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How Much do Calico Cats Shed? (Prevention, Tips & Guide)

If you have a Calico cat and wondering how to get rid of their shedding fur (click here for my best shedding and Dematting Comb on Amazon)  and are interested to know how much these cats even shed, then you are in the right place.

How much do calico cats shed? Calico cats are not actually a type or breed of cat. They are actually a colour variation. Therefore, many different breeds of cat can be labelled as Calico. It’s like saying look at that grey cat. Therefore being a calico cat has no bearing on the amount of fur that they will shed.

So, the short answer is it varies a lot. Let me now explain what a Calico cat really is, if it has any other aliases, why cats even shed and how you can reduce this happening.

So, what exactly is a calico cat?

A calico cat is really a type of colour and pattern variation of a particular cat. It’s a way of describing a particular colour and patterns on a cat’s fur.  It’s similar, in a way, to a tortoiseshell cat.

In fact, there is only a very small variation of their patterns that differentiates a calico from a tortoiseshell cat.

The main difference you will see between a calico cat and a tortoiseshell pattern is the lack of white patches on the tortoiseshell.

Where does the name calico come from?

Calico, strictly speaking, is an American name. The name is given because of a type of fabric which is called Calico.

The name calico has been used by Americans for years. In fact, it goes back as early as the 1700s. This is when this particular fabric design was largely used.

Calico cats also have other names. These other names are used interchangeably. Sometimes they are referred to as “tricolor or Brindle. Also, specific Japanese names and Dutch variations are called “lapjeskat”.

Are there any more variations of the calico cat?

Yes, there are a few different variations.  For example, the standard calico (Click here to see the average cost of a female) is known for its large spots which are typically black and orange.

Then you have the diluted calicos, such as the “Calimanco”. This is a different variation that typically has lighter colours. This variation has a white coat with large spots that are typically a smokey greyish colour. Also has a strawberry blonde looking effect.

Also, there is another variation called the “calibby” this is a mashup of the Calico and the Tabby cat.

This variation usually has the same orange spots that you’d see on a calico but with the addition of tabby stripes as well.

Why do cats shed?

Cats shed for several reasons but firstly it’s important to state that shedding is normal and expected. The amount of shedding varies quite a lot depending on the type or breed that you have. Either way, it is expected, regardless if you have a long or even a short-haired cat.

Usually, shedding is heavily affected by the season. For example, in spring you should expect to see some shedding of their winter coat. If you think about this logically it makes sense, right?…

Why would they need their big heavy winter coat as the sun starts to come out, do you get me?

Usually, there are obvious signs of shedding. Such as, if you attempt to pet your cat, you may notice that that there will be fur stripping off in your hand.

Or, you may even notice the shedding of fur around your house. In obvious places where your cat usually hangs out. For example, on their cat bed or your beloved sofa!

Sometimes, you will notice shedding for unexpected reasons. Such as health-related problems or other issues. For example, fleas (click here for my best flea shampoo) if your cat has a problem with fleas it will naturally get irritated as the fleas attempt to bite into its skin.

The obvious reaction from your cat is to bite and scratch its skin to get rid of the irritation. This usually results in fur starting to shed. And, you may even see skin patches in their coat of fur because of this behaviour.

Nutritional Reasons

This can be seen in two different ways. Such as poor nutritional value of food. This is where your cat is lacking in certain nutrients. This may take time to manifest, but if they are not receiving the correct nutrition, regularly, you could see fur loss.

You may also see fur loss related to food if they are consuming something that they may be allergic to. Obviously, this may be consumed by accident.

Scabies Issues

Scabies is little mites that attach themselves to the skin of your cat and cause irritation and pain. This can usually result in fur loss or unsightly patches in their fur.

Anxiety

Anxiety and stress is another issue that can result in fur loss. To be honest, this is similar to us humans. If they are stressed your cat may start to suffer from fur loss.

Things that can cause anxiety and stress for your cat may seem simple to us but never the less can cause problems and stress for your cat.

Such as, fighting with a neighbouring cat or another stray cat. Even a new member of your family. This may make me feel pushed out.

It could be another cat or it could even be a new baby joining the family that is taking all the attention.

Alternatively, it could be something as simple as a change of environment, such as moving house and your cat may start to feel a little bit anxious about its new surroundings.

Do cats shed their fur all year round?

Yes, you can expect cats to shed their hair all year round. However, this isn’t a consistent ongoing thing. It just means that it’s not isolated to any particular month of the year.

In reality, the type of breed of cat you have makes the difference between how much shedding you should expect. Or, how much of the year they are likely to shed for.

Cats that are from a colder climate typically have longer fur. And, you would expect them to shed slightly more than a short-haired cat.

Examples of cats that are known to shed a lot include a Maine Coon (click here to see why Why are Maine Coon cats are so big) cat or even a Bobcat.

How can you reduce the shedding?

In this section, I will give you some tips on how to reduce the shedding of your calico or any cat for that matter…

01. Regular brushing

If you simply use a shedding brush (click here to see my best shedding and de-matting tools), you can get rid of a lot of the shedding fur and control this in your own time rather than walking around the house and picking up clumps of hair everywhere.

If your cat is left to shed naturally (are long-haired calico’s more likely to shed? click here) without you getting involved it is unknown exactly how much shedding fur will be dropped around your house.

Therefore, there is a simple way of controlling this and helping to reduce the amount of shed that you see.

02. Bathing your cat

As much as your cat might hate bathing, especially if they get cold after but it is a great way to keep them from shedding. The great thing is it does not have to be too regular, once a month is fine. But, if reducing the shedding is important it’s worth the hassle, in my opinion.

03. Provide enough hydration

Believe it or not, hydration is an important part of regulating your cat’s shedding. They need good hydration basically. And, this can be tough if you have a cat that does not drink much or lives on dry food.

What’s the solution? Either consider switching them to wet food or providing them with a water fountain (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) to increase their water consumption.

Related questions:

I’m going to cover some frequently asked questions related to cat shedding. If you feel that you have additional questions in your mind that I’m not answered feel free to leave a comment below.

What cats shed the most fur?

Some of the cats that shed the most include the Russian Blue, Ragamuffin, and Ragdoll cats. You will often find that cat breeds cats with longer fur will often shed more. This makes logical sense because they have more fur to lose than shorter hair breeds.

This is not a definitive list of cats that shed a lot, but some of the biggest shedders to give you an idea of what t expect if you are considering these breeds.

Do indoor cats shed less?

Indoor cats are known to shed less. This is because of their environment. In particular, the lighting. The lighting indoors is not natural so it reduces the impact of shedding. So, if you have an outdoor cat you can expect to see a lot more fur shed.

So, if you have ever heard rumors that indoor cats shed less you can conclude that this is based on some facts.

What months do cats shed the most?

The spring months are likely to show more shedding than others. This is mainly because the amount of hair is larger in these months. Why? Because they are shedding their thick winter coat during this time.

This will mean, to keep it under control, you will need to work hard grooming them. I particular, brushing them (click here to see my best ones) daily to stop them sheddded hair all over your home.

Does giving your cat a bath help with shedding?

No, it is not a good idea to give your cat a bath to help with shedding. Although you will notice some of their shedding fur being removed.

The reason I say no is because cats typically do not like being bathed. And, this can cause them a high level of anxiety. And to make matters worse, if you bathe a cat solely to remove shedding fur, you won’t really see a massive benefit from it.

Therefore for the sake of lacklustre results, it’s better not to put your cat through the pain of having this.As discussed previously in the article it’s better to use a shedding brush which will be 100 times more effective.