Why Are a Lot of Kitten Hair Wiry?

Have you ever petted a kitten and thought their fur felt a little rough? Lots of kittens have wiry fur. It’s totally normal!

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Kitten Fur Changes

Kitten fur is different from the fur of adult cats. Kittens are born with one layer of fur. It’s called the undercoat. This undercoat is soft and fluffy. It keeps the kitten warm, like a sweater.

As kittens get older, they grow another layer of fur called guard hairs. These guard hairs are longer and stronger than the undercoat. They’re like a raincoat that protects the kitten’s skin from things like dirt and water. Guard hairs are what make a kitten’s fur feel rough or wiry.

What Kittens Eat Matters

What a kitten eats is important for healthy fur. Just like healthy food helps you grow, it helps kitten fur grow soft and shiny!. Kittens need food with protein and other good stuff to keep their fur healthy. Wet food is good for kittens because it has water, which keeps their fur from getting too dry.

Kittens Learn to Groom

Cats are clean animals. They lick their fur to keep it neat and tidy. Kittens have to learn how to groom themselves. They aren’t as good at it as adult cats are. That’s why their fur can be messy and feel wiry.

As kittens grow up, they get better at grooming. Their fur will usually become softer and smoother. Brushing your kitten can help! Brushing gets rid of loose fur and stops it from getting tangled. Brushing also helps spread natural oils through their fur. This makes their fur soft and shiny!.

When to Worry About Wiry Fur

Wiry fur is usually just a normal part of being a kitten. But sometimes, wiry fur can be a sign that something is wrong.

Here are some things to look out for:

Big changes in their fur. If your kitten’s fur suddenly gets rough, greasy, or spiky, it could mean they are sick.
They stop grooming themselves. Cats like to keep themselves clean. If a kitten stops grooming, it could mean they are sick, hurt, or stressed out.
They have other problems. If your kitten has wiry fur and they also aren’t eating, have less energy, or are throwing up, take them to the vet to get checked out.

If you’re worried about your kitten, it’s best to ask your vet. They can check if there’s a problem and make sure your kitten is healthy and happy!

Don’t Stress!

Wiry fur on a kitten is usually nothing to worry about. With yummy food, brushing, and checkups with the vet, your kitten’s fur will probably soften up as they grow!.