How to properly trim a cat at home using shears

Cats living in an apartment need full care. They need to be kept clean, fed properly, and their coats maintained in good condition. Moreover, many breeds require periodic shortening, and it is not always possible to carry out such a procedure at the veterinarian. In this case, you can use a special technique that teaches how to cut a cat’s hair at home.

Reasons and frequency of haircuts

Cats need to be trimmed from time to time for several reasons. Most often, this activity should be carried out with animals that have long hair, due to its constant rolling into clumps, which cause numerous inconveniences. Cat haircuts can have different purposes:

1. For hygiene purposes. In this case, the process is necessary due to the wool becoming tangled and matted. The animal may get too dirty, and the type of contamination will be paint products or certain building materials that cannot be removed with shampoo.
2. In certain situations, the fur of very old or sick cats that are unable to take care of their “fur coat” is shortened. This procedure prevents the formation of hair balls in the stomach, which often cause intestinal blockage. It is also necessary in conditions of elevated air temperatures, when there is a risk of overheating of the pet.
3. Due to prolonged molting. In this case, cutting will make keeping the animal much easier.
4. For medicinal purposes. For certain diseases of cats, haircutting may be recommended by a veterinarian. Indications for such a procedure are usually infectious skin diseases, dermatitis, the appearance of various parasites, as well as hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands. Trimmed wool makes it possible to treat the skin with medications more effectively, and this significantly shortens the treatment process.
5. Decorative haircuts. Such hairdressing services for pets are nothing more than a whim of their owners. With the help of a model haircut, owners try to emphasize the individuality of their pet and the characteristics of its character.
6. Exhibition haircuts are designed to demonstrate the standards of their breed in animals.

The frequency of procedures associated with shortening hair depends on the intensity of its regrowth. This usually takes from three to six months, depending on the breed of the pet, its health condition and age. On average, it is recommended to provide cats with such hairdressing services no more than two or three times a year.

Removal of tangles should be carried out as they appear.

Model haircuts can be performed more often, but in this case the health of the animal, the condition of its coat, and the season of the year should be taken into account. Therapeutic and hygienic haircuts are usually carried out as needed.

Main nuances

Cat owners should be aware that not all animals can have their fur trimmed. The restrictions may be influenced by the following factors:

1. Color-point or typing type of color. In this case, the regrown hair on the belly and back will be darker in color than before the haircut.
2. Unbearable character and increased activity, when the pet cannot be brought into a calm state. In such a situation, you can use anesthesia, but first you need to take into account all the possible risks. Narcotic drugs can cause cardiac arrest, put you into a coma, and contribute to the failure of the kidneys and liver. If there is no other solution, anesthesia can be replaced with sedatives or muscle relaxants. But such an idea must be approved by a veterinarian, and drugs must be administered strictly under his guidance.
3. It is not recommended to cut short-haired cats unless absolutely necessary, since in the heat their vital functions are not disrupted and tangles never form. Grooming of such breeds is only relevant in extreme situations, for example, if the animal is soiled with oil paint.

When planning to cut your cat's hair, you should be aware that the structure of its fur, length and color may change, and the regrowth process usually takes several months. It is forbidden to cut the hair on the animal's head, on the pads of the paws and in the inside of the ears.

Video

You can see how grooming is carried out by professionals in the video from the PetShopTop channel.

Cats living in an apartment need full care. They need to be kept clean, fed properly, and their coats maintained in good condition. Moreover, many breeds require periodic shortening, and it is not always possible to carry out such a procedure at the veterinarian. In this case, you can use a special technique that teaches how to cut a cat’s hair at home.

Recommendations from experts

The procedure for grooming domestic cats is a last resort; as a rule, it is resorted to due to the systematic formation of mats or the need for treatment based on medical indications. In most cases, animals with long hair undergo a similar process.

To prevent pets from getting tangled, it is recommended to comb them with special devices: a slicker brush and a furminator. In addition, animals need to be washed using high-quality products that help maintain the well-groomed condition of their “fur coat”. Such actions not only have a beneficial effect on the health of animals, but also relieve their owners from scraps of fur scattered throughout the house.

You should know that if someone in your household is allergic to a pet’s fur, cutting the pet’s fur will not help. This is explained by the fact that in this case the reaction of the immune system is caused directly by the skin secretions of the animal, as well as by its saliva preserved on the hair.

The coat of cats belonging to semi-longhaired breeds not only protects them from the cold, but also prevents overheating. This type is not inclined to form tangles and only needs regular bathing and combing. This applies to species such as Maine Coon, Norwegian and Siberian cats.

