If you decide to take an animal into your home, you will have to take care of it, keep it clean, and feed it nutritious food. Most often, cats appear in families, which themselves are gentle and affectionate animals, and it is a pleasure to play with them. If the owners are new, they have many questions about caring for their pet, for example, the rather pressing topic of keeping the fur clean and which cat breeds need to be trimmed. And immediately concern arises regarding the question of how to cut a cat’s hair at home.
After reading this article, you can make sure that the procedure does not present any difficulties.
Ridding an animal of excess hair is the key to a healthy pet.
Cats with long, fluffy hair most often need a haircut, because these animals shed much more than short-haired cats, and hairballs also constantly roll up, causing a lot of inconvenience. And in this case, the decision to trim the cat is a necessity; you just need to understand how to carry out this procedure yourself at home.
I would like to note that getting rid of excess hair from an animal is not only a guarantee of cleanliness and the absence of hairs throughout the house, but also a guarantee of a healthy pet. Cats constantly lick their fur, so the hairs penetrate into the stomach, and if this happens constantly, whole balls of hair begin to collect. In general, cats are able to regurgitate the collected fur, but this is not always possible, and as a result, obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract occurs. Therefore, a haircut is a necessary event.
Veterinary clinics provide animal grooming services
To trim a cat, you need to prepare yourself and prepare the animal. There are specialized veterinary clinics that provide hairdressing services for animals, and if it becomes a problem for you to do the haircut yourself, you can always turn to specialists, but the procedure will cost money.
What is used to groom cats?
Attention! At home, medium-sized scissors are used, but the most convenient option is a clipper.
A clipper is the most convenient for carrying out the procedure.
This device, unlike scissors, is easy to use and cannot cause injury to your pet if used correctly. The only drawback is the sound of the machine running, which can greatly frighten the cat, and this will create certain problems during the grooming process (the animal begins to struggle and scratch).
If you are even afraid to imagine how to trim a cat at home, then you better turn to a professional. Some veterinary clinics use anesthesia for overly exuberant cats, but this is very dangerous for older cats.
At home, it is difficult to trim a cat for participation in exhibitions, but it is absolutely possible to do this for hygienic purposes.
It is advisable for the clipper to operate quietly
For convenience and ease of cutting, the first step is to choose a high-quality model of the device, preferably not too loud and, of course, not the cheapest. The stores offer mechanical (manual) and electric machines. After studying all the pros and cons that the sales consultant can tell you about, you will be able to choose the most convenient option.
Varieties
Cat haircuts are divided into two groups: model and hygienic. The latter pursue very specific goals and are carried out in order to protect the animal from overheating and tangles, as well as for veterinary indications. These include diseases of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, increased secretory activity of the sebaceous and para-anal glands, as well as the senility of the pet, when it is no longer able to cope with its fur on its own.
Model haircuts are performed exclusively for decorative purposes to make the animal more attractive, as well as before cat shows. The most common of them are haircuts like a lion, like a dragon, and like a dinosaur. The puma hairstyle is also very popular and is a simplified version of the lion haircut. The only difference is the design of the tail: for example, if in a “puma” it is cut almost bald, then in a “lion” it repeats the shape of a real lion’s tail with a fluffy tassel.
However, the most creative can be called the “dragon” haircut, which includes various variations of cutting symbols, letters, ornaments and figures on the back of the animal. Despite the rather exotic appearance of the pet, most veterinarians warn owners against performing this haircut. This is due to the fact that after cutting the patterns, the fur on the pet’s skin becomes uneven, which greatly disrupts thermoregulation and does not allow the body to adapt to this type of heat transfer.
A graduated hairstyle has a much stronger negative impact on the cat’s condition than uniform haircuts, to which the body adapts over time. The same, but to a slightly lesser extent, applies to the “socks”, “sock socks” and “puss in boots” haircuts, which are also very popular among cat owners. Among exhibition haircuts, “harlequin”, “modern” and “continental chic” are very popular.
How many times a year should a cat be groomed?
On average, depending on the breed and age, a cat's fur grows back to its previous size 3-6 months after shearing.
Attention! Experienced veterinarians recommend trimming your cat several times a year, and if tangled hairballs appear, cut them out with scissors.
It is recommended to trim the cat several times a year
. It is advisable to trim the cat before the summer season, because the hot season is too difficult for animals, especially shaggy ones, so by learning how to carry out the procedure at home, you will help the cat cope not only with intestinal disease, but and make her feel better when the air temperature is too high.
How does haircut affect animals?
Is it possible to cut a cat's hair without causing any changes, and how will cutting it at home affect the pet's behavior?
Haircut significantly affects hair growth
Almost all long-haired breeds change coat color, becoming darker or lighter. It happens that haircut significantly affects the growth of fur, sometimes this process accelerates, and in some cases, on the contrary, it becomes slower, and in rare cases it stops growth completely.
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How to properly trim your pet's hair yourself?
To understand how to properly trim a cat at home, you need to prepare:
- a convenient place, it can be a table or an ironing board;
- a comfortable comb;
- small scissors;
- a special hair clipper;
- hydrogen peroxide and iodine (for treating wounds, if any appear).
