Reasons for cutting a cat's hair
There are several good reasons why pet grooming is necessary and desirable. According to their purpose, haircuts for domestic cats are:
The best quality haircut is, of course, done in a salon. Grooming specialists use special tools and devices that do not damage the skin. But it will be useful for the owner to know how to cut a cat’s hair at home, so as not to overpay every time.
To see how cats are cut in a salon, watch this video:
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 condition, and its 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.
Some nuances that may arise after a haircut
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.
Features of the Persian cat breed
Currently there are 3 types, or breed standards:
- Old English - with a straight nose that does not reach eye level;
- European - actively bred in Europe, the upper edge of the nose is located on the line of the lower eyelid;
- Extreme, or exotic, is a breed bred in the USA, the nose of such cats is raised to the inner corners of the eyes.
Persian cats have the following characteristics:
- Massive body;
- Rounded head;
- Expressive and large eyes;
- Rounded ears;
- Powerful limbs;
- Very fluffy tail.
Six Persian cats can reach 20 cm in length. This is their main pride. It feels like down to the touch, the structure is thin and silky, some varieties of the breed do not have an undercoat, so only the appearance of a warm fur coat remains - in winter the Persian will freeze desperately outside. Representatives of this breed shed all year round, and light hairs tend to fall into tangles.
Breed standards include about 100 colors, so felinologists rank the breed based on eye color, and colors are associated with it.
What is needed for the procedure
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. You can purchase a special collar that protects the owner from bites from an unhappy pet.
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.
How to cut your hair correctly
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.
To learn how to cut a cat's hair at home, watch this video:
Popular hairstyles
The imagination of the owner and the professionalism of the grooming specialists make it possible to give the animal a wide variety of images: from a majestic lion to a creative Dragon-dinosaur. The most common and popular haircuts among cat owners are: Lion, Puma, exhibition haircuts Harlequin, Modern, Continental.
French lion
This type of haircut can be called universal, since it is often used for hygienic purposes and as a fashion hairstyle. It is advisable to choose this option in the hot summer. There are not many difficulties in how to cut a cat’s hair with a lion clipper yourself. The fur is cut using a tool over the entire body. The fur on the limbs is left unchanged in the form of “socks” or “golf”. The base of the tail is cut off, and a “tassel” or “broom” is formed at the end.
The Dragon
Exotic Dragon haircut is an unusual mohawk on the back of the animal. To give the pet an original look, the head is not cut, the fur coat on the body is trimmed. Along the spine and tail, the fur is clipped in the form of triangles. You can also leave scraps of wool and other shapes, it all depends on the imagination of the owner and the professionalism of the groomer.
Exhibition types of haircuts
Haircuts such as Harlequin, Modern, Continental are usually given to show animals. If the animal takes part in an exhibition, then the cats are cut in this case, as if for a fashion show. The purpose of such procedures is to emphasize the exterior features of the animal and, if possible, hide existing shortcomings. The owner will not be able to create such hairstyles for a pet on his own. This complex grooming requires experience and a professional approach and can only be performed by a master in a specialized salon.
A cat owner can do the grooming of a pet for medicinal and hygienic purposes himself. To do this, you need to know certain rules and be patient. Exhibition and decorative hairstyles are best left to professionals.
In the summer, furry cats and cats have a hard time. The body’s almost ideal thermoregulatory system does not help either. Due to the shaggy undercoat, heat exchange is disrupted, and the owner of a luxurious fluffy fur coat literally swelters from the heat. A haircut helps solve the problem.
And finally, the most important thing. The animal will get rid of discomfort and will not suffer from the heat.
Important!
Mats are not just an aesthetic problem or a breeding ground for pathogenic microflora. The appearance of “felt balls” often indicates that the cat has a metabolic disorder and needs to be seen by a veterinarian.
