Is it okay to trim a cat's fur? Not a major trim, just the ends? for Questionland Seattle

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Is it okay to trim a cat's fur? Not a major trim, just the ends?

My mom says cats are not dogs and they shouldn't be trimmed. I think maybe my cat would like a summer trim. What do you think?

Here is a pic of my kitty, Squeaky.

Kristin Bell asked in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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Russ Campbell, NWEBS

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In general, cats don't need to have their fur trimmed and it would not be a good idea to cut it just because you think it would be good for her.
If however, a long haired cat has large knots or matted hair because of difficulty caring for themselves or getting tangles because of burrs or similar caught in their coats, it would be alright to do some selective cutting to eliminate the problem tangles.

If you obtained an appropriate brush to use (go to a good pet store) on your cat you could help them by combing out extra hair that they normally would be shedding in warm weather. In warmer weather you may see a large amount of fine hair coming off of their coat as they bath themselves, that is what you can help Squeaky eliminate. You will have to work gently with your cat for them to get used to the activity and see it as being an enjoyable experience.

I can remember my own cat coming eagerly to sit on my mother's lap in the evening when she spread out a large towel and he would stretch out and let her comb through his fur. Later she would have balls of fine hair to throw away. All which he would have had to deal with otherwise by using his tongue.

Russ Campbell, NWEBS answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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Is your kitty matted or does kitty get hairballs all the time? Then, yes, go ahead and have kitty shorn.

If you kitty is panting a lot from the heat or spends most of its days lounging in the bath tub, then you might consider shearing.

However, if your cat is acting as it normally does, just leave the coat alone. Cats really hate being groomed.

I would suggest not having your cat sheared completely bald, though, as it won't have enough time to regrow a lot of fur before the winter. Maybe wait and have it sheared next spring? Or try a Furminator--those work wonders for removing undercoat and making animals consequently cooler.

Griffin answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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You can, but I wouldn't do it unless he's showing signs that he's too hot. If he's just lounging around, he doesn't need it.

Matt from Denver answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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I get my cat a lion cut once or twice a year, not because she's hot but because she's longhaired and it cuts down on hairballs. She'll hate you for it for a couple days but then she'll forget all the trauma. I get it done at Petco but most groomers that deal with cats can do it too.

This is not my cat, by the way, but I feel like it accurately conveys the hate she will feel for you for a day or two. Be prepared!

jeze answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

2 comments by "Cagey" and Fnarf…

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oh, that's weird!

"Cagey" commented about 1 year ago | Report

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Good lord, I'm going to have nightmares about that. Now I hate Uggs even more!

Fnarf commented about 1 year ago | Report

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My experience is that cats shed their fur if they need to..and this can lead to hairballs. For the most part, they just regulate themselves. That goes for heat also. A cat will become more dormant and say sprawled around sleeping if the weather gets too warm for them. Let them.

Just supply fresh cold water twice a day... in a non-metalic bowl.

I don't think shaving is necessary, unless you also provide a furry blanket for it to snuggle down into overnights to conserve heat.

"Cagey" answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

1 comment by TVDinner Redux…

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My Maine Coons have extraordinarily thick and medium-long fur, and they have all been very grateful to get a lion clip in summer. They don't like the process of being shaved, or the trip to the groomer, but they don't seem to mind the near-nakedness at all, and they stop lying on the laundry room floor looking pitiful all the time. They get far fewer mats and hairballs (none of my cats like being brushed - the Furminator does a fine job, but they all wriggle and struggle).

It's a great relief to me to have rather less fur flying around the house, too. I'm allergic. So I have three strictly-indoor longhair cats. Go figure.

Geni answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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