STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

cahabo · Kate Spade

Shaving a cat?

penguininaboat · BCBG

My cat has the same problem. We have gotten her shaved before, but the hair is rather short afterwards so we usually only do it at the beginning of spring and then end of summer so she has all her fur back for the winter.

Elle · Hermes

We had a cat that needed to be shaved before - long haired and so fat she couldn't turn around to clean herself ashamed

. We had her shaved yearly in the spring - kept her nice and cool in the summer and the hair grew back by the end of the fall. They shaved her torso and left her long on her legs, tail, and head. Like a poodle!

Shaving is usually better than cutting the mats out - sometimes they're so close they can't be cut out anyway, but if they try it's really easy to cut the skin. I'd see what the vet suggests on waiting vs. shaving now. Shaving now would be preferable, but if your kitty wouldn't tolerate being inside-only for awhile or at the very least have free access to come inside whenever she wanted then waiting might be better ...?

Metric · Gucci

My bf's sister shaves her cat every few months. They don't shave him bald and leave his mane and feet like a lion. Its pretty cute actually.
She takes him to a groomer who specializes in cats because his skin is wrinkly (i think he's a Himalayan?) and in the past inexperienced groomers have nicked him.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Yeah, I'd rather deal with a cat that is unhappy about being shaved than one that just got cut with a pair of scissors or clippers. I would wait until the weather warms up. Until then, keep the kitty comfortable, brushed, and clean (as you normally would). I think any groomer that offers cat shaving will be prepared for a cranky feline. Unless your cat has gone ballistic at the vet, there is really no way to know if she/he will at the groomer.

-- Edited by pollyjean23 at 15:43, 2008-01-28

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

Matted hair is actually very painful for a cat, as the mats pull the hair up into the mat. This is why it's a very bad idea to cut the mats out - our neighbor tried to cut her cat's mats, and he had huge sores all over his body where she tried to cut the mats and got skin. Your cat w/ill be much more comfortable shaved. How cold is it where you live right now? If it's pretty cold, I'd say wait until spring, but do shave him/her as soon as possible.

jacL · Coach

I take my kitty to the groomer every spring to get shaved. He usually gets what is called a "lion cut." You can choose how you want him groomed and they might even have pictures to use as examples. I go to a private groomer, but some pet stores (PetSmart) and veterinarians also perform this service. The first time we went, I was charged extra because my cat was so fierce and he always needs extra attention when he comes home. I almost wish I wouldn't have to do it becuase he gets so stressed out but in the humid weather there is no other way, not even brushing daily keeps the mats out. If your cat stays inside where it is warm, I would take him to the groomers now. Otherwise wait until the weather warms up a bit.

I have found that if you catch a mat early on, before it gets close to the skin, you can cut it out easily.

I wouldn't worry about your cat acting up. I seriously have never met a cat who can get more wild than mine when stressed and my groomer said the same thing--like I said, she charged me extra the first time, but the next few times she said he got *slightly* better.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

Oh my god. Can I just be really immature and tell you all that my first thought on seeing this post's title on the little chatbox thing on the right was ahem...NOT about an actual cat. But, uh, ya know, a certain lady part that is sometimes referenced as a cat. Jesus. I'm going back to eating my oatmeal. Don't mind me, I'd claim that it's still early but it's almost 9am.

cahabo · Kate Spade

relrel wrote:

Oh my god. Can I just be really immature and tell you all that my first thought on seeing this post's title on the little chatbox thing on the right was ahem...NOT about an actual cat. But, uh, ya know, a certain lady part that is sometimes referenced as a cat. Jesus. I'm going back to eating my oatmeal. Don't mind me, I'd claim that it's still early but it's almost 9am.

LoL!

Thanks for the input ladies. I had no idea shaving a cat was common. I think I will wait until the weather warms up a bit to get her shaved. Right now we have a lot of snow and bitter cold wind. My cat goes outside a lot and I don't think she could handle just staying inside. I'll probably do it later next month and bring in a litter box for her in case it's still too cold for her to go out.