Tail haircuts for Persian cats
Options for cutting the tail of Persians are:
The first two types differ from each other in the way the wool is cut. The brush is made rounded. And the hair for the broom is cut in a straight line. For a squirrel tail, the hair at the base of the tail is cut with a clipper. The remaining wool is then trimmed and shaped using thinning scissors.
Paws are also cut in a model manner:
- in the form of “socks”. The toes are cut just above the wrists of the paws;
- in the form of "golfs". Socks are cut just below the body.
Remember a number of rules:
- do not cut the tail brush so that the fluffy does not bite or chase it;
- do not cut the fur completely, leave at least 3mm;
- The cat's ears and face remain uncut.
Grooming a Persian cat means helping yourself and your furry friend with hygiene and grooming issues. And also observing your pet from a new and unknown side.
To cut an animal or not to cut it
With all its advantages, haircuts have a number of contraindications. This is especially true for show animals of a certain color. For example, in cats of typing (silver) and colorpoint ("Siamese") color, the overgrown hair on the back and belly may darken.
You shouldn’t take risks with cats that are too temperamental and nervous. The use of anesthesia is not a solution to the problem, since it is associated with many risks (kidney and liver failure, cardiac arrest). You should not blindly follow fashion and cut short-haired cats unnecessarily. They do not particularly suffer from the heat, and their shiny coat does not become tangled.
Important! You cannot cut the hair on the animal’s head or paw pads. Under no circumstances should you trim your mustache!
What you need to groom a cat at home
To cut a cat's hair at home, you will need patience along with it.
- Two trimmers: regular and hard-to-reach areas.
- Scissors with blunt ends (surgical ones are ideal).
- Also prepare a bandage, iodine, cotton wool and hydrogen peroxide. The pet has sharp teeth and claws, this cannot be discounted.
- It is advisable for two people to trim a cat's hair. Coping with this task alone is not so easy.
How to trim a cat: procedure
- Secure the animal by its hind and front legs, laying it on its side.
- If the animal is aggressive, put a special collar on it. It might bite!
- First, remove the tangles using scissors. Then, using a clipper, trim the hair on the back and sides of the animal. It is best to use a 3 mm nozzle. The risk of injuring the animal’s skin is minimal.
- Hair on the paws (if necessary at all) should be trimmed last.
- When trimming belly hair, be especially careful around the genital area and nipples. It is advisable to trim the fur in these areas in advance using scissors.
- It is not necessary to cut the tail. It all depends on your imagination. You can leave a “squirrel” or “fox” fluffy tail, or you can make your pet look like an African relative, leaving a small tassel.
Important!
How to cut a cat's hair - with or against its fur? Both options have the right to life. It's up to you to decide. When cutting against the grain, the procedure goes faster. Hair cutting is more labor-intensive and time-consuming, but the cat feels less discomfort.
Grooming must be done very carefully so as not to injure the animal. Be prepared for the fact that you won’t be able to cut your cat’s hair in one go. There is nothing wrong if the procedure takes place in several stages, but without physical and mental trauma for both parties.
Some owners wash their cat after washing and dry it with a hairdryer. This is, to put it mildly, unnecessary. The manipulations associated with a haircut are already a lot of stress for the fluffy. It is much more humane to remove stuck hairs using a piece of suede or a damp cloth. Protect the animal (even in the summer heat!) from drafts: the kitty can catch a cold.
What's the best way to shave a cat?
To avoid the hassle of scissors, you can use an electric razor with the same precautions as with a regular haircut. The fur should not be shaved clean. It's better to just shorten it.
Popular cat haircuts
Leo haircut
. The coat is left intact on the head, front legs, hocks and tip of the tail.
"Puss in Boots"
- the same as the “lion”, only the tail is left in its original beauty.
Summer
- the most radical option.
As for the options for “salon” haircuts, there are many options. From under the groomer’s scissors, the furry miracle emerges as a “puma”, “harlequin” and even a “dragon”.
What if the cat doesn’t want to get his hair cut?
Well... So, the scissors will have to be put aside. In this case, carefully care for your pet's fur.
