Grooming cats is a newfangled invention that has received a large number of fans and opponents. Veterinarians are against such excesses and are confident that you can cut your pet’s hair only when necessary, and not for your own pleasure. Animals do not react well to imposed changes; they may become depressed, hide from their owner for a long time, or begin to take revenge.
Why do pets get haircuts? Why is hair cutting and shaving of cats not recommended by experts? What consequences can result from ignoring the opinion of veterinarians?
Features and frequency of cat haircuts
Often glamorous pet owners strive to update their model hairstyles every month, which often causes severe stress for cats.
The frequency of haircuts in case of urgent need depends on the speed of hair regrowth. Usually, a pet becomes completely overgrown in 4-6 months and it is enough to carry out the procedure 2-3 times a year.
It is better to comb your pet regularly, because tangles usually form under the paws (armpits), in the groin area, behind the ears, on the tail and neck.
Haircuts for cats come in two categories:
- hygienic;
- model.
The goal of the former is to prevent skin diseases, remove tangles, protect the cat from overheating, and solve other veterinary problems (diseases of the digestive tract, high secretory activity of the anal and fatty glands, old age).
Model cat hairstyles are for decorative purposes only. Sometimes they are performed before special cat shows. Typically, such haircuts are done in the spring, 3-4 months before the competition, since the skin takes a long time to grow and does not look better immediately after the procedure.
The most popular models are:
French Lion - the back of the body and tail are cut short, but a pompom is left at the tip. I form a kind of mane on my head and neck.
Puma is a simplified version of the Leo hairstyle, in which the tail is completely (almost bald) cut off.
The dragon is the most creative but harmful cat hairstyle for your pet. Various symbols and signs are formed on the animal’s body - letters, ornaments, patterns, and other elements, for example, a dragon crest. Very often, some areas are painted in different colors. After such a haircut, hair grows unevenly, and thermoregulation is greatly impaired.
Graduated haircuts are Socks, Knee Highs, Puss in Boots, Harlequin, Modern, Continental Chic.
Puss in Boots In most developed countries, model haircuts for cats are condemned, since they are performed solely at the whim of the owners and can cause significant harm to the health of pets.
Cat grooming at home
If you decide to shave an animal, then for the procedure you will need:
hair clipper with one or more attachments;
scissors with rounded ends; comb;
hydrogen peroxide (if you accidentally injure your pet).
You will also need an assistant who will hold the cat trying to escape. If the animal is very active, you will have to give it a sedative.
Start trimming your cat from the sides, then proceed to the back.
Next is the abdominal area. Here you should act especially carefully so as not to injure the mammary glands and genitals.
Then the hair in the armpits, around the anus and on the hind legs is trimmed.
You don't have to touch the tail at all. If you decide to tidy it up, be sure to make a tassel at the end: the cat will chew the bare tip of the tail.
Please note: you cannot cut the hair on the head, ears, or whiskers.
Turn on the machine at some distance from the animal to scare it less. The nozzle should leave a fur length of at least three millimeters. You can cut the wool both in the direction of growth and against it. The second option slightly increases the cat’s discomfort, but allows you to complete the procedure faster: in this way, a larger amount of hair is removed at a time. Be sure to stretch your pet's skin in the area where the machine passes. Cut off missing hairs with scissors.
Upon completion of the haircut, thoroughly comb your pet with a slicker brush and wipe with a damp towel. This way you will remove all the cut hair so that the cat does not lick it later.
Grooming a cat is not an easy procedure. If you are not sure that you can handle it on your own, or your furry pet needs to be groomed for an exhibition, it is better to contact a professional groomer.
Other ways to treat sharp claws
A “fashionable” method of protecting furniture and carpets from damage, as well as getting rid of scratches, is gluing multi-colored silicone caps on the claws. This device lasts from 1 to 2 months, looks beautiful and perfectly protects the house and its occupants.
But such beauty does a lot of harm to the cat. Without their “scimitars,” they cannot climb up objects; when jumping and even running normally, they slide a lot, since they cannot slow down with their claws. The situation is especially aggravated with very even and smooth floors in houses and apartments, for example, tiled, stone or parquet. The animal cannot even walk normally, which affects not only the gait, but also the condition of the spine and joints, as well as the functioning of internal organs.
Some people believe that it is best to simply declaw your cat from the roots. During such an operation, part of the phalanx of the finger is removed, which cripples the animal and actually makes it disabled.
In most countries of the world, such interference is strictly prohibited, equating to cruelty to animals. It is punishable by a serious fine for owners and criminal prosecution for performers.
Each cat owner chooses his own method of caring for claws, but he needs to put himself in the pet’s place. A cat deserves the right to maintain its natural nature. The owner just needs to provide her with the opportunity to use a scratching post and teach her this simple action.
Authors of the articles: Belanta Clinic team
Grooming a cat at home
You need to prepare for the haircut process. First, armed with special tweezers, trim the cat’s nails. The instrument must be disinfected. Grasp the pad on your paw and squeeze it lightly
Quickly and carefully shorten the claws without touching the skin. This will ensure safety in case of animal aggression.
For the first haircut, you will need an assistant to hold your pet's sides. Cats often behave very aggressively. Therefore, the clinic must purchase a plastic collar in advance. It will fix the head in a constant position and the cat will not be able to bite. In any case, the paws must be held.
