Owning a cat is a gift in many ways. They’re affectionate and fun, but they also shed all year long, which can leave your home covered with their hair. This makes it difficult to clean up after them without investing in some quality tools. While there are plenty of tools on the market meant to help you scoop up pet hair , not all of them are ideal for a home with cats. To help you pick out the right tool, we’ve created a list of some our favorites and why they might be best for your home.
1. Rubber broom
Rubber brooms have an incredibly unique design, so it’s important to determine if they’re right for you before you buy. They tend to be slightly bulkier than traditional brooms and mops, but they also tend to clean up pet hair much more efficiently. If you have a home with many cats and/or dogs, you can’t go wrong adding this tool to your cleaning toolbox.
2. Microfiber cloths and Swiffer pads
Many cat owners swear by these products for cleaning up pet hair. They’re specifically designed to pick up the fine hairs that seem to get everywhere, so they won’t leave any behind on your furniture or carpets. When paired with a rubber broom , you’ll be able to pick up every last bit of fur from your carpet and surfaces.
3. Vacuum cleaner
A powerful vacuum with a strong suction is an absolute necessity in any home that has pets and people sharing the same space. Some pet vacuums are specifically designed to pick up pet hairs , but even regular ones can do a pretty good job when properly used. Invest in one of these tools and you’ll be amazed at how much extra clean up you won’t have to do.
4. Handheld vacuum
When it comes to getting rid of pet hair on furniture and fabric surfaces, a handheld vacuum is a way to go. They’re portable and easy to use, so you can clean up all sorts of hairs in a snap without breaking your back. This is also a great option if you don’t want to spend hundreds on an expensive vacuum cleaner. Don’t forget the attachments!
5. Lint roller
Lint rollers are convenient little tools that can easily remove pet hair from clothing, furniture, and other surfaces. They’re not perfect for getting rid of pet hairs on carpet, but they’re fantastic at removing them from fabrics.
6. Pet grooming tools
If you have a pet that sheds excessively, it’s useful to invest in some high-quality pet grooming tools. These are specifically designed for animals with thick coats of fur, so they’ll be able to pick up even the tiniest hairs on your cat or dog.
7. Electric broom
Electric brooms are great for getting rid of pet hair on carpeting, but they work wonders on hardwood and laminate surfaces as well. They’re especially useful around the house if you’ve got both pets and kids running around at all times. No matter which one you pick up, these tools will help you get rid of the majority of pet hair without having to sweep up every few hours.
Which breeds of cats shed the least amount of fur?
There are a range of cats breeds which shed the least amount. Different breeds have different coat types, and some naturally shed less than others, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association. Some hairless cats like Sphynxes produce little or no dander, but their lack of fur makes them susceptible to sunburn and weather-related conditions like rain rot.
A few popular cat breeds that produce less fur include:
American Shorthair, Norwegian Forest Cat, Persian, Chartreux, Russian Blue, Balinese, Cornish Rex Siamese Siberian Bengal Devon Rex Turkish Angora Exotic shorthair Havana Brown Oriental short hair. Sphinx Domestic shorthair Ocicat Ragdoll Birman Manx Scottish Fold Siberian Snowshoe
1. American Shorthair:
This breed needs to be brushed at least once a week, but sheds little other than under the coat.
2. Norwegian Forest Cat:
The coat of this breed is water resistant and it can even swim in cold water without discomfort. They shed their undercoat twice a year which means there is less hair around your home than usual, so it’s easier to maintain control of pet hair if you own one of these cats breeds.
3. Chartreux:
With a wiry outer layer and a fine woolen underlayer, this breed produces very little shedding either indoors or out.
4. Russian Blue:
These beautiful cats have a single coat that sheds minim throughout the year and has been described as hypoallergenic.
5. Balinese:
These cats have a silky, elegant coat with little shedding and produce even less hair when brushed regularly.
6. Cornish Rex:
This breed has a coat of soft, short fur which sheds very little throughout the year and their hypoallergenic coats make them popular with allergy sufferers.
7. Siamese:
The traditional Siamese produces less hair than some other breeds thanks to its single layer of fine, short, sleek fur that is never thick or woolly – a great pet if you’re allergic to cat hair! Most modern Siamese tend to have longer fur but still don’t shed heavily throughout the year.
8. Bengal:
The short, fine, close lying coat of this breed is highly resistant to matting and produces very little shedding.
10. Devon Rex:
Like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex has a single layer coat that doesn’t tend to grow too long or thickly – which means less hair around your home! They also have no doggy smell, don’t shed much and are hypoallergenic making them a popular choice for allergy sufferers throughout the world.
11. Turkish Angora:
Like the Turkish Van breed, these cats are found in a range of colors and patterns. They have fine coats that don’t tend to mat or shed much.
12. Exotic Shorthair:
With a single layer coat, this cat doesn’t grow long fur which means less hair around your home! Their lack of undercoat also makes them hypoallergenic and great pets for allergy sufferers.
13. Havana Brown:
The short, velvet-like, single layer coat of this breed doesn’t tend to grow long or thickly so there is less hair around your home.
14. Oriental Short Hair:
They have a double coat, but unlike many others the outer coat is short and sleek while the inner layer is thick. This breed produces little shedding, less dander and is hypoallergenic which makes it a perfect choice for allergy sufferers.
15. Sphynx:
These cats are known for their lack of coat, but their skin doesn’t produce any odour or allergens making them great pets for allergy sufferers.
16. Domestic Shorthair:
These cats shed relatively little with their single layer of fine, short fur which means there is less hair around your home than usual! Their lack of undercoat also makes them hypoallergenic and perfect for people who are allergic to pet hair.
17. Ocicat:
These cats have a water resistant coat and don’t grow thick fur which means there is less hair around your home than usual to shed or deal with.
18. Singapura:
Singapuras are known for their lack of undercoat so you won’t find as many hairs around the house as with other breeds. They also produce less dander making them a great choice for allergy sufferers!
19. American Wirehair:
With short, thick wiry hair, this breed doesn’t shed much and produces less dander.
20. Balinese:
These cats have a silky, elegant coat with little shedding and produce even less hair when brushed regularly.
21. Burmese:
This breed is known for producing very little dander so their presence makes it easier for allergy sufferers to live with a cat!
22. Siberian:
With a coat that is hard to penetrate, the Siberian has a water-resistant undercoat which keeps it cosy in winter and cool in summer. It will romp all day outside but sheds very little hair indoors.
2. What causes cats to shed?
There are several factors that cause a cat to shed, and the frequency and intensity of shedding varies with age and individual genetics. Cats lose hair when their growth cycles alternate between two different types of hair: a coarser winter coat for warmth during cold weather and a lighter, shorter summer coat for cooling in the warmer months, according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Shorthair pets produce more fur than longhaired cats because shorthairs have only one coat type while longhairs have two coat types. Longhaired kittens develop coats at around 12 weeks old while shorthaired kittens develop coats after 10 weeks.
3. How can you reduce how much your cat sheds?
Regular brushing with a soft bristle brush will remove dead hair from your cat’s coat, which in turn helps stop more hairs from being shed. It is also important to regularly clean your cat’s bedding as this removes loose fur that would otherwise be left behind. If you have more than one cat then re-arranging their feeding station so each has enough room to eat in peace will also help. Grooming your cat with a deshedding tool once or twice a week can help remove loose fur from their undercoat that would otherwise be left behind, too!