- Brush your cat regularly.
- Remove tangles periodically (or better yet, prevent them from forming).
- When bathing the animal, use special softening shampoos and balms.
Purchase a special product for dissolving hair in the digestive tract from a veterinary pharmacy or buy a special food with absorbable ingredients. And to prevent heat stroke in your animal, use air conditioning more often.
Grooming cats is often not a whim of their owners. In most cases, cat grooming is about caring for the health of the animal. But sometimes kitty owners want to improve their appearance in this way. Why not?
If you want to look at crazy cat haircuts, we recommend checking out this article
A haircut is necessary if the matted fur tightens the cat's skin, causing it pain and discomfort. As a result, the cat may become nervous and not allow itself to be petted.
Why do you need to cut your cat's hair?
The main reason why a cat needs a haircut is mats.
They can cause serious harm to the animal's health.
- Firstly, the matted fur tightens the kitty's skin, causing it pain and discomfort. As a result, the cat may become nervous and not allow itself to be petted.
- Secondly, in places where tangles form, blood flow and heat exchange are disrupted. Naturally, such conditions are ideal for the proliferation of all kinds of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The animal's skin may become very inflamed, itchy and flaky.
- Thirdly, a kitty may try so hard to get rid of tangles on her own that she will injure herself. A side effect of such diligence can also be eating a large amount of wool, which becomes a lump in the stomach, causing vomiting or, even worse, clogging the passages in the digestive tract. In the latter case, you cannot do without the help of a veterinarian. A cat also eats a lot of fur when shedding. During these periods, it is also recommended to groom your beauty and comb her.
- Fourthly, due to age, the cat may not be able to take good care of its fur. In this case, tangles can appear literally every week, and the old kitty’s coat will look untidy.
Another reason why cats are cut is due to various skin diseases of the animal. In some cases, a cat's haircut is necessary because its owner is allergic to fur.
Grooming Persian cats
Keeping Persian cats is not suitable for busy people, since caring for the animal's fur involves numerous procedures. In particular, they need to be combed daily for at least half an hour. Sometimes the wool has to be cut.
Grooming also includes:
- Bathing;
- Nail trimming;
- Eye treatment;
- Ear care.
Combing
Brushing a Persian cat consists of 3 stages. The first step is treatment with a wide-toothed comb, then you need to carefully comb it with a brush and, finally, smooth the coat with a fine-toothed comb. You should start caring for the coat from the back and brush along the hair growth. For procedures, it is recommended to use devices with metal rounded teeth or natural bristles. After all manipulations, you need to use a grooming spray that has an antistatic effect.
Bathing
Persians should be bathed twice a month, and they are not too fond of this procedure. It is necessary to use shampoo designed for long hair. The cat needs to be placed in a basin or some warm water drawn into the bath (approximately up to the level of the abdomen). Having wetted the wool, it should be soaped and a small foam should be whipped up. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly so that no detergent remains on the coat. It is necessary to ensure that water does not get into your pet’s eyes and ears. You also need to dry the cat in 2 stages: first wrap it in a towel, and then use a quiet hairdryer.
How often should you get a haircut?
The frequency of grooming cats, photos of which can be offered at a pet salon, depends on the structure and length of the animal’s fur.
If you want to cut your cat's hair less often, you need to brush it more often. The areas where mats most often form are the armpits, the area between the hind legs, behind the ears, on the neck and tail.
Some people believe that grooming is not necessary, just cutting off the tangles in time is enough. Yes, you can do this, but then the aesthetics of the animal’s appearance will leave much to be desired. It is also dangerous because tangles form in areas where the skin is very delicate, and cutting them off can injure the animal. After all, sometimes it is quite difficult to distinguish where the skin fold ends and the tangle begins.
Types of cat haircuts
Hygienic haircut
This type of grooming is also called home grooming and is indicated mainly for long-haired breeds of cats:, and so on. Often, the procedure is carried out if the fur is very tangled, tangles have appeared that can no longer be combed.