A stationery clip on the back of the neck helps calm the cat. In extreme cases, violent animals are given inhibitory or sleeping pills. You should not use them yourself, so as not to harm your pet.
Holding the pet
Haircut process
Before turning on the machine, the cat is placed on its side and its limbs are fixed. Using leisurely and careful movements, remove the hair on the sides. After this, they proceed to the back and stomach. Cats can be groomed according to hair growth or against it.
If there are tangles, cut them off first. To accustom the cat to the sound of the machine, it is turned on in the distance. The cat adapts to the noise and after some time you can begin. It is recommended to install a nozzle of at least 3 mm. Moving the machine without an attachment severely injures the skin.
The stomach is the most delicate area and requires special attention.
This is where the mammary glands and intimate area are located, and it is important not to injure them.
At the end of the haircut, it is better to cut off the remaining hairs with scissors. Moving the machine over the skin will cause discomfort and microtrauma. At the cutting site, the skin should be pulled back slightly to avoid cuts. Especially when working with scissors.
When doing a haircut, you need to be more gentle and talk to the cat. Then the unpleasant procedure will pass quickly and painlessly.
How the procedure works: at home and at the groomer
Conventionally, a distinction is made between decorative (exhibition) and home (hygienic) haircuts. The first is distinguished by strict adherence to the parameters specified for each breed. Usually the paws, back, and tail are left untouched. The price for an exhibition haircut is quite high, but the cat can safely count on recognition from amateurs and jury members.
Hygienic grooming of cats is necessary to ensure easier care of your pet's coat. It does not have strict parameters, but depends on the wishes of the cat’s owner. It has now become fashionable to cut the fur all over the body, leaving only part of the front and hind legs, tail, neck and head of the animal fluffy. This haircut is called the “French lion” because of the characteristic tassel at the tip of the tail.
Every owner of a long-haired cat has wondered at least once whether it is possible to carry out the grooming procedure at home. If you have certain skills, of course, you can. To do this you need only two tools - a machine and scissors.
It is important to note that a cat clipper is used to make the process easier and faster. It should be comfortable and with minimal noise levels
Choose scissors that are well sharpened, medium in size, and have rounded ends.
To groom cats you will also need:
• a comb with frequent but not sharp teeth;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• rag for bedding;
• a small table to place the cat on;
• a toy that distracts the cat from not always pleasant sensations.
Before turning on the machine, you should lay the animal on its side. The cat's limbs are fixed, after which the haircut begins. They start from the sides, then move to the back and stomach of the animal. The machine is turned on at some distance from the cat so that he can get used to the sound. A nozzle of at least 3 mm is recommended. You can cut the hair according to the growth or against the growth of the hair.
The fur in the pet's belly area is removed very carefully. The main thing here is not to hurt the mammary glands and genitals. The remaining hairs are cut off with scissors. To prevent cuts, the skin is pulled back a little. For cats, this unpleasant procedure will go quickly and painlessly if you are gentle with them. After completing the manipulations, the animal must be combed and bathed in warm water using a special shampoo. Groomers usually wipe the cat down with a damp towel.
It is important that the animal does not become hypothermic.
A cat should be groomed 2-4 times a year. But don't forget about the safety of the animal.
The owner needs to pay great attention to choosing a hairdresser for his pet. Look for a master with a good reputation, read reviews, ask your friends.
Pay attention to the tools used to tidy up the fur. Everything must be clean and properly processed.
Visiting the groomer at the beginning of the warmer months will help your cat fully enjoy the good weather. And loving owners won’t have to comb out burrs from their pet’s long fur if it’s walking outside.
How quickly does fur grow back?
Please tell me! I'm going to cut my dog's hair because... the fur gets very dirty, and it’s hot to wear it for a walk because of the warm weather! I’m wondering how quickly the fur will grow back, how long will it take? I just want to do it quickly, and will it grow back before the summer (which I really wouldn’t want, because it will generally be hot in the summer)?
I have a question: my baby’s hair does not gather in a ponytail on his head, many hairs come out and get into his eyes, and I have to constantly re-tie it. The question is: how quickly will it grow back and what can be done to prevent them from coming out from under the elastic band? How to smooth them out? Otherwise I was already completely exhausted.
How many months is the dog? On average, wool grows 1 cm per month. If the fur is short, then you can try making the tail close to the eyes, but still, until the fur grows back, the hairs will periodically come out.
How many months is the dog? On average, wool grows 1 cm per month. If the fur is short, then you can try making the tail close to the eyes, but still, until the fur grows back, the hairs will periodically come out.
On the 19th we will be 4 months old! ))) I have already started tying it closer to the eyes, it seems easier. True, 2 days of struggle with combing. But now it seems to be in order. Can I then ask another question, maybe someone can tell me: at what age should you start twirling curlers? To be honest, I still have a hard time imagining why they are needed at all. I just want the sand to grow longer fur
Source
ZooForum: The hair on the Persian's back does not grow – ZooForum
(others can give advice in a PM, indicating that the advice is not given by a veterinarian. But the forum is not responsible for THESE advice.)
