Clipper for cats with thick hair: how to use a hair clipper

The main condition for the healthy condition of the animal’s fur and skin is regular haircuts. Many owners turn to professionals who groom their pets.
But there are also those who can do without the help of a specialist and care for animals on their own, using a special clipper.

It has a special design and allows you to make the process of caring for pets simple and quick. A correctly selected model will easily cope with its functions and will last for many years.

But how to choose the best animal clipper from the variety available on the market and what parameters to pay attention to when purchasing?

To help potential buyers, we have compiled a rating of animal clippers in terms of price/quality ratio.

It includes only the best models of 2020-2021. The TOP is compiled based on real consumer reviews and expert assessments.

Tips for choosing a good machine

The main rule that should be followed when choosing a trimmer is to check it before purchasing. It's worth taking a little time to explore its features and capabilities.

Blades. The best cat clippers have ceramic blades, which do not heat up as much as metal blades during grooming.
Noisiness. You should not choose a model that creates a lot of noise, because cats are quite shy. The animal may feel uncomfortable, thereby making the grooming process more difficult.
Ease of use. The machine should be quite easy to use. She needs the ability to switch speeds and easily change attachments.
Models with a battery must have a charge indicator.
Blades with a width of 3.5 cm or more will be preferable when working with large cats.
The machine should have a power of 15 W or more - this will allow you to cope with thick hair, trim tangles and avoid overheating.
Please note that the set includes attachments of different sizes for trimming ears, tail and paws.
For owners of furry breeds, it is better to choose cordless trimmers that can operate both on battery power and connected to an outlet.

If you have chosen an electric model, turn on the device, evaluate how comfortable it is in your hand, how much noise it makes and whether it heats up too much. The last point is extremely important, since if you overheat, you can burn the animal, and such machines break much faster.

Device power type

The choice of machine is not limited by the difference in operating principles; the type of power supply is also important. There are networked, battery-powered models and combined-type devices that are powered by an outlet or batteries.

Battery models are very mobile and relatively independent from the network. The power source is a built-in or removable battery, or regular batteries. The disadvantage of a wireless device is that the time of continuous use is limited by the battery capacity, on average from 1 to 1.5 hours.

Hair clipper ZIVER-209 (battery-mains)

The power of such a device is reduced when the charge level is less than 30%.

It is logical that such a device is capable of trimming a large animal only if it has several replaceable batteries. It is possible to carry out a haircut in several stages, but this is not very convenient.

Mains power provides constant power, which reduces the overall cutting time compared to battery-powered clippers. The devices are characterized by stable, but noisier operation.

Andis AGC-2 Speed – professional animal clipper

Combined devices are universal and are in great demand, despite their relatively high cost.

WAHL machine (USA) with Super Groom combined food

Ziver-206 – the best machine for grooming cats

A stylish machine with an ergonomic design for grooming cats, produced in Russia. The model is equipped with a ceramic knife, which makes cutting safer and more effective.

The ceramic knife does not heat up during operation, does not injure the skin of the animal, and allows you to create complex hairstyles. The product is equipped with a set of two attachments of different sizes, a knife cleaning brush and an oil can with oil. The trimmer can operate either from the mains or from a battery.

The continuous operation time with a fully charged battery is 1.5 hours. Rotary motor.

Plus: quiet operation without vibration.
Minus: full charging time – 1.5 hours.

Instructions on how to cut a cat's hair at home

The first step is to trim the nails. How to do this correctly, you can watch the video presented by the channel “Univet - a group of veterinary clinics”.

If your pet is restless and afraid of electrical appliances, then you can wrap construction tape around its paws - it does not stick to the fur much and you can get rid of it painlessly.

The procedure for grooming a cat looks like this:

Using a machine with a 3 mm nozzle, you need to remove hair from the left and right sides, from the back and belly. In the last place, you need to be extremely careful so as not to injure the animal.
Change the nozzle to 2 mm and cut the hair in the armpit area. Then you can proceed to the back of the cat's body.
The tail, as a rule, is also trimmed, leaving a tassel, like a lion's. You need to trim it with scissors. Sometimes the tail is not touched at all.
You must leave socks on your feet. Under no circumstances should you cut off the fur on your paws completely.
Also, the hair on the head cannot be cut; it is only recommended to trim it a little with scissors to make a neat shape.
Now you need to bathe, comb and dry the cat with a hairdryer. If the pet cannot stand the noise of the hair dryer, then wipe the cat with a dry soft towel.

You can also cut your cat's hair yourself. To trim your cat's hair, find someone to help you. He will need to hold the struggling pet. Buy a special trimmer for grooming or use a regular clipper that is used to cut people's hair. Carry out the procedure carefully so as not to harm the animal and yourself. If you do everything quickly, the pet will not have time to get scared. Screams, hissing, scratching are just a reaction to the noise of the machine and a temporary restriction of freedom.

Before you start grooming, trim your cat's claws. Next you need to carefully cut off all the tangles. If you don't have a special tangle cutter, use scissors with rounded ends. Next, trim the sides, back and belly. In case of cuts, prepare iodine and hydrogen peroxide.

You should not cut your hair on a smooth-haired cat. Remember that after a long procedure she may change in character. They are cut only in emergency cases: the fur is smeared with dye or there are dermatological problems.

Before cutting with a clipper or trimmer, it is necessary to cut out the tangles and treat the nipple area on the stomach so as not to injure them later with the clipper.

The haircut procedure is performed as follows:

Fixing the cat in a lying position on its side by its hind and front legs.
Trimming mats with a mat cutter and hair on the belly around the nipples with scissors with round tips.
Trimming the body with a trimmer or clipper in the direction opposite to the growth of the hair.
Back haircut.
Belly haircut.
At the end of the procedure, the hair on the limbs and tail is trimmed, if necessary.

The hair on the paws and head, even in long-haired cat breeds, is short and coarser, so clipping these areas is not necessary even for hygienic purposes and during the summer seasonal haircut.

After finishing the haircut, it is necessary to remove the cut hair residues from the animal’s fur so that they do not end up in the stomach. The best option is to wash the cat and then dry it with a hairdryer, but you can get by with brushing and drying with a damp towel.

A trimmed pet must be protected from drafts and hypothermia.

