Do Savannah Cats Shed A Lot? What You Should Do

If you are interested in buying a Savannah cat or any breed, you likely wonder how much the animal actually sheds. After all, taking care of your pet’s coat is just one of the many responsibilities you will have as a cat owner.

Do Savannah cats shed a lot? Savannah cats are actually one of the breeds known to shed a rather low amount. They shed to grow in their winter coats, but it is easy to manage with proper care and the right tools such as a good cat brush.

 That’s the easy answer-but to really know how to handle a shedding Savannah, keep on reading.

How to Care for A Shedding Savannah Cat

Caring for a shedding cat is not hard but will require a bit of effort on your part. This is especially true for those of us that own Savannah cats.

Some breeds, like the F1 and F2, are not exactly lap cats and prefer to run around instead of rest. Therefore, it may be a bit hard to wrangle your Savannah for a daily brushing.

However, brushing is going to be your first line of defense if your Savannah is shedding. As a short-haired breed, you really only have to brush your cat about three times a week, whereas longer haired breeds should be brushed every day or every other day.

You can groom your Savannah using a glove designed to pick up the excess fur. On Amazon, we like the StarRoad 2 pack of gloves.

It’s a nice way to bond with your cat and they will love the feeling of being pet. The Hertzko self-cleaning slicker brush is another good way to get the excess hair off your cat and leave them feeling great.

Brushing also helps stimulate healthy coats by getting blood flowing when the brush moves over the skin.

Good Brushing Technique

A Savannah is a cat that we would refer to as having a close coat. This means their hair is on the shorter side. Therefore, these cats do best with a grooming glove most of the time.

You can put on the glove which features nubs on the palm and fingers and act as though you are petting your Savannah.

The Hertzko brush we discussed is also great because it gently rubs the skin of your Savannah, providing a massaging feel. It is also good for all hair types, so twice a week brushing will be effective and feel great for the Savannah.

Prevent Too Much Shedding In Your Savannah By Feeding The Right Food

You can take steps to prevent shedding by feeding your cat good food, and you can also promote the growth of the Savannah’s beautiful coat by choosing the right foods. Your vet can provide you some good choices for food that your Savannah will love and get lots of nutrients from.

However, if you would like to shop on your own, there are a few things you should look for. Your cat’s diet should be mostly quality protein-we’re talking about 40% at least. Fat content should be in the range of 25% to 35%.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are critical to the health of the cat’s coat, as are fish oil and antioxidants. Aside from providing your cat a coat that shines and functions well, the skin of your Savannah will be healthy, too.

Check your favorite online retailer or pet stores for options. The brand we like is Blue Buffalo – Check it out here!

Supplements can also help your cat’s coat. They contain Omega 3s and Omega 6s and can be mixed into wet food.  In terms of a brand we like, Nordic Naturals (get it here) has many favorable reviews.

Check with your vet first before you administer any of these.

Why Do Savannah Cats And Other Cats Shed?

All cats do shed, thankfully the Savannah isn’t as big of an offender as some other breeds.  This is a normal thing that happens in a cat’s daily life, and the daylight has a big impact on why it happens.

The term for it is photoperiod. The amount of hours a cat spends in sunlight each day is a catalyst for the process of shedding.  This is more prevalent in outdoor cats during spring and autumn seasons.

Indoor kitties do shed on a regular basis but do so in lower amounts thanks to the artificial lighting in houses. There are three periods of shedding known as anagen (a period of active growth), catagen (the transition period) and telogen (the resting period).

Cats, as a response to their environment, tend to get heavier coats during wintertime to keep warm. And as you might expect, their coats thin out during the summer.

Medical Reasons

Watch out for other signs that your Savannah might shed. Stress, for instance, is one reason you might see them shedding.

A cat that is sick all the time may also develop shedding and skin problems. If you notice lesions, scaling, wrinkles or bald spots, make sure your cat gets to the vet right away.

Other Reasons for Balding Cats

Perhaps you hope to get a Savannah cat but realize somebody in your household is allergic to cats. Perhaps that person is you and you think you can overcome this by way of bathing your Savannah often. After all, the beauty, joy and tough but rewarding experience is worth it, right?

Incorrect. It is admirable that you wish to overcome such an ailment but increasing the number of baths you give your Savannah will not be the answer. The urine, saliva, and dander of cats cause an allergic reaction in humans.

Bathing a cat too often can irritate the skin, causing the cat to feel discomfort. There are actually no breeds of cats that are hypoallergenic, so if you are allergic, please strongly consider if a cat of any breed is the right pet for you.

Sunburn is another reason your Savannah may shed. After all, this breed loves to be outdoors. Make sure you keep an eye on your Savannah cat during sunny days and treat them as you would a human: limit sun exposure.

LLuis Ferrer, a DVM and professor of Veterinary Dermatology at Tufts University, says that Bullfrog brand sunscreen (see it here) is tolerated by cats.

Are Savannah Cats Hypoallergenic?

No cat breed is actually hypoallergenic. There are no scientific findings that support any cat breed being hypoallergenic. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy this breed if you are severely allergic to cats.

Conclusion

Savannah cats are advantageous in many ways, one of which is the fact that they do not shed as much as other breeds. Their coats are reminiscent of wild cats and are absolutely beautiful.

Good care, feeding, and monitoring of your Savannah’s coat will make sure it remains as lovely as ever.