Hair does not grow on the Persian's back after a haircut
Hello, I cut my Persian's hair in March, he was shedding, due to health reasons I couldn't comb him and mats formed.
The disease that I named does not need to be treated, because... There is no treatment, and the problem is cosmetic. True, you can try supplements with fatty acids - Nutricoat (8 in 1), Skin&shine (Hokamix), Dermliquid (Canina). Is there another disease? Only by examination can it be clear what to suspect and what tests are needed.
“This is traumatic alopecia. The skin is clean, without a hint of damage, but if you look very closely, you can see scars. And if you compare the skin color in these places with other places, you will notice that where there is alopecia, the skin is lighter.”
Are there any treatment options? Is there any way to check whether the hair follicles are permanently damaged? But it seems that it will remain so.
Of course, I only have myself to blame, probably for not keeping track. But it’s a shame, since the kittens are high-breed with ambitions for a show career. Were. Now where are they?
“This is traumatic alopecia. The skin is clean, without a hint of damage, but if you look very closely, you can see scars. And if you compare the skin color in these places with other places, you will notice that where there is alopecia, the skin is lighter.”
Are there any treatment options? Is there any way to check whether the hair follicles are permanently damaged? But it seems that it will remain so.
Of course, I only have myself to blame, probably for not keeping track. But it’s a shame, since the kittens are high-breed with ambitions for a show career. Were. Now where to
Source
The consequences of cutting or shaving
When dehairing a furry friend, the owner must be prepared to deal with the consequences of their actions. If you decide to shave or trim your cat, there is a high risk of encountering a violation of thermoregulation. The fur of cats performs the same functions as clothing for humans. In cold weather it retains heat and in hot weather it prevents overheating. Forced deprivation of natural protection can cause colds, dermatological diseases, burns and heat stroke.
Another trouble is problems with orientation. Vibrissae are located throughout the animal’s body, helping it navigate in space day and night.
Their removal leads to insecurity, excessive caution or sudden attacks of aggression. The animal may hide under sofas, in closets, or suffer from stress
The desire to get a cat with an unusual appearance or lack of time for proper care leads to disastrous consequences. The long-haired beauty becomes an incomprehensible ball of fur with curly hair, prone to the formation of tangles, and yesterday’s quiet and neat girl vindictively leaves traces of her life activity throughout the house, not forgetting about the “gifts” in the owner’s bed. This behavior is justified by stress - not all pets are loyal to interference in their personal space.
References to the fact that felines are very hot in summer cause ironic smiles among veterinarians. Most lovers of cat haircuts cannot answer the legitimate question of why owners don’t shave their heads and eyebrows in hot weather. Groomers' recommendations to trim long-haired breeds twice a year do not indicate care, but a desire to increase their own income.
Grooming cats yourself at home
If you don't want to hire a professional, try cutting your cat's hair yourself. But keep in mind that the animal will be stressed and, most likely, will break out. Therefore, you cannot do without an assistant.
Before grooming, trim your cat's claws and then sit her on the table. Have your assistant hold her back legs with one hand and her middle legs with the other and press her to the table. After this, you can start cutting your cat's hair using a clipper. To do this, you need to install a nozzle two to three millimeters long.
It is advisable to cut the cat against the grain, which is more hygienic.
Haircut sequence:
- sides;
- back:
- stomach;
Situations in the wild when cats deliberately deprive their relatives of their whiskers
As it became clear, whiskers are an important sensory organ; naturally, whiskers are well aware of this, so in nature there are situations when cats deliberately pull out the whiskers of their relatives. First of all, we are talking about a fight, then rivals may try to deprive each other of their mustaches precisely because they are so important. Their loss automatically means the cat is weak and becomes more vulnerable. In disputes over territory in the wild, this situation is not uncommon.
Science also knows of cases where a mother cat chewed off the whiskers of her children. This was due to the fact that she did not want the babies to leave the makeshift “nest” prematurely. A kitten whose ability to navigate due to deformation of its whiskers was weakened more often remained near its mother, because It’s warm around her and, most importantly, safe. New vibrissae grew within six months. And all this time the kitten was forced to stay near the parent. Despite the fact that the mother cat had good intentions in such situations, such behavior still has more of a negative impact than a positive one.
It is forbidden to trim the whiskers of cats (or cats), this action is akin to depriving a person of one of his senses. Whiskers play an important role in a cat's life and their loss can lead to sad consequences, the severity of which varies from being in a bad mood to losing orientation in space.
Is it possible to shave a cat's head?
Animal wool plays a big role: it protects against hypothermia, sun rays, and protects the skin from accidental damage. Cats that are constantly kept indoors are no less susceptible to injury than street cats.
Shaving the head is strictly prohibited: sensitive vibrissae are located here, damage to which is contraindicated. Hair cutting bald is an extreme measure, permissible if it is impossible to remove building mortars and foam from the coat, and it is also necessary before surgery. In other cases, shaving your pet will not bring any benefit, but can cause the development of colds.
In addition to the above, it is unknown how long the wool will take to recover. This usually happens within six months, but if there is a lack of nutrients, the process can drag on for several years.