How to trim a cat's hair without scaring it

A cat is a rather timid animal, therefore, it is advisable to hire an assistant for grooming, a person well known to the animal, who will hold and calm it.

You can learn how to care for cat hair using a furminator here: https://kot-pes.com/furminator-dlya-koshek/

You should be prepared for the fact that as soon as you make the first movements with the machine turned on, the animal will try to escape.

Persian haircut "like a lion"

Talk to your cat gently throughout the process, this will noticeably calm her down.

First, the armpits and back of the body, the genitals and anus are cut (here you need to be especially careful).

It is advisable to trim the paw pads and tail after cutting with scissors.

The cat's head is not cut; the mane is carefully trimmed, wrapping the animal in a blanket.

How to choose the right machine

Before hairdressing manipulation, the animal should be bathed with shampoo and conditioner. It is best to carry out the water procedure 2 - 3 days before the haircut. This will make combing and the process of creating a hairstyle easier. To avoid injury, you should also trim your nails or wear special protective pads on your claws.

It is necessary to carry out a haircut with an assistant. How to cut a cat’s hair with a clipper has its own rules, the implementation of which will greatly facilitate the owner’s task:

Using a machine, hair is removed from the sides, back and belly of the pet. As a rule, nozzle No. 3 is used, which corresponds to 3 mm. The abdominal area should be treated especially carefully. It is better to pre-cut the area of the perineum and milk nipples with scissors.

Trim the hair in the armpit area, changing the nozzle to 2mm. Then the back of the body is cut.

The tail is either not cut at all, or a “tassel” is left at the end.

The hair on the paws is trimmed, forming either short “socks” or longer “socks”.

If necessary, the hairstyle on the head is shaped using scissors.

Use scissors to trim the mane and the “tassel” on the tail.

If you have to decide how to cut a cat’s hair with scissors, if you don’t have a clipper, then in this option you should prepare for a little more difficulty. With the help of scissors, as a rule, the wool is corrected after cutting with a clipper. The hairstyle, when using this one tool, will be uneven and unaesthetic.

After grooming, the animal must be bathed, wiped with wet wipes and dried with a hairdryer.

Today, many new products have appeared on the veterinary industry market that help owners cut their pet’s hair as quickly and beautifully as possible. Some tips on how to choose the right model for your pet at home.

Depending on the situation, the owners themselves first of all advise paying attention to the length of the blades. If it is necessary to cut short hairs, then the length of the blade should not exceed 2 cm. Basically, this device is used to remove excess hair from the cat’s face and ears, and is also used to remove excess vegetation under the cat’s tail.

How to cut a Persian cat's hair? To cut Persians, clippers with wide blades are used. Individuals of the Persian breed often have lumps in their fur, and such a machine can cut them off without much effort. It must be remembered that the blades of such machines need to be sharpened regularly, otherwise the machine will simply break. The Persian clipper must have a power of at least 45 W.

A machine with less power may break down during the first use, as it is not able to cope with the thickness of the wool and will begin to overheat. For a short-haired individual, clippers with low power are suitable; 20 W will be quite enough.

There is no need to cut British breed cats. By nature, they have short, thick hair; tangles are extremely rare. Excess hair can be removed with a rubber or bristle brush.

Types of clippers for cats and dogs

There are several classifications of cars for cats in different categories. So, all devices are divided into two groups.

Mechanical (hand-held) devices similar to plant pruners. In such a machine, the groomer brings the handles together and apart as when cutting with scissors.
Automatic (electric) devices equipped with a motor that drives the blades. In this case, the groomer holds the unit turned on and runs it through the animal’s fur.

Important! Manual machines are made of metal. For electrical appliances, the motor and contacts are located under a plastic housing.

In turn, according to the type of power supply, automatic machines are divided into:

network ones that need to be plugged into an outlet;
rechargeable batteries whose batteries require timely recharging;
combined, in which both previous options are implemented, and the user himself chooses the appropriate one depending on the circumstances.

According to the type of motor, electrical appliances are rotary, vibrating and pendulum. And according to the areas of application, the devices are divided into household, for home use, and professional, which are powerful machines with the ability to change operating modes (usually two-speed models) and a set of attachments . In the latter case, the division is conditional, since owners of purebred cats often buy equipment for professionals, and groomers use low-power devices for small volumes of work.

Trimmers are also included in a separate category - small maneuverable devices, the power of which is not enough to trim the entire animal, but is sufficient for processing hard-to-reach areas (armpits, stomach, paws, area near the tail and genitals, muzzle). The trimmer complements the hair clipper, but does not replace it.

On a note! Models for professionals often include trimmers in the form of attachments rather than separate devices.

Miniature assistant

A small cat trimmer with a blade surface of up to two centimeters is used in hard-to-reach places and areas of anatomical curves. With such a machine it is easy to shape the hair on the face and ears, shorten the hair on the paws, trim the hair on the elbows and armpits, and remove excess hair under the tail. This is rather an auxiliary but necessary tool, especially when it comes to exhibition preparation. Cons: low power, difficult to cut hair on the body, blades quickly become clogged with hair, makes noise or heats up. Pros: low cost, does not take up much space in your bag, can be used where there are no outlets (as a rule, a cat trimmer runs on batteries or a battery).

What is a cat clipper?

Visually, devices for cutting animals are very similar to similar devices for cutting people. Such equipment works on the same principle. But it is unlikely that it will be possible to cut a pet’s hair with a human device. Cat fur is much softer and has a thick undercoat. Therefore, machines for people, used for other purposes, quickly overheat. At the same time, the cutting blades become dull, and the fur is not cut with knives, but is pulled out, which is extremely painful for the animal.

Cats can and should be cut

A human clipper can be used to cut out isolated mats in cats of short-haired breeds, if the device is new, has sharp knives and has more power.

Not every device is suitable for working with long and thick cat hair. Specialized animal clippers are equipped with special knives that allow you to successfully handle the undercoat. They are less noisy, which makes this procedure more comfortable for pets.

A human clipper is not suitable for a cat.

