There is nothing more beautiful than a long-haired cat. Their long coat, immaculately brushed and silky, feels like satin, with shiny strands that sparkle in the sun. Unfortunately, not all cats—and cat owners—are up to the challenge of maintaining a long-haired coat. There are several reasons why you might need to shave your long-haired cat, most notably for health, hygiene, and maintenance.
While a well-groomed long-haired cat can be a lovely addition to any feline-friendly household, nothing is worse than a badly matted long-haired cat with feces stuck in their coat, trapped under layers of matted hair that can’t be undone. Cats with matted coats are uncomfortable, and the hygiene problems associated with tangles can often lead to severe health issues.
All long-haired cats, regardless of breed, need to be brushed almost daily to maintain their coats. Although cats are fastidious self-groomers, their efforts alone are not enough to combat the constant shedding of soft, downy hair that their coat produces.
Cats shed year-round, but during the main shedding seasons of spring, the undercoat loosens and begins to fall out. Without intervention, this undercoat will become tangled in the outer hair, creating a hair nightmare. A small tangle can quickly accumulate more loose hair from the coat and, seemingly overnight, grow into a large problem.
If possible, start when your cat is a kitten to get her used to being groomed. Handle the paws to prepare her for future nail trims. The best grooming tool for long-haired cats is a wide-toothed comb. Start by combing the most common places for tangles: between the back legs, behind the front legs, and behind the ears. Break apart tangles by hand, then take small sections and comb upward, pulling away the shed hair from the coat.
Many cats learn to enjoy these grooming sessions, though some may take time to warm up to the idea. If your cat is hesitant to allow you to comb her, start with small sessions—just a few strokes a couple of times a day. This will help her get used to the idea without a long, drawn-out session. As she learns to tolerate the comb, slowly extend the grooming sessions until you can work through the coat. Done daily, the combing shouldn’t take long, and the benefits to your cat’s health and happiness far outweigh the time spent on it.
When Shaving Becomes Necessary
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, some cats simply won’t tolerate being groomed or brushed. For these cats, shaving the coat down is the best way to prevent the complications associated with long hair.
While shaving may be a last resort for keeping some cats clean, it shouldn’t be seen as an awful alternative. In fact, shaving the coat of your long-haired cat might be the best thing you can do to promote quality of life.
Long-haired cats are prone to several health problems related to their hair. Cats love to groom themselves, and the rough surface of their tongue is covered with papillae that act like a “comb” when they lick their coat. This “comb” catches dead hair, which the cat then swallows since it can’t spit it out. The hair is indigestible and accumulates in the stomach and intestines. This buildup continues to grow, combining with digestive acids, mucus, and undigested food, eventually causing a blockage. Food and water will struggle to pass through the hair, leading to coughing and gagging episodes. In most cases, the retching will produce a hairball and temporarily solve the problem, but the cycle repeats. In severe cases, hairballs can cause obstructions in the stomach and intestines, which is a life-threatening condition.
While all cats are prone to hairballs, long-haired cats are at greater risk and can develop more serious hairballs in a shorter period of time. While hairballs can be controlled with medication, special food, and attentive grooming, the most effective way to reduce hairballs in long-haired cats is by shaving their coat.
In addition to hairballs, matted coats can become a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to skin infections and pyoderma, and providing an ideal environment for fungal infections like ringworm to thrive. Fleas, lice, and other parasites can also take up residence in the matted coat, enjoying the relatively protected area between the hair and the skin.
If left untreated, mats will continue to progress and can eventually cause your cat difficulty walking. Tangles around the rectum can also prevent normal urination and defecation.
Although shaving a long-haired cat, often referred to as a “lion cut,” may seem extreme, most cat owners find that their cats, after an initial period of embarrassment, seem to prefer their new short-haired look. Cats in hot climates, in particular, can be relieved to feel cooler in the summer, and older cats with difficulty grooming themselves can be kept cleaner.
While shaving is not difficult, many cats don’t initially appreciate the process. It is best to let your veterinarian or a groomer do the shaving to minimize stress for your cat. In the traditional lion cut, every part of the cat is shaved except for the head and mane, the front and back feet, and the tip of the tail. Shaving instantly removes mats, creates a cleaner and more easily groomed cat, and drastically reduces shedding.
While you may not be able to imagine your beautiful long-haired cat without her luxurious coat, if you find it difficult to keep up with her grooming needs, shaving your cat may be the best decision. Your cat will be cleaner, more comfortable, and healthier—and you might just find that she looks pretty adorable with her new ‘do too!
