Q&A for How to Shave a Cat

Shedding is natural and can't be prevented. But what you can do is brush the cat daily. This collects the shed hair on the brush, rather than allowing it to be deposited around the house. Rubber grooming mitts are particularly good for this. If you don't usually groom the cat, then be prepared for flurries of fur for the first couple of weeks before things start to calm down.

This depends how bad the matting is. For one or two small knots, try combing them out. Or slide a comb between the skin and the knot (to protect the skin) and trim above the comb. Alternatively, use clippers to trim away the knots. However, if the knots are extensive, it's best to see a groomer or vet, and then start from scratch keeping the coat knot-free once all the mats are gone.

This depends on the individual cat—some grow hair faster than others. Typically, fur regrows within 6-8 weeks; however, some cats are seasonal growers. This means if the hair is cut during the resting phase, the bald patch won't regrow until the following growth season. So some kitties can have a bald patch for 3-4 months, before that hair starts to come back.

Cats don't require cutting or styling in the same way that some dog breeds do. The main reason for clipping cat hair is to get rid of knots or for sanitary reasons (such as around the rear end of a long haired cat).

To begin with, try to keep the cat indoors until its hair grows back, especially if it’s wintertime or cold outside. Place a heating pad where your cat likes to sleep or let your cat sleep on your bed at night. You can also get a cat coat made or buy one from a pet store, if your cat will tolerate wearing it. Create warm spots around the house, such as putting down blankets, pillows, etc. to encourage your cat to sleep on them.

For short-haired cats, the hair should grow back within 2 to 3 months. However, it will take longer for long-haired cats like Persians to get a full-length regrowth of hair, from somewhere between 4 to 6 months.

If your cat is used to being handled and groomed, especially from an early age, then it’s likely your cat will cope with having its hair cut in a quiet and calm environment. However, the cat might not like the sound or feel of clippers, scissors or other cutting tools and if it can feel air close to its skin, it might not like having its hair cut. As with any living creature, your cat’s own personality will impact how its reaction and it is best to be guided by this. If your cat reacts badly but there is a real need to shave the hair (e.g., to get rid of matted hair), then talk to your vet about options, such as temporary tranquilizing.

The approach you take will depend on how matted the cat’s fur is. If you can try gently teasing apart the fur and combing without pulling hard, and the matt comes away, then it probably isn’t too bad. However, if the matt is knotted and cannot be teased apart, then you’ll need to try stronger measures, such as using clippers or scissors. For help with this, see the wikiHow: How to Brush Matted Fur . You might also like to check out the wikiHow How to Prevent Matted Cat Fur so it doesn’t happen again.

It is okay if there is a real need, such as to remove matted fur or to prevent health problems. However, it should only be done as a last resort because the fur protects cats from sun damage and hot and cold temperatures. Regrowth of the cat’s hair can be problematic too, as it may experience irritation from ingrown hairs. It’s also best to seek your vet’s advice before attempting to shave your cat.

It is not a good idea to use human clippers because cat hair is superfine and human clippers tend to gather too much of the fine fur, causing them to get clogged and seize up. Also, some human hair clippers can get too hot and might burn the cat’s skin. Instead, get a good pair of clippers made for cats, and keep it in your pet supplies just for use on your cat(s).

You should never bathe them beforehand. It causes the mats to tighten! Bathing them afterward is a good idea, though.

Longed hair cats' fur tends to get matted and hard to brush after a while. The owner takes them to be shaved so the cat can have soft fur once again. The fur does grow back and it causes no pain to the animal.

Have a second person hold the cat. I use Wahl electric clippers from Amazon (Wahl are what the barbers use where I get my hair cut), and the number 10 attachment. The Wahl clippers are for cutting human or animal hair. Always cut the hair towards the head for best results. Clear the cut hair from the clippers and oil the blade often.

Yes, that is true. However, it also depends on the individual cat and its preferences.

Wahl makes the best clippers for animal and humans. They provide you with different options for length as well as a color-coded and numbered chart to help you choose the right one for the job.

Cut off as much of the mats as you can, without cutting closer to the skin than a half-inch. Use a brush or your fingers to work out the rest of the mats. If you still can't get the mats out you might want to take your cat to a professional groomer. Remember to brush your long-haired cat once or twice a week to prevent mats from forming.

It looks like the ANDIS AGC 2-speed clipper. In my opinion, ANDIS makes better quality precision long-lasting clippers and blades than Wahl.

When cats clean themselves, their hair gets into their digestive system. Most of the time their digestive track will get the hair out when they go to the bathroom, but the hair that remains in the system comes out as a hairball, which the cat coughs up. Since cats with longer hair have more hair, they are likely to get more hairballs, however, all cats are different, so it can still vary.

You can buy them online on Amazon or eBay, or at Walmart, Target, or PetSmart.

The vets do this to more safely sterilize your pet. If the fur gets in the way, it could potentially get sewn back into the skin, causing irritation. The vet also needs to do this for improved visibility. It is easier for them to see what they're doing during the operation if that area is clear of fur.

There isn't really any good substitute. If you do not have the clippers you can take your cat to a pet groomer.

Yes, it will grow back. You don't notice it because you see your cat frequently and don't notice the slow, gradual change. Take a picture now, then compare that to your cat's hair in a couple of weeks; it will be easier to discern the difference in growth.