Sequencing:
- Initially, you should shorten your cat's claws. For this, manicure scissors are usually used: firstly, this tool can be found in every home, and secondly, high-quality scissors will help you deal with claws without unnecessary problems; If you wish, you can purchase a special device at a pet store - a nail clipper, which is easy to use, and its cost is quite affordable.
- Before you start trimming the nails, you need to disinfect the tool, usually using alcohol. Next, you need to take your pet’s paw in your hand and lightly press on the pad, after which the cat will release its claws, at this moment, without removing your fingers from the pad, begin the procedure of cutting the claws; To complete the procedure, it is recommended to use a nail file to file off the sharp ends.
- For the first time, it is better to trim a cat at home, with the help of a person who will help you hold the animal correctly, and, as a rule, it is much easier to cope with the procedure together. So, the partner, having laid the cat on its side, must hold its limbs.
- If the animal begins to behave quite aggressively, it is better to use a plastic collar.
- Next, they trim the cat with a clipper, starting from the sides, the main thing is not to worry and try not to shake your hands, because an animal that behaved calmly, sensing the owner’s excitement, can show both anxiety and aggressiveness, and then you will no longer be able to do the procedure at home.
- After the sides, the back and belly are trimmed; Particular attention is paid to the abdominal area where the nipples are located.
- It is possible to cut the hair both in the direction of hair growth and against it.
- If the haircut is carried out with an electric clipper, you need to remember that the nozzle must be at least 3 mm.
- In order for everything to go without injury to the animal, you should trim the resulting lumps on the cat with scissors during the procedure, since using a clipper at home this will be impossible and quite unpleasant for the pet itself.
- During grooming, the animal's skin must be stretched to avoid cuts.
- When cutting hair at home, the head, paws at the ends and tail are usually left untouched; this haircut will look like a lion's.
- If necessary, you can use thinning scissors to go through the untrimmed wool.
- When the whole procedure has come to an end, the cat is washed with clean water, or bathed with shampoo and dried with a hairdryer.
It is possible to cut the hair both in the direction of hair growth and against it.
Haircut procedure
- First of all, the cat must be secured on its side, holding the front and hind legs. If your pet is aggressive and bites, it is better to put a plastic collar on it during the procedure. You can also attach a binder (paper clip) to the back of your neck. At the same time, the cat falls into childhood, it seems to him that his mother is holding him in her teeth, and he behaves much calmer. Sometimes for overly excited cats, inhibitors, sedatives, sleeping pills or anesthesia are used during grooming. Such methods can be used only in extreme cases and always after passing the necessary examinations. But this very unsafe methods! Never use them at home yourself. They can cause significant harm to your furry friend.
A plastic collar will help secure the animal.
- If there tangles, first you need to cut them with scissors. This must be done very carefully and slowly so as not to damage the animal’s skin. And then cut the back and sides with a clipper. You need to turn on the machine away from the cat so that its noise does not frighten the animal too much. Let the cat get used to the sound, only then can you start cutting. The skin should be slightly stretched so as not to injure it. Also, don’t forget about the attachment for the machine. It's better to choose not less than 3 mm. If you use the machine without an attachment, you can injure your skin.
You can cut mats from your cat's fur using scissors.
- The fur from the belly should be trimmed slowly so as not to injure the nipples and intimate area. It is best to prepare these areas before machine cutting. Trim the hair around the nipples and intimate area so that these areas are clearly visible. Cats' tails can be trimmed at will. You can give it any shape that your imagination suggests, but you must leave at least a small brush at the tip of the tail. Otherwise, the cat will not recognize its tail and may bite it, causing pain to itself.
Useful tips
The fur on the paws is trimmed last, if necessary. If desired, you can go through the uncut areas with thinning scissors. This will give the wool its shape.
The cat is very aggressive
Grooming your pet can take a lot of your time, don't expect to get it done in half an hour.
If your cat is aggressive, bites and breaks out, it is better to trim its fur. The fur will remain longer, but this way you will avoid unnecessary aggression of the animal. Since cutting against the grain irritates the pet even more.
Several approaches are possible
Don't try to cut your pet's hair in one go. Take breaks and pet your pet to calm him down and help him endure an unpleasant procedure more easily. After a haircut, you also need to be gentle and friendly with the animal. You should not laugh loudly at your haircut during or after the procedure. Your animal may have a hard time accepting such an outburst of emotion from its owner.
Separately about the British cat
The British breed is a short-haired breed, so it is customary to care for the animal’s fur without cutting it. Short hair does not mat in clumps, so there is nothing to cut. To keep your cat looking neat and well-groomed, use soft brushes to comb its fur. Usually these are rubber or bristly brushes that are not capable of damaging the integrity of the animal’s skin. And, of course, the British are periodically bathed with a special shampoo, because cleanliness for cats is a guarantee of good health.
How to reduce unpleasant consequences to a minimum?