A hygienic haircut is also needed if there are skin diseases from which no one is immune. Therefore, it may be necessary, for example, to groom Scottish cats. Photos and videos posted on the Internet show how this can be done best.
A hygienic haircut is usually performed with a professional clipper with attachment No. 3 (3 mm long wool remains). This length of fur does not prick and does not cause itching. The animal's skin becomes plush, velor-like to the touch. Sometimes, in particularly difficult cases of animal skin disease, there is a need to trim the cat using attachments No. 1 and 2.
When hygienic cutting, hair is left only on the head, paws (to the middle) and at the tip of the tail.
Important!
Under no circumstances should the hair be completely removed from the tail.
Cats react strangely to their hairless tails and chew them, leaving deep wounds. The shortest uncut length is 1/3 of the tip of the tail .
Model haircuts
Often, the organization of such a haircut is justified by the desire to emphasize the character of the animal or make it more attractive.
Model haircuts are performed with a nozzle on the machine No. 3; thinning and hairdressing scissors and various combs are also used.
Many model haircuts can be performed on the basis of a hygienic one, which will allow you to achieve two goals at once - remove tangles in certain places and create a new image of the cat.
This is exactly what cutting a cat like a lion is like, when the hair is completely cut off from the entire body, leaving it only on the head and the tip of the tail.
Interesting!
Just like in the situation with cats, they do the same for dogs. A haircut can be done either with scissors or with a special one.
Haircut "Puma"
similar to the “Lion” with the difference that the fur is left not only on the head, but also on a small part of the body.
It looks like the kitty is wearing a short furry vest.
Haircut "Dragon"
implies that the hair remains on the head, paws, tail and spine.
Now the fur remaining along the back and on the tail is cut into triangles and made into mohawks.
Extravagant dragon haircut
Model haircuts may contain various decorative elements on the back or sides: drawings, letters, geometric figures.
Combs for Persians
The deepest misconception (intensely supported by incompetent pet supply sellers) is that Persians need to be combed with a slicker brush. In no case!! “Slickers” (or correctly - slicker, sleeker) are very selectively and limitedly used by professional groomers only for exhibition preparation of hair on the face and paws of Persians. Take a metal comb with long, non-sharp teeth; ideally, it should be a double-sided comb with teeth of different frequencies. It is very important to comb the coat, reaching the very roots.
If you cannot find a comb from Jimpet, the teeth of which are located in two frequency options (or a professional comb from the company “No. 1 All System”), buy two combs: with long and thick teeth + with long and sparse teeth. It is better to buy them at a good pet store, because this purchase will last your cat’s life. To the comb described above, you can add another one - with teeth of different lengths (to combat random tangles).
Do-it-yourself cat grooming
To choose a hairstyle for your pet, you should look on the Internet to see what cat haircuts can look like. Before and after photos will inspire you to create a creative kitty look.
For a haircut you will need the following:
- Table (often an ironing board is used).
- Special machine with nozzle No. 3.
- Comb.
- Scissors.
- Iodine or hydrogen peroxide for cuts.
Most cats do not part with their fur coat peacefully and calmly. It is necessary for someone to help hold and calm the animal. The assistant should stand on the other side of the work surface, place the “client” on his side, holding him by the front and back legs, and gently but firmly press him to the table.
First, the hair is removed from the back, sides and tummy. Be especially careful when trimming the intimate area, nipples, and armpits - cats' skin is delicate and prone to wrinkles. You can leave the fur on the paws, just trim it with scissors.
Important!
A cat may growl and scream, but this does not necessarily mean that it is stressed. Her “concert” is designed to demoralize you. If on the second or third day you notice some inappropriateness in the animal’s behavior, consult a veterinarian.
So, for the sake of the kitty’s health and beauty, it’s still worth trimming her fur coat periodically. If you don’t strive for any fancy hairstyles, then you can do this kind of grooming yourself. All that remains is to find a common language with your mustachioed beauty.
