Some people love the look of a longhaired cat, like the Persian or Maine Coon, and there are many domestic kitties and mixes that also have beautiful, long hair. One drawback that seems to keep people from adopting cats with longer hair is the grooming requirements and sanitary issues. It also seems to be the reason that so many longhaired breeds end up in shelters in horrible condition.
Caring for a long haired cat does not have to be a chore when you know more about all your options for keeping your cat well groomed from the start. Unfortunately, not everyone understands or knows about all the options for grooming longhaired cats.
Start with a Regular Grooming Schedule
If you have a longhaired cat, you should start out with a regular grooming schedule, including daily combing or brushing. Some breeds need to have a bath, while others might only need a bit of cornstarch brushed through their fur. Some may only need a weekly brushing, but having a daily brushing schedule helps your cat adjust to being groomed regularly so that they behave well during the grooming session.
Shaving Your Cat, the Lion Cut
If you simply love the personality of a longhaired breed but do not care for the grooming, you might consider giving her a complete lion cut. While it is true that a cat’s hair protects them and helps regulate their temperature, if your cat is an indoor cat, she won’t need protection for the elements. The weather in your area is also a special consideration, especially if you live in an extremely hot or humid climate, a climate that doesn’t normally require central heat and hair, or extremely cold climates.
Hygiene Clip for Cats
You might also decide that your kitty doesn’t need to be clipped completely in order to stay clean and sanitary. Many people with longhaired cats opt for a “Hygiene Clip,” which only clips away the feathers, or the fur on the back of the kitty’s legs. A hygiene clip helps eliminates problems with litter and feces clinging to your kitty’s fur and following her out of the litter box.
Reasons for Giving a Hygiene Clip
- Kittens – Between the ages of 4 weeks old and about 4 months old, kittens are just learning to clean themselves, so a hygiene clip will help keep them clean until they learn more about grooming.
- Pregnant Cats – The hygiene clip is a godsend for pregnant cats whose belly has gotten so round that they can’t get into the proper position to keep up with their grooming.
- Unaltered Male Cats – If you have a breeding or unaltered male cat, they do not tend think about grooming when they are thinking about girls. They also have very pungent urine and feces that leaves odors on the fur around their genitalia.
- Older Cats – Older cats have a more difficult time maneuvering in the litter box and getting themselves into grooming positions.
- Sick or Injured Cats – Of course if your long haired kitty isn’t well or has an injury, a little extra help with their grooming will be appreciated.
How to Give a Hygiene Clip
You can use a sharp pair of scissors or a pair of electric clippers to clip your cat’s hair. Electric clippers are the safest. You definitely need two people to give this cut. One person will hold the cat and hold their tail out of the way while the other does the clipping. Remember that if you accidentally cut your cat’s skin, it will tear like paper, and you will need a vet immediately. You might find it helpful to wrap your cat in a towel before you get started.
Work quickly but carefully, and if your cat shows a lot of anxiety or is fighting to get away, stop immediately. A squirming kitty only increases the risks of injury. If you don’t feel comfortable using the scissors or clippers, most vets will perform this clip for you for much less than a full grooming or lion cut.
If you have any questions, please drop by the discussion area!
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