Usually cats are not trimmed because they have a luxurious coat. However, with the help of a beautiful “hairstyle” you can really transform the image, turn an ordinary fluffy simpleton into a graceful lion. In addition, it is advisable to remove excess hair in hot weather so that the animal does not get too hot. Although many believe that this should not be done, since it is the hair that allows one to control normal body temperature and protects against both overheating and hypothermia.
Grooming a pet is more of a whim than the owner himself. This way you can significantly reduce the amount of hair lost. However, what will it be like for the pet himself? You can see the reaction by looking at photos of cats before and after haircuts. Many purrs are reluctant to voluntarily get their hair cut. Therefore, this procedure takes place under anesthesia. And this is definitely harmful to the health of the animal.
How to cut a cat's hair at home: tips
Grooming a cat at home is not an easy task, but still doable. This may be necessary if your cat:
- Fluffy and the fur is matted.
- You want to give him a new hairstyle.
- Your cat got into the paint or glue.
Actually, cutting a cat's hair is like trying to cut a child's hair. He is not interested in your arguments that it will be prettier or more hygienic. “The Tale of the Cat that Walks by itself” clearly shows that of all domestic animals, cats are the ones that demonstrate an independent character. If your pet decides that food or play is more interesting to him than a haircut, he will ignore this offer and you will have to “negotiate” with him on mutually beneficial terms.
How to cut a cat's hair at home?
Let’s immediately discard such inhumane methods of grooming a cat, such as forcible restraint or general anesthesia. After all, you don’t want your cat to lose faith in the kindness of his owner?!
- And you will be left with one option. Feed the cat to his fill with his favorite food, relax him by scratching behind the ear, massaging his back, and quietly sneak up on him with scissors.
- Instead of scissors, you can try using an electric hair clipper. But if such a machine is too noisy, your cat may get scared and run away.
- But the comb-trimmer for removing the undercoat of cats is easy to use, and the stroking that the cat will feel during this procedure will only be pleasant for him. This comb resembles a razor with teeth at the end.
Owners of furry cats face a lot of troubles during molting. Pieces of wool on the floor and beds, as well as tangles that cannot be combed out, will complete the bleak picture.
Advice for those who don’t know how to remove mats from a cat? If the lumps are located close to the animal's skin, do not try to pull them together with the skin and cut them off with scissors. So there is a very high risk of injuring the skin. Take small nail scissors and literally cut off the matted fur, millimeter by millimeter.
Types of fashionable haircuts
a lion
The hairstyle is perfect for Maine Coons, Siberian, Norwegian Forest or Persian cats.
The body hair is cut short. The covering on the head, chest and neck is left long, and hair is removed from the limbs to the joints. A tassel or herringbone remains at the end of the tail.
This haircut is done for hot weather or to reduce the amount of hair on the floor.
Puma
Selected for British Longhair, Himalayan, Burmese or Ragdoll cats.
The coat is shortened only on the back half of the body. The covering on the head, tail, paws and chest is not touched.
The Dragon
This hairstyle is created for aesthetic reasons. Suitable for all long-haired cats.
The pet's body is cut short, except for the head. A carved ridge with steps, teeth or stripes is formed on the back along the line of the spine. Sometimes, instead of a crest, mohawks are created.
Kitty
This haircut will help cats survive the hot period. The hairstyle also reduces the number of tangles and the amount of shedding.
Long hair throughout the body is cut to the length of short-haired breeds. The animal looks younger and does not suffer under a hot fur coat.
Puss in Boots
The hairstyle looks like a lion. The head, the tip of the tail, and the paws below the joints remain uncut. There is no “mane” with this hairstyle.
Suitable for plush cats: British, Scottish fold.
Cat haircuts: photos
Sometimes it happens that after the owner got a cat, he suddenly realizes that he needed to get a dog. The result of such a mistake will be an attempt to convert a cat into a dog. We bring to your attention cat haircuts. Admire the cat as a poodle .
Grooming a cat like a poodle
Or this option - a cat in the role of a lion .
Grooming a cat like a lion
And the owner of this cat not only cut, as it seemed to him, the excess hair, but also increased the missing fur. The result of such efforts was a cat with an Elvis Presley . It’s a pity that cats cannot express to their owners in a language they understand everything that they think about them.
Grooming a cat like Elvis Presley
The owner of this cat decided to joke and, secretly from the family, gave the cat an “ accordion ” haircut. The joke was not entirely successful because the joker’s mother was very upset when she saw her shorn pet.
Cat before and after haircut
Sometimes you can see cat haircuts that were actually appropriate and beneficial for the animals. The photo below shows a fluffy cat after molting.
Persian cat before haircut
Removing excess hair will not hurt such a cat. It’s just important not to overdo it.
Persian cat after haircut
Fashionable haircuts for cats in the form of a lion's mane, a tiger or a dragon may cause affection for the owners or guests, but your cat is unlikely to like it.
If a cat's fur is too short, his body's thermal balance will be disrupted, and even while in an apartment he can catch a cold.
