2024‘s 10 Best Cat Food For Shedding + Tips On Managing Hair Loss

Cats lose hair just like humans do, but when it’s constant and the amount of fur lost is troubling, it could mean something is wrong.

Extreme cat shedding can be due to an improper diet, especially in the case of sensitive cats, in which case switching to another diet can help immensely. 

If your cat’s diet is not providing all of her dietary needs or is in conflict with her food allergies, it is time to replace it with one that will control excessive fur from being lost and prevent her allergies from being aggravated further.

Towards that end, you’ll need to know which is the best cat food for shedding.

Some Notes on Cat Shedding

We’ve compiled a list of the best cat foods for shedding (canned cat food and dry cat food) that may help your little feline regain back not only her glorious fur but her healthy skin too.

We’ve limited the recipes designed for hairball care to just a couple in our list since these do not really get to the root of cat shedding.

Hairball recipes are designed to reduce hairballs but not fix the cause, which is commonly down to allergies or lack of nutrition.

In this list of the best cat foods for shedding, we’ve decided to focus more on foods that will provide your cat with a complete and balanced diet to get her the proper nutrition she needs to reduce shedding and bring back all that shiny cat’s fur.

There is also more information further below on cat shedding control and how to manage it.

Best Cat Foods For Shedding

1. Purina Beyond Wild Salmon
2. Blue Wilderness Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Chicken
3. Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe
4. American Journey LID Salmon and Pea Recipe
5. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice
6. Instinct LID Recipe with Real Rabbit
7. Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Venison
8. Royal Canin Hairball Care Thin Slices in Gravy
9. Natural Balance L.I.D. Tuna & Pumpkin Formula
10. Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley

Our Top Pick As The Best Cat Food For Shedding

Purina Beyond Grain Free Wild Salmon

First 5 ingredients: 

• Salmon, Chicken, Fish Broth, Liver, Egg Product

Guaranteed analysis: 

Purina Beyond is a grain free canned cat food that offers felines high-quality meat and other premium ingredients that you can trace back to trusted sources.

The wet cat food contains no corn, wheat, soy, poultry byproduct meal, or artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

There is only natural nutrition plus added vitamins and minerals to make this wet cat food pate as wholesome as possible.

This grain free canned cat food uses wild salmon as its leading ingredient, followed by fresh chicken, liver, and egg product. All are premium animal protein sources as well as excellent suppliers of omega fatty acids and amino acids. 

Though it makes use of different kinds of animal proteins, the number of ingredients in this grain free canned cat food are very few. There are only 6 main ingredients. The rest are minerals and vitamins.

As for reviews, many of the customers who bought this wet food have remarked that their cats who are usually finicky licked the wet food pate to the last drop.

Kitties with digestive problems or allergic issues thrive on this pure diet that contains no fillers or byproducts. Cat coats and hair also looked healthier due to this grain free cat food formulation.

We also like the same thing about this wet food that customers do. It’s a very simple recipe and high quality cat food that keeps it pure when it comes to what your kitty will ingest.

It delivers a complete and balanced diet without resorting to extenders or fillers. And it can give your kitty back her beautiful fur.

This is our top pick as the best cat food among the selections in this list. The ingredients label will tell you the whole story even if we don’t.

One thing that absolutely sets this formulation apart from the others is that each ingredient is traceable back to its source. So you can be sure that every part of your cat’s food is safe and healthy.

Pros:

• Chicken as the first ingredient
• Grain free canned cat food
• Few number of ingredients
• Sustainable ingredients that can be traced back to the source

Cons:

• Can be expensive for some

Best Dry Cat Food For Shedding

Blue Wilderness Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Chicken

First 5 ingredients: 

• Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein, Peas

Guaranteed analysis: 

While hairballs are normal for most cats, persistent vomiting is not.

And if there is too much cat hair build up from excessive shedding that cannot be passed in the feces or as a hairball, there’s a danger that the hair will obstruct your cat’s upper intestinal tract.

This grain free dry cat food recipe is formulated with a higher amount of fiber to help push the intestinal contents (including hair) out. This is to prevent the hair from accumulating too much.

There is also a good amount of healthy fats and omega fatty acids, taurine, and essential amino acids here. What you won’t find are grains, byproduct meals, wheat, gluten, corn, or soy so the food is also good for kitties with sensitivities.

The grain free cat food is led by deboned chicken with chicken meal adding further protein support. And since chicken is one of the best protein sources, you can see why the protein is at a very good level.

The menhaden fish meal in it also provides some protein but mostly what it gives out is a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

The formulation has hundreds of views and a great majority recommend the food to other cat parents with sensitive cats or those who are prone to excessive shedding.

According to them, the food does help a lot with reducing the frequency that hairballs are thrown up by their felines, especially by their indoor cats, which can be problematic to clean up.

What makes this grain free formulation different is its use of LifeSource Bits, which is the brand’s unique mixture of vitamins, minerals, and superfoods that support immunity. 

A unique fiber blend also prevents the hairballs while aiding your cat’s digestion with every bite.

Pros:

• Deboned chicken as first ingredient
• Has a high amount of protein
• Excellent fiber levels
• Contains guaranteed levels of omega fatty acids

Con:

• Not a single-animal-protein recipe

Best Canned Cat Food For Shedding

Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb

First 5 ingredients: 

• Rabbit Meat, Water Sufficient for Processing, Lamb, Lamb Lung, Lamb Liver

Guaranteed analysis:

Ziwi Peak’s wet food recipe is one of the best cat foods when it comes to packing in the meat. This grain free canned cat food is designed to mirror a cat’s diet in the wild by providing a whole-prey diet that utilizes organs too (dense source of nutrition). 

There is no corn gluten meal or any corn in it, no added carbohydrates, and no artificial additives of any kind. The grain free canned cat food follows a 92% meat, organs, bone, and New Zealand mussels composition. 

One of the reasons why we chose this as our best wet cat food pick is because it has a very limited number of ingredients and yet, most of them are meat.

There are ten meat ingredients in this wet cat food. If your pet is a certified meat lover (and most cats are), this should satisfy the carnivore in her. 

Based on customer feedback, this is a good high protein diet to feed cats. One reviewer mentioned that her cat has gone from being balding to having full hair, and from vomiting frequently to keeping the food down. 

We like how Ziwi Peak strives to be a natural cat food that provides all of your cat’s nourishment needs through a limited number of natural ingredients.

It uses both the meat and the organs to provide a more nutrient-dense meal. It promotes mobility and vitality too from the superfoods in it, like organic kelp, New Zealand green mussels, and green tripe

Pros: 

• Good protein level
• Contains a 92% whole-prey ratio
• 10% of the grain free diet is dedicated to superfoods
• Ethically and sustainably-sourced ingredients

Cons:

• More expensive than most canned cat food

Best Cat Foods For Shedding – Runner Ups

1. American Journey LID Salmon and Pea Recipe

First 5 ingredients: 

• Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein

Guaranteed analysis: 

American Journey offers a limited-ingredient nutrition that helps every feline, especially sensitive ones, thrive. The grain free recipe uses few ingredients, a single animal protein source, and easy-to-digest carbohydrates. 

The dry cat food starts with deboned salmon, which is as premium as you can get when it comes to meat.

And since fresh meat contains a high percentage of water, salmon meal (salmon that has been cooked to remove most of the moisture) was added to ensure that your pet gets enough protein in her diet. 

Since salmon is a fatty fish, aside from protein, it contains a good amount of healthy fats and omega fatty acids to nourish your cat’s coat and skin.

The other ingredients used are simple ones that anyone can recognize. There is no wheat, soy, corn, or anything artificial in the product that might cause your cat’s allergies to flare.

Buyers have mentioned that this grain free formulation is “limited in ingredients but it’s not limited in taste or health.” It’s also perfect for cats not only with sensitive skins but with sensitive stomachs too. 

What’s great about the food is that not only does it offer holistic nutrition (it has taurine for heart health, natural fiber for digestion, and omegas for coat and skin health), it also contains an exceptional amount of guaranteed nutrients. 

