How to shave a cat

Well I search the site but didn't find an instructables on this so decided to do my own.

This is not as complicated as you might think.

Basically I have a cat, a cat with a lot of fur. The summers in my appartment can get pretty hot. Altough my cat loves to go out on the balcony he stays indoors most of the time. I didn't do this just for him mind you, he sheds alot and I'm kind of alergic to cats (doesn't mean I don't love them nor that I can't have one). So with all these things in mind I decided to have him shaved for the summer.

At first I wanted to bring him to a pet store and have "pros" do it. Then I figured that it cost about 40$, with that money I could buy a half decent trimmer and do it myself.

Piece of advice from the start, don't go cheap on the trimmer. I bought the cheapest I could find and got what I paid for... it just didn't trim anything. Returned it and bought a 40$ one which worked fine!

Ok so on with the show!

Step 1 What you need

- A yet unkowing but most likely unwilling participant.
- A trimmer
- Gloves (very optional)
- A table

Comments

[Batness]

Good call about the trimmer! I too started with a cheap trimmer, and it was TERRIBLE. A good one should cost around $40, although I found one on special at Walmart for $20.

I've done this to my cats in the summer many times. The cats are happier and more energetic afterward. I have three cats; one get TOO scared when he hears the shaver turn on, and I will NOT shave him because if he gets that freaked out, it's actually bad for his health.

The other two are a different story. One doesn't like not being able to move while I'm shaving her, but she doesn't seem particularly scared of the noise/vibration. And my fatty black cat (who looks much like yours!) LOVES it. He actually purrs and attempts to roll around when I shave him.

Most cats do NOT like their tail touched at all, let alone shaved, so I wouldn't shave that area. I would mention that boy cats especially do NOT like having the groin/butt area shaved, so be very careful near the privates; maybe even avoid the butt area altogether.

I would add a last step here as well; after shaving, there is a lot of little loose hairs on the cat (just like when you get a haircut there are leftovers). To prevent itching and hairballs, I'd gently comb the cat, or brush him off with a towel or mitt. Then give your cat a couple treats to show them it's okay and reinforce it as a sorta positive experience.

ALSO: since people seem to think this is bad for a cat, you may want to put a warning saying "ask your vet if this is okay for your breed of cat" or something. A long-haired show cat or a cat with a stress/health condition probably shouldn't be shaved. :)

[Depraved]

I'd like to know if there's any way I could maybe tranquilize my cat a bit first? He likes when I come the fur on his back but he's matted up on the underside and won't let me near it. Any ideas?

[Batness]

If your cat is that scared and bites during a shave, you should take him to a groomer at the vets. They can sedate the cat (kitty valium) and then you won't have to deal with any issues. Plus it's safer for you and the cat. :)

[logikly]

That's a good one, I probably wouldn' try that myself for fear of giving the cat to much. I guess you could google it nonetheless.

[iamkeebler]

The only reason a cat should be shaved is for medical purposes or to remove mats. A cat's coat is not like a dogs coat. It may not grow back. And if it does, it grows back in patches. Also, shaving a cat can be harmful to the cat. Their skin is very thin and and can be easily caught in the blades of the clippers. You can also accidentally burn your cat with the clippers as well since they do get fairly warm. There is no need to shave a long hair cat for the summer either. Their bodies will naturally cool themselves off. If you're really concerned, put a fan on the floor and if your cat is warm, it'll lay in front of the fan.

If you really want your to torture your cat and have him shaved, take him to a professional groomer. They are trained in how to properly shave a cat without stressing them out and cutting them.

[Batness]

You should ask a vet if it is safe to shave your cat; for most cats it is absolutely safe to shave them. "Medical purposes" could include fleas, itching, and in this Instructable; HEAT. Cats CAN tolerate higher temperatures than humans, but that doesn't mean they like it. I have a cat that was SO miserable during the summer even with a fan. One shave later and he was back to being perky, happy, and moved around MUCH more.

Unless there is something terribly wrong with your cat, the hair WILL grow back. It might not be the same color, length, or texture JUST like cutting a human child's hair.

The author did mention that you have to be careful with the skin; abrasions and cuts are a top problem for TRAINED GROOMERS.
http://www.petmd.com/dog/grooming_evr_proper_grooming_techniques_and_examination_skills_for_the_professional?page=3

I'd also like to point out that in the US you can get your grooming "license" In less than a month. I've taken more training in animal health than that (only 150 hours required), so I trust myself as a groomer much, much more.

[jching2]

i'm worried that my cats will be afraid of the noise the shaver makes or the vibrations. is this something i can be concerned of? is there a way to avoid this?

[logikly]

My cat was afraid of the noise at first. I did have to hold him down tightly but he got used to it after a while.

[Rainh2o]

Although I don't like cats, I wouldn't want to see one hurt and was wondering, can they get sunburned without hair? If they lay in the sun like a lot of cats like to do, with no hair I would think maybe they would burn, I dunno. Funny instructible.

[logikly]

He's not shaved to the skin, there is still a layer of fur. But I guess you do bring up a good point. On my end, my cat is lazy and rests in the shade, even on my balcony.

[afreeland]

I thought my grandma was the only one that did this...Miss Priss (the name is actually very appropriate) after getting shaved looks like a lion...tail and all

[jpmarq]

DO NOT just shave your cat! Check to make sure the breed you have will have fur that will grow back normally. Some species will not grow their fur back properly and may be stuck with patch growth for a VERY long time. Hilarious, yes but in a you screwed up kind of way. By the way it was not me but a friend and his wife was not amused and we still laugh at him when the cat scurries by him!

[logikly]

That's very good advise! I sure hope my cat's fur comes back normally.

[ChrysN]

So how does your cat feel about this?

[logikly]

I think he loves it actually... It has to be cooler without all that fur.

[ChrysN]

Yes, they must get really hot in the summer, and he's black too.

I was going to suggest doing this (http://www.instructables.com/id/Felted-Pet-Hair-Beads/ ) with the fur, but since you have allergies it's probably a really bad idea.

[logikly]

That's a great idea, I'm kind of sad that I threw that fur away now...

[rimar2000]

Thanks for the idea. I have a "she" cat as furry as your cat. Many times I thought I would shave her for the summer, but I never dared to do so, for fear that it go wrong, or that his hair don't grew back normally. I simply pass the wire brush, to which she reacts growling so that it appears that he will kill me, but then she thanked me purring and rubbing on my legs. The wire brush extracts many handfuls of dead hair.

[dimestorefind]

Hi! Would you mind telling me what kind of trimmer you bought? My cat is a semi-longhair and suffers through the summers when we don't trim her, but every trimmer (2 or 3 different ones) I've used has been sub-par and it always ends with a very unhappy and silly looking trim. Thanks!

[logikly]

I don't know where you are but I bought mine at Canadian Tire, it's a Wahl (don't know the model) but I bought the most expensive one they had which was about 40$.

[dimestorefind]

Thanks! I'm in Pennsylvania; I guess my mistake was buying ones that are sold specifically for pet hair - they're all terrible. I'll try a trimmer like that next time, thanks again!