Is it really possible to cut your pets' hair?
Cats that live in the private sector and are often outdoors require especially careful care. They walk in different places, including among various herbaceous plants. As you know, a large number of different parasites live in grass. To protect your pet from possible problems associated with them, you need to check its fur and skin every day. Of course, if the cat is completely domestic, and the owner has time to constantly care for its fur, then, in principle, there is no need for a haircut.
Many owners of purebred animals perform this procedure in order to ensure a well-groomed and tidy appearance for their pet. In addition, this greatly simplifies its care.
Where can I groom my cat?
You can trust the specialists by visiting a special salon. Or you can do everything yourself at home. We'll talk about this in more detail below.
In the cabin
Today, many animal hairdressing salons operate successfully. They offer a wide range of services and types of pet grooming.
The main advantage is that the grooming of dogs and cats in the salon is carried out by professionals and modern specialized equipment.
Also, the salon will do grooming of any complexity, which cannot be said about an independent approach.
Why do cats need haircuts?
The answers to this question are completely different for everyone. Some believe that short-haired cats lose their visual appeal, while others do this procedure for their pet all the time.
When asked whether cats can be cut and for what purpose, the following reasons are most often given:
- Cats have a higher body temperature than humans, so they can tolerate heat more easily. But it can be very difficult for them too if it’s + 40⁰C outside. You can make your pet's condition a little easier with a haircut. But don’t forget that God gave the cat fur for a reason. Without it, the animal becomes more vulnerable to direct sunlight on its skin, the risk of colds from air conditioning or drafts is high, and sensitivity to the slightest changes in the environment increases. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to cut cats in the summer should be studied separately in order to eliminate the occurrence of problems associated with this procedure.
- Many people believe that grooming a cat will help get rid of any skin diseases. For example, when a cat develops a receding hairline, they trim it instead of taking it to the veterinarian. Such actions will not solve the problem, but will only postpone it for a while. As the fur grows back, it will appear again. Therefore, in such situations, you need to show the porridge to a specialist who can find out the cause and begin treatment in time.
- The shedding period often requires cat owners to devote a lot of time to cleaning up fur. Sometimes the shedding drags on for a long time. And many owners believe that if they cut their cat’s hair, everything will end quickly. Actually this is not true. When the fur grows again, the pet will shed again. You always need to look deeper for the cause of a particular situation. Prolonged shedding is usually the result of high humidity, improper feeding, stress, etc. You should contact a veterinarian for help.
- Many glamorous ladies can easily answer the question of why a cat needs a haircut. They want to see their pets as well-groomed as they are. Therefore, you can often find a cat with a decorative haircut, which the owner did for the beauty of her baby. To do this, they visit special salons with her, where they know well how to cut cats and know how to do it professionally. It is unlikely that you will be able to create such a hairstyle for your pet on your own.
When does a cat need trimming?
Grooming a cat is necessary when:
- The presence of a large number of mats. It happens that it is not possible to comb a cat, and in some places the fur is matted into a thick felt felt. Hair matted behind the ears, on the neck, on the top of the paws or on the tail not only looks unsightly, but also causes anxiety to the animal. The tangles, tightening the skin, disrupt blood flow and cause itching. Clean by nature, cats try to get rid of them, and while gnawing, they can swallow fur, which can clog the passage in the digestive tract or cause the animal to vomit.
- A dermatological disease accompanied by the formation of weeping ulcers on the skin. Due to the thick fur, the affected areas are difficult to treat with medications and sufficient aeration will not be provided.
- Prolonged molting caused by various reasons.
- Allergy to cat hair in one of the family members. True, this method of getting rid of wool in the house can hardly be considered effective. After trimming your pet, its amount will decrease only in weight, due to the fact that the hairs will be shorter. But for a person with sensitization (hypersensitivity) to wool, this is quite enough to develop an allergic reaction.
- Some cats are physically unable to groom themselves, mainly due to their advanced age. Their coat, stained with dirt and constantly covered in tangles, looks untidy, and then it is better to cut it from time to time.