How to properly cut a cat's hair
When cutting hair, it is advisable to find an assistant. He will hold the animal lying on its side, control the front legs with one hand and the hind legs with the other. It is necessary to fix the pet on the table surface quite firmly - the cat will escape out of fear, and the sound of the running machine will provoke it to escape. Try to use silent machines. It is necessary to cut cats according to a certain algorithm: start cutting from the sides, back and belly, move to the armpits, then the back. Then come the paws; if you wish, you can leave the “socks”. It is not necessary to cut the tail, but if you decide to tidy it up, leave a tassel at the end. If you decide to cut your cat's hair against the grain, use scissors and a special clipper, setting the cutting depth to 3 to 4 mm, which will prevent injury to the animal's skin. Do not forget to stretch the animal's skin in the area where the machine passes. Cutting against the grain is different in that a larger volume of hair is removed in one pass, but this method is mentally traumatic for the animal. After finishing the haircut, wipe the cat with wet wipes, or better yet, give it a bath to remove any remaining fur. Now all the fears are over, and she is ready to return to her normal life. This process is not simple, it has many nuances, and not all animals tolerate haircuts calmly. If you do not have enough skills to groom your pet on your own, it is better to contact a groomer: go to a special salon or call them to your home.
Treatment
If your cat's fur is falling out a little more than usual, but its general condition has not changed, there is no need to sound the alarm. First of all, analyze the external changes in the keeping of your pet:
- buying new food;
- vaccinations and medications;
- using air fresheners and other chemicals at home;
- stressful situations.
Often a course of vitamin supplements stops hair loss. If, after eliminating the irritating factors, the fur continues to fall out intensively for several weeks or months, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.
Another tactic if you suspect a contagious skin disease (mites, lichen, demodicosis). In such cases, a skin scraping or biopsy is required. Depending on the identified parasite, antifungal agents are prescribed (for lichen, Griseofulvin, Intaconazole), antiseborrheic shampoos and antiseptic solutions for treating festering wounds and scratches. In case of severe itching, it is advisable to put a cone on your pet. Severe bacterial infections require the use of antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Baytril, Kanamycin). At the same time, multivitamin preparations and immunostimulants (Immunol, Gamavit, Maksidin) are prescribed. Genetic diseases - hypotrichosis and alopecia - cannot be cured. Love your pet with all its features.
Important! The use of medicinal “human” drugs to treat cats is strictly prohibited. Even Paracetamol, which is safe for humans, can cause serious complications in pets
Treatment of cat diseases involves special dosages and medications that can only be prescribed by a veterinarian.
Don’t forget about deworming your pets. Anthelmintics are used:
- 2 weeks before vaccination - minimize the risk of adverse consequences;
- pregnant cats in the last third of pregnancy - prevent intrauterine infection of kittens with worms;
- in case of total infestation, kittens picked up on the street often vomit with worms.
An antihelminthic course (Prazicide, Dirofen, etc.) includes two doses of drugs (tablets, suspensions) with an interval of 10-14 days. The best remedies are Milbemax and Profender - they destroy both adult parasites and their eggs in a single dose.
Cat grooming, who did it?
I want to take my cat to the vet to get his hair cut at least for the summer. He is a little wild and doesn’t allow himself to be combed, starts scratching and biting, walks and sheds all over the apartment, and I also think he will be hot in the summer. Who gave what feedback? And I’m worried about the cat, he’ll be stressed, he doesn’t even like being petted, and then he might start being mischievous(
Then the main thing is not to laugh at him and be kind to him for a week; cats may be embarrassed by their new haircut and experience discomfort at first. And it's not a joke
Friends of my Persian family called a groomer for a haircut. There was a sea of emotions, the poor cat experienced extreme stress and almost suffocated from horror. Haircut without anesthesia. It is better not to do anesthesia, it is very, very harmful.
they cut the hair of a feisty, huge Persian without anesthesia, with four hands, in the salon, and the result was a lion-monkey cub. It was always stressful for the cat, we later pitied him and praised him, and at first he was freezing
I've been grooming my cat for many years, about 10 years. I see only advantages: he doesn't shed, I don't have to brush him every day, he eats less of his own hair when washing, he doesn't lie in the sink in the heat, etc. But he is calm and begins to struggle and yell towards the end of the procedure. But why take him to the veterinarian? It's easier to call a groomer home.
And I cut mine myself, of course it’s a little crooked, but it’s less hassle, in two weeks the wool is compared and that’s it, everyone is happy.
Well, I meant to see a grooming specialist, not a veterinarian) without anesthesia, and he definitely won’t be able to do it on his own, he won’t even let you trim his claws ((and no one knows if there’s any kind of sleeping pill to make him fall asleep, and you could clean him yourself?
A groomer came to my house, my cat is violent, she would never have given in on her own, they injected her with something, but not a sleeping pill, the cat felt everything, but was immobilized, she was trimmed and her claws were cut at the same time.
How to trim or shave your pet if necessary?
Hairdressing procedures at home are carried out according to a certain algorithm:
- Trimming nails. It is carried out with special tweezers, pre-disinfected. Light pressure on the paw pads causes the hidden claws to extend; the owner only needs to trim the very tips. This procedure will prevent scratches during cutting.
- When performing the initial manipulation, an assistant is needed - he must hold the animal, preventing it from running away. Some cats become aggressive when they see grooming tools. For safety, the pet is wearing a plastic collar that prevents it from biting.