If you decide to cut your cat's hair at home, be patient and use a pet clipper. Cats do not tolerate interference in their privacy. Be prepared for the fact that your pet will run away from you without completing the transformation into a lion or dragon and you will have to “persuad” him with a treat or finish the haircut the next day. But there are cats who categorically do not want any new hairstyles and after a haircut they look pitiful and unhappy. Nature gave cats fur for a reason. It protects the cat from both hypothermia and overheating. It's better not to upset this balance.
How often should you cut your cat's hair?
The frequency of such a procedure as grooming a cat depends on several factors. There is no average recommendation that would be suitable for all cats.
First of all, you should consider the type of coat and its length. Long-haired and very fluffy cats should be trimmed a little more often than pets with less luxurious fur coats. Fluffy, but trimmed cats feel much better and become more active and cheerful. Short-haired purrs usually do not require a haircut at all.
Owners who plan to participate in exhibitions should be quite careful and attentive when deciding to resort to such a service. The haircut should not be too short and should not be done later than 6 months before the planned event. It should also be remembered that the regrown coat may have a different structure from the original one. In rare cases, the color of the coat may change slightly.
Few cats will be happy about the haircut procedure and, most likely, you will encounter resistance. Therefore, it may be necessary to administer special medications to calm the animal. And this is significant stress for the cat. And the procedure itself does not bring much pleasure to the pet. In order not to bring a lot of stress into the cat’s life, haircuts should be done no more than 2-3 times a year . If the pet is not in very good health and is quite timid, then it is better to limit the haircut to once a year, before the onset of heat. And throughout the year, maintain the good condition of the fur coat by combing.
Haircut for a cat Dragon
Grooming a cat's dragon
A haircut for a cat's dragon is done with an electric clipper. Your task will include
- Make the cat bald on the stomach and sides.
- Leave the head, tail and stripe on the back unshaven.
- Use patterns in the form of scales to decorate unshaven areas.
If your cat does not have nerves of steel, you will have to call for help from friends who will hold him during this not very pleasant procedure for him. Before cutting your cat's hair at home, weigh all the pros and cons of such a decision. Cutting the fur too short will harm your cat's health. Your pet may end up with hypothermia and psychological shock.
Creative haircut
There are no clear rules here. Everything is limited by the imagination of the owner or groomer. You can create any pattern from wool: make waves, stripes, twisted lines. Moreover, the patterns can be on the body or tail or everywhere at once.
The groomer can offer to cut any shape: bow, stars, etc.
Before you decide on such a haircut, think about whether you really need it. The animal doesn't really need patterns. Shortening the length will be enough for him. It often happens that creative grooming disfigures the appearance, you will have to get used to the strange appearance of your pet.
Haircut in the salon
In the salon, the main thing is to be close to your pet. The procedure is very stressful for him. Combined with being in a strange place with strangers, this is doubly stressful.
Note! Overly aggressive animals are usually shorn under anesthesia.
The complexity of the haircut determines how much the hairdresser’s service will cost.
Thus, each owner must individually choose how much his pet needs the services of a groomer. The beauty and appearance of an animal’s coat is a clear indicator of its internal condition and health. But you don’t always need to grab scissors to give your cat a beautiful coat.
Why and why you need a haircut
All modern pet owners will sooner or later be faced with the question: does their pet need a haircut? If owners of short-haired cat breeds can ignore this issue, then those who have a long-haired pet will need to seriously think about it. The health and appearance of the pet will depend on whether the owner decides to trim the cat or not. This paragraph will discuss the reasons why long-haired cats need regular visits to the groomer.
Decorative design of wool
Wool is falling off
The first and main reason why owners of long fur coats require special care is the risk of matted fur. In this state, it does not allow air to pass through and is a thick lump of hair.
Causes of wool matting:
- lack of proper care from the owners. It is worth remembering that wild cats do not have long hair and can groom it on their own. But representatives of long-haired breeds bred by breeders require the help of their owners. In hard-to-reach places, you need to comb the fur coat manually;
- parasites. If the animal is not treated for parasites in time, it will constantly itch. In this case, cats usually lick the paw with which they itch. Saliva promotes gluing and matting of hair into lumps;
- foreign body. It is important to regularly check the surface of the animal's body for the presence of foreign objects. Often, an accidentally tangled blade of grass causes tangles to form.
At the initial stage, matted hair can be combed with a cat trimmer. In more advanced cases, the only option is to trim or shave off the matted area of fur.
Formation of tangles
Mats are dangerous for a number of reasons. They tighten the fur, causing discomfort to the animal. Trying to get rid of the irritant, the cat can tear the skin, which can lead to blood poisoning. Also, tangles are an environment in which parasites and microbes can live comfortably.
What mats on wool look like
Even kittens are susceptible to tangles. Already in a couple of months they grow very long fur. If the mother cannot lick the kitten thoroughly enough, and the owner does not take measures to care for its fur, the formation of mats is inevitable. The animal will try to get rid of them, and the fur that gets into its fragile body will pose a serious danger. Therefore, you can cut your cat’s hair even at a young age.