From personal experience. Our previous cat had very long hair. The undercoat was not too thick and the fur practically did not mat; there was no need to cut out the tangles. But she was white and she was just everywhere. It got to the point that they had to clean the carpet by hand, since it was impossible to remove the thin, long white hairs with a vacuum cleaner. They decided to cut the cat's hair. They worked as an ordinary inexpensive model for cutting people's hair. Almost immediately the knives got tangled in soft wool and the device instantly overheated. They trimmed it with ordinary tailor's scissors.

There are two types of hair clippers: electric and mechanical. The most widespread are electrical appliances, which differ in power supply system, power and motor type.

up to 15 kW;
from 15 to 30 kW;
up to 45 kW and above.

Based on the type of engine, the following types of cutting devices are distinguished:

Vibrating. They have low power (8–15 kW). Quite difficult to maintain. To carry out preventive cleaning and lubrication, as well as remove the knives, it is necessary to disassemble almost the entire structure. They heat up quickly and have a short service life. Not suitable for cats with long and thick coats. But they are inexpensive and can be used as an aid (for trimming).
Wahl “Show Pro” clipper
Pendulum. Outdated type, rarely seen on sale. A powerful tool and inexpensive, but due to the poor design of the knives, it rips out individual hairs.
Rotary. The most popular type of machines with power from 25 to 55 kW. Suitable for all types of wool. Equipped with self-sharpening carbide and ceramic blades. Easy to use, easy and smooth running. Such devices are the most expensive and noisy. With intensive use they can overheat and fail. But you can choose a model equipped with an air cooling system, which helps protect the device from overheating.
Rotary type hair clipper

Based on the type of power supply, there are mains-powered, battery-powered and combined types of haircutting devices.

Rechargeable models operate independently of the network and can be used anywhere. Power is supplied from a simple battery, as well as from rechargeable removable or stationary built-in batteries. The disadvantage of devices of this type is the ability to operate autonomously only for 1–1.5 hours. This time may not be enough for a full and high-quality haircut. In addition, when the charge decreases, the device slows down and begins to bite and pull out hairs.

Networked clippers are provided with constant power, which allows you to not limit the cutting time. Such devices work stably, but are noisier. Much more convenient are combined devices that combine the advantages of the previous two types, although they have a fairly high price.

Professional cat clippers

The professional tool is intended for specialists who know how to handle it. Not always for home use you will need the entire set of functional qualities that it possesses.

Devices must have the following qualities:

high power;
ability to work with any wool;
have a set of different attachments;
the ability to cope with dense tangles;
do not heat up;
have sufficiently wide blades;
low vibration and noise level.

Most professional groomers prefer rotary-type clippers (Thrive, Oster, Moser, etc.).

Mini trimmers for cats

Miniature devices are used to remove hair in areas of anatomical curves and in hard-to-reach places (armpits, elbows, near the tail, etc.). The blade width of such a device usually does not exceed 2 cm. The range of functions is very limited, the device is unsuitable for a full-fledged haircut. Mini trimmers are low cost, light weight and small in size, but they make a lot of noise and heat up during operation.

Mini cat trimmer

The blades of small devices quickly become dull and become clogged with hair.

Miniature devices are indispensable for high-quality preparation of a cat for an exhibition as an auxiliary tool. They fit easily in a handbag and operate on batteries, which does not require sockets.

Manual cat clippers

Mechanical hand clippers are an alternative to scissors, but are more effective and safe. According to the principle of operation, cutting attachments are similar to electrical devices, only they are activated using human muscular power. The blades move when the handles are compressed, a spring mechanism then returns them back.

Sometimes you have to use mechanical machines

Among the positive qualities are:

low and affordable cost;
absence of noise and vibration;
long service life;
no overheating of the mechanism;
easy to maintain (blades are easy to clean).

Manual clippers are especially suitable for grooming nervous and shy cats that cannot tolerate extraneous noise and vibrations.

Disadvantages include low productivity and cutting speed. To work efficiently with such a tool, you must have certain skills and dexterity. If there are no increased quality requirements, then even an inexperienced amateur can easily handle a manual machine.

From personal experience. After the first unsuccessful haircut with an electric trimmer, our cat was so scared that he reacted extremely inadequately to subsequent attempts. It was difficult to keep him in place, while he incessantly hissed and howled threateningly. I had to borrow a manual clipper from my grandmother and use it to cut my hair.

This is interesting: What to do if a cat scratches a dog's eye?

How to overcome the resistance of the obstinate?

The grooming procedure must be carried out with an assistant who will fix the animal. Before the procedure, it is advisable to give the cat a sedative such as “Cat Bayun” or Feliway for several days, or, in extreme cases, valerian if the cat does not show aggression after taking it.

Japanese veterinarians offer an interesting method of fixation: a clamp is attached to the animal’s withers; an ordinary stationery clamp will do; as a result, the cat instinctively relaxes and loses the ability to resist.

To protect against bites from particularly aggressive animals, you need to wear an “Elizabethan collar.”

Well, if you are unable to accomplish your plans in any way, the only way out is to resort to the help of a professional groomer, who will trim the stubborn dog under the influence of a sedative.

Miniature options

Small devices are quite in demand; they are able to trim or give the desired shape to hard-to-reach areas of the animal’s body.

Such devices:

Used for cutting on any curves, for example, in the knees or armpits.
You can trim any areas on the body.
The muzzle is trimmed well.
They have blades within 2 centimeters.
The device itself is light and small in size.

The devices have a number of negative aspects:

blades become dull quickly;
not suitable for cutting the body of a cat;
make noise.

Important: they serve more for trimming tails or paws, as well as giving a finished look to the haircut.

The most popular miniature options are:

Features of the model: ideal for any wool;
on battery;
have two speeds:
equipped with a blocker that prevents the blade from falling out.
The average cost is from 4000 to 4200 rubles.

Braun. Peculiarities:

mains power supply;

perfectly cut on the curves of the body;

several speeds.

Price from 2600 to 2800 rubles.

