Do cats need to be sheared?

Cats have a hard time with heat and overheat easily. To help their pets, owners often cut their hair before summer arrives. But how justified is this step? Do cats become more comfortable after a haircut? Let’s talk about this in our article.

Grooming a cat is a popular service offered by grooming salons and private grooming masters. Many owners have adapted to cut cats on their own, right at home. There are many videos on the Internet with instructions on how to give a cat a creative haircut. Maine Coons, for example, are often sheared like a lion, the British have a comb on their back like a dragon, leave fluffy socks and a collar. Creative lovers create real works of art on the wool of the ward: various shapes, patterns, sometimes using special paint and rhinestones. It looks great and impressive. But it’s time to ask the main question: do cats need it?

Veterinarians do not approve of clipping and shaving cats unless absolutely necessary. According to their recommendations, indications for a haircut can be:

Tangles that cannot be combed. If left untreated, mats can lead to skin problems such as diaper rash and eczema, and if infected, they can become breeding grounds for fleas.
Preparing for surgery, when you need to free the area of skin from hair.

As you can see, the heat is not mentioned here. No veterinarian will recommend cutting or shaving a cat bald to save her from the heat. And all because wool, even the longest and thickest, performs the function of thermoregulation and protection of the skin. When it’s cold outside, wool keeps the cat warm and protects the skin from frostbite. And when it’s hot, it prevents overheating and protects the skin from UV rays.

Looking at the long hair of a pet, it’s hard to believe. But this is true. Cats don’t sweat like humans do, and their coat helps them cope with temperature fluctuations. Remember the main rule:

If you don’t want your cat to get hot or get sunburned, forget about shaving and trimming.

What other negative consequences can a haircut lead to? The shorter the coat, the more vulnerable the cat is to the sun. Haircuts or shaving can cause sunburn. It is amazing, but long hair protects from heat and sun, and not vice versa.

Due to frequent haircuts, the quality of wool deteriorates. Nature did not prepare the cat’s hair for regular shortening. After experimenting with hairstyles, the wool becomes thinner, breaks, and begins to tangle even more. Note that purebred cats with a haircut are not allowed to participate in shows. The standard of appearance must be observed, because it is a guarantee of not only beauty, but also the health of the pet.
The coat has a protective function. Without it, the skin becomes vulnerable to injury, environmental stress and mosquito bites. It is important to remember that the skin is the largest organ of the animal.
In the cold season, a cat can freeze due to a haircut.
Strong stress. There is no cat that would like a shave or a haircut. At most, a pet can endure it calmly, with the dignity of a real aristocrat. But often a cat is very worried and after a haircut it can refuse food for some time and hide under the bed, trying to avoid all kinds of contact with others. Is this stress justified?

Of course, you can bring the pluses of a haircut. First of all, it facilitates the care of the cat, because it will not need to be combed out so often. In addition, a haircut helps in the fight against fleas and makes the molt less noticeable (although in no way eliminates it). But all of the above is necessary for the owner, and not for the cat itself. There is no need for a haircut for a cat.

Competent cat care is not about haircuts, shaving and coloring, but proper washing with the right quality products and regular combing. Remember this and take care of your beauties. They are the most spectacular even without the newfangled haircut!