How to Shave a Long Haired Cat? Follow this 11 Step Guide

Many people wonder if it’s difficult to shave a long haired cat. The answer is no, but there are some things you should know before you attempt this grooming task. 

If you have a long haired cat, and are considering shaving it, I would like to tell you about some of the difficulties that come with this. Some cats shed more than others, and if they do not groom themselves often enough then their fur will be matted which can lead to other problems- such as skin infections from bacteria or fungus. Also, when they go outside on hot days, their fur will absorb heat leading to overheating much faster than short haired cats. 

This process may not be as simple as you think, but with this guide, it is sure to be easier. We will go through the steps from bringing the pet into the bathroom and getting them used to being groomed, to washing your pet’s fur with shampoo, and finally shaving off all the excess hair.

11 Quick Steps on How to Shave a Long Haired Cat

1. Brining the cat into the bathroom

Begin the grooming process when your cat is in a good mood. If they are happy, relaxed and not feeