ask Harold

On 7/20 Sue had this question for ask Harold...

This may be personal (but not quite as personal as the grooming habit you discuss) but what is your current shedding factor? I was at the SPCA last night and was a pubic's hair away from adopting a fellow 'mate of yours until he dumped a crapload of hair on my new white capris. I don't think this is gonna be a match made in Heaven since I love to live low maintenance.
Kind Regards, Sue

Thank you kindly for your question, Sue. Please be assured that you have come to the right metro kitty to answer your query.

My current shedding factor remains quite precarious in that I have a tendency to hack up hairballs on a somewhat frequent basis. This is not to say that any kitty you may choose to adopt may do the same—in fact, my mommy has informed me that many of her past kitties have not had such hairball problems.

First, you should know that my allergy condition has predisposed me to hairball issues—so, you need not worry about hairballs as long as you buy kitty food with hairball formula to prevent such problems (dry food only).

Second, you should be aware that what some have come to call my “fanatical” baaawwwl licking actually compounds my hairball issues, yet cuts down the “shedding about the house” factor, as most of what would have been shed about the house has indeed been hacked down my throat. Occasionally, my mommy will sigh and say things like “seriously Harold, how can one cat shed so much?” as she sweeps the floor during the summer months. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have been known to shed like a wookie in the Sahara desert, but overall it’s really not much. My mother is just—well, you know…dramatic. I don’t want to even tell you what she sheds once a month—let me just say it isn’t pretty…have you seen Baby’s First Christmas? Yeah, I rest my kitty case.

Anyway, if you get a short-haired cat the shedding won’t be nearly as much as a long-haired kitty. Also, it’s a good idea to brush your kitty outside or on a patio to limit shedding and promote a healthy, shiny coat (make sure an indoor cat has a leash on so they don’t run away). Shedding about the house should be minimal if you follow these directions. In fact, I did some research on the web (despite my lack of thumbs) and found a site which may help you here. One site even went so far as to insist that "if you brush your cat, you have full control over where the fur goes." I love to be brushed, but I strongly recommend that you do not attempt to brush your kitty while he is licking his baaaawwwwls, as this will only infuriate him and ensure that he pisses on your new white capris (not a move that I would pull, as I am a pair of hot pants away from being a lady).

Most any kitty will love to be brushed as you can see if you click here.

The only other mitigating factor concerns your capris, as clearly the adoption of a kitty is all about you. Are they from Banana Republic or Ann Taylor? If they are from the latter, I hope you enjoy your new adopted kitty. If they’re from Banana, well………buy a brush and make a sincere effort to adopt a kitty that has been schooled in the fine art of baaaawwwwlll licking to minimize your problems.

Which reminds me, it’s time to get back to mine.

Good luck and good day to you.
Harold