A lustrous hair is the goal of any cat sitter, as it is a guarantee of the well-being and health of our feline. A coat in excellent condition protects our cat and is a reflection of good health.
But, sometimes, this coat can present a bad appearance, generalized lack of hair or in certain areas or a slow growth. In this article we are going to deal with this last situation, when the hair does not grow, to explain the reasons for this lack. In addition, we will provide information on how to grow my cat’s hair.
The importance of an optimal coat
Although hair may seem like a minor issue in and for the health of our cat, the truth is that the coat fulfills a series of important functions, so it is essential to keep it in good condition. These functions are as follows:
- Thermal insulation: the fur protects our cat from high and low temperatures, as well as from the sun’s rays that could cause burns.
- Mechanical insulation: hair is a first barrier to prevent damage such as wounds, scratches, stings or bites.
- Communication: cats’ hair is part of their body language. For example, a cat about to attack will bristle the hairs on its back to appear larger and thus impress its enemy.
- Sense of touch: hair is also involved in this sense, being for the cat a very valuable source of information about the environment.
As we can see, the importance of hair is indisputable, hence the need for good care and the concern that the coat is damaged or does not grow. In the following sections we are going to see how to grow a cat’s hair.
The hair cycle
Hair goes through several phases during its growth, which are the following:
- Anagen phase: it is the phase in which hair grows rapidly.
- Catagen phase: it is a transition phase in which the hair stops growing.
- Telogen phase: it is a phase in which the hair falls (sheds). When the new hair pushes the old, the cycle begins again.
Cats usually experience a couple of hair loss a year, which we know as “molting “, although living indoors they may not be as intense or that we only identify it once a year. Spring and fall are usually the critical times for hair. Its renovation occurs in mosaic, that is, gradually, so that no hairless areas are left.
Sometimes, in cats subjected to high stress (whatever the cause), what is called “telogen effluvium ” occurs, which is a disorder in which the anagen phase does not start, the hair cycle being interrupted in the telogen phase. When the cause of stress disappears, new hair forms again and all the hair that was in the telogen phase is suddenly eliminated. The result is a generalized alopecia that does not require treatment, just wait for the hair to grow back.
How long does it take for a cat to grow hair?
The answer is not exact, since different factors intervene in growth, but it can be expected that the coat will return to its usual length in several weeks or even months. Sometimes the absence of hair is caused by shaving to practice veterinary interventions such as surgery, the placement of a line in a vein or a blood extraction. We will see in the next section how to grow a cat’s hair.
Hair growth
The information that we are going to share below is not a magic formula for growth, but rather they are recommendations to promote this growth and, in addition, that the hair looks healthy. If, even so, the hair still does not grow, we must consult our veterinarian, since we could be facing a systemic disease. The basis for growing the hair of our cat will be in the cat’s diet, therefore we will have to pay special attention to the following nutrients:
- Proteins: participate in the growth and structure of the hair. Very slow growth can be explained by insufficient protein intake. For this reason, the quantity that we offer to our cat is very important but, much more, its quality, since its bio availability will depend on it, that is, the ease with which the body can take advantage of them. In addition, the proteins we supply must contain essential amino acids for hair growth, such as lysine.
- Minerals: zinc stands out, which is involved in hair growth and its deficiency, among other symptoms, causes a delay in this growth and even its loss in some areas.
In addition, other nutrients are necessary to avoid hair and skin problems, such as:
- Vitamins: there are many necessary for a good appearance of both skin and hair and their deficiency is the cause of alopecia, bald spots, infections, etc.
- Essential fatty acids: Omega 3 and Omega 6 stand out, which the cat will not be able to synthesize by itself.
A deficiency of these nutrients can be caused by a diet that is not adequate to the needs of the cat or, with a correct diet, by a problem in the use of these nutrients.
The basics for a hair 10
To recap, how to grow a cat’s hair and keep it in optimal condition is based on the following aspects, which will serve as prevention:
- Stress management, which can prevent telogen effluvium as well as other dermatological problems. Stress affects the immune system, lowers defenses and this can cause the conditions.
- The brushing the cat helps remove dead hair, which facilitates renewal, especially during molting.
- A food that is adequate to the needs of the cat and of quality, to guarantee the correct nutrition of the skin and hair.
- Deworming is essential, since the attack of parasites can cause injuries and alopecia that can be prevented using the best deworming products.
- We must go to the vet before any suspicious sign that concerns the skin or hair. Regular veterinary check-ups will help detect diseases in the early stages, making it easier to tackle them and thus avoid, as much as possible, and the loss of large extensions of hair.
