How to Groom Your Cat (Lion Cut)

If your cat has a problem with shedding, matting, or hot weather then you may want to consider giving your cat the lion cut. The lion cut is a type of hair cut where your cat's coat is shaved with the exception of the face, mane, legs, and tip of tail. This type of hair cut is very commonly used for Himalayans and Persians. But owners with any breed of long haired cat can give their little beast the lion cut. Good hygiene is important for long hair breeds especially with regards to hairball prevention. Most professionals suggest brushing your long haired cat once a day. If this is something you know you won't be able to fit into your daily routine you should probably start shaving your cat. In addition,grooming can be rather costly, you will save a lot of money grooming your cat at home. I used to spend seventy five dollars every 4 months to have my cat groomed. This might not sound like a lot, but trust me it adds up. When you first start grooming your cat at home it will take you at least two-three hours. But as you and your cat become more comfortable with this process the time will decrease to around an hour.

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Step 1: Gather your materials

To groom your long haired cat you will need the following:

A second person to hold/restrain your feline friend

Trimmers along with attachments

Pet brush/comb

Nail clippers

Towels or rags

Cat treats

*if your cat has greasy patches or matted clumps you may additionally need:

Corn starch

Blunt-ended scissors

studleylee says: Apr 15, 2013. 2:48 PM

That is one mellow kitty!

t_racey says: Mar 29, 2013. 2:45 PM

looked like a beautiful cat before it was shaved, if people don't have time to groom certain types of pets they should pick a short haired breed in the first place

catgyrl says: Jun 3, 2012. 10:49 PM

I used to take my old black longhaired best-buddy to a groomer for this in early summer time. The first time he seemed really embarrassed by the way he looked. Then he realized how much cooler he felt in the summer and that he wasn't having to swallow a bunch of hair when he groomed himself. PLus, all his hair mats were finnaly just gone! YIPPEE! What a relief! After that first time, he always strutted around after getting his lion cut every year.

Unfortunately he died last July, so now I have another named Houdini. This will be his first time getting his lion cut. I think I will have a groomer do it this first time and then use your wonderful detailed instructions to try it myself next summer. After all, besides gtting a few scratches, buying all the tools needed just once will pay for itself by the next year and save me about $100 every year after that.

Do you have any suggestions about maybe light kitty downers to help them relax and not be so freaked by the buzzing of the hair trimmer? - Catgyrl

AluminumFoilMaster says: Apr 25, 2012. 3:13 PM

0.0

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAGH

ilpug says: Dec 7, 2011. 10:26 AM

Cat dignity level: zero. Owner entertainment level: Over 9,00.

Me likey.

meralgia says: Nov 10, 2011. 8:51 PM

what do you use her hair for? for a small fee, I could try and spin it into yarn!! ;)

Ase0esA says: Oct 30, 2011. 4:45 AM

aww poor cat :(
I wouldnt do this to my furry babies!

agrodolce says: Oct 28, 2011. 2:06 AM

Make sure your cat's skin is taut, too. I know you mentioned not letting the blade touch the cat but if you're using a bare blade, it's difficult not to. Periodically touch the blade to the inside of your wrist (like you would test milk from a heated baby bottle) or to your lower lip (yes, on your face) to make sure it's not hot enough to burn the cat.

I'm really interested in seeing the pictures of jackassed cats with a half-inch strip of fur missing from their backs, and their owner's bleeding fingers, after people try this with their psychotic cats. There was only 1 cat groomer in our salon for a reason (she was nuts). This must have been a REALLY CALM CAT.

Seriously though, please be careful you guys! Cat skin is really easy to make giant holes in!