- The cat is laid on its side, its paws are securely fixed. For cutting, use a clipper or scissors. The first will avoid damage to the skin, but can irritate and frighten the pet with its buzzing.
- The fur is removed from the sides, then moved to the back and belly. Hair removal is carried out both in the direction of its growth and in the opposite direction. The remaining long hairs are trimmed with nail scissors. There must be a tassel on the tail.
After the procedure is completed, the pet is bathed with a special cat shampoo and dried with a towel. If the animal is not afraid of a hair dryer, then it is also used for drying. Veterinarians recommend using the services of specialists. The groomer will carry out the manipulation quickly, without injuring the cat’s delicate skin or damaging the whiskers.
How often can you shave or cut your pet's hair? The fur grows back within 3-6 months. If spots form, the animal grows unevenly, then it needs to be shown to a veterinarian.
Types of grooming
Depending on the goals pursued by the owner, the following types of grooming can be distinguished:
- Hygienic. The animal is bathed, its eyes and ears are cleaned, its claws are trimmed, and its teeth are brushed. The wool is cut in the groin area and on the stomach so that it does not get dirty so much. Trim the hairs between the pads and fingers.
- Home. This type includes all the procedures that the owner carries out with his pet at home: combing the fur, trimming the claws, cleaning the eyes and ears, bathing. In addition, the owner can cut off the tangles formed on the cat’s fur himself.
- Exhibition. Although it is not recommended to bathe cats frequently, they are thoroughly cleaned before exhibitions. In addition, the cat can be given a neat haircut, which is necessary to emphasize all the advantages of this animal and give the coat a neat appearance.
- Creative. Cats are given rather unusual hairstyles, cutting out entire patterns and giving their fur an unusual look. It is not advisable to do this for “beauty”, but if the animal needs a haircut in any case, then its fur can be given an unusual shape.
How to cut a cat's hair?
Miscellaneous |
Lately, pet grooming has become increasingly popular.
Specialized hairdressing salons are opening, and specialists are appearing who work on call, coming to the home of the animal owner. As a rule, this type of care is required by long-haired animals, whose fur can cause inconvenience to both their owners and the animals themselves. After all, long and thick hair gets into the animal’s stomach during licking and, clumping together, can cause nausea and even vomiting in the cat. In addition, thick hair can become a serious problem for your pupil on hot summer days and in winter if the temperature in the apartment is high. Many also cut cats simply for beauty, as well as to improve the appearance of animals before exhibitions - the so-called grooming.
If you do not plan to contact specialists, it is important to understand how to trim your cat without harming its health!
Grooming Before you begin the process of grooming an animal, be sure to trim the cat’s claws so that, having become agitated during the haircut process, she cannot harm you and herself, because grooming is very stressful for an animal!
How to trim a cat's claws In order to properly trim a cat's claws, it is best to use a special nail clipper, which can be purchased at any pet store. If you don’t have such a tool at hand, you can use sharp nail clippers, but in no case scissors, as they can damage the structure of the claw, causing it to delaminate and cause discomfort to the animal for a long time. It is necessary to cut the claw with such nippers perpendicular to it.
It is important not to shave the claws too short - an inexperienced person may cut the claw too short, thereby damaging the cat's finger. If you do cut your claw very short and blood appears on the claw, don’t be alarmed! Treat the wound with a disinfectant (for example, hydrogen peroxide) and within five minutes the bleeding will stop
How to trim a cat correctly After all the claws are trimmed, you can start cutting! Keep in mind that the cat will be very nervous and struggle, and you most likely will not be able to cut your cat’s hair alone, so I recommend that you find yourself an assistant. It is most convenient to groom a cat on a hard, flat surface, such as a table covered with thick cloth or a blanket. First, you should trim your back, sides and stomach, for which it is most convenient to use a hair clipper
After which you can start cutting your armpits and genital area, which should be done with special attention and caution! Paws can be cut no lower than the elbows and knees! When cutting around the pads on the paws, it is better to use scissors with blunt ends so that the cat does not accidentally get hurt! Under no circumstances should you cut your cat's head. It is allowed to trim the mane slightly, but nothing more! To cut a cat's hair short, it is allowed to use the clipper against the growth of the fur, but in this case the nozzle must be at least three millimeters in order to avoid damaging the pet's skin!
Adviсe
Before deciding to groom your cat, you need to take into account the recommendations of experienced professionals. Thus, professional groomers advise, if possible, not to touch the tail, which is the most vulnerable part of the animal’s body. Even minor damage to it causes enormous suffering to the pet and can negatively affect the general well-being of the cat.
You should also pay attention to the stomach, especially the lower, most tender part of it.
Even minor damage to it causes enormous suffering to the pet and can negatively affect the general well-being of the cat.
You should also pay attention to the stomach, especially the lower, most tender part of it.
The next point that experts advise you to pay attention to is the psychological preparation of your pet. This procedure may require some time and patience from the cat owner. So, long before the planned haircut, you need to start accustoming the animal to the table.
This should be done very carefully and consistently
So, long before the planned haircut, you need to start accustoming the animal to the table. This should be done very carefully and consistently.
