is shedding a sign of poor nutrition?

I recently saw a new ad campaign for Science Diet Cat/Dog food, stating that shedding can be a sign of poor nutrition. Is there any truth to this?
All 3 of my cats eat the same food (Dad's Gourmet Blend Cat food) and only my female, Emmy, sheds excessively. I even went so far as giving her a bath the other night hoping that by scrubbing and rinsing her would help knock off more of the loose fur. Now, there was enough cat hair in the drain to clog it, but, I think she shed more hair AFTER bathing than before! I also then brushed her (she loves being brushed), and I could have put another cat together from the amount of hair I brushed out of her! With all the loose hair I pulled out of the drain and brushed off of her, she should be bald!
As far as nutrition goes, she is slightly overweight, but not excessively so, compared to what I've seen posted here from other members. Emmy weighs about 14 lbs., and the poor thing also has "spay sway", so it makes her look even fatter than what she really is.
So, is there any truth to the shedding being a sign of poor nutrition that's causing her to shed like this? Or is she just an extra-furry fur baby? She is a shorthair cat, by the way.(I don't know if that makes a difference.) I am, however, surprised that Samson doesn't shed like that, as well, since he's a long haired cat.
Thanks for any advice!
Ginger

Shedding is rarely a sign of poor nutrition. I'm suprised Science Diet had that commercial considering it's such a poor-quality food. There are soooo many other factors other than food that can effect it (food mainly effects the look of the coat, not the amount it sheds). No worries, the commercial is a marketing ploy!

Originally Posted by jlphilli

No worries, the commercial is a marketing ploy!

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I kinda suspected that, but I wanted to make sure.
Thanks!



But, it does make me wonder....does anyone else have a cat that sheds more than other cats in their homes? I feel so bad for her...she loves sleeping with me, and during the winter, it's not so bad (her shedding). But during the summer, I have to knock her off the bed, otherwise I wake up with so much fur on me, I start looking like her!

I would look into getting one of these tools: http://www.furminator.com/testbed/indexnew.html

They work AMAZING!!! --watch one of the videos of them de-shedding the cat...your jaw will drop! lol

I have seen the commercials and wondered....is it a really fine tooth comb?
I cannot tell by looking at the photos.

It isn't just a fine-toothed comb...it's hard to explain (I have one). It's kind of like a flea comb, but it has sharp edges towards one edge that makes it different and it goes from wide to really really narrow where the blades are....does that make sense or am I confusing you more? lol

Your description helps a little...
I have a daughter who is a groomer,
Maybe she has one.

Both Dexter & Sadie have a thick undercoat.
I brush them almost daily.
I could stuff pillows with their shed fur.

Had to respond-I have a cat SOLEY on Science diet c/d and t/d He sheds SO SO SO MUCH more then any of my others...He just had dental work done so they ran blood/urine adn he came back perfect health...So in his and I think most cases no...I have seen very undernourished cats shed alot(he was skinny and you knew he wasn't eating everyday) a week on science diet and he was fine. RJ

In the summers months, it get hots where we live.
Seasonal shedding in healthy cats in fine.
They must be groomed or you will be living in a fur storm.

petsmart has them on sale on their website, I havent used it..i use zoom groom and a flea comb *g

Originally Posted by emmysamson

I kinda suspected that, but I wanted to make sure.
Thanks!



But, it does make me wonder....does anyone else have a cat that sheds more than other cats in their homes? I feel so bad for her...she loves sleeping with me, and during the winter, it's not so bad (her shedding). But during the summer, I have to knock her off the bed, otherwise I wake up with so much fur on me, I start looking like her!

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Has she been wormed lately?? Shedding can be caused by worms...according to my vet.

Fatty acid levals as well as zinc play a key role in shedding thus yes many premiums will give a better coat ... S.D actually has a decent leval about double what most grocerys due but I wouldnt buy it for that alone..lol

Cats can also drastically shed when they are nervous. Mine, or several of mine, shed profusely when we got to the vet. They don't like people anyway and then the vet does stuff to them. Cleo is really about it. She is fine riding in the car and as soon as we get inside and I de-crate her, hair is everywhere.

Vet said nerves can cause it from coming to see him. But I am covered when we leave.

Actually, shedding can indeed be a sign of poor nutrition. Although coming from SD I'd say it's a marketing ploy. You'd have to get on a MUCH better food than Science Diet to see any difference in skin and coat health and shedding. Dads is a very poor quality food. You should probalby learn more about reading ingredients lables and try to choose something better for your babies, for many more reasons than the loose hair.

Edit to add: I noticed a dramatic difference in my two when I started feeding them really good food, then again (when I didn't think it could GET any better!) when I switched them to raw.

Originally Posted by vanillasugar

Actually, shedding can indeed be a sign of poor nutrition. Although coming from SD I'd say it's a marketing ploy. You'd have to get on a MUCH better food than Science Diet to see any difference in skin and coat health and shedding. Dads is a very poor quality food. You should probalby learn more about reading ingredients lables and try to choose something better for your babies, for many more reasons than the loose hair.

Edit to add: I noticed a dramatic difference in my two when I started feeding them really good food, then again (when I didn't think it could GET any better!) when I switched them to raw.

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I totally agree with the raw but S/D actually will help skin and coat if coming from grocery or non super premium...

It can be. Pudge actually sheds way less than she used to now. She also sheds while nervous. at the vet's office, she will scrunch into a tiny ball, shiver, and try to hide under my chin, while clouds of hair float off of her.