Pros:

• Deboned salmon as first ingredient
• Plenty of nutrients with guaranteed levels
• Protein is above minimum
• Few ingredients

Con:

• Lots of peas in the recipe

2. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice

First 5 ingredients: 

• Chicken, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Fat

Guaranteed analysis: 

Hill’s Science Diet’s formulation provides optimal digestive health to promote a cat’s skin that’s healthy and fur that’s lustrous and thick.

This dry cat food is also crafted with prebiotic fiber to help beneficial bacteria flourish and support a balanced biome in your pet’s gut. 

Looking at the label, though it doesn’t say it’s a limited ingredient diet, there are only a few main ingredients.

Fresh chicken leads it, with chicken meal and egg product further down the list providing more protein support. There are guaranteed levels of Vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids that support skin and coat health. 

The chicken fat in the food plays a significant purpose. It’s one of the healthiest sources of fat when it comes to pet food, and fat is what your cat needs to nourish her coat to a beautiful sheen.

According to the hundreds of positive reviews, cats with allergy issues have improved a lot since being put on this diet.

Incidences of kitties throwing up a lot due to sensitive stomachs or hairballs have lessened or gone away completely. Several felines’ coats have also grown back or grown shinier and healthier. 

What we like about this recipe is the added FOS, a nourishing prebiotic fiber. The food also uses easily digestible grains to provide the carbohydrates your cat needs for quick energy. 

Pros:

• Has few ingredients
• Fresh chicken as the first ingredient
• Contains added prebiotic fiber
• Has guaranteed level of omega-6 fatty acids

Cons:

• Contains corn
• Protein is just average
• Uses cheap grain (brewer’s rice)

3. Instinct LID Recipe with Real Rabbit

First 5 ingredients: 

• Rabbit Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Rabbit

Guaranteed analysis: 

Instinct L.I.D. offers cats simple but essential nutrition that provides all of their dietary needs. When dealing with cats with sensitivities, it is important to know exactly what goes into their food.

This grain free formulation’s purposefully short ingredients list makes it easy to check each and every product that is included.

The recipe makes use of farm-raised rabbit as its single animal protein source. While pets can develop sensitivity to any type of animal protein, it is usually the ones they are frequently exposed to.

Rabbit is still considered a novel protein, and the likelihood of rabbit sensitivity is low compared to allergies to chicken, fish, or beef.

Unlike other cat food that contains other sources of protein like eggs, this food relies on fresh rabbit and rabbit meal only to supply all of the protein kitties need.

There are also no dairy, potatoes, wheat, soy, corn, and other common allergens to be found here. Best of all, there are no artificial colors or preservatives.

Cat parents who bought this grain free formulation say that there are no more hairball issues nor allergy flare ups.

Many kitties have also lost less hair after they have been placed on this diet, and the coat they have now looks much better and shinier. There is, however, a disadvantage as the food is reported to cause smellier waste.

We like how this formulation keeps the recipe simple while providing a complete and balanced diet for your cat.

Aside from that, the kibbles are coated with crushed and raw rabbit meat (fresh food that has been freeze dried to preserve it) to make it even more palatable for felines.

Lastly, the nutrient levels — particularly protein and the omega fatty acids —are high and only high-quality ingredients were used.

Pros:

• Limited and natural ingredients
• Excellent amount of protein
• Rabbit as single animal protein source
• Contains freeze-dried raw meat

Cons:

• Waste is smellier according to some reviewers

4. Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Venison

First 5 ingredients: 

• Green Peas, Venison, Pea Protein, Venison Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast

Guaranteed analysis: 

Natural Balance L.I.D. is made especially for kitties with sensitivities. The limited number of ingredients makes it easy for cat parents to track each and every product that goes into it.

The first five ingredients we’ve listed are the main ingredients, while the rest are made up of oils (salmon oil and canola oil are sources of healthy fats) minerals, vitamins, and other natural ingredients.

Cats can develop an allergic reaction to any animal protein, but that happens with meat that they are commonly exposed to.

Since cat food usually utilize fish, beef, or chicken, these meats are common allergens in sensitive felines. On the other hand, venison is considered a novel protein. So if your cat can’t handle other types of meats, venison might be a good alternative.