To begin with, simply place the cat on the work surface, stroke its sides and back and, if possible, try to lay the pet on its side without stopping stroking. After the animal stops behaving warily on the table and responds happily to caresses, they carefully begin combing, each time increasing the time of the procedure.
If you are consistent and do not forget to regularly brush your cat on the table, then over time she will get used to the procedures and will perceive both the table and the comb quite calmly. The next important step will be to accustom your pet to the sound of a running machine. Ideally, it is better to purchase a silent device, but if this is not possible, then you can try to accustom the cat to the noise of a running electric motor. To do this, a few days before the haircut, you should turn on the clipper for a short time, while holding the pet in your arms and stroking it.
In general, grooming a cat should be perceived as an extremely last resort when the animal’s fur is hopelessly neglected and it is not possible to comb out the tangles. As for haircuts for decorative purposes, in this case it is necessary to be guided by the cat’s reaction to the procedure, while assessing the possible consequences. When performing complex show hairstyles, it is recommended to give the cat a rest and trim it in 2-3 stages.
It should also be remembered that a trimmed mustache, as well as hair inside the ears and on the head, significantly reduces the sensitivity of the smell receptors. There is no need to groom overly aggressive or overly active pets yourself. It is better to take such animals to an experienced groomer, where sedatives may be required. Thus, each owner must decide for himself whether to cut his pet’s hair or not. To do this, you need to soberly assess the benefit/harm ratio and focus primarily on the well-being and mental balance of your pet.
To learn why cats need to be groomed, watch the following video.
Features of grooming cats of popular breeds
In most cases, the type of haircut is determined by the breed of the cat. Below are haircuts for the most common breeds.
British Shorthair
British shorthair cat
Nature has endowed true Britons with short, silky hair that is not prone to matting, so experts generally do not recommend cutting representatives of this breed.
If the pet is provided with proper and proper care for its coat in the form of regular combing out of excess fibers with rubber or bristle brushes, it will have an attractive appearance without any hairstyle.
Persian
Persian cat
Persian cats are known for their long and fluffy fur, which can form mats very quickly. That's why they need the services of cat groomers the most.
Despite their sedate and docile nature, such animals tolerate haircuts very poorly. These cats need to be trimmed together with an assistant, especially if this procedure is being done for the first time in their life.
The classic hairstyle for Persian cats is “Puss in Boots.” The procedure begins with cutting the fur from the sides of the body, then from the back and abdomen.
The fur on the head, tail and paws is left untouched, sometimes the tail is cut in half with scissors or a tassel is formed at the end.
Upon completion of the manipulation, the cat must be bathed or wiped with a damp cloth.
Siberian breed
Siberian cat
For representatives of the Siberian breed, haircut options can be any; these cats cannot be spoiled by outlandish hairstyles.
The structure of the fur of Siberian cats is very similar to human hair, and the more often and shorter it is cut, the better quality it becomes.
The most popular haircuts for this breed are French Lion, Dragon and Plush.
Pros and cons of grooming
Definitely, every cat needs care. Some cleaner animals do an excellent job of maintaining their own hygiene. Others need the owner's help. Grooming procedures themselves, if done correctly, cannot harm the pet’s health. On the contrary, they are designed to maintain cleanliness, and therefore the health of the cat.
Not everything is so clear with haircuts, which are also one of the components of the grooming process. Grooming a cat can lead to the following unpleasant consequences:
- Cats have a body temperature higher than humans, and they are much less adapted to temperature changes. Having lost its fur, an animal can easily catch a cold. Therefore, you should not get a haircut in the cold season.
- For an unaccustomed animal, a haircut can become a real stress, which will negatively affect its health. All kinds of drugs designed to calm the animal during the procedure also negatively affect the cat’s health.
- Haircuts change the quality of wool. It can get significantly worse. In addition, the hairs become thinner, and therefore become even more prone to tangles. Unprotected skin dries out more, which is why the animal can develop dermatitis.
- After a haircut, some cats may develop bald patches on their skin that will not heal for a very long time. There is a possibility that some of the fur or undercoat may never recover after shearing.
- The color of the regrown fur may differ, causing the animal's color to change significantly.
- After a haircut, a completely black cat may have a coat that is several shades lighter. The animal's previous color will not be restored.
But you should also highlight the advantages of a haircut:
- Prevents wool tangling and tangle formation.
- Helps avoid digestive problems.
- Makes self-care easier for sick and elderly animals.
- Helps prevent overheating in hot weather.
- There is less wool in the house.
Thus, grooming is a set of procedures aimed at caring for a cat’s fur and skin. Care procedures can be carried out independently at home, or you can contact a specialist. It is not recommended to trim cats without good reason, as this can have a negative impact on their health. Although some cat haircuts look very funny, they can be expensive for your pet, so you shouldn't do them just for the sake of beauty.
How long does a cat's hair grow back after a haircut?
How quickly will a cat's fur grow back if it is trimmed?
Children trim cats' fur in pieces; adults cut cats for fun or in extreme heat, or when the fur has not been combed for a long time and it has become tangled. We didn’t cut it ourselves, but friends say that their cat’s fur grew back in three months.
If you brush a cat regularly, its fur will be shiny, soft and fluffy. Especially short-haired Scots need to be brushed, they have such a condition that their hair sheds every day, and brushing has a beneficial effect on the cat’s fur.