Cat grooming: caring for the health and beauty of the animal
Grooming cats. To rid your cat of tangles, help her cope with skin diseases, or create a new interesting image for your kitty - all this can be done with the help of a special haircut.
Practice shows that it is quite difficult to cut aggressive cats “like a lion” with a trimmer or other devices, like , but this can be done if you listen to the advice from this article. Don’t forget that everyone’s coat is different, some stand on end, others are dull, but still, everyone needs to be trimmed at certain times of the year.
It is necessary to cut the British, Persian, Scots and representatives of other breeds, but it is recommended to do this according to certain rules, which can be found in this article, and also pay attention to the fact that grooming cats is not the easiest task and should be trusted to those who deals with animals every day and knows how to do everything in the best possible way...
How to properly cut a cat's hair against the grain
You can trim cats' fur with either scissors or a clipper. When using a clipper, take a 3 mm nozzle - this is less likely to injure the animal’s skin. For the same purpose, the skin at the cutting site can be slightly stretched. The difference in cutting cats against the grain and against the grain is that when cutting against the grain, more lint is removed at a time. Numerous recommendations for cutting cats according to their fur are based on the fact that when the clipper or comb moves against the fur, the animal experiences discomfort and begins to struggle. After finishing the work, you need to wipe or bathe your pet, this will remove any remaining hair and the animal will feel more comfortable.
How to trim a cat with long soft fur
Grooming a cat with long, soft hair is not an easy task. The machine slips and does not grip the wool well. The only thing that can be advised is to be patient and cut the same place several times, moving both with and against the grain.
How to trim a cat at home with a clipper, scissors, without a clipper
The easiest and fastest way to cut a cat's hair at home is with a clipper. If a cat is afraid of the sound made by an electric clipper, then a good haircut can be obtained by using a clipper of a different design - a mechanical one. Working with scissors when trimming a cat is more difficult; at least a little skill is needed here, otherwise you can inadvertently injure the animal’s skin. Be kind to your pet, speak gentle words to him, and the grooming procedure will be faster and more painless.
How to trim a Persian cat at home
Although cats of the Persian breed are famous for their sedateness and docileness, grooming is a lot of stress for them. Even the most devoted cat can show his claws during the execution that he personally believes is carried out on him. Therefore, it is advisable to groom a cat together with an assistant, especially for the first time. The classic haircut for Persians is “Puss in Boots.” The head, tail (if desired, you can cut it in half or leave a small tassel at the end) and paws are left uncut. The latter are very reminiscent of boots, which is why the haircut actually got its name.
How to cut a British cat's hair at home
It is not customary to trim British cats. The hair of cats of this breed is short; tangles, which is why in most cases they are groomed, rarely form. Grooming involves regularly removing guard hairs. For this purpose, use a brush made of bristles or rubber - this way the undercoat is least damaged and the coat has a more well-groomed appearance.
How to cut a Persian cat's hair at home
Experienced cat barbers recommend starting the haircut from the sides of the animal. The next stage will be your pet's back and stomach. The tail and paw pads are trimmed last, using scissors for these purposes. Particular care should be taken when cutting hair in the area of the armpits and private parts - in these places it is too easy to injure the skin. To avoid injury when clipping, use at least a 3 mm attachment and keep the animal's skin taut at the clipping site. It is better to cut off existing tangles with scissors. After grooming, the animal is bathed or wiped with a damp cloth.
Is it possible to cut a British cat's hair with a regular human clipper?
Is it possible to cut a cat's hair in autumn, winter, summer?
A cat that is kept in a house or apartment and not allowed to go outside can be groomed at any time of the year. The animal's fur grows and is renewed all year round. Street pets are usually trimmed at the beginning of summer. Cats' fur can grow up to 8 mm in a month, so by autumn your pet will again be wearing a full fur coat.
