Shearing cats: this is how it’s done
Cat scissors made easy: we explain what you should pay attention to when grooming your cat and when it makes sense to shave your cat.
More than 200 million cats – unknown number – live on our planet earth. If it’s up to them, they’re probably the most regal of species, and of course they want to be treated as such. On average, a domestic cat keeps 1-2 can openers in its kingdom.
They are also responsible for regular and extensive grooming! When and whether the tomcat or cat should be clipped depends on a number of factors. Just like us humans, cats are all individual. What is the structure of your house cat’s fur and why are you thinking about clipping your cat? Here you can find out when it makes sense to clip cats and how clipping a cat works best.
Why are cats shorn?
Cats are not usually shorn. At least not because their fur requires it. However, what is required for many cats is regular grooming in the form of brushing. In some cases, trimming the cat’s fur is the way to go. Occasionally the fur can be trimmed or carefully shortened in some places with scissors. This is a necessary and useful measure, especially for long-haired cats, to prevent tangles!
Maybe you just adopted a cat from an animal shelter and their fur is already matted? Then scissors might be a good option. Removing felt pads on cats is imperative. If neglected, the skin on the affected areas can be affected. Dark discoloration of the skin and scarring are the consequences.
Such felt sheets are very uncomfortable for your cat. Cats are generally very clean animals and do most of their grooming themselves. It is therefore a natural need for them to keep their fur clean. If they need our help with this, for example if certain areas need to be shaved, it’s good to know how this works!
Depending on the reason your cat needs to be shorn, there are different cuts. For example, the comb cut, in which only the fur on the stomach is removed, or the so-called “lion cut”. Have you perhaps seen it before? In this case, only the fur on the head remains, the rest is shaved or clipped.
Under no circumstances should you do this “just like that”, but only in consultation with a veterinarian! It may sound paradoxical at first, but the lion cut makes sense for cats, for example in the event of hair loss. Why? Because the kitten doesn’t always lick and swallow all the hair that has fallen out when grooming itself every day. These trichobezoars (balls of hair) can clump together and, among other things, irritate the stomach lining and cause chronic vomiting.
Short digression: The fur of a cat
A cat’s fur serves to protect it from wind and cold as well as from heat and direct sunlight. If you shave your cat just like that, you take away this natural and important protection. Without fur or when the fur is clipped shorter than 2.5 centimeters, your cat can get injuries or sunburn more quickly. It is also more prone to skin diseases.
Before you buy a clipper for your cat and prepare everything to give your kitty a new cut at home – stop! Please think about two things:
Take your cat to the vet to discuss what is wrong with your cat. In the case of skin problems, injuries or extreme matting, it can make sense to clip a cat. However, this is usually done by the veterinarian under professional and sterile conditions. Cats that tend to get matted in certain areas, such as the stomach or bottom, should be shaved regularly – maybe at home?
Shaving a cat yourself is not that easy the first time. First, they are (in most cases) just filigree little creatures, and second, they can move at lightning speed and quite jaggedly. The clippers could scare your cat and you could accidentally injure them. Maybe a visit to the pet salon is a good idea? There you can get rid of all your questions about fur care, make sure once again whether your cat really needs to be clipped and learn a few helpful tips & tricks from the pros!
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