Persian breeds have thin and delicate fur, which after shearing is restored much easier than that of their counterparts. Persians have a very difficult time withstanding hot weather , so their coat is often shortened.

Features of grooming

It is impossible to carry out such a procedure on your own and get an effective result without the help of an assistant. Before cutting, in addition to the necessary equipment, it is recommended to purchase a collar for the animal, specially designed to protect against its bites. In addition, it is worth stocking up on compounds that have disinfecting properties, for example, chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide. They may be needed in case of possible cuts.

Required Tools

Since cat fur is thick and fine in structure, using scissors and clippers on people would be impractical. To provide hairdressing services to animals, you should prepare specialized tools directly for grooming. Such a set should include:

How often to cut, including depending on the breed

The frequency of haircuts depends on the rate of hair growth, the age of the cat, and its health. It is recommended to cut your hair 2-3 times a year, not more often.

For Persians, a haircut is an ideal option, especially in the summer, as they quickly grow overgrown, and they also do not like heat.

What breeds of cats are prohibited from being cut?

• Shorthair (British, Scottish Fold). There is no particular point, only when absolutely necessary. Please note that there are long-haired types of these cats, namely British Longhair and Highland Fold, they need to be cut.
• With tipping or color-point color. After a haircut, the pet's color changes (becomes darker).
• Semi-long-haired breeds (Siberian and Norwegian forest cats, Maine Coon) do not need a haircut; you can only limit yourself to bathing and thorough combing. Their fur serves as an excellent protector from overheating and freezing. Also read how to properly bathe a cat and how to brush it on the Mister Cat portal.

In addition, you should not generally trim hyperactive pets, which are difficult to pacify and require the use of sedatives, which have a negative effect later.

Gentle castration of cats in Rostov-on-Don.

If you have a young or not so young cat, he has started to mark, or you have thought ahead and want to avoid all these troubles, as well as maintain his health and your peace of mind - contact us, we can help. If you have any doubts or questions, we will advise you, our doctors know everything about castration of cats and work using modern gentle methods, when there is no need for stitches or dressings, any cat returns to its normal rhythm of life on the same day.

Advantages of the gentle method compared to the classic one:

1. High-quality analgesia is used with foreign drugs that are specially designed for general anesthesia and pain relief, directly for cats, so the body perceives them better than analogues from medical practice.
2. Through a small access, the surgeon carefully and completely removes the testes and their appendages (this will help stop the marks and screams), and the scrotum itself remains and is not removed, and after a while it will be practically not noticeable from the cat that he has been castrated.
3. The cat will not need bandages, collars or dressings. This is good for its convenience and will save your time. There will be no stitches either, which will help avoid repeated visits to the clinic to have them removed.
4. The first time after the castration procedure, a long-acting painkiller will act, so the cat will not experience any discomfort at all.
5. Anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as painkillers, will have a long-lasting effect, so during the recovery period it will be possible to do without medications, injections or any medical procedures.

The operations are performed by a doctor specializing in castration; before the procedure, the cats are fully examined for contraindications, and only after that we begin work. Our doctors have good experience and know everything about castration, so you can trust us!

How to cut a cat's hair: types of haircuts

Haircut Continental

Choosing Cat Grooming Tools

The haircut can be carried out using scissors (medium size, sharp with rounded ends) or a clipper, preferably silent, so as not to frighten the pet. The latter method is more effective and safer - there is practically no possibility of injuring the animal, and the result is guaranteed: a uniform haircut with the ability to choose the desired length of fur.

• soft comb;
• textile;
• hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine (needed if you injure an animal);
• toys and treats;
• table (or other surface).

It is better to immobilize the cat during the procedure. For example, wear a special collar. It is better for the second person to hold the cat and calm it while the first haircut is performed.

If the animal is very aggressive, it is better to visit a veterinary clinic. In some cases, anesthesia may be needed. It is worth doing it only if there is no other option. For example, a cat is covered in tangles and it’s hard for him.

Why is it worth castrating a cat?

