Not every cat is a candidate for shaving, whether a full body haircut like a Lion Cut, or smaller areas including Sanitary trims or Belly shaves. It is important to discuss grooming options with your professional groomer to develop a customized grooming program for your cat.
Shaving May Be Not Recommended for Two Primary Reasons:
1) Cat’s Skin Condition
In order to determine is a cat is positive for ringworm, a veterinarian may use the following tests: Wood’s Lamp, Cultures, and/or Microscopic Examination. More than one test is usually recommended and a diagnosis may not be possible right away.
This May Affect:
Young Cats/Kittens:
While these cats may have healthy skin and coat, many are still quite thin and wiggly. This makes it very difficult for the clippers to keep to a flat surface safely. It is also important to make a cat’s first grooming sessions a positive, low-stress experience.
Senior Cats:
As cats age, they lose body mass and may become dehydrated. This causes the skin to become thin, wrinkly and very fragile. If a nick does occur, the skin may rip during movements and may not heal as quickly as a younger cat. Even cats who are used to being shaved may need to adjust the grooming services they receive as they get older.
Cats with Health Concerns
Skin and coat health can be affected by a number of health problems including allergies, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, infection
2) Cat’s Behavior During Grooming
Groomers work with very sharp equipment. Even though most cats do quite well during grooming, some cats can be less tolerant of the process than others. Cats who react with aggression or are overly stressed are not ideal candidates for full body haircuts. While a professional cat groomer will take every precaution to minimize the risk of accidents, cats that react to a stressful situation with quick, unpredictable movements can cause injuries to occur. Time may also be an issue for these cats. The longer the groom, the more stressed they can become; so it is best that the groom is kept only as long as necessary to maintain proper skin and coat health. This means that for some cats, a full body haircut may not be possible.
Alternatives to Shaving
If your cat is not a candidate for shaving, there are still other options available to keep your cat’s skin and coat well-groomed and healthy. These include regular bath and blow dry appointments, de-shedding treatments (depending on their skin), and Comb Cuts. Your professional cat groomer will recommend the best services to meet your cat’s grooming needs.
