Oh my, the amount of cat hair...

**Casper** · 11-05-2008, 03:05 PM

I haven't officially announced it yet (but it is official!), that our foster kitty is a foster failure. Marzy is her name and she brought along enough hair to keep an entire army warm for the winter. No kidding.

I believe she would be considered a medium-haired cat. Our other three cats are all short-haired, and we have never had a problem with them shedding.. its just the newbie. When her and Khaith are wrestling, the amount of hair that flies is just uncanny. At first I was worried that it was medical-related, but she has been to the vet and was given a clean bill of health.

I know diet can play a big role in the condition of an animal's coat. To tell the truth, I am uncertain what we feed our cats. I know, I know; shame on me! We buy our food in bulk and keep it in storage containers instead of the bag it comes in, so I would have to ask my mum or sister what we buy when they get home. I want to say it is Purina Cat Chow: Indoor Formula, but don't hold me to that. Is that a suitable brand to buy? If not, what do you recommend?

Or, are some cats just more shed-prone than others? I have been grooming all the dogs and cats every other day... it helps a bit, but the amount of Marzy-hair is still pretty crazy. I have been experimenting with a variety of brushes on her, but if there are any brushes in particular that truly helps feel free to suggest them.

Thank you for any help!
I am sorry if I sound pretty clueless... I am very willing to learn, though. :-)

I just had to add a picture of her. I am totally smitten with this little girl. I can't even begin to put into words just how much she has really helped me cope with the loss of my RB dog, Frisk. I am eternally grateful for her being sent my way.

**Catty1** · 11-05-2008, 03:22 PM

Get a Furminator, or a grooming tool with a small Furminator type blade on it. It gets rid of the undercoat, and works GREAT on my fluffy boy Cole. Flying hair disappears for several weeks!

Marzy is GORGEOUS. Congrats on your failure!

**Husky_mom** · 11-05-2008, 03:32 PM

what a gorgeous lady!!..

sorry no sugestions... but i had to comment on the cutie kitty cat....

**GILL** · 11-05-2008, 04:03 PM

CONGRATS ON YOUR FAILURE.
The Furminator is a good one and welcome to my world I think we are going to make a blanket from Barts alone.

**kb2yjx** · 11-05-2008, 06:22 PM

What a lovely little tortie!!! We add lecithin to the cats food, it gives gloss and fluff to the longer haired ones, and the short haired kits just look better. I feed Pet Promise canned food to the majority and one gets canned Evo. Also, it is shed season....maybe that is why your girl has increased shedding....Good luck!!!

**Medusa** · 11-05-2008, 06:43 PM

Marzy is a beauty and everyone is right, a Furminator does a great job at getting to the undercoat and keeping the fur from flying. I've had my Fur Posse on Purina Cat Chow forever and I've never had any problems. They all love it. I will say, though, that the Indoor Formula is said to have more coloring in it, so my orangie, Creamsicle, can't eat it because she's allergic, so I switched back to just regular Cat Chow and things are much better.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 11-05-2008, 10:37 PM

She sure is a gorgeous girl.

I own a furminator and it really works well when I use it. All of my cats shed so I've learned to put up with it. They're all eating Innova Evo dry and some of them also eat the canned food.

**Casper** · 11-06-2008, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I had heard of the furminator before, but didn't know it had such great reviews! I will definitely give it a shot. I bet it would come in handy when grooming Skylar, as well. He won't be shaved for the rest of the year and his hair is getting shaggy really quick. Thanks for the suggestions!

**lvpets2002** · 11-06-2008, 03:53 PM

Awee this baby was meant to be in your furrever home.. Such a Beauty Queen.. Congrats = Yes I have a couple of the furminator & they work wonders.. You cant even imagine how much undercoat they can get.. And of course I have gotten used to my long haired babies also..

**mamaducky** · 11-06-2008, 08:10 PM

Yet another vote for the Furminator -- and one more addition to the Marzy Fan Club! She just looks so sweet and huggable; I'm so very glad you have found each other! (Doesn't it feel great to fail sometimes?

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