You Are Purr-Fect in Every Way

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.

1. Cat’s Skin Condition

In order to minimize the risk of nicking a cat while shaving, the skin should be healthy and supple with some tissue underneath. This helps to create a flat area for the clipper to go over. Skin that is quite wrinkly, thin, and/or fragile can be easily cut even by the most cautious groomer. For this reason, your groomer may recommend alternative grooming services instead of shaving the hair close to the skin.

This may affect:

A. 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.

B. 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. 

C. Cats with Health Concerns: Skin and coat health can be affected by a number of health problems including allergies, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, infections, and many more. If the skin is too fragile or irritated, shaving should be avoided if possible. 

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.

Information Provided by National Cat Groomers Institute