Can you shear a cat

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This article has been viewed 54, times. Cats just love to groom themselves. Severe matting can make your cat extremely uncomfortable and may even damage its skin or joints. Start by trying to work out the mats with a comb. Finally, be sure to prevent future mats from forming by sharing the burden of grooming with your cat!

If your cat has developed mats in its fur, start by trying to work out the tangles with a wide-toothed comb and pet detangler spray. When using clippers on your cat, tighten your grip around its scruff to prevent it from biting or scratching.

Stop shaving as soon as you see fur that looks like it can be combed through. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to prevent future matting, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

Cookie Settings. Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Adding water to the mats can actually make them worse! Spritz a bit of this onto the mats. The product may help loosen up the hair. Use a dematting or wide-toothed comb. You can also try using a metal comb that has a fair bit of space between each of the teeth.

Knowing how to shave your cat at home can help you save on groomers' fees, remove mats that don't respond to mat breakers, or prepare your pet before a procedure at the vet's office.

The key to safe shaving is getting your kitty comfortable with the equipment you're using. The only thing that you really need for shaving cats is a good pair of clippers. However, depending on the temperament of your cat and how amenable he is to being shaved, you may find a few other things helpful as well. You can take your cat to a groomer to have him shaved, but if you want to do it yourself, keep in mind that every cat is different, and some will resist shaving more than others.

Use these tips and procedures to make sure your cat gets a safe and comfortable shave. Many cats will try to defend themselves when being shaved. Play it safe, and clip her claws before you begin the shave. Test the sound of the clippers near your cat. If your cat becomes very fearful at only the sound, you may want to consider using a harness or restraining device, or asking your vet for a mild sedative before you begin.

Cats have very flexible, pliable skin that moves easily. This means that it can easily bunch up under the clippers, potentially giving him a pinch or cut. Hold the skin down firmly, pulling it taut as you shave to avoid cuts. Start at the top of the cat's body, and work your way towards the base of the tail - but don't shave the actual tail. Hold your cat gently, but firmly and work your way around his body, always starting towards the back of the neck and working your way towards the tail.

Try these tips and tricks for a better experience for you and your cat. Hold matted fur by its end, and gently move it from side to side as you shave around and under it. Using a brush, comb or even your fingers, gently untangle and separate the hair a little at a time until the mat is gone. Dematting is uncomfortable. Go slowly and take frequent breaks if necessary. Large mats or very tightly matted fur usually need to be cut out with scissors or shaved out with clippers.

In cases where a cat is matted all over its body, a full shave down is more humane for the cat. Do NOT attempt to cut or shave mats yourself. Large mats should only be attended to by a professional groomer or veterinarian. Shaving a cat is something that should be left to professional groomers, who are trained to do so safely. Trimming or shaving cats is not a simple matter. First, cats rarely still and patiently allowing you to cut or shave their hair. Some cats may even become aggressive when you attempt to groom them.

Clipper blades are very sharp and they heat up when in use, which can burn the skin or give the cat bad razor burn.

Always bring your cat to a professional groomer or your veterinarian if you want your cat dematted, shaved or trimmed. The legs are generally trimmed about halfway down, leaving fluff on the lower half and paws. There are some downsides to a lion cut.

Because the hair is shaved all the way down to the skin, there is more risk of cutting or injuring the skin while attempting this clip.

Outdoor cats should not be shaved into a lion trim and in winter, indoor cats in a lion trim might need a sweater to keep warm. With this clip, the hair is significant shorter but not shaved all the way down to the skin. However, this trim cannot be done on a matted cat. Cats with very matted hair should be shaved all the way down to the skin as with a lion clip. A teddy bear cut or pajama clip shortens the coat without clipping it to the skin.

Another alternative to a full shave or trim is a simple belly shave. Also, if a cat has certain health problems, the hair might not fully grow back after being shaved. What Is the Function of Cat Fur? Shaving Indoor Versus Outdoor Cats If your felines have an indoor-only lifestyle, shaving cats should not be necessary for heat reasons, even if they have long or dark fur.

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