Haircut at home

How to trim a cat's hair at home? To make this unpleasant procedure easier, you must follow simple rules:

First you need to trim the cat's claws. Before cutting, the nail clipper must be disinfected. Then gently press on the pads, the cat will release its claws, at this time, without touching the skin and trim the claws as soon as possible. This will protect the owner from aggression and possible scratches.
If this is your pet's first haircut, you need to ask for help. In cats, new procedures can cause an attack of aggression, so when cutting for the first time, be sure to hold the cat from the sides so that it does not break out. It is also necessary to secure the limbs.
Lay the animal on its side, hold its paws. Take the clipper in your hands and start cutting from the sides, calmly and measuredly. If the owner is tense, the cat will definitely feel it and behave restlessly.
After the sides, you need to start cutting from the back and stomach. The abdominal area should be given special attention, as the mammary glands are located there. To avoid injuring your pet’s stomach, you need to try to relax the cat as much as possible.
A small amount of uncut hairs must be removed with small scissors. Pull the skin slightly and carefully cut it off, this will save the animal from minor injuries.
At the owner's request, the tail and paws can be left untouched. Some owners prefer to leave a small tassel on the tail.
After the procedure, the pet must be bathed in warm water using a small amount of shampoo to get rid of hairs stuck to the cat’s body.

Don't forget that when using the clipper, your pet's fur must be completely dry. Wet fur may cause electric shock. If you are more familiar with scissors, you should lightly wet your pet's fur.

To achieve truly amazing results at home, veterinarians recommend using both a clipper and scissors.

Professional machines

Professional devices are more intended for the work of specialists, since they require somewhat skillful handling. On the market, such models are presented in different versions and for any budget. In general, they are all divided into:

By power:

up to 15 – for soft-haired pets;
from 15 to 30 W – for thick wool;
over 45 W – if the cats are very fluffy or, due to their breed, their fur is excessively coarse. Note: the lower the power, the less noise and vibration they make.

Depending on the action:

Network: you can trim the animal only in a specific place (next to the outlet);
minimal heating;
low vibration;
acceptable for any wool. Note: an unsuccessful option for cats that do not sit well in one place .

From the battery: the ability to work from 1 to 2 hours without additional charging;

silent;

minimal heating. Advice: if you need a long-term haircut, then a device that requires periodic recharging will not be suitable.

Combined nutrition:

the ability to use both at home and in any other places;

high cost compared to battery-powered and other machines;

Suitable for every coat type.

Advice: if a breeder has several animals, then combined machines are an excellent and convenient option.

Depending on the type of motor:

With vibration motor: great for soft-haired cats;
make a strong sound;
you need to periodically (on average every half hour) give the device a rest due to its heating. Tip: This option is not suitable for shy cats.

Rotary:

equipped with a cooling effect;

powerful;

provide high-quality haircut even for coarse wool or in difficult places;

more expensive compared to vibration ones.

Note: difficult to work with, therefore used exclusively by specialists.

Also, professional devices differ in the length of the blades, the degree of their sharpening, and so on.

The most popular models are:

Moser. Such devices:

powerful and reliable;
have replaceable blocks of nozzles;
provide the opportunity to trim curves, tails and other difficult areas of the body.

The average cost is 3,500 – 4,000 rubles.

Andis. The device differs:

rotary mechanism;
silent mode;
sharpening is required extremely rarely;
speed limit is regulated.

Advice: more suitable for fearful animals.

The price starts from 4800 rubles and above.

No noise, vibration or heat

A manual cat clipper, which is not particularly popular, can be a real salvation if the mustachioed impatiens show nervousness, break out, or try to attack the “offender.” This simple tool works on the principle of pruning shears: the blades are controlled by two handles that need to be squeezed in the palm of your hand, the handles return to their original position under the pressure of a straightening spring.

A mechanical cat clipper has a number of advantages for both the owner and the pet:

low cost compared to electric machines;

almost impossible to break;

the cat does not feel the frightening vibration;

The advantage is obvious: there is no need to forcefully restrain your pet, persuade her or use sedatives. A manual cat clipper works discreetly: you can, sitting on your favorite sofa, completely trim your cat without even waking her up. But there are also disadvantages: the cutting speed is significantly reduced, without certain skills it is difficult to make a perfect haircut.

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Stroke the back and sides of the cat with the machine turned off. There is no need to bury the blades in the fur: move in the opposite direction so that the hairs do not catch on the teeth of the blades. After turning on the clipper, you should not immediately cut the hair on the belly, head, inner thighs - these are places that frighten the cat when touched; first let it get used to the vibration of the tool.

Caring for a pet often includes grooming it. Moreover, this applies not only to owners of flocks of sheep or dogs, but also to cats: some breeds simply need to remove excess hair. In this regard, the question arises: how to do this? You can turn to the services of a professional, or you can buy a cat clipper and perform this procedure yourself. The second method has certain advantages.

With the help of a good cat clipper, you can trim your pet in comfortable conditions. Sometimes the procedure becomes a necessity, but transporting cats and their contact with unfamiliar people and equipment becomes stressful. In addition, groomer services are not cheap.

There are actually not many reasons to purchase a specialized device:

decorative haircut when preparing an animal for an exhibition;
creative haircut for aesthetics and giving your pet an unusual appearance;
animal care - preventing the formation of tangles;
Grooming long-haired cats during shedding.

How to care for your instrument

A cat clipper at home does not require complex care.

All that is necessary is to adhere to basic hygiene rules:

The instrument should be cleaned regularly. Wait until it cools down before doing this. Carry out the procedure at least every 5 haircuts;
You need to trim a washed animal so that the clipper does not become clogged with dust and dirt;
To care for the device, you need to use special products - a brush and solution;
Lubricate the device every time after cleaning.

The rules of care that are necessary for a cat clipper to last for many years at home are not at all complicated; follow them regularly and you will always be able to keep your pet’s coat in excellent condition.

Original cat haircut

Haircut is contraindicated

In some cases, it is better to do without cutting without making the animal nervous.

Contraindications for haircuts:

Exhibition activities - colored and clipped animals are disqualified; cosmetic head trimming is allowed to emphasize breed quality (for example, roundness of the zygomatic arch, fullness of the cheeks and forehead).
Colorpoint colors - after cutting, the coat on the body may darken, which reduces the show grade.
Tipped and ticked colors can also be affected by clipping.
The second half of pregnancy in cats, it is possible to trim the hair around the nipples before giving birth in long-haired individuals.

The bans mainly apply to purebred show animals.

Main tool

This device is intended for routine haircuts of cats.

The features of the main tools are:

can be used even by non-professional, in terms of haircuts, breeders;
the ability to deal with tangles;
the blades are wide enough;
minimal vibration.

