How to Shave a Cat

Cat’s fur becomes a mess? Cat has long hair and needs to be trimmed? In these cases you can shave your pet. While shaving your cat should be done by a professional, you can do it at home as long as you consult your doctor first. In addition, you should only use appropriate tools and methods. With care and preparation, you can safely shave your cat.

Table of Contents

Consider shaving your cat

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Consider shaving your cat. If your cat’s hair is messy, you can shave it off. Unruly fur can cause discoloration and scarring on your cat’s skin. Then you need to schedule regular cleaning for the cat. Other reasons to shave your cat include allergies, hairballs, a dirty anus, and excessive shedding. In these cases, you can reduce the thickness of the hair by trimming it down. ^{[1] X Research Source} In general, you shouldn’t shave your cat unless absolutely necessary.

Cat fur insulates heat in the summer and keeps it warm in the winter. If you shave your cat too much, you will affect their thermoregulation function.
If you have a long-haired cat, you might consider brushing it to keep it cool instead of shaving.
Not all cats should be shaved. Highly aggressive cats, elderly or sick cats may become stressed or injured during shaving. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Consider choosing a pet groomer. Check rates and locations. Pet groomers are skilled at handling cats’ coats. While the service usually costs more than shaving at home, it’s well worth the cost. They rarely injure cats and also know how to reassure pets while shaving.

Prices depend on each service. The basic cleaning package (instead of a full shave) costs less.

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Talk to your veterinarian. To be on the safe side, you should consult your veterinarian before shaving your cat. If the cat’s fur is tangled, it can be removed by a veterinarian. In addition, your veterinarian may recommend that you do not shave your cat or only do it during certain seasons and recommend a professional cleaner or appropriate equipment.

Preparing to shave the cat

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Prepare the necessary tools. If you decide to shave your cat at home, you should prepare in advance to make things go more smoothly. Prepare rubber gloves (prevent scratching), towel, brush, junk food, razor, and razor blade #10. You can buy razors at a pet store or on the internet. Buy tools for small pets instead of people.

Do not use razor blades.

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Find help. You will have a hard time shaving your cat yourself. It is best to find a support person to hold your pet while shaving. Look for someone who has been in contact with the cat, such as a spouse, child, or neighbor. Cats will trust these people more than strangers.

Cat training associates shaving with positive things, such as cuddles and rewards. Show your pet the tool you’ll be using and then treat them with treats, praise, or cuddles. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
When you start shaving your pet, first have the other person pet the cat on the shaving table to calm them down. When the cat purrs, the helper should gently use both hands to keep the cat still. There will be times when the support person needs to hold the cat in their arms, such as when you handle the cat’s tail. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Select location. Determine the location to conduct the shaving. Be aware that feathers will fall a lot on the ground, so you should choose a location with tile or wood floors instead of carpeted floors, such as a kitchen or bathroom. Shaving your cat in a familiar spot will help keep her calm.

Find a table to put the cat on. Choose a table that you don’t mind getting scratched or soiled.

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Brush the cat’s coat. You should clean the cat’s coat before shaving. Brushing works to remove dirt, evenly disperse the natural oil on the hair, detangle, help the skin surface clean and not irritated. If your cat has short hair, you only need to brush it once a week. If your cat has long hair, you should brush it weekly. To brush your cat’s coat, you need to follow these steps:

Use a metal comb.
Brush the hair from head to tail. Start with the abdomen and legs. Work gently on the chest and abdomen.
Remove tangled hair.
Use a hairbrush or rubber comb to remove dead and shed hair.
Brush in an upward direction.
Comb the tail by parting the middle and brushing the hair on the sides. ^{[5] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Choose a hair style. There are many ways to shave cats. You should prepare before shaving your pet. Determine the reason (hygiene, age, hair length, etc.) to shave before choosing a style.

Shave the hair around the anus for easier cleaning.
Shaving on the belly helps prevent frequent tangles.
Shaving with a comb only trims part of the hair and makes the coat thinner. This method is suitable for the purpose of reducing hair loss.
A popular style that helps reduce hair loss is the lion’s mane. ^{[6] X Research Sources} With this approach, facial hair is retained but body hair is completely shaved off.

Follow general instructions when shaving

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Cool the razor. Do not shave the cat’s hair for too long with an electric knife because it will heat up. Pause shaving to let the knife cool down. ^{[7] X Research Source} Cat’s skin is very sensitive, so you must be aware of the temperature of the razor.

Use lubricating oil to aid in shaving.

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Stretch the pet’s skin. When shaving your cat, you should stretch the skin to avoid injuring them. Reassure your cat before taking this step. Alternatively, you can ask someone else to help you with this step.

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Move the razor properly. Bring the razor in the direction the hair is lying down. Glide the razor over the surface. Do not apply pressure on the razor as this can scratch the skin and cause a painful rash that causes the cat to lick to reduce inflammation and often cause infection.

Shaving against the direction of the hair can scratch your cat’s skin.

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Do not shave too closely. You should leave the coat about 3cm long to protect the cat from the sun and cold temperatures. Shaving too closely can cause the protective hair to sink into the skin causing abnormal hair growth as well as skin related problems. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Avoid dangerous areas. Do not shave your legs and feet where the sensitive skin, ligaments, and tendons are prone to injury. Do not shave (near the muzzle, above the eyes, and behind the front paws). ^{[9] X Research Source} If your cat becomes agitated when you shave near these areas, stop immediately.

