As cat owners (or rather, people who are owned by cats!), most of us know what it’s like to have your cat shedding all over the place. De-fuzzing the sofa, bedspreads, and carpets can seem like a full-time job! But is it true that some cat breeds are worse than others? What about Siamese cats – do they shed?
Short coats and shedding
Siamese cats are unique and lovable, with their unusual and often loud voice, their beautiful blue eyes, and their signature markings. But one of the best things about a Siamese cat is that they have a short, low-shed coat. So, does adopting a Siamese cat mean that those hours spent on hair removal and grooming are a thing of the past? Well, don’t throw away your lint roller and cat brush just yet! Although they are a low-shedding cat breed, most breeds (except hairless ones) still shed, albeit to a lesser degree.
The benefits of owning a short-haired cat
Cats who have a short coat and don’t shed lots of hair have a few added benefits aside from helping you maintain a hair-free home. People with allergies, asthma, or other airway sensitivities often experience flare-ups when in the presence of lots of cat hair. In these cases, Siamese cats and other “low shedders” are often a good option, as they can be considered almost hypoallergenic. However, all cats are different, so please test to make sure that you don’t react before bringing home a Siamese cat!
Another benefit is that short-haired cats require less grooming than long-haired cats and are far less prone to knots, mats, and furballs.
Does that mean I don’t need to brush my Siamese cat?
Even though Siamese cats have short hair, a low-shed coat, and a meticulous personal grooming regime, that doesn’t mean that their coat doesn’t require any care from you. All cats benefit from regular grooming, to remove any dead hair and debris that might be trapped in the fur. This will also help you spot parasites like ticks and fleas.
Although some Siamese cats aren’t keen on being brushed, if you start doing it regularly when they are young, they are likely to tolerate it well and might even enjoy it!
Which other cat breeds are low-shedding?
If you want a low-shedding cat breed but don’t fancy the other endearing traits of a Siamese cat (we’re talking regular, loud updates on where they are and what they’re doing as well as a desire to be the center of attention!), there are some other breeds you could consider. The obvious choice when a lack of hair around the house is important to you is a Sphynx, as you’ll get none at all! You might also want to think about a beautiful Burmese, a boisterous Bengal, or a silky Siberian because these breeds shed less hair than some other breeds.
To summarize…
Siamese cats are among the lowest shedding breeds. Not only does this reduce the amount of cat hair around your home, but it also saves you time spent grooming your furry friend. With all the hours you’ll be saving, you will have plenty of time for relaxing cuddles on the sofa with your ‘purrfect’ Siamese.