Important: in such devices, independent sharpening of the blades is not possible.

The most popular models are:

Thrive:

very powerful;
suitable for any wool;
It removes mats perfectly.

The price varies from 5000 – 6000 rubles and above.

Oster:

express;
good for pet's fine fur;
The blades do not require sharpening for a long time.

The average cost is from 5500 rubles to 6500 rubles.

How often to carry out hairdressing procedures

The regularity of haircuts is determined by the intensity of hair growth. As a rule, fur grows back from 3 to 6 months. The rate of fur growth is affected by the breed of the animal, its age, and state of health.

It is recommended to cut the average cat no more than 2-3 times a year. If the procedure involves removing tangles, then it is carried out as they form. Model haircuts can be done more often, but you should take into account the condition of the coat, the season of the year and the health of the pet. Hygienic and therapeutic haircuts are usually carried out as needed.

Before being puzzled by the question of how to cut a cat’s hair himself, the owner should stock up on the necessary equipment and tools. For home grooming, you will need a high, stable table on which you can comfortably place the animal. A wide ironing board will also work for these purposes.

As a hairdressing tool, you need scissors with non-sharp edges and a clipper. Owners who are mastering home grooming are often interested in how cats are cut in the salon and at home. There are many cat trimmers available on the market. There is a tool designed specifically for cutting long-haired breeds. It is distinguished by sharpening of the blades and does not injure the delicate skin of the animal.

If your pet is terrified of electric clippers, it is better to use scissors or a manual clipper. Care should be taken when working, as the risk of injury from such a tool is high.

To comb the fur while cutting, you will need a comb. For this purpose, it is better to purchase a rare comb. All instruments must be individual. Before the procedure, it is advisable to treat the cutting surface with any disinfectant solution.

It is impossible to carry out high-quality independent grooming of your pet without an assistant.

It is better to have a restless cat groomed at a veterinary clinic, where she will be given sedatives if necessary. You cannot use any sedative medications at home.

Before trimming your cat's fur, you should stock up on disinfectant solutions, for example, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, to treat possible cuts.

Veterinarians recommend grooming no more than 2 times a year. We should not forget that wool is an animal’s natural protective cover; in cold weather, it can freeze. After a haircut, the fur completely grows back in six months, so it is best to cut the cat before the onset of summer, when excess hair causes discomfort to the animal.

We should not forget that after a haircut, the color of the cat may change slightly. Long-haired cat breeds are especially susceptible to changes. The shade can change by several tones, it can become either lighter or darker. In some cases, a haircut can also affect hair growth; it can slow down or, on the contrary, speed up.

If you strictly follow the simple steps described in the instructions for cutting hair at home, then cuts and injuries can be avoided. An animal that has undergone a haircut calmly will remember that this procedure is not dangerous to health, and next time it will behave quietly.

If the owner accidentally wounds his cat, the skin around the wound should be lubricated with an antiseptic. If the bleeding does not stop, you need to briefly press a dry swab onto the wound. The animal cannot be traumatized by loud voices and screams; the owner himself must calm the animal in a gentle, quiet voice and stroke it.

Grooming pets at home is a troublesome task. If the owner of the animal is preparing a cat for an exhibition or show, it is, of course, better to make an appointment with a cat specialist. You can be present during the procedure, the master will clearly explain and clearly show what needs to be done and in what order. In the workshops, light anesthesia is used so that the cat does not resist. Such drugs negatively affect the health of the animal.

The cutting procedure should be carried out depending on the rate of hair growth. On average, the coat grows in 3-6 months. Therefore, you need to cut your cat’s hair no more than two or three times a year.

When grooming is done more often:

A model haircut can be carried out more than 2-3 times a year, but it is necessary to take into account the season, the health of the pet and the condition of the coat.
Hygienic and therapeutic haircuts, including haircuts for mats, are carried out as needed.

The best trimmers for cats

MOSER Max 45 (1245-0066) – electric;
GTS 888 ED – network;
DoggyMan – mechanical;
Andis 53165 MBG-2 ProPet – for cats and dogs;
Pro 600 I Oster – with combined power supply.

MOSER Max 45 (1245-0066)

Professional hair clipper for cats from a German manufacturer. The two-speed model is equipped with a stainless steel blade.

Motor – rotary, powerful (45 W). Motor speed – 3000 rpm. The body is ergonomic.

The trimmer operates silently and without vibration, so cats are not afraid of the clipper; trimming an animal will not be difficult even at home. The machine copes with haircuts of any complexity, thanks to the sharp wide knife (49 mm). The presence of an effective cooling system allows you to work for a long time without interruption.

Plus: suitable for Persian cats, copes with tangles.
Disadvantage: high cost.

GTS 888 ED

Classic trimmer for grooming cats with A5 standard knives. The model operates very quietly and does not vibrate. The product comes with 4 attachments (3, 6, 9, 12 mm), which allows you to create complex haircuts. Rotary motor power – 30 W.

Can work with coats of varying lengths and thicknesses. Powered by network. Wire length – 3 meters. Product weight – 600 g. Packed in a stylish suitcase.

Plus: low price.
Disadvantage: Knives require sharpening over time.

DoggyMan

The manual cat clipper is designed in the form of a pink comb resembling the silhouette of a cat. Designed for combing and grooming. The comb has soft and flexible teeth, thanks to which the animal’s skin is not injured.

The trimmer has a movable base, which allows you to easily change the trajectory and tilt depending on the part of the body being processed and the length of the hair. The product is made in Japan.

Plus: it combs wool efficiently and removes tangles.
Minus: manual mode.

Andis 53165 MBG-2 ProPet

Rotary clipper for cats and small dogs made in the USA. The model has a universal quick-release knife of A5 format and is equipped with several attachments for haircuts of different shapes. The case design is ergonomic. Rotary motor power – 20 W. Motor speed – 3700 rpm. The length of the power cord is 3 meters.

It operates almost silently and does not vibrate. Product care: dry cleaning and lubricating the knife.

Plus: light and comfortable.
Disadvantage: high cost.

Oster Pro 600i

An American trimmer for professional grooming of cats and small dogs with a combined power supply, it can operate both from the mains and from a battery. The model is charged from the charging base.

