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How to Remove Cat Hair
Advice for cat owners: how to remove cat hair and prevent excessive shedding
Having a cat makes a cosy home – but having cat hair all over the place can sometimes drive you to despair. FOUR PAWS has tips on how to remove cat hair and prevent your cat from shedding excessively.
Daily brushing
Brushing your cat every day is a good place to start. This will remove most of the hair that your cat would shed during the day. The loose hair can be removed directly from the brush and disposed of.
- Our tip: If the cat hair is free from anti-parasitic agents, you can make it available to the birds as nesting material in the spring.
Remove hair from clothing
For most clothing items a clothes brush will be enough to get rid of the fur. If this does not work, then try your luck with an adhesive tape or alternatively with a lint roller or brush. There are a large number of pet hair removers of this type on the market. Do you have a clothes dryer? If so, then you can make it easier for yourself: Put your clothes in the dryer for a few minutes with a cool airflow. Cat hair that is loosely caught in the fabric will be blown out within a few minutes and can then be easily removed from the lint filter.
- Our tip: Before you cuddle your cat the next time: put on clothes that the hair does not stick to so much.
Do you have a clothes dryer? If so, you can make it easy for yourself: Put your hairy clothes in the tumble dryer for a few minutes on a cold airflow before washing. Cat hair that is loosely caught in the fabric will be blown out within a few minutes and can then be easily removed from the lint filter.4 You can then wash them as usual.
- Our tip: Make sure you clean both the tumble dryer and the lint filter regularly after use.
Furniture
We recommend rubber gloves for cleaning your "hairy" furniture: stroke the surface of your couch and armchair. The cat hair is swept away by the electrostatic charge - usually very easily.
- Our tip: moisten the rubber glove beforehand so that the cat hair adheres better.
Vacuum cleaner and washing machine
Even if it can get annoying: vacuum your home every day. The more disciplined you are with cleaning, the less cat hair can build up. Take the opportunity and vacuum all the cushions at the same time with the nozzle provided for this purpose.
- Our tip: Get an animal hair nozzle or brush for your vacuum cleaner or a vacuum robot.
Do you wash the cat bed covers in the washing machine? If so, then clean the drum of any remaining cat hair. Otherwise, you will get annoyed with the hair on your clothes the next time you wash.
An air purifier helps
In a household with cat(s), an effective air purifier can significantly reduce the amount of hair. The purchase of an air purifier is particularly recommended if animal hair allergies are a problem, whether for you as the cat owner or for people who come to visit you.
- Our tip: Find out about a suitable filter for the device. Filters of certain classes are suitable for animal hair.
Divide up your home
Set up specific areas where your cat can spend time. This can help to keep the other rooms free of cat hair.
- Our tip: Decide in advance which rooms you want to keep cat-free and make sure to close the doors to these areas. If your cat tries to get in, you can deter her with scents that she finds unpleasant, such as citrus fruits, eucalyptus, garden mint, and menthol. If you don’t like this approach, consider teaching her which rooms she is allowed in through positive, step-by-step training.
Nutrition and health
Excessive hair loss can be an expression of an underlying problem. Parasites, allergies, stress, an unbalanced diet, various medical causes and hormonal imbalances are some of the possible triggers.
Our tip: Have your cat examined regularly by a vet and seek advice. If needed, consider getting support from other experts in areas such as nutrition, behaviour, and training.
Conclusion
Living with a cat brings joy and companionship, but managing cat hair can be a daily challenge. By incorporating simple habits like regular brushing, using the right tools for cleaning clothes and furniture, and maintaining a clean home environment, you can significantly reduce the presence of cat hair. Investing in helpful devices like air purifiers and vacuum cleaners, setting boundaries within your home, and ensuring your cat’s health through proper nutrition and veterinary care all contribute to a cleaner, more comfortable living space—for both you and your feline friend.
Find more useful information and tips on the topic of cat hair in our guide: 'Moulting: Dogs & Cats'!