Another common allergen in some sensitive cats are grains. Instead of grains, this grain free recipe utilizes peas instead to provide the carbohydrates they need. 

Customers rated this grain free dry cat food diet 4.7 stars out of 5. Cats with sensitive skin or allergies with occasional vomiting issues stopped throwing up their food when placed on this diet.

Those who licked or scratched themselves excessively were reported to be doing much better and their coats have grown back or were looking healthier.

We like this recipe for its limited ingredient and single-animal-protein makeup. The venison is a good alternative for pet cats who cannot have other types of red meat in their diet. 

Pros:

• Limited ingredient formulation
• With guaranteed levels of omega fatty acids
• No artificial or bleached ingredients
• Venison as the only animal protein source

Cons:

• Peas are the first ingredient
• Protein is only a percentage over the minimum required

5. Royal Canin Hairball Care Thin Slices in Gravy

First 5 ingredients: 

• Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken By-Products, Pork By-Products, Chicken Liver, Pork Liver

Guaranteed analysis:

This Royal Canin Feline Health recipe specifically targets adult indoor cats that are prone to hairballs. It is formulated to eliminate ingested hair by stimulating intestinal transit. 

Since this is a wet food product, the first ingredient is water. But the rest of the main ingredients in this shedding control cat food recipe are meats. Chicken byproducts, pork byproducts, chicken liver, and pork liver boost the protein levels of the formula.

Though it’s not a limited ingredient diet, there are only a few ingredients listed on the label. Next to the meat are some carbohydrate sources such as corn flour and cornstarch (although the cornstarch is also used as a thickener for th gravy). There are plenty of vitamins and trace minerals included.

According to customer reviews, this canned cat food has helped several kitties with hairball and digestion issues. The likelihood of throwing up hairballs has decreased, and in some cases, completely went down. Even picky felines were said to eat this grain free canned cat food with enthusiasm.

We like how functional this recipe is and how it takes the need of adult indoor cats to come up with a specific canned cat food specially for them. It’s meaty, and if your cat is not sensitive to the animal proteins used, it should be a treat for them.

Pros:

• Canned cat food developed specifically for indoor cats
• Supports hairball management
• Low fat content

Cons:

• Has a low amount of protein
• Uses meat by-products
• Contains corn

6. Natural Balance L.I.D. Tuna & Pumpkin Formula

First 5 ingredients: 

• Tuna, Tuna Broth, Pumpkin, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Guar Gum

Guaranteed analysis: 

Made especially for kitties with sensitivities, this grain-free canned cat food contains just a few ingredients to help your furry pet thrive.

It is fully supported with all the essential nutrients your cat needs for glossy hair, coat health, and a strong and properly functioning cat’s digestive system.

The cat food uses premium tuna as the first ingredient. And instead of water, the grain free recipe uses real broth to give it more flavor while helping hydrate your cat and supporting her urinary health. 

Pumpkin acts as a wholly nutritious source of carbohydrates and fiber. It’s the fiber that’s ultimately important for excessive shedding felines as it helps push the hair out through waste, eliminating them from accumulating inside your cat’s gut and turning into hairballs. 

Some customers found that not only does the food work for cats with sensitivities, but it also does the trick for diabetic cats and kitties with liver issues.

And because it utilizes healthy carbs from pumpkin, it’s also great for those chunky felines watching their weight. 

We like that this grain free canned cat food uses pumpkin instead of peas to provide cats with their much-needed carbohydrate supply.  Aside from being a grain free canned cat food, it also has zero artificial ingredients.

Pros:

• Tuna as the first ingredient
• Good amount of protein (higher than minimum required)
• Single animal protein diet
• Limited number of ingredients

Cons:

• Contains carrageenan

7. Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley

First 5 ingredients: 

• Fish Broth, Skipjack Tuna, Mackerel, Potatoes, Sunflower Oil

Guaranteed analysis: 

This is a holistic cat food recipe that promotes the use of natural ingredients in helping fuel all of your cat’s daily adventures and growth spurts (for kittens).

