When to cut a cat and how to do it

Questions about a cat’s haircut arise from many owners. Most often, these are owners of long-haired cats – Siberian, Norwegian Forest, Maine Coons and Persians, which can hardly tolerate heat. But sometimes the owners of short-haired cats think: why not cut my Briton or Scot like a lion or a dragon? If you ask the cat herself, then, of course, she will be against it. Unlike dogs, which are calm about manipulations with wool, cats react very nervously to a haircut. Therefore, it is necessary to fix the animal to complete immobility, use muscle relaxants or even general anesthesia. But should you expose your pet to excessive stress or powerful medications for no good reason? Only you can answer this question yourself. Is it possible to cut cats?

• Yes – if the cat needs surgery or treatment (for example, applying an ointment for skin diseases). In this case, the wool is shaved off locally. Also, the fur of a long-haired cat can be cut before childbirth around the vulva and anus.
• Yes – if tangles appeared in the cat’s hair. Under them, the skin swells and itches, harmful microorganisms multiply. Single tangles are cut with scissors, and a full haircut may be needed if there are a lot of tangles.
• Attention! – if there are allergies in your family. Grooming a cat will reduce the number of hairs flying around the apartment and may reduce the severity of the reaction. But it will not be possible to completely solve the problem with the help of a haircut, because it is not the wool itself that causes the reaction, but the proteins that are contained in saliva, secretions of glands and particles of the skin of the animal [1].
• Attention! – if the cat has problems with the gastrointestinal tract due to swallowing too much wool during licking. But before you take on the clipper, try combing your furry friend more often and purchase special food that makes it easier to remove hair from the stomach and intestines.
• Attention! – if the cat is difficult to tolerate heat due to thick and long hair. But even in this case, you can do without a haircut, giving your pet a cool place to rest and access to plenty of clean water. Even the most fluffy cat will feel better lying in an air-conditioned room or at least on a cool floor under the bath.
• No – if you want to collect likes on social networks or show off an unusual look of a cat in front of guests. The whim of the owner is not a good reason for a haircut. Have pity on your pet and better make a creative hairstyle for yourself.

Pros and cons of haircuts

How to properly cut a cat

If you have weighed the pros and cons and still decide to cut your pet, choose a trusted veterinary clinic or an experienced groomer. Be sure to ask if scissors and clippers are disinfected there. If you want to cut your cat yourself at home, buy a special silent animal clipper with a nozzle of at least 3 mm. Cat hair is different in thickness and texture from human hair, so a regular clipper will not work. The coat should be dry and free from tangles when shearing. Start the procedure from the back, then go to the sides and stomach, trying not to injure the nipples and genitals. Do not cut the hair from the head: it contains a lot of sensitive hairs that the cat needs for orientation in space. It is also better to leave hair on the paws and tail. After finishing the haircut, rinse the cat with warm water or wipe it with a damp towel. How often to cut a cat? It depends on your purpose and living conditions. If you are shaving your cat during hot weather, it is enough to do it once a year at the end of spring. Hygienic haircut is recommended no more than twice a year.