Design features: blades, weight, functionality

The result and comfort of using the machine depends on the type and quality of the blade. The best material is overheat-resistant ceramics. Less popular steel blades are considered durable, but the metal has high thermal conductivity: it heats up faster and cools down more slowly.

It is important to know! It is strictly forbidden to sharpen the blades yourself: violation of the factory balancing leads to rapid breakdown of the device. It is recommended to purchase replacement cutting elements or contact sharpening specialists.

The weight of the device should be optimal: not very light, but not heavy either. Lightweight machines are more difficult to control and vibrate too much. Large devices are less maneuverable and quickly tire your hands. Ergonomics is an important, but very subjective parameter. The machine must lie comfortably in the hand, otherwise operation will cause discomfort to the user and the pet.

The functionality of the machines lies in the presence of various adjustments to the speed of movement of the blades. The wider the settings, the more convenient it is to select the optimal operating mode.

In conclusion, it is worth paying attention to the equipment. There are many different interchangeable attachments, the use of which reduces the time required for cutting and allows you to achieve excellent results. Among the most popular, experts highlight attachments for:

different parts of the body;
cutting wool of different lengths.

If there are several animals of different breeds in the house, you should select accessories in accordance with the anatomical characteristics of each breed.

How to choose the right clipper for your cat

When choosing a cat clipper, you should start with the quality of the blade material; this directly determines how functional the tool will be.

Ceramic is considered the best material for knives, as it heats up much less than steel.

As for the noise produced by the device, then, undoubtedly, the optimal models will be those that produce the least possible amount of noise and which will not frighten the animal.

In this case, the animal will not be afraid, and the chances of cutting it evenly and neatly will increase.

Operating the machine should be as simple as possible - ergonomics are extremely important.

This applies to replacing attachments and adjusting the speed of movement of knives.

The package should include components and attachments for cutting hair on different parts of the animal’s body.

Convenient cat clipper

Secondary, but no less important details that you should pay attention to when choosing a tool are:

battery charge indication,
quality of wiring winding,
high power, allowing you to cope with coarse undercoat without overheating.

The wide blade width helps cut large animals faster.

For ears and paws there should be special small attachments - trimmers.

Reasons for cutting a cat's hair

There are several good reasons why pet grooming is necessary and desirable.

procedure. According to their purpose, haircuts for domestic cats are:

Hygienic. This procedure is carried out if the wool is tangled and tangles have formed in it. Often the animal can become very dirty. Contaminants such as paint, varnish, building materials (plaster, cement, glue, etc.) cannot always be removed with water and shampoo. In this case, only trimming the wool will help.

In some cases, hygienic haircuts are resorted to in old and sick animals that are unable to care for their coat. This hairdressing procedure is performed to avoid the formation of hair balls in the stomach. This is especially important during hot periods to avoid overheating of the animal.

With prolonged molting, such a hairdressing procedure can make it easier to maintain a pet.

Medicinal. A veterinarian can prescribe a haircut for certain diseases. Indications for the procedure are the following diseases: parasites (fleas, lice), dermatitis, infectious skin diseases, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands). Clipped wool makes it possible to more effectively treat the skin with medications and significantly reduces treatment time. There is nothing complicated about how to shave a cat for medicinal purposes.

Decorative or fashion haircuts. This type of hairdressing in relation to a domestic cat is a whim of the owner, nothing more than a tribute to fashion. Through an original haircut, the owner expresses the characteristics of the cat's character, disposition, and individuality.

Exhibition. A special haircut that is carried out to give the animal its shape to breed standards.

Manual typewriter

Lately people have resorted to the manual version of machines less and less, since such models:

more difficult to use;
increase the risk of injuring the animal;
require certain skills to work;
quite heavy compared to modern electric counterparts.

Along with the disadvantages, hand-held instruments have many positive aspects:

Economical option.
Durable.
Silent.
They do not vibrate while cutting.

Tip: If your cat is afraid of the sound effect or vibration coming from electrical devices, then hand-held devices are an excellent option for such cases.

The best models are:

10X JEYL. The main features are:

ease of cleaning;
copes with any wool.

The price is within 500 rubles.

"Running Wave", the distinctive features are:

increased strength;
suitable for all types of wool;
quite bulky.

The cost is about 350-450 rubles.

Pros and cons of grooming

Hairdressing and hygiene procedures for animals are the most practical care option, which consists of general cleaning of the surface of the pet’s body, shortening claws, cleaning ears and teeth, combing and cutting off matted fur. Hygienic grooming is relevant for Siberian, Norwegian, Himalayan, Angora and Persian cats, and in addition for breeds such as Maine Coon, Burmilla, Laperm, Selkirk Rex, Munchkin, Highland Fold, Lowlander (British Longhair) and some other representatives of the cat family.

Reasons for the procedure

Hygienic grooming relieves long-haired cats from clogging their stomachs with lint during the molting period, and relieves owners from fluffy deposits on clothes and interior items. The growth and loss of fur in cats is a continuous process, but once or twice a year, when shedding begins, the fur falls out intensively. This is the only inconvenience associated with long-haired felines that hairdressing services can successfully solve.

The reasons for carrying out hygienic grooming in the salon or at home are the following reasons:

Too voluminous and long hair in the summer or at high room temperatures contributes to overheating of the pet’s body.
An aged animal cannot cope on its own with maintaining its coat in perfect condition.
If there are pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, then ingestion of a large number of hairs by a cat, especially during the molting period, can aggravate its health condition or negatively affect treatment.
Increased secretion of substances of specific action (secrets) by the endocrine glands.
Skin diseases, the treatment of which is hampered by long hair.
Clumped and tangled pile, which is a symptom of various diseases.
Mats and matted fur.

Supporters of pet grooming and their opponents have ongoing debates about the positive and negative aspects of grooming. Owners who are of the opinion that grooming cats of long-haired breeds is not a whim, but a necessity, are definitely right. It is advisable to carefully consider all the pros and cons before going to a cat beauty salon.

Pros of grooming:

No wool deposits on upholstered furniture and clothing.
It is easier to wash your pet and there is no need to dry it with a hairdryer.
In summer, the cat does not languish from the heat.

