Cat clipper. How to choose?
If you are the owner of a long-haired cat – for example, a Maine Coon, Persian or Siberian breed, then you have probably encountered the problem of the formation of tangles. Without proper care, such felted hairballs will regularly form in the cat’s coat, which will deliver a lot of discomfort to the animal. In this case, a haircut will help.
Types of clippers
A cat hair clipper can be mechanical or electric. For cutting small areas, such as tangles and tangles, mechanical clippers are recommended. Electric ones are more versatile. They differ not only in power, but also in the principle of operation, and also come in different types:
Vibrating machines
If you need a clipper for cats with thick hair, a vibrating model will do. As a rule, clippers of this type are not very powerful, so it is unlikely that you will be able to cut a cat with long hair. They are more suitable for animals with medium length hair. The advantage of this type of machine is very quiet operation.
rotary machines
These are used by professional groomers in pet salons, they are great for cutting long-haired cats. The only disadvantage of such a machine is that it heats up quickly, so you need to carefully monitor the temperature of the metal. The simpler and cheaper the model, the faster it will heat up. If the cat has a long and thick coat, you should not save on the device so as not to accidentally harm it.
pendulum cars
Machines of this type are usually of low power and are unlikely to be suitable for professional use. Their significant advantage is their low cost.
How to choose a machine?
Cat clippers differ not only in the type of work, but also in power. This is an important factor to consider when choosing a device. In this case, it is recommended to focus on the type of pet’s coat:
For short-haired cats, devices with a power of up to 15 watts are suitable;
For owners of short and thick wool of medium length, machines with a power of 15 to 30 W are suitable;
If the pet has long thick hair, pay attention to the 45 W machines.
The cat clipper can be battery powered, mains powered, and also be combined. Models on the battery are mobile, they do not depend on electricity, they are convenient to take with you. But there is also a significant disadvantage – a short battery life. As a rule, such a machine is enough for 1-2 hours of continuous operation.
Mains-powered machines are not as mobile, but they are stable. However, they are quite loud, which can scare the cat.
The best cat clippers, according to professionals, are combined type clippers. They are versatile and very convenient because they can work both on battery power and on the mains. The downside is their high cost.
Other Features
When choosing a machine, pay attention to the material from which the blades are made, their sharpening and the presence of nozzles. For example, ceramic blades heat up slightly, which means they will cause less discomfort to the pet.
Attachments are important not only for cutting different parts of the cat’s body. If there are other pets in the house that need grooming, it makes sense to purchase additional blades. They can be wider or, conversely, narrower, depending on the size of the pet and the type of coat.
Haircut principles
If you have no experience in grooming animals, ask a professional to instruct you in detail and show you how to do it correctly.
You should not start without experience: it will be a stressful situation not only for you, but also for the cat.
In the process of cutting, follow a few basic rules:
Before starting the procedure, it is important to carefully examine the pet’s skin for abrasions, cuts and tangles. If you notice damage, you can not cut the animal. You should wait until all wounds are completely healed, and tangles must be removed before cutting;
It is especially necessary to carefully cut the hair in the neck and groin area – the nozzles should be a little narrower;
It is very important to calm the cat during the haircut. If possible, introduce the kitten to the clipper at an early age: just turn it on near the pet, without clipping, so that he gets used to the sounds.
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