Is it possible to cut cats' hair in summer?
First of all, it depends on the climate. Perhaps this does not need to be done, and sometimes it happens the other way around. Every pet owner wants to somehow help him endure certain conditions with comfort. Either cut it so that the cat does not feel hot, or dress it in clothes in winter, protecting it from the cold. Animals' bodies are designed in such a way that they can easily withstand all weather conditions. Therefore, it is not recommended to cut them unless absolutely necessary. There are some dangerous aspects of carrying out such a procedure in the summer. It could be sunstroke if short-haired cats walk in the sun for a long time. The animal's skin is not used to receiving such an amount of sun, because it is constantly protected by fur. A haircut can cause your pet not only stress, but also some kind of disease. If the cat lives in an apartment and does not go outside, then why not trim it in the summer so that it is not so hot.
Arguments against haircuts
Cats do not need trimming: the fur of these animals performs a protective function, regulates body temperature, creating an air “cushion” between the skin and the surrounding space. Cats carry out hygienic grooming on their own, “washing” themselves, thoroughly licking themselves and their relatives, and “combing” with their claws. And if the owner thinks that his cat is suffering from the summer heat, it is better to provide her with a cool place - in the bathroom, in the shade, under the air conditioner, and install many sources of water in the apartment.
Among the reasons why it is undesirable to cut a cat, veterinarians also name:
- the trimming procedure is a strong stress, which can lead to a decrease in the body’s defenses;
- from frequent haircuts, the wool becomes thinner, and tangles will form on it more often;
- the animal’s skin loses its elasticity, becomes drier, and this often causes scratching due to itching;
- Constant haircuts can change the color and structure of the coat.
Experts categorically do not advise cutting cats of semi-long-haired breeds - Burmese, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, Ragdoll, Siberian, Turkish Angora. Their coat has a special structure: it is two-layered, and on different parts of the body it has different lengths of the main hair and undercoat. A hairless animal can easily become overheated or hypothermic.
What is needed for a haircut
If you don’t have confidence in your abilities, it’s better to trust the experts and get your cat’s hair cut at a veterinary clinic. But a simple haircut can be done independently. You should always remember that the hair of all cats is different, so the question of whether cats can be cut and how best to do it is decided in each case individually. What matters here is the length of the coat, its hardness, etc. In any case, for cutting you will need:
- Table or ironing board.
- Scissors.
- Hair clipper.
- Iodine or hydrogen peroxide.
Before starting this procedure, the cat needs to trim its claws.
Possible consequences of a haircut
People are accustomed to thinking that after cutting their hair, their hair grows faster and is thicker. But in cats, the effect is strictly the opposite - hair often grows back after trimming very slowly and unevenly. In addition, the coat may change color, usually becoming darker.
The structure of the hair almost always changes, it becomes thinner and more fragile. Some animals take haircuts so hard and experience so much stress that they can get sick. Therefore, in no case should we assume that cat grooming is a harmless and always acceptable procedure.
It is permissible to use this method of care only in extreme cases; it is better to comb your pet regularly, preventing the formation of tangles.
How to cut a cat's hair
You will definitely need an assistant in this matter. He will hold the cat in a side-lying position, holding her front paws in one hand and her hind paws in the other. The animal must be pressed very firmly against the table surface, as it will try to escape, especially when the machine is turned on. There is a certain order in how cats are groomed. First, the hair is removed from the sides, back and abdomen, then carefully passed with a machine in the armpits and back of the body. You don’t have to cut the tail at all or leave a small tassel at the end. Then the cat will resemble a lion. The paws are usually trimmed to the elbow, leaving the toes. After wrapping the cat in a blanket, trim the mane beautifully using scissors.
At the end of the entire procedure, you can bathe your pet or wipe it with wet wipes to remove any remaining hairs from its skin. The animal will immediately feel much better.
Grooming cats yourself at home
If you don't want to hire a professional, try cutting your cat's hair yourself. But keep in mind that the animal will be stressed and, most likely, will break out. Therefore, you cannot do without an assistant.
