Can You Shave A Cat?

When a cat is not brushed regularly, the hair can become tangled. Over time, the tangles tighten and form mats. Longhaired cats like Persians need frequent brushing or combing to prevent mats. Mats are not only unseemly, they are painful for the cat.

As the hair tightens, it pulls on the skin. Over time, cats can develop sores beneath mats, which can become infected.

It’s important to brush or comb the hair all the way down to the skin. All too often cat owners only brush the top layer of hair (called the guard hairs), while mats lurk in the undercoat. To brush correctly, focus on one area of the cat’s coat at a time.

Gently brush in the same direction of hair growth until you can no longer see or feel any tangles. Once one area is brushed and smooth, move on to the next.

Don’t forget to brush the front and back of the legs, and under the belly and armpits. For heavily coated cats, you may need to lift the hair a little at a time so you can see down to the skin. Cats with long hair or thick coats may need combing as well as brushing.

If your cat has a few small mats, you can try to remove them yourself. Using a brush, comb or even your fingers, gently untangle and separate the hair a little at a time until the mat is gone. Don’t be surprised if your cat protests this process.

Dematting is uncomfortable. Even if you’re trying to be careful, you will inevitably pull on the cat’s hair and skin while attempting to work out the mat. Go slowly and take frequent breaks if necessary.

Large mats or very tightly matted fur usually need to be cut out with scissors or shaved out with clippers. In cases where a cat is matted all over its body, a full shave down is more humane for the cat. Do NOT attempt to cut or shave mats yourself.