How to trim a cat if he doesn’t give in, bites, resists, scratches
Grooming a cat who doesn't want to get his hair cut will be much easier if you ask someone in your household to help you hold him. You can also try to pacify an unruly animal by attaching a large paper clip to its scruff. At the same time, the cat becomes more docile because it falls into childhood and it seems to him that he is in his mother’s teeth. An overly active cat is trimmed under anesthesia or using inhibitory drugs. Both can negatively affect the health of the animal, so it is not recommended to administer these drugs yourself.
How to cut a cat's hair if there are mats
To remove tangles when grooming a cat, it is advisable to use a special tool - a tangle cutter, but if you don’t have one, then ordinary scissors will do. Try to place a comb under the mat, then when cutting off the matted fur, you will definitely not injure the animal. Further haircuts are carried out as usual.
How to cut a cat's hair without anesthesia, how often can one cut a cat's hair under anesthesia
You can cut your cat's hair without anesthesia by inviting a cat hairdresser or groomer to your home. A true master knows how to pacify even the most obstinate clients. In addition, in a familiar home environment, the animal is not as nervous as if it were taken to a salon or veterinary clinic for a haircut.
Subjecting a cat to anesthesia in order to trim it is necessary in the most extreme cases and no more than 2 times a year. Before anesthesia, it is advisable that the animal undergo an examination, but even in this case it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk factor for various complications.
How to cut a long-haired cat, fluffy cats
Experts recommend a haircut called “French Lion” or “Puss in Boots” for long-haired and fluffy cats. If you wish, you can learn how to do such haircuts yourself. More complex cat hairstyles such as “Modern” or “Harlequin” can only be performed by a master.
In the summer heat, long-haired cats have a hard time. Even their seemingly perfect thermoregulation system cannot cope with cooling the body in the face of global warming and extremely hot weather. And a shaggy coat, which is so beautiful in winter, is an extra burden in the heat: the wool and undercoat interfere with normal heat exchange, and the animal literally languishes from stuffiness and overheating. But there is always a solution - you can cut the cat’s hair!
Rules for combing Persian fur
Persian cats are combed starting from the head, moving along the back to the tail, without touching it unless absolutely necessary, then move on to the chest, stomach and finish with the paws. Then the sparse comb is replaced with a brush made of natural bristles, and the same manipulations are performed. You can purchase a brush at a pet store or use an ordinary clothes brush. Artificial bristles also electrify the fur. After combing, it is recommended to apply a conditioner spray, lightly spraying it from a distance of about 20 cm. It is advisable to use an antistatic spray once a week.
One of the common mistakes that owners often make is to comb the top layer of fur without reaching the roots. Think of brushing your cat's fur in terms of brushing your own hair: you need to separate the hair, comb the tangled hair from the roots, detangling it to the ends. You can try these abilities on your cat too. As with your hair, this method is most effective (and cat-friendly!) if you brush in the direction the hair grows. The correct combing process includes:
- Separate the coat and use a wide-toothed comb to loosely comb through tangled fur. At this stage, you will lay the coat on one side, which will make combing easier.
- Once you've removed the shed layer, go through the fur again with a wide-tooth comb from root to tip, and then finish using the fine-toothed part of the brush to comb your cat's entire body.
Why cut your cat's hair?
After clipping, the coat is easier to comb.
In fact, the procedure is quite popular and in demand in grooming salons. Yes, there are owners who bring their favorite furry dogs for a haircut for the sake of winning an exhibition, an extravagant look and cool, cute photos for Instagram or social networks.
But there are also those who know that such hairstyles have many advantages for the health of their children. What are the advantages of a unique hygiene procedure:
- getting rid of tangles, which have become too numerous and can no longer be untangled with ordinary brushes;
- normalization of digestion: unsightly and hanging hairballs, disfiguring the cat, can cause blockage of the stomach and intestines if accidentally swallowed during another lick;
- order in the house: after a haircut, the wool does not lie everywhere and does not cause the owner to have bouts of quiet rage when, once again, black pants have turned into a shaggy hedgehog;
- easier combing;
- peace of mind between the cat and the person: you won’t have to tyrannize your pet and freak out from the daily tearing apart of tangled areas of fur;
- relief from suffering: in summer the animal will no longer suffer from the heat.
