Best Cat Food For Shedding - Cats.com (original) (raw)

The best cat food for shedding won’t necessarily prevent your cat from shedding, but it may improve the condition of their coat. A diet built around animal-sourced ingredients with plenty of hydrating moisture will benefit your cat’s digestion as well. When your cat’s digestion is in healthy working order, ingested fur may pass harmlessly through the digestive tract instead of being coughed up as hairballs.

In this guide, we’ll discuss what to look for when shopping for cat food to reduce shedding. We’ll provide in-depth reviews of our top picks for the best options on the market.

At a Glance: Best Cat Food for Shedding To Buy

Runner Up

9.8

Picked by 31 people today!

Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food

• Rich in moisture and animal-sourced protein
• Easily digestible and low in carbs
• Moderately calorie-dense recipe

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Premium Pick Wet Food

9.8

Picked by 25 people today!

Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

• Made with a species-appropriate blend of muscle meat, organs, and bone
• New Zealand green mussels provide omega-3 fatty acids
• Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration

Best Chicken-Free

9.7

Picked by 31 people today!

Primal Turkey Formula Freeze-Dried Nuggets

• Comprised of 90% turkey muscle meat, organs, and bone
• Relies on whole-food sources of vitamins and minerals
• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and cod liver oil

Best High-Moisture Wet Food

Best Low-Carb Dry Food

9.5

Picked by 18 people today!

Young Again ZERO Dry Cat & Kitten Food

• Contains over 60% protein and nearly 30% fat (dry matter)
• Very low in carbohydrates, under 2% dry matter
• Relies primarily on animal-sourced protein and fat

Best Fresh Food

9.4

Picked by 25 people today!

Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Pate

• Protein-packed fresh food made primarily from animal ingredients
• Made with human-grade ingredients
• Rich in moisture for hydration and digestive support

What Causes Excessive Shedding?

Excessive shedding may be a sign of an underlying health issue like allergies, stress, or poor nutrition. Even if it isn’t linked to health problems, excessive shedding can contribute to hairballs.

It’s best to consult a veterinarian if your cat is shedding more than usual. They’ll be able to determine whether the underlying cause is something to be concerned about and, if so, how to treat it. They may also recommend dietary modifications to help manage the problem.

Though it’s hard to say whether any specific cat food will resolve issues with shedding, improving the quality and digestibility of your cat’s diet may help. A balanced diet paired with adequate hydration is key to keeping your cat’s skin and coat healthy.

Why Trust Cats.com

We’ve reviewed over 200 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of different formulas. We’ve spent hours researching, contacting pet food companies, analyzing labels, and reading customer reviews. With the help of our cats, we also got hands-on experience with most of these foods.

Finally, we consulted seven veterinarians to get their professional opinion on how to reduce excessive shedding through diet.

Our Veterinary Advisors:

• Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ
• Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH
• Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, DVM
• Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
• Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM
• Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM
• Dr. Elizabeth Youens, DVM

The 15 Best Cat Foods for Shedding and Hairballs

Our pick for the best cat food for shedding is RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pȃté. Made primarily with turkey muscle meat and turkey liver, this protein-rich recipe is highly digestible and full of hydrating moisture.

We consider a variety of factors when determining our rankings and do our best to include a wide range of products to suit cats with different needs and preferences. While RAWZ is our top choice, it might not be the perfect pick for your unique cat. To help you find the best option, we’ve categorized our recommendations by food type, price category, life stage, and other important considerations.

What to Look for When Shopping for Cat Food to Reduce Shedding

Shedding is completely normal and necessary for cats, so you shouldn’t expect to stop your cat from shedding entirely. If poor diet is a contributing factor in excessive shedding, dietary modifications may help. The more nutritious and digestible your cat’s diet, the healthier they’ll be — and that includes their skin and coat.

When shopping for cat food to support skin and coat health, look for the following features:

• Focus on animal ingredients. Your cat’s diet should consist primarily of animal-sourced protein and fat with minimal carbohydrate inclusions.
• Balance of protein and fat. Look for a recipe that contains at least 40% protein and 20% fat, measured as dry matter.
• Simple list of digestible ingredients. The simpler your cat’s diet, the more digestible it will be, and digestibility is key for optimal nutrient absorption.
• Rich in hydrating moisture. Wet cat food is generally best for keeping your cat hydrated, though reconstituted freeze-dried food as well as fresh or raw foods work well too.
• Single source of animal protein. If you suspect food allergies are contributing to your cat’s skin and coat issues, consider switching to a single-protein recipe made with a protein your cat hasn’t eaten before.

In addition to improving your cat’s diet, regular grooming is important for managing shedding and hairballs. Brushing your cat several times a week helps remove loose and dead fur from their coat before it can be shed.

Also Read: 11 Best Cat Brushes & Deshedding Tools For Long & Short-Haired Cats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cat food to stop shedding?

Shedding is part of the natural growth cycle your cat’s fur goes through — dead hairs are shed to make room for new growth. The best cat food to reduce shedding and hairballs is one that supports your cat’s overall health, including skin and coat health. It should be high in animal protein, low in carbohydrates, and rich in hydrating moisture.

Can cat food reduce shedding?

Sometimes. No diet will stop your cat from shedding completely, but poor nutrition can make shedding worse. Switching to an easily digestible, high-moisture diet rich in animal-sourced ingredients may improve your cat’s health and reduce excessive shedding.

Can cat food cause excessive shedding?

Yes. Low-quality food can negatively affect your cat’s skin and coat condition, both of which may contribute to excessive shedding. Food allergies can also contribute to skin and coat issues. If your cat is allergic to their food, switching to a recipe free from the offending allergen may help.