Does feeding cats dry food cause shedding?

Question

I feed my 2 cats dry food most the time and brush them as often as I can but there's still fur all over the place. If someone can justify canned cat food (like a vet) then I'll go that way.

Answer 1

Shedding tends to be seasonal which is normal. Premium dry foods contain Omega 3 and other ingredients to enhance coat quality.

Answer 2

I'm sure you know that shedding is going to happen no matter what. However, it has been my personal experience that feeding moist food has cut down on the amount.

Poppy is nothing but hair, and Sophie is just a regular shorthair. They both shed about equal amounts. Both are groomed on a regular basis - Sophie gets a daily brushing and Poppy gets brushed at least once a week.

When I switched them from an all dry diet (Purina) to an all canned diet (good quality of course), shedding was reduced. Not only that, but Poppy's dandruff cleared up.

I think regular grooming is the key more than diet, but the moist diet did help.

However, there are so many other reasons to get cats off the kibble and onto a MUCH better moist diet. Shedding would be at the bottom of that list - improved health would be at the top.

Answer 3

Dry food doesn't necessarily cause shedding. Low quality food that does not contribute to a healthy fur coat *does* contribute to dry brittle fur which is more likely to break and shed (also you tend to see more dander as well).

Gradually switch to a higher quality food like Nature's Variety, Solid Gold, Innove, Wysong, etc. and you will start to see a difference.

There is some new schools of thought about dry food verses canned food. Obviously, right now with the recall you need to be careful about what kind of canned food you choose. The ones listed above are not affected by the recall.

If you choose a good quality food, canned pet food actually has a better quality protien source than kibble because of the way that the meat is weighed and processed. The old school of thought was that kibble will keep pet teeth clean, but as you probably know, cats and dogs usually just swallow thier food whole. Dental care is something you do seperately.

Answer 4

Dry food does not cause shedding. However stress and seasonal changes do. Dry food is actually better for the cats teeth, on the other hand wet food is recomended to be given at least 2 times a week. My choice of dry or wet would be Royal Canine. My older cat had a problem with shedding a bit too much. After switching her to Royal Canine Young Adult her coat is fabilous and she even lost weight. The down side is that I can only get it at my work (the Vet) and it costs a bit more than store brand, but its healthier and worth it. I highly recomend that you try it :).

Answer 5

He is probably not eating because you keep on changing the diet on him. Find a good quality food and slowly transition him onto it and stay with it for a while. Purina, Iams, Meow mix, anything you can buy at the grocery store, etc. are not good quality foods. They are full of corn and other cereal grains that cats are not designed to eat. California Natural and Natural Balance make good cat foods for cats with sensitive stomachs. Also canned food can be really good for cats. Cats that are stickily on dry food can be chronically dehydrated and in the long term can lead to renal failure. Personally I feed my cats a little dry food in the morning (ATM it is Fromm Surf and Turf) and in the evening they get raw or canned food. Also the fact about dry being better for their teeth is a myth. Watch cats eat their dry food. They tend to swallow the pieces whole.

Answer 6

If it's a good quality dry food, it won't cause excess shedding at all. In fact, my kitties will turn their noses up at wet food and refuse to touch it.

They shed, which is to be expected: Their momma was wild, and they have thick coats. But not excessively.

Answer 7

Dry food is good for the teeth of a cat but not for the kidney's, always give a lot of water or milk! when you give dry food. There also times of the year a cat looses more hair like in spring when the old (winter hair )comes off also cat's like longhair cats it's normal they loosing a lot of hair all I can say is brush(if the cat's allows, some don't like it) and maybe give some vitamins from your pet doctor (mostly not necessary).

Answer 8

My cat only likes dry food so I buy her a higher quality dry food. I find she doesn't scratch and get dry skin like she did on the cheaper brands.

Or you can also buy from your vet a fish oil supplement which can be added to the food. This will help with the coat.

Answer 9

My cats only get dry food and they don't shed that much. I give them only premium food (Innova) and since they have been eating that, their shedding has been reduced to a minimum.

Answer 10

Cats need moisture and fat in their food for optimum skin health. Go to: http://littlebigcat.com and read a coulple of articles by Dr. Jean Hovfe - "Why Cats Need Canned Food" and "Selecting a Good Commercial Pet Food".