Partial shave

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Shave clean hair. This shave is suitable for long-haired and overweight cats and is quite practical. This way, the cat’s fur does not get stuck with waste after going to the toilet. ^{[10] X Research Source} You should shave your cat in this fashion every six weeks. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Use the razor that comes with the #10 razor blade.
Hold the cat in place.
Trim the hair around the anus. Be careful not to injure the cat.

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Shaving cat belly. This shave is suitable for long-haired cats and removes most of the hair below the belly. This is part of the hygienic shaving style that makes it easier for cats to clean their bodies. ^{[12] X Research Source} Shaving your belly helps prevent frizz and excessive hair loss. ^{[13] X Research Source} You can’t see the shaved belly while the cat is walking. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Use a suitable razor.
Stretch the skin.
Shave under the tail and around the rectum.
Shave between the hind legs.
Shave from the belly to the armpits of the front leg. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Use a shaving brush. This shave leaves a layer of hair about 1 to 2.5 cm long on the cat’s body. You will shave the hair short, but not completely. ^{[16] X Research Source} This shave helps to keep the cat’s hair from getting tangled. ^{[17] X Research Source} Shaving with a comb reduces hair loss and tuft formation. In addition, you can check the cat’s body to detect skin diseases. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Insert the comb head into the razor.
Start trimming the hair behind the ears.
Trim the back of the cat below the base of the tail.
Trim down the cat’s shoulders and sides.
Have the cat lie on one side.
Trim the cat’s belly.
Trim the cat’s legs.

Shave the lion’s mane

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Shave the back. Start near the base of the tail on the cat’s back. Use a knife with a #10 razor blade and shave against the direction of hair growth. Shave from the back to the head. ^{[19] X Research Source}

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Shave the chest. Do it under the cat’s belly. First, shave in the direction of hair growth to remove hair and get a better view. Then, reverse the direction of the razor and face up for a smoother shave. ^{[20] X Research Source}

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Select a tail feather style. As for the lion’s mane, there are two main types of tail shaving: full tail or rounded tip. Check the rounded tip leaving the feathers on the bottom of the tail. You can choose the shaving style according to your preference. Here are the steps to perform each type of shave:

For a full tail shave, move the razor below the base of the tail to create a line. Invert the knife to scrape upwards and for a clean line that merges with the cat’s back. Shave the bottom of the tail. Shave in an even line.
For a shave that leaves a rounded tip, hold the 5 to 8 cm long tail with one hand. Use the other hand to scrape down the tail until the tip is rounded. Use the razor blade to create a circular crest similar to when shaving the entire tail. Then reverse the razor, shaving upward on the body. Shave all the sides of the tail to reveal smooth, even skin. ^{[21] X Research Source}

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Shave front legs and armpits. Spread the cat’s paws wide apart. Stretch the thin skin of the armpit to avoid injuring the cat. Shave about 3 cm up and past the elbow. Using the bare line under the foot, sweep forward and evenly on all sides. Again, use the razor in the direction of hair growth to create a line. Invert the razor and shave against the direction of hair growth so that the skin surface is smooth and defined.

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Shave the hind legs. First, widen the cat’s legs. Shave downwards for better hair removal and visibility. Then shave against the direction of hair growth. Shave until it hits the point just above the ankle.

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Shave the neckline. Pull your neck forward and start shaving the back of your neck. Stretch the skin and back. Shave forward against the direction of hair growth. Imagine the cat is wearing a collar. Use a natural neckline for support. After the lines are even at the back of the neck, move to the front of the cat’s chin. Shave towards the natural neckline. Then shave the sides of the neck to merge the front and back lines together with the natural neckline.

Caring for cats after shaving

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Bathing the cat. After shaving the cat, you can bathe the cat to degrease. Use a shampoo that is suitable for cats. You can buy bath oils on the internet or at a pet store. If your cat’s skin is sensitive, your veterinarian can recommend a suitable bath oil. Follow these steps:

Put a rubber mat under the sink or tub to keep the cat’s paws tight.
Fill the tub with warm water about 8 to 10 cm.
Put the cat in the tub.
Use the spray to wet the entire body of the cat. Do not spray directly into ears, eyes, or nose. You can use a mug or cup to scoop water instead of a sprayer.
Gently massage the bath oil onto the cat’s body. Do it from start to finish.
Use a clean cat litter hose. This step must also avoid the ears, eyes and nose.
Use a large towel to dry the cat. ^{[22] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Drying. After bathing, you can use a hair dryer to dry the cat. Turn on the “cool” mode so as not to harm the skin. Remove tangled hair and blow-dry the coat to make it smooth. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

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Apply sunscreen. Cat fur works to prevent skin cancer by blocking harmful UV rays. When you shave your cat, they lose this protective layer. Apply a pet-friendly sunscreen to prevent sunburn and skin cancer. You can buy sunscreen on the internet like Amazon or at a pet store.

Advice

If you opt for a full body shave, such as a lion’s mane, you should divide the process into sessions of 15 minutes each over several days. This gives you and your pet a break between shaving intervals.

Warning

Do not provoke the cat in any way.
Do not give your cat a sedative without your veterinarian’s supervision.

Steps