To alleviate the stressful state, you need to try to gradually reconcile the animal with the procedures performed. The main method is psychological:
rid the cat of contact with unpleasant objects - nail clippers, scissors, hair clippers; distract with treats, new toys, favorite activities; during and after the manipulations, constantly talk and stroke; Do not laugh or focus on the appearance of the trimmed cat.
If there are no results from psychological assistance, you should visit a veterinarian and get the necessary medications. The list of possible medications is presented:
- Pheromones - aerosols of synthetic origin. After spraying the substance, animals experience an emotional uplift and a feeling of security and safety.
- Antidepressants - prescribed by a veterinarian when a pet falls into a state of deep depression. Therapy is carried out with Valium, Diazepam.
In addition to medications, the doctor may recommend wearing a special collar soaked in pheromones and a complex of essential oils. It allows the animal to quickly get out of a stressful state and stop constantly licking itself.
Cats do not always react aggressively to hairdresser's manipulations. Indifference to procedures is observed in sterilized animals. Their psyche is more resistant to external stimuli, their behavior is characterized by calmness and pronounced laziness.
Experts point out that changing the appearance of furry pets cannot occur only at the whim of the owner; the procedure requires good reasons. The desire to create a fashionable “hairstyle” can cause a long-term quarrel between the animal and the owner, cause hidden anger in the pet and provoke a long cold war
Information about Persian cats
Cats of this breed are quite impressionable, so before starting the procedure, it is better to first find a video on the Internet on how to trim a Persian cat at home.
For Persian cats, a haircut similar to that of a lion is used.
To groom cats of this breed, it is better to involve assistants who will help calm the animal. For Persian cats, they use a haircut similar to that of a lion - the head, tail and paws are left unchanged, this is a classic hairstyle for representatives of this breed.
Cat hairstyle trends: which haircut to choose?
If you just need to shorten the coat, this is a simple task. But there is a choice of different curly haircuts, which are chosen taking into account the type of coat, thickness, and breed of the animal. This is a very important factor for winning at the exhibition, because it provides the original appearance of the pet and reflects its individuality.
The following hairstyle options are relevant today:
- “lion”: the entire back and the upper side of the legs are cut, the tail at the base. At the same time, the head is left untouched, as is the neck - a kind of “mane” is formed, as is the tassel at the tip of the tail. The tail can be shaped like a pom-pom, Christmas tree, or panicle. You can achieve the squirrel tail effect. The “socks” on the feet are made short or in the form of “gloves”.
- “puma”: performed similarly to “lion”, but the shirtfront is left in the chest area, which looks beautiful;
- “dragon”: cut the sides and belly until smooth, leave the fur along the ridge and tail, give it the shape of a fluffy comb with incisors;
- “Puss in Boots”: repeating the image of a fairy-tale hero, the hair on the back is cut short, the paws are cut off from above, so that there are neat and identical “boots” below.
There are other models of hairstyles, but they are more complex to perform; it is better to entrust them to groomers. This is the so-called “continental” haircut, “modern”, “harlequin”.
We hope that this guide will help you successfully and tastefully decorate your favorite cat's fur. By following all the above recommendations, you will know exactly how to successfully trim a cat with a clipper at home and create an aesthetically pleasing appearance for your pet.
What time of year do cats get their hair cut?
Attention! Pets that do not go outside can be groomed, regardless of the time of year. Animals that constantly run outdoors are usually trimmed before the onset of the summer heat.
It is customary to care for the fur of British cats without haircuts.
This will make it easier for cats to tolerate the heat, and by the beginning of the autumn cold weather, the fur will grow to the desired size and will be able to protect the animal from the cold.
Necessity
The owner decides whether the pet needs a haircut.
With regular coat care and timely combing of tangles, animals can do without a haircut. Caring for the hair of a long-haired cat takes a lot of time. In the absence of regular combing, tangles form very quickly. Cats of the Persian breed with a soft hair structure and a coat length of up to 10 cm are especially affected. These animals require daily combing. Individuals who have not been accustomed to daily care since childhood often actively resist.
Trying to deal with the tangles on its own, the cat swallows a large number of hairs. The same thing happens during licking during molting. Hair balls in the stomach mix with food, bezoars are formed, which move through the intestines and increase in size. The condition can cause vomiting, constipation, intestinal bleeding and obstruction.
Tangles located next to the skin are especially dangerous. They cause inflammation of the epidermis, and flies can lay eggs under them. Persian cats in neglected condition definitely need a haircut.
Cats of the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest cat, and Siberian breeds have shorter hair that is not prone to tangles. Their fur has a two-layer structure that creates an air gap between the skin and the environment. In shorn individuals, thermoregulation is disrupted. Veterinarians have different opinions on whether cats of these breeds should be shaved regularly.
Color-point cats (Neva Masquerade) or tipping (British breed) need to be shaved with caution; the color of the fur on the belly may become darker. Cats of short-haired breeds are cut in exceptional cases: for medical reasons, in case of indelible dirt
Cats of short-haired breeds are cut in exceptional cases: for medical reasons, in case of indelible dirt.
