Why is a cat shedding its undercoat? - briefly
A cat sheds its undercoat primarily due to changes in daylight hours and temperature. This process helps regulate their body temperature as seasons change.
Why is a cat shedding its undercoat? - in detail
Cats shed their undercoat, also known as the secondary coat or winter coat, primarily due to changes in daylength and temperature. This process, known as molting, helps cats adapt to seasonal variations.
During the winter months, when days are shorter and temperatures are cooler, cats grow a thicker undercoat to insulate their bodies from the cold. This additional layer of fur traps heat close to the skin, providing extra warmth during the colder periods. However, as the seasons change and daylength increases, signaling warmer weather ahead, cats begin to shed this excess fur.
The shedding process is regulated by hormonal changes in the cat's body that are triggered by the increasing amount of sunlight. Specifically, the production of melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep and darkness, decreases as daylength increases. This hormonal shift signals the cat's body to start shedding the undercoat to prevent overheating in warmer temperatures.
Additionally, grooming behaviors also play a significant role in the shedding process. Cats spend a considerable amount of time grooming themselves, and during this activity, they remove loose fur from their undercoat. The action of licking their fur helps to dislodge and remove the old, excess fur, facilitating the molting process.
In summary, cats shed their undercoat in response to changes in daylength and temperature, with hormonal shifts and grooming behaviors contributing to this natural process. This adaptation allows cats to maintain a comfortable body temperature throughout the year.