Before grooming, trim your cat's claws and then sit her on the table. Have your assistant hold her back legs with one hand and her middle legs with the other and press her to the table. After this, you can start cutting your cat's hair using a clipper. To do this, you need to install a nozzle two to three millimeters long.
It is advisable to cut the cat against the grain, which is more hygienic.
Haircut sequence:
- sides;
- back:
- stomach;
It is not advisable to trim the head, neck and lower part of the paws, as the whiskers are located there. Cutting them will disorient the cat.
Features of caring for different breeds
Any cat needs coat care, which includes regular brushing to remove tangles, cleansing with dry shampoo or bathing the pet in water. Carefully remove dirt from eyes, ears, and trim claws. Short-haired breeds are the easiest to care for - you only need to brush them once a week with a massage brush, and bathe them only when necessary.
Long-haired cats require more careful grooming. It is recommended to wash them at least once every 2 months, and it is best to comb them daily. Then the wool does not roll into tangles, and dead hairs are easily removed with a brush.
The coat also determines which cats can be cut and which cannot. Professionals believe that this procedure will not harm all cats whose fur length is more than 3–4 cm. Therefore, cutting is possible for breeds such as Persian, Burmese, Siberian, Angora, etc. Is it possible to cut short-haired cats? This issue is resolved individually.
Grooming cats: is there any harm?
You can’t cut a cat’s whiskers, head, ear fur, and you should leave a tassel on the animal’s tail, and “gloves” and “socks” on its paws. In most cases, after a cat's haircut, the cut hair grows worse, its structure becomes thinner, and the hairs roll off faster. The skin of a pet that has been trimmed will lose its elasticity, become drier, and the functioning of the glands will be disrupted. There are cases of alopecia, when, as a result of cooling the skin and changing the correct hair growth in some areas of the body, hair does not grow back at all. Haircuts in summer are especially dangerous. A trimmed cat under the scorching sun is at risk of sunstroke, since the animal's skin is protected by fur from excess sun. When comparing the arguments for and against a haircut, a positive result is obtained from it only when the consequences of improper care of the pet’s fur are eliminated.
How often do cats get their hair cut?
Grooming of Scottish cats, British Fold cats, Siamese and other smooth-haired cats is not regular and mandatory; it is performed either for medical purposes (preparation for surgery or ultrasound diagnostics) or for an exhibition (artistic grooming). Grooming cats with semi-long fur is harmful if done more than twice a year. We must remember that hairstyle gives the animal not only stress from the process, but also discomfort in everyday life, since the pet feels the temperature differently, feeling “undressed”. Grooming short-haired pets is harmful and not recommended.
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.
Grooming cats and cats
Hygienic haircut or grooming of cats involves full care of furry cats, getting rid of tangled lumps (mats), combing, giving the animal’s fur coat a certain configuration. Grooming also involves caring for the pet’s oral cavity, trimming claws, checking, treating the auricle and eyes. A similar service is often offered by hairdressing salons for animals, but you can easily learn this on your own. To do this, it is important to understand some theoretical knowledge and practice it in practice.
Features of haircuts by coat type
Preparation for the procedure includes a mandatory analysis of the type of coat, accordingly, a suitable tool is selected, as well as styling products.
Long thick coat
The main problem is the insufficient independent care of pets for their fur coat. Long fibers cause a lot of trouble during molting, and for sick or old animals they become a real challenge. Most often, an aesthetic haircut is performed; the tool used must be specialized (ordinary “human” trimmers are not suitable).
Tough
For representatives of breeds with hard hair, grooming is less problematic. It is advisable to purchase an additional set of combs to regularly tidy up your cat with active brushing. Even ordinary tools can cut coarse hairs, as long as the clipper blades are sharp.
Atypical
Professional help will help you understand the peculiarities of too thin, mixed, atypical wool. It is advisable to go to the groomer at least the first time in order to understand the basic principles of caring for such pets and avoid some critical mistakes.
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.