By the way, the presence of tangles is the cause of dermatological problems: the skin under them heats up more, creating favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora. Frequent formation of “felt balls” indicates a metabolic disorder or requires consultation with a specialist.
Caring for Persians
The Persian breed is much more difficult to care for than other cats. They are problematic to wash, comb, comb out debris, and the like. If you do not regularly care for your furry pet, the fur will become covered with tangles, which are removed only during the cutting process. The condition of the Persian's coat clearly indicates the health of the cat. Daily care for the hair of Persian cats takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, you can solve this problem by going to a hairdressing salon for animals, where they will give your pet a haircut. Although adult cats react aggressively to being groomed in a new place and by an unknown person. It’s worth accustoming your pet to visiting a stylist and hygiene procedures while still a kitten:
- bathing;
- combing;
- haircut
To cut or not to cut
It is important to understand that not all cats can and should be subjected to this procedure. So, a kind of contraindication is:
- colorpoint and tipping colors - as the fur grows on the back and belly, it will become several tones darker than before cutting;
- disgusting character and violent temperament, when the animal does not give in to any persuasion. Of course, you can cut it under anesthesia, but in this case, evaluate all the possible risks associated with the administration of narcotic drugs: cardiac arrest, coma, failure of the liver and kidneys. As a last resort, sedatives and muscle relaxants are used instead of drugs, but only after approval of the appropriateness of their use by a specialist and under his clear guidance;
- Without an urgent need, there is no point in cutting short-haired cats - the heat does not particularly interfere with normal life activities, and they never have mats;
- Smooth-haired animals are cut only in extreme cases, for example, when they have been worn in oil paint and it is easier to shave the animal than to try to rub off the matted multi-colored wool.
What else you need to know about cat grooming:
- after grooming, the structure and color of the coat may change;
- the regrowth process takes quite a long time;
- hair length may become shorter than before the procedure;
- The hair on the head, whiskers, inside the ears and on the pads of the paws should not be trimmed.
Is it possible to trim a Persian cat?
Is it possible to trim a Persian cat?
When summer and hot, sultry days come, many cat and dog owners are faced with the question of whether we should cut our animal’s hair in order to somehow make life easier for him during the heat of the summer months. Imagine that our pet constantly wears a natural fur coat, how lucky he is! But there are times when cats and dogs simply need to be cut, no matter what. Won't we harm our pet by doing this?
Is it possible to trim a Persian cat?
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Owners of Persian cats who exhibit their pets at cat shows are very meticulous about the appearance of their pets, they take care of them in such a way that they do not need any haircut, and it will even harm them when receiving grades and points.
And if we don’t go to cat parties at all, our cat is very lazy, his fur falls off, what should we do? Maybe I should still get a haircut? You definitely need to trim it by the summer, if your cat goes outside so that he doesn’t freeze, look at the weather now and the forecast for the next week, if the weather is already warm, then you can get a haircut. A cat who is never outside can go bald all year round!
Actually, there is nothing fatal here. One has only to think carefully about why a cat should be trimmed? All cats and dogs have seasonal shedding, we know this well. At the beginning of summer, cats shed a lot of hair and down, which are very important for warming the animal in winter. Regular, almost daily brushing can alleviate the cat’s condition and rid your home of a huge amount of hair on carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
It is better, of course, not to cut cats at all; Mother Nature did not provide for such a stressful method of caring for animals. But there are times when it is simply necessary to cut a cat's hair. For example, if the animal is no longer young and no amount of combing, bathing or vitamins helps. The fur falls into tangles, greatly disturbing the cat. And many cats cannot tolerate the combing procedure at all, they yell, scratch and run away from their caring owners to a secluded corner.