• The cat will stop marking. This is true; at the moment, the only way to wean a cat from marking is castration, even if the cat has long since started marking consciously. Unfortunately, no “repellents” or tablets with drops will bring such an effect. It is important that if you castrate before he marks for the first time, he will not mark at all, and if you delay this, addiction may occur, which is why all veterinarians advise castration for young cats.
• A castrated cat does not scream at night. Often the owners of young cats who have gone on a spree have no time to sleep at night; loud cat serenades simply do not allow them to fall asleep. From the point of view of the physiology and body of the animal, this is normal and justified, but from the point of view of the comfort of the owners, it is not entirely acceptable. Neutered cats are fine with their nerves; they don’t scream at night in vain.
• Neutered cats are cleaner. You will be freed from the specific “cat spirit” that hovers around the apartment of cat owners who have a habit of marking. Save your budget on cleaning carpets and buying new clothes and shoes to replace those “marked” by the cat, because the smell is very strong and such things should only be thrown away. After castration, the cat has no desire to mark everything around him, and this is important.
• Aggression in cats is a necessary phenomenon in nature. Young cats, participating in competition for female cats and hunting grounds, often fight and injure each other. In the apartment everything is different, but this does not make the cat’s hunting instinct disappear. Hence the broken dishes, torn curtains, scratched hands and feet of the owners. Castration of cats allows you to relieve hormonal tension in the body, aggression goes away, the cat will feel better, and you will feel calmer and safer.
• Cats live longer after castration. This has been proven by many foreign studies, according to practicing veterinarians of the European Veterinary Association. This is explained by the fact that such cats, unlike their non-castrated counterparts, are freed from many diseases, both those transmitted during mating (sexually transmitted infections) and non-contagious diseases of internal organs. The health benefit for the cat is that by castration they can prevent testicular tumors.

Castration of cats is an excellent prevention of “male” diseases; accordingly, by reducing these risks, we achieve an increase in the duration and quiet life for our pet.

Preparing for a haircut

The preparatory steps are as follows:

• Examine the cat. If there are skin lesions, it is recommended to reschedule the haircut. However, you don’t have to do this; then the wounded area needs to be carefully trimmed so that the wound is visible.
• Wash your pet.
• Decide on a tool. It should be well pointed.
• Choose the right time. The best thing is a period of rest, since while the cat is awake, it can injure both itself and the person.

What to do if you accidentally hurt your pet?

Even with the most careful procedure, an unpleasant situation is possible when you injure the animal. You need to prepare for this and always have the necessary disinfectants on hand (peroxide, brilliant green, iodine), as well as cotton wool. It is necessary to treat not the wound itself with a disinfectant, but the skin around it. Treat the cut site in such a way as to stop the bleeding. Calm and caress the animal; in this case, you can prepare some kind of treat that will distract the pet.

There is no need to be nervous or lose your composure. Your anxiety will be transmitted to the animal, and the cat will begin to panic. Moreover, it is unacceptable to shout at a cat or use physical methods of influence. The procedure can be carried out further only when the animal has completely calmed down and allows manipulation to continue.

Carrying out a hygienic haircut for your furry pet yourself is a completely doable task. Hygienic care is necessary to ensure that your pet looks neat, well-groomed and does not suffer from the heat in the summer. But, if a fluffy cat is preparing to go out into the world, for example, to an exhibition, it is better to contact a grooming salon or veterinary clinic. Professionals will do the job more efficiently and decoratively. The only thing you need to pay attention to is that during the procedure, veterinary clinics usually use light anesthesia or give sedatives. It's not entirely harmless. If your furry pet behaves calmly, you can refuse to use these products.

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Mr. Cat recommends: step-by-step instructions for grooming a cat

1. Prepare all necessary tools and disinfect them.
2. Trim the nails with a nail clipper or using regular nail scissors. Take the animal's paw, press on the pad and trim the claw. Read the article about how to choose a nail clipper for a cat, what they are like and how much they cost.
3. Immobilize your pet by placing it on its side and holding its paws.
4. In case of aggressive behavior, wear a special plastic collar.
5. Immediately cut the fur from the sides, then from the back and belly. Take special care in the nipple area.
6. The skin should be taut to avoid injury. It is better to remove tangles with scissors, preferably before cutting or as you find them.
7. You can cut both against hair growth and along.
8. At the end of the work, the cat should be wiped with a damp cloth.

After the haircut

As we have already said, after grooming the cat should be wiped with a damp cloth, and it is also worth combing it. As a rule, cats easily get used to their trimmed appearance. But some problems may arise:

• The cat may get injured when scratching or playing the first time after the haircut.
• May begin to lick itself more often and exhibit slight irritation.
• In rare cases, the behavior may change and aggression may appear: the cat damages furniture, defecates in inappropriate places, or attacks.

If the cat’s behavior does not return to normal on its own, then you need to contact a veterinarian.

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