly change. Typically, cats with normal shedding patterns will have a healthy coat and skin with plenty of shine, no odors, and no signs of skin irritation.

If your cat is shedding more because of medical causes, they may have a dull or thin coat, bald patches, rashes, or other abnormalities. Many health problems can cause this, including allergies or skin infections.

If your cat is older or experiencing pain that makes it more difficult to groom themselves, it may seem like they’re shedding more than normal. This is because they can’t groom the fur away on their own, but you still need to intervene to determine the cause and help your cat take care of themselves.

Tips to Reduce Shedding in Your Snowshoe Cat

Cats groom themselves and swallow hair in the process. This normally passes through the digestive system without issue, but excess shedding can cause them to get hairballs.

It’s important to brush your cat regularly to remove loose hair and help your cat avoid ingesting too much of their hair.

Here are some other tips to reduce shedding:

• If you suspect health conditions causing shedding, visit your vet.
• Feed a high-quality and balanced diet that’s suitable for cats. A special diet formulated for skin health may help if there are skin or coat issues.
• Minimize stress for your cat, including abrupt changes like moving to a new home or bringing home a new pet.
• Train your cat to sit quietly for grooming and get appropriate brushes for cats.
• Groom and bathe your cat regularly to remove loose hair.
• Give your cat their own bed, perches, and cat tower to make fur easier to clean up.
• Vacuum and wash your linens often to capture loose hair.
• Keep a lint roller around for your clothing and furniture.

Conclusion

Snowshoe cats have short hair and don’t shed a lot, but they will shed all year and more heavily during seasonal changes. Regular grooming and some lifestyle habits can help you keep the hair at bay, but if you notice excessive shedding, it’s important to talk to your vet and determine the cause.

---

Featured Image Credit: Yuliya Alekseeva, Shutterstock