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Cats/Persian Cat Hair Clumps

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Expert: - 3/3/2010


Question
We have a "tea cup Persian" with long hair, and weighs a little over 6 pounds.  Her fur is plentiful, but she is loosing good amounts of it.  She has been with us since around 10 weeks old, and now this is four years later.  She has never shedded like this before, and it is coming off in fairly large sections.  We have a new baby in the house, as of 9 months ago - so a little less attention has probably been going to the cat.  Could this be why?  When my wife started combing her regularly again is when she noticed it.  Since then, it has become the "norm" to see sections hanging off of her chest area, around her neck and other areas.  She still has a lot of hair, but what do you think.  When I was trying to find answers on line someone said it is "shedding season", but in the previous years she never had shed.
Are we overly worried, or could it be more serious?

Answer
Dennis,

There are so many possible explanations.  I think you and your wife should keep up the copmbing and see if this is just a peculiar shedding season.  If her skin underneath seems healthy, I would not worry about it.  Also, I would consider giving her regular baths (about once a month) to help get rid of dead hair so it does not knot up on you.

If the skin does not appear normal, a trip to the vet may be warranted.  

As to shedding season, this is a peculiar year as our cats have she three times (late winter, mid summer, late autumn). We live in the midwest USA. So, even if she has not shed much in the past, that may have changed!!!!!

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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