The grain free canned cat food is inspired by the cravings of true carnivores by packing it with loads of meat to satisfy any feline.

The food uses skipjack tuna and mackerel to provide the food with the protein it needs. Fish broth provides the moisture.

It also adds a little more flavor and nutrition to the cat food than plain water. As for the carbohydrates, it’s provided by the potatoes in the food.

Based on hundreds of reviews, 96% of customers recommend this cat food to other pet owners. Aside from being able to entice picky felines to eat, this recipe has also helped several cats and kittens put on weight. The mixture has also been reported to help cats get shinier and softer fur. 

We like how this grain free canned cat food manages to provide enough of the nutrition cats and kittens need without resorting to a whole lot of ingredients.

It keeps the products included in the cat food to a minimum, just the ones that are truly necessary and none of what is not. And since it contains no artificial ingredient, it’s also great for cats with sensitivities.

Pros:

• High protein level
• Made for cats and kittens
• Grain free cat food
• Fresh mackerel as one of the top ingredients

Con:

• Contains some fine bones which may hurt older cats

How Often Do Cats Shed?

Cats experience hair loss every day. It’s a natural process that helps them get rid of dead hair. Remember that a cat’s coat serves a purpose, particularly in the wild where a regenerative coat is necessary to help felines regulate their temperature. 

But large-scale shedding only happens once or twice a year, usually to help cats shed their thick winter undercoats or to lose dry hairs in the fall to make way for heavier winter coats. 

For some, especially indoor cats, this doesn’t happen at all. They may have a steady shed all year-round but not excessive ones. 

When is cat shedding considered too much?

You know your cat best, so you likely have a sense of what amount of hair loss is normal. But one of the best signs is when you notice there is more hair than usual. 

Other clues:

• Excessive grooming. While cats groom themselves a lot (kitties can be such neat freaks), if they lick or scratch themselves too much to the detriment of other activities like playing, then something may be up.
• Patches of fur loss. You may notice areas on their head or body that show signs of thinning hair or patches of cat’s skin. When you see this sign, it’s best to bring your cat to a veterinarian near you as this may be caused by an underlying medical problem.

What Causes Cat Shedding? 

Most of the time, a cat’s shedding isn’t serious. And it’s mostly treatable with the help of your vet. So what are the common reasons why cats suffer excessive hair loss?

1. Low-quality diet

Cheap cat food that does not provide enough nutrition can dull your cat’s coat and cause her to shed a lot more than usual. 

2. Allergies

A cat sheds a lot from too much scratching, and it comes from being allergic to factors such as cat food (its ingredients), the environment, or substances. An allergy is usually a lifelong condition, so while you can’t cure it, it can be managed with the proper diet and medication. 

3. External parasites

Fleas, lice, ticks, and mites are parasites that cause your cat to itch and scratch intensely, leading to hair loss. 

4. Health issues 

There are several diseases that can cause felines to shed excessively. These include metabolic disorders, such as kidney disease. 

5. Stress or anxiety

Like people, cats can also become stressed. There’s a number of reasons why cats become stressed, and this usually results in obsessively grooming themselves. 

6. Age or pregnancy

Older cats may not be able to groom themselves as well as they did when they were younger, leading to matted fur or increased shedding.

Pregnant cats, on the other hand, shed because of hormones and mostly on their bellies where the kittens will nurse. 

Ways You Can Control Shedding

While some causes of a cat’s shedding may only be cured or helped by medication, a lot can be managed through other ways. The first one is the most important when it comes to restoring a healthy coat and skin for your pet.

1. Proper diet. 

Each cat is different, and what works for one may not work for another. That said, there are also commercial cat foods that do not provide enough nutrition to meet all of your cat’s daily requirements. It’s important to choose one that provides nose-to-tail nourishment.

Some cats are also sensitive to certain cat food ingredients. You may find that your cat is intolerant of specific animal proteins or grains.

Some cannot abide gluten, some won’t be able to process cat food with dairy products properly, and some get ill when artificial flavors and ingredients are included in their diet.

There are also  certain cat breeds that are genetically predisposed towards allergies. For example, Siamese cats are at a higher risk of cat food allergies than other breeds.