The protests of cat owners who express a negative position regarding visiting pet hairdressing establishments are understandable. And they are based, first of all, on the fear of harming a defenseless creature. But you need to approach any event sensibly: if you eliminate all possible risks when carrying out grooming, then if the need arises, you can do a pet haircut.

Stress for a pet that is unaccustomed to interference in its life from strangers.
Possible abrasions on the cat’s body if hairdressing manipulations are performed by an unprofessional master.
Undesirable consequences of using anesthesia in case of an allergic reaction.

Reasons for the procedure

Can I cut my hair with a regular hair clipper?

In general, the essence of the operation of a hair clipper and a device for cutting animal hair is quite similar. If there is a human shaving machine in the apartment, then as a last resort you can use it if it has the following characteristics:

high power;
sharp new blades;
powered by mains.

You cannot use a simple hair clipper if you plan to groom a long-haired cat, as the device will not cope with such a volume. But it is quite suitable for removing a separate mat from an animal. If you constantly use a human device to trim your pet’s fur, it will quickly become unusable: the blades will become dull, the hair will no longer be removed gently, but will be pulled out, which will cause pain to the animal.

Therefore, it is better to use special equipment for grooming a cat, since the apparatus for humans is not technically designed to work with animals.

For information on how to choose a cat clipper, see below.

Some nuances that may arise after a haircut

After the process is completed, the cat needs to be combed. This will remove any cut hairs remaining on it. Then buy cat shampoo in warm water.

It is recommended not to bathe a nervous or excited animal, but to wipe it with a damp towel. This way the pet’s psyche will be less traumatized. For cats that are not afraid of the noise of a hair dryer, it is recommended to dry their fur. The air should be warm. There is no need to turn on hot air so as not to provoke additional stress.

Combing the animal Owners are often interested in what will happen if they cut their cat’s hair, especially for the first time. Fans of cat hairstyles should know that after cutting the coat, not only the structure of the coat often changes, but even the color. Pets with colorpoint and tipping should not be cut due to darkening of the fur in the belly and back.

a) Color point color variation; b) Solid blue color with a distinct silver tint (the ends of the hair have silver tipping)

Regular trimming can cause the coat to not grow back to its normal length. After hairdressing procedures, the new fur coat may become thinner and quickly become tangled.

The consequences of cutting your own hair are often skin injuries. The risk of developing inflammatory processes increases.

When grooming in a clinic or salon, the animal is often given light anesthesia or sedatives. However, regular use of sedatives and anesthesia adversely affects the health of the pet.

The difference between professional models

Professional cat clippers are equipped with a powerful motor, many attachments, blades and knives. The equipment is extensive, and in terms of quality, amateur models are significantly inferior to professional ones. Simple models are inexpensive, easy to operate and designed for home use.

Inexpensive devices can quickly overheat and the blades become dull more often. Professional devices have much wider functionality, and the quality of the blade is higher.

Machines are often made of ceramic, as it heats up slightly, and the blades are made of durable stainless metal. The weight of the device should not be very heavy or light.

Ergonomics is the main difference between a good device, regardless of its purpose. The device should lie comfortably in your hand and not emit strong vibration. Expensive models have a wide range of settings; there are replaceable attachments for different areas of the body, as well as fur lengths. They require skills to use.

Varieties

Hair clippers are classified according to their operating principle. In general, all devices are divided into mechanical and electrical machines. Electric varieties can also be presented in several versions.

The mechanical apparatus resembles pliers. Its operating principle is similar to that of conventional scissors. There is a spring located in the center here. Working with a mechanical machine is quite convenient: it does not make any noise and does not scare the pet. The device allows you to tidy up your pet’s fur while it is resting in its usual place. This is a compact device, the operation of which does not require the use of batteries or an electrical network, that is, you can carry it with you and trim your cat’s mats in a timely manner.

The advantage of the device is that it is easy to clean. The machine can be placed under water; contact with moisture will not damage it.

However, before purchasing a manual device, it is worth considering some of the product’s disadvantages. Using a mechanical device requires skill - the owner is unlikely to be able to cut the animal’s fur aesthetically the first time. Unconfident actions during the trial procedure can injure the pet, make him afraid of an unfamiliar device, and the next time the animal will be difficult to sit down for a haircut.

In general, the mechanical option is more suitable for hygienic cutting rather than aesthetic cutting , since it is difficult to trim the hair beautifully with such a device.

A more popular option is electric trimmers. They can be divided into the following varieties.

Vibrating. Used for easy home renovation, not suitable for professional work. They are used for animals with soft, medium-length hair, but it is better not to use them for long-haired breeds. This device is low power.

Pendulum. More powerful equipment. Suitable for cutting cats with coarse hair. Convenient to use, however, the procedure causes discomfort in the animal. In addition, the device is highly expensive. For these reasons, the device is now practically not used.

Rotary . Used by professional groomers. This is a powerful device, the advantages of which are easy movement and functionality. The device includes several attachments that can be rearranged depending on the animal's fur. The disadvantage of the product is the loudness of operation and strong vibration, and this frightens the cat and puts it into a state of shock.

Electric trimmers can be battery powered or mains powered. When using the first option, it is important to check whether the charge is enough to complete one procedure, since a suspended session will aggravate the cat’s emotional state and result in additional stress for it.

For mains powered equipment, you must always have access to an electrical outlet.

That is, it is impossible to carry out work where it is more convenient for the cat. In addition, wires can distract and frighten the animal.

Can human clippers be used on animals?

It is possible, but not for long. Animal fur differs from human hair in thickness, density, hair structure, and the presence of undercoat. Therefore, professional devices have a different distance between the blades, a different shape and sharpening angles of the blades.

A human clipper is most often enough to cover the back of a Yorkie or half the side of a spaniel. Then either sharpened, or repaired, and, possibly, thrown into the trash. It’s better not to sharpen the knives yourself; take them to a workshop. By the time you learn how, you will wear out a dozen, and if you sharpen it incorrectly, you can injure the animal.

Professional mid- and high-level devices, in addition to attachments that regulate the length of the haircut, use sets of interchangeable knives - their own knives for each length, in increments of 2.5 or 3 mm. You can buy knives of only the length that your pet needs.

