I think it has a lot to do with both, Katie.
this isn't an example of a cat but my sister just feeds her dog Ol Roy or Beneful and he sheds like a banshee. When my parents have to keep him my mom always keeps him blocked in the area where they have lineolum. (well - for other reasons also - he still pees at the drop of a hat) and there is black hair everywhere. My mom ususally has to clean the entire downstairs just b/c she feels ickky.
My sister's house has black hair all over it. I have to wash my hands after I pet him..
Now when Keegan goes over to my parents house she has full run of the house - bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, living/family rooms. Everything but sleeping on the beds. My mom doesn't even sweep after we leave unless we have been there for longer then a few days..
My mom has never allowed us to have pets in the house as kids. So when I first got a dog and she allowed it in the house it was a big deal. When I got Keegan - she always stayed in her crate when noone was there or blocked in the hallway when we were gone. After I started letting Keegan out of her crate at home, mom said she didn't need to be in a crate at their home either. What I feed Keegan??
started out on science diet or Diamond or Nutro or Sensible Choice or Royal Canin. Now she is on the perscription diet for her weight.
I feed the kitties Science Diet. Both of them are soft and shiny.