KoshkinMir
Cat grooming is most important for owners of long-haired cats. The appearance of mats and shedding cause a lot of trouble, so the best option to solve these problems is to groom the cat.
Haircuts can be done at a veterinary clinic if you are not confident in your abilities. Grooming with a clipper is less traumatic than cutting a cat with scissors; for very restless cats, anesthesia is used (however, its use has many contraindications, and its use is highly discouraged for “aged” cats). You can remove only the tangles and leave the hair the same length.
The main reason for cutting is grooming; many owners of purebred long-haired cats strive to maintain a neat appearance of their pets. Caring for a trimmed cat is much easier; tangles do not form and fur does not fly in clumps around the house. Grooming your cat partially solves the problem of hairballs in your cat's stomach (bezoars).
The average cat's fur grows back within 3-6 months. Much depends on the breed and health status, as well as age. It is advisable to cut your cat's hair 2-3 times a year, and cut out tangles as they appear, because the cat will never be able to untangle the tangles on its own. Grooming cats
Source
All rights to the materials posted on the site are protected by copyright and related rights laws and cannot be reproduced or used in any way without the written permission of the copyright holder and an active link to the main page of the Eva portal. Ru (www.eva.ru) next to the materials used.
The editors are not responsible for the content of advertising materials. Certificate of registration of mass media El No. FS77-36354 dated May 22, 2009 v.3.4.107
How long will it take for a cat to grow fur?
The question is this. The cat is short-haired, they took blood and shaved its paw. I’m stupid, I didn’t realize, but we really need to go to the exhibition. About 2 months have passed, the undercoat has appeared, but how long will it take for the paw to be completely overgrown?
I had to wake up the cat to look. We shaved our paw on January 25th, now all the fur is there, 3 months have passed, but I have long since stopped noticing that my paw was shaved, so probably in two weeks everything will be fine with you.
We shaved ours twice. once in the fall, it grew in just a month. another time in the summer...in my opinion, she grew taller before winter, walked around with her bare belly, and showed off her belly. It seems to me that it depends on the time of year and molting, if during the period when the cat is growing its coat, it will quickly grow.
All rights to the materials posted on the site are protected by copyright and related rights laws and cannot be reproduced or used in any way without the written permission of the copyright holder and an active link to the main page of the Eva portal. Ru (www.eva.ru) next to the materials used.
The editors are not responsible for the content of advertising materials. Certificate of registration of mass media El No. FS77-36354 dated May 22, 2009 v.3.4.107
Source
How to speed up the process
A cat's fur, like that of any other animal, goes through 3 stages of growth:
Hair reaches a certain length. Then its development stops and, after a certain time, the hair falls out, giving way to a new one. The cut pile is mainly in a catagen state. An exception would be a haircut to zero, when the developing hairs are also cut off.
Most of the fur coat will not grow back. Fresh anagen hairs will form a new coat after the cat is groomed. How quickly wool grows depends on a number of factors:
- Diet. To speed up the restoration of “hair”, your pet needs proteins. Experts recommend that their share per dry weight be at least 30%. Hair growth is also stimulated by zinc, vitamins and fatty acids. The cat can receive them with food (meat, cooked yolk, sea fish) or nutritional supplements.
Ambient conditions. In nature, animals grow overgrown before frost and molt with the arrival of warmer weather. Cats living in the house are less affected by this cycle, but the connection remains. Wool grows faster in spring and summer. In winter, the process of hair change slows down. By deciding to cut your pet's hair during the warm season, the owner will quickly see his original fur coat. This is a practical solution - animals shed less during the cold season.
Care. Regular combing stimulates hair change. It is also necessary to monitor your pet's stress level. A nervous cat may shed a lot. In this case, new follicles are not activated. If the source of stress persists, the coat thins, even to the appearance of bald patches.
The fur has grown back faster, you need to provide the cat with proper nutrition. You should not imitate warming - too high a room temperature will cause molting, but will not awaken the follicles.
Overheating will also negatively affect the health of your pet and other residents. It is better to cut it in the warm season, with natural accelerated hair change. Although, during the cold season, the hairstyle will last longer.
Causes of delayed hair growth
If after 3-4 months the cat’s fur does not grow after being cut, it is worth showing him to the veterinarian. It is possible that the follicles have not entered the anagen phase. But there are other reasons:
- bacterial and parasitic infections - waste products of pathogens poison the body, affecting various organs, including the skin;
hormonal disorders - hair growth can be hampered by malfunctions of the adrenal glands, changes after sterilization, ovarian tumors and other conditions;
weakening of the body due to illness or stress.
Thus, the hair on the area shaved for surgery (examination) may grow back more slowly than with a regular haircut. The age of the pet is also taken into account. The tissues of older cats recover more slowly compared to young cats.
Delayed hair growth can be observed in females during pregnancy or nursing offspring - the body is focused on other tasks.
Is it worth getting a haircut?
A pressing question, given the role of fur in a pet’s daily life. She helps:
- protect the body from mechanical injuries and ultraviolet radiation;
maintain normal temperature in cold and warm environments;
assess the environment - the villi are not as sensitive as the whiskers (whiskers), but they are also involved in tactile perception;
communicate - by fluffing up its fur coat, the cat tries to visually increase in size in order to influence the enemy.