Here comes the moment of forced haircut! It’s better to torture your pet, but then it will be easy and comfortable for him when he comes to his senses a little after the haircut. Various bacteria accumulate in the tangles; it is very difficult to wash the cat, and it is almost impossible to comb it out. The tangles are usually located in close proximity to the skin, almost close. You can try to carefully cut out the tangle with scissors, but there is a danger of injuring the skin.
It is very convenient to cut a Persian cat with an electric clipper, but a special one for soft fur. When changing attachments, you can leave the fur length at 3, 6, 9 mm - whatever the owner likes best. It is advisable to completely remove the fur from the tummy and inside the hind legs, that is, trim the cat's hair. There is no need to cut the tip of the tail, the pads of the paws and the head; let your exhausted pet spend a little time as the king of animals - the lion.
Tools and accessories
To groom a cat at home, you need to be patient and prepare the necessary equipment in advance. The less fuss and emotions there are, the calmer, faster and without incidents everything will go. So what you might need:
- assistant;
- special trimmer for cats (regular and for hard-to-reach places);
- rounded scissors with blunt ends, it is best to take surgical ones;
- In case of possible injury, prepare peroxide, cotton wool, and brilliant green.
The requirements for the trimmer are:
- quality and reliability;
- power of at least 45 watts. It is especially important to observe this point in relation to Persians, exotics and other owners of luxurious hair with thick undercoat;
- for other breeds, less powerful devices are also suitable;
- sharp blades that actually cut rather than tear out fur;
- the length of the blade is from 2 to 3 cm, otherwise you can accidentally injure the skin, especially if the haircut is carried out by an inexperienced user;
- the device must operate from the network, which guarantees its stable operation without interruption or loss of power;
- It is better if the motor is rotary rather than vibrating. Although this is not important, especially if the cat is cut from time to time.
Instead of an electric unit, you can use the most ordinary mechanical machine. It has a number of advantages:
- lower price;
- absence of unpleasant noise, and therefore the animal will be less nervous.
There are also some disadvantages: the hairstyle may turn out to be asymmetrical, and the process will be lengthy.
In principle, you can trim a cat’s hair at home with simple scissors, especially if you only need to cut off tangles or shape individual areas of the body.
Persian cats
Persians are aristocratic cats. The history of the breed goes back centuries, and it is believed that its ancestors were wild Iranian cats and Angoras. Since the Middle Ages, Persian cats have traveled along trade routes as exotic goods. They ended up only in rich families, being considered the most prestigious pets.
Persian cats are highly recognizable due to their flat nose and long, fluffy coat that requires careful grooming. By nature, they are very curious, very attached to their owner and love children. Despite the popular belief that the Persian is a “cat on a pillow,” they can be quite playful.
How to carry out the procedure
The hair on a cat's head is usually not cut.
- The cat is fixed on its side by its hind and front legs.
- If the animal is overly aggressive, a collar is put on the animal to prevent it from biting.
- First they cut the tangles with scissors, and then take the clipper and continue working on the sides and back.
- The fur on the paws is removed last, if necessary at all.
- When working in the abdominal area, exercise maximum caution and carefully avoid the nipples and intimate area. It is better to cut the area around with scissors in advance so that all the delicate parts are clearly visible.
- The hairstyle is not done on the head; in extreme cases, it can be shaped using thinning scissors.
- The tail is cut at will and as the hairdresser's imagination allows.
It is important to carry out all manipulations as carefully as possible so as not to injure the animal.
It is not always possible to completely trim an animal at once - do not be upset: even though the procedure will be carried out in several stages, but all participants in the “acting” will remain safe and sound.
After grooming, the cat should be dried with a hairdryer. Although, to avoid unnecessary damage, you can simply wipe your pet with a damp cloth or suede cloth to remove cut and stuck hairs.
In the cool season, the trimmed miracle needs to be provided with a comfortable indoor microclimate without drafts and the possibility of hypothermia.