The natural process of shedding old feathers, fur, or wool to make way for new growth. In dogs and cats, heavy molting typically occurs twice yearly. Birds molt sequentially, replacing feathers over weeks. Rabbits molt in patches every 3–4 months.
Increased grooming during molt prevents wool block in rabbits, hairballs in cats, and household fur accumulation in dogs. Missing molt grooming is when most matting and digestive problems occur.
Increase brushing frequency by 2–3x during molt. For rabbits, monitor droppings daily — reduced size signals wool block emergency.