Andis attachment set

Some models provide sets of attachments for curly haircuts, allowing, for example, to cut the balls on the tail of poodles, cut the Bedlington Terrier “like a sheep”, the Persian cat “like a lion” and realize any flight of fancy of the groomer or owner.

Definitely, such tools have a lot of positive aspects; it’s not for nothing that professional groomers use them. The advantages include the following qualities:

rotary machines have high power (25-55 W);
they are considered the most convenient devices for trimming animals;
are easy to move;
suitable for all types of wool - long, hard, soft, etc.;
used both at home and in salons;
The blades of machines of this class are made of alloying, high-speed materials, which ensures long-term use of the tool, and its blades will not become dull, but will sharpen themselves.

There are rotary machines that are powered by two types of batteries or connected to the electrical network. But you can also purchase a model with combined power supply - from mains and battery. The disadvantages of these tools include three points:

high cost;
like all electric machines, rotary ones are also noisy and can scare the animal;
insufficient cooling - during intensive use the machine may overheat and fail.

It is worth noting that many manufacturers have managed to eliminate the last drawback of the tool by providing it with cooling elements. This allows the machine to work for a long time without interruption and not overheat.

Tools of this class were used in the pre-war period, but today they are not very popular. To a greater extent, this is due to their significant drawback - the quality of the knives of the pendulum machine leaves much to be desired, which leads to negative consequences:

The tool does not cut off a certain amount of hair, but rather rips it out, especially if an animal with long hair is being processed;
Grooming becomes a painful and unpleasant procedure that causes discomfort in the cat.

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The positive aspects include the low cost of the device and quite high power.

A similar tool is successfully used for trimming people and animals. But they can be classified as the lowest-power machines (this figure varies from 8 to 15 W), which does not allow them to be used in professional grooming. There are also machines whose power reaches 20W.

Some models with a vibration motor are equipped with adjusting screws that allow you to change the power of the tool. Naturally, as power increases, tool performance also increases. The disadvantages of the device include the following:

their low power does not allow them to be used for cats with long hair, only for pets with medium-length fur;
their block with knives cannot be quickly removed in order to carry out hygienic or preventative cleaning or lubrication - for this, the head with knives is unscrewed, cleaned and lubricant is applied.

With good care, the tool can last a long time and perform its functions perfectly. Whatever type of device the owner chooses, he should know when it is not recommended to use it:

Do not cut wet or dirty wool;
Grooming should be postponed if the cat is sick or in pregnancy;
if there is damage to the skin: scratches, rashes, allergic manifestations.

The appearance and operating principle of the animal machine resembles a standard device for humans. And, of course, many pet owners are interested in whether human devices can be used to groom dogs and cats, and how these devices differ from each other. You can find a lot of discussions about this on the Internet.

These devices are different, and a clipper for people is not at all suitable for cutting animals. You can try it, and you will even be able to cut the dog’s hair. But the service life of the model will be close to the minimum mark, and after just a few uses you will need to contact a service center to repair the equipment.

In addition, the amount of work should be taken into account. After all, an animal has much more hair than hair on a human head. Some pets have very long hair, which is unlikely to be cut with a human clipper. As a result, the blade will become dull, the pet will be in pain and the grooming process will turn into real torture for both him and the owner.

Many groomers prefer to use professional tools during their work that are designed specifically for grooming pets. But those who are faced with the need to groom a pet for the first time have a question: “Do you need to spend money on purchasing equipment?” Is it possible to cut hair from an animal using a regular device for people? And the answer is – it’s worth it. And there are a number of reasons for this:

Human hair differs significantly from dog or cat hair in both thickness and texture. And despite the high power rating, human machines are unlikely to cope with dog hair. As a result, the equipment will quickly deteriorate, which will entail expensive repairs.
Grooming with a device for humans will be inconvenient for the groomer and will cause discomfort for the animal itself, since the device will constantly chew and pull out the fur in large clumps.
You can achieve the desired results using special knives designed for grooming pets. Such knives and professional attachments are not included with the machine for people.
The engines of human clippers quickly overheat when grooming cats. This can also lead not only to equipment damage, but also to personal injury. A person can simply burn himself or an animal.
Animal clippers make virtually no noise during operation, unlike devices for humans. Therefore, the pet will not be afraid of the device and will sit calmly throughout the entire beauty procedure.

Based on the above factors, it is best to use each of the machines for its intended purpose, and not go into rash experiments.

Battery or cord

Typically, the cost of a tool does not depend on whether it is plugged into the network or powered by a battery, and each of them has its pros and cons.

For example, a battery-powered clipper gives the hairdresser greater freedom of movement, and besides, a haircut can be done anywhere. But at the same time, when the battery is discharged, the device begins to work worse and can even “grab” and tear out hairs. Naturally, over time, the battery capacity becomes smaller, and such cases may become more frequent, as a result of which the pet will experience discomfort and stress more often.

In addition, the charge may run out at the most “interesting” place and the procedure will have to be interrupted. Cat owners will agree that “persuading” your pet to get another haircut is not the most rewarding thing. Considering the above, a cat clipper that is plugged into the network is more reliable and allows you to avoid unpleasant “surprises.” They are also preferred by professional groomers.

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Grooming animals at home is not an easy task. For a cat, a carefully performed procedure is painless, but it may be frightened by the noise of the machine, and the need to sit quietly makes it despondent and melancholy. However, if you use the right clipper for grooming an animal, the procedure will not only become easier and faster, but will also give your cat pleasure. And soon she will calmly place her fur under the device herself.

Care of the hair clipper

The haircut device does not require any personal care. It is enough to keep it clean and adhere to the obvious rules:

Clean the device completely at least every six haircuts. It should be thoroughly wiped with a damp cloth. Cleaning work should be carried out with the device turned off and cooled down;
The animal should be washed before grooming - in this case, your device will not become clogged with dirt and will last you much longer;
Wash and dry your cat before grooming to make it easier to work with the fur.
There are special cleaning solutions for cleaning, which should be applied with a special brush;
After cleaning, it is recommended to lubricate the device. Then the moving parts will move easier and haircuts will be much easier.

Sharpening trimmer knives for grooming cats is not done at home. This procedure should be trusted to a specialist. Trying to sharpen your knives on your own will only ruin your device, so don't try.