Do cats need to be groomed?
It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. In some cases, grooming cats is a tribute to fashion, especially when the animal participates in some exhibition events.
Sometimes a pet's haircut is simply necessary. Much here depends on the breed of pet you keep. Thus, caring for a short-haired fluffy will be minimal and is unlikely to require hair trimming.
But many long-haired cats suffer from tangles and matted, matted hairs. In this case, the only solution will be a haircut.
If cat grooming is a necessity and not a whim, then it is hygienic in nature. This haircut is designed to eliminate the unpleasant moments associated with long, matted hair.
In addition, skin diseases, such as:
- dermatitis;
- hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands;
- the presence of skin parasites;
- some housing and communal services diseases.
Grooming is often recommended for older cats to make their life and grooming easier. After all, cats are notoriously clean people and suffer when they cannot wash themselves and “lick” their fur neatly.
While licking itself, the cat swallows a lot of hairs, which it then regurgitates. This is also an unpleasant fact that makes owners think about cutting their hair. And if a lot of hair accumulates in a cat’s stomach, then so-called bezoars are formed in it, which cause obstruction.
Description of the procedure process
To cut your cat's hair, you need to choose a moment when he is calm and peaceful. Otherwise, it is better to postpone the event at home. In salons, aggressive cats are put on a special collar and sometimes given anesthetics. For nervous, fearful cats, it is better to avoid trimming or minimize stress by using an at-home cat grooming service.
How are cats cut? To begin with, comb thoroughly. After this, they are laid on their side and held by the paws: front and back. Therefore, if you are planning a large-scale haircut at home, you will need an assistant. Follow this order for cutting the fur:
- Cut off the tangles with scissors.
- If you plan to give your cat a full haircut, trim the hair around the nipples and in the groin so as not to injure them later with the clipper.
- Carefully, bypassing the pre-clipped areas, go over the abdomen with the clipper.
- After the belly, you can first move to one side, then to the other.
- At the very end, the back and tail are trimmed.
After cutting, be sure to remove hair from your body. This can be done by wiping the cat with a piece of chamois and blowing it with a hairdryer. Provided she is not afraid of loud noises.
At home:
- Don't try to cut your cat's hair in one go. To avoid unnecessary stress, the procedure can be repeated after a while and finish what you started;
- Don't groom overly active cats. You simply cannot cope with them at home. In the salon, special sedatives are used for this;
- You can't cut your head. Especially the ears and whiskers of cats;
- To avoid unnecessary injuries when grooming at home, trim your cat's nails.
Important to remember:
- Taiping or colorpoint colors will not look the same after they grow out. The belly and fur along the spine will be several shades darker than it was.
- Be prepared that it takes a very long time for the fur to be completely renewed - sometimes more than six months. Cats typically shed twice a year. This is how their body prepares for seasonal temperature changes. This means that it is recommended to cut your hair no more than twice a year. If a kitten needs the procedure, it will grow faster.
Is it necessary and possible to have a haircut?
If we exclude the owner's pursuit of his aesthetic interests, then in some circumstances it is not only possible, but also necessary to trim the cat.
Grooming cats is advisable for long-haired breeds. They are characterized by such features as the formation of matted tangles and regular contamination in the tray when performing natural needs.
However, they are not the only ones who suffer from too rich fur coats. The reason for cutting any breed can be:
- summer heat. Even short-haired cats can hardly tolerate it;
- heavy shedding. A haircut has its own benefits for the owner: less hated hair in the house and no need for combing. For a cat, this is a guarantee that lumps will not form in the stomach and everything will be fine with digestion.
So, there are many reasons to get a haircut. Even if we do not take into account the aesthetic side of the problem. The only question that remains is: how to cut and how much hair to leave on the body?
Mr. Cat recommends: step-by-step instructions for grooming a cat
- Prepare all necessary tools and disinfect them.
- Trim the nails with a nail clipper or using regular nail scissors. Take the animal's paw, press on the pad and trim the claw. Read the article about how to choose a nail clipper for a cat, what they are like and how much they cost.
- Immobilize your pet by placing it on its side and holding its paws.
- In case of aggressive behavior, wear a special plastic collar.
- Immediately cut the fur from the sides, then from the back and belly. Take special care in the nipple area.
- The skin should be taut to avoid injury. It is better to remove tangles with scissors, preferably before cutting or as you find them.
- You can cut both against hair growth and along.
- At the end of the work, the cat should be wiped with a damp cloth.
When is cat grooming appropriate?
Grooming is more necessary for purebred long-haired animals that participate in various exhibitions. This concept refers to general grooming. To make the coat more beautiful and velvety, it is worth brushing your pet regularly. Special brushes and gloves are suitable for this. Regular brushing can solve the problem of excess hair. It is not recommended to bathe cats. Many of them experience stress during this procedure. In addition, there is a risk that water will get into the ears and cause otitis media.
Purrs are considered the cleanest animals. They constantly lick themselves from head to toe. In addition, a cat does not need to be walked outside all the time, like a dog. She can go to the toilet in a special tray with filler.