It takes a bit of trial and error and veterinary advice to find the cat food that’s right for your fur baby.

2. Brush your pet regularly.

One of the most effective ways to control shedding is by brushing your pet’s hair regularly. This process helps you collect the loose fur before it falls out.

Regular brushing also helps reduce the incidence of cats ingesting hair (causing hairballs) or dead hair forming into clumps or knots. Aside from that, regular brushing can lead to a healthy coat and skin.

3. Keep your feline hydrated. 

When cats do not drink enough water, it dries up their skin and coats, causing cat hair to moult. Water is one of the simplest ways for shedding control. And if you can’t entice your cat with water, try a little bit of canned cat food.

Wet cat food is particularly important in these cases, since it contains lots of moisture. You can also give her some fresh food you make yourself or add some wet toppings to dry cat foods.

4. Bathe your cat. 

You can’t really accuse a cat of having poor grooming habits, but a cat’s shedding can be helped by giving her a bath once every two weeks.

Cats usually dislike baths, and ordinarily we would not advise you to do it frequently. However, a clean skin and coat results in less shed hair. It also helps hydrate the skin and prevents it from drying out. 

5. Give her supplements. 

The best cat food is one that has all the nutrients your cat requires daily, but supplements can also help a lot, especially for older cats.

For example, cat food with fatty acids can bring back the shine and luster to your cat’s coat and help her maintain a healthy skin. *Do consult with a vet first.

How To Choose The Best Food

When buying cat food, it’s important to take note of the points below to make sure your kitty gets the best possible care for her coat. The best advice is to read the label.

1. Consider your pet’s food allergies.

If you know what your cat is allergic to, steer away from cat food recipes containing that ingredient. The most common allergens in cat food are specific animal proteins, soy, wheat, corn, and gluten.

Grain free or grain inclusive? Again, this depends on your cat’s allergies or food sensitivities. Dry or wet cat food containing grains does not automatically make it bad, and those containing grain alternatives like potatoes or sweet potatoes doesn’t instantly make it a good one. 

2. Stay away from anything artificial. 

Your cat does not need colorful kibbles to entice them to eat. And if the cat food is made with high-quality ingredients instead of fillers, it shouldn’t need artificial flavors to tempt your kitty to eat, either.

As for artificial preservatives, high-quality cat food doesn't use them. There are natural preservatives that are healthier and can prolong the freshness of the food better.

3. There should be enough protein.

A high-quality cat food always uses meat as the first ingredient in dry recipes, while meat is always in the first three ingredients in premium wet cat foods. Without enough protein, your cat’s hair can suffer.

If you know precisely which animal protein your cat is allergic to, you can feed her cat food with different kinds of animal proteins in it (sans the protein she’s sensitive to).

But if you’re still in the process of eliminating which proteins makes your cat shed, it’s best to stick to a cat food with a single animal protein.

Dry cat food should contain a minimum of 26% protein (for adult maintenance), while canned cat food should have at least 10%. 

4. Look for cat food with omega fatty acids.

These are a must if you wish to maintain healthy skin and lustrous fur. Make sure to select a cat food formulation that has these in abundance.

Fish oil (especially salmon oil) is one of the best sources of healthy fats, particularly those from fatty fish. Eggs also contain omega fatty acids (omega-3) in abundance, while chicken liver has plenty of omega-6 fatty acids.

The best cat food for shedding usually has few ingredients, premium animal protein or proteins, excellent fat sources, quality grains if any, no fillers, and no artificial flavors or colors.

You should be able to read the label and know precisely what is going into your cat’s food instead of seeing lots of ingredients that may sound too confusing.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a lifelong cat lover or a new cat owner, you want the best cat food for your fur baby. Don’t be swayed by cat foods that proclaim themselves to be the best cat food for shedding.

What’s most important is what’s in the label. The ingredients of truly healthy cat food will speak for themselves.

We’ve found that many cat food recipes not tagged as designed for shedding control will still work (and work brilliantly) provided that they have all the proper nutrients and right ingredients for your cat.

If you can manage your cat’s diet properly, most of the time, the shedding will stop.