Grooming can deprive your pet of its protective layer and cause severe stress. This problem arose in a four-year-old cat named Ollie from a small British town. The Mirror published his story in the summer of 2015.
The animal was cut to zero - the hairdressers stated that such a measure was required due to the abundance of tangles. According to the owner, after the procedure the cat was depressed, did not want to leave the room and obsessively demanded people's attention. The dogs living in the house also stopped recognizing him.
Do cats need to be trimmed and how often can this be done?
By providing proper care for pets, we can save them from the upcoming grooming procedure. If they still have a thick, shiny coat and their skin is healthy and elastic, then grooming will become unnecessary.
Kittens need to be accustomed to all manipulations from childhood. They should respond calmly to a comb and brush. It is recommended to brush daily. Besides being necessary, this is a useful and enjoyable massage.
But, if the fur often rolls into tangles, then experts advise cutting it as rarely as possible. Whether cats are clipped with clippers or scissors does not matter. Only a machine haircut will look more impressive and aesthetically pleasing.
From all of the above, we can conclude that grooming cats is not necessary. If there is no reason, it becomes a tribute to fashion. Don't forget about the consequences of meaningless haircuts and the stress our pets experience. Often cats become sad after they have been clipped, shiver from the cold and treat their feeder without the former enthusiasm and trust.
Pros: relief from heat and health problems
- One of the most common arguments in favor of grooming a cat is the summer heat: representatives of long-haired breeds especially suffer from it during the hot season.
- You need to cut your cat's hair if for some reason (for example, due to age) it is not able to properly care for its fur coat, and you do not have the opportunity to brush it regularly. The fur of your furry pet becomes tangled, forming tangles that cause discomfort. The skin underneath tightens and stops breathing. Diaper rash and itching appear. All this is a fertile environment for parasites, fungi and infections.
- While grooming itself, a cat ingests large amounts of hair, which forms lumps in the gastrointestinal tract. They can lead to various problems, including obstruction, which will require a visit to the veterinarian. In particularly serious cases, it comes to surgery.
- Grooming a cat can be a lifesaver for owners suffering from allergies or asthma. It will help eliminate the factor that causes suffocation and exacerbation of the disease.
Pros and cons
As mentioned above, there are undoubtedly benefits from grooming cats. This includes relieving the animal of unpleasant sensations caused by the tightening of the skin by tufts of matted hair, alleviating the pet’s condition in the heat, and significantly reducing the amount of hair in the house during the cat’s molting. The latter is especially true for owners suffering from allergic reactions to animal fur, as well as for young children.
In addition, a haircut significantly transforms and ennobles even the most ordinary-looking cat and turns it into a beautiful and graceful animal.
However, in addition to the obvious benefits, haircuts also have their disadvantages. One of the most important negative aspects is a violation of the thermoregulation of the animal’s body, due to the fact that rough interference occurs in the natural skin conditioning mechanism provided by nature. As a result, after removing part of the fur, the animal’s body temperature changes, and it becomes vulnerable to drafts and direct sunlight.
Another weighty argument against cutting is the deterioration in the condition of the coat after regrowth. There are frequent cases of noticeable degradation of the hair structure and changes in color. But this is not the main thing, since the most dangerous consequence of cutting cats is the extreme stress that most animals experience, especially those getting their hair cut for the first time. After the procedure, many pets become seriously depressed and often become ill due to nervousness. It is also worth mentioning here the known cases of animals dying from cardiac arrest during shearing.
Considering the disadvantages, it is impossible not to mention that cats grow overgrown rather slowly, and there is no guarantee that the hair after shearing will ever reach its original length. Moreover, in the first few weeks after cutting, the hairs will remain quite prickly and not very pleasant to the touch. With very short haircuts, performed with attachments of 1 mm in length, the risk of damage to the pet’s skin during scratching increases significantly.
Therefore, cutting cats too short is very harmful and risky, and most of the problems that arise due to the animal’s long hair can be solved with regular grooming and thorough combing.
In what cases is it contraindicated?
Experts note the three weakest areas, where hair removal can be dangerous for your pet:
- Paws, especially their lower part
- Tail, but model treatment of the last third of the organ is allowed
- head
Experts have an extremely negative attitude towards total haircuts. The optimal hair length, if you really want or need treatment, is 0.5 - 1 cm. The hair will no longer bother the owners, and the protective layer is preserved.
The naked animal should be covered with a cotton cloth to avoid direct exposure to sunlight. This will avoid burns or prevent the development of cancer.
It is important to understand that the lack of hair can negatively affect a cat's psyche and communication. Apathy, loss of appetite, ignoring the owners are not uncommon situations after a total haircut.
In addition, wool is one of the main tools in the fight for territory or a female. A naked animal may simply not be perceived by competitors. The situation is especially relevant for owners of private houses. A cat that has lost a war for territory several times will be afraid of its rivals, “invite” it to visit and even share food. Often the neighbor's cat will completely take the loser's food away.
IMPORTANT! Due to hypothermia after cutting, in some places the hair often does not grow back. You should carefully monitor your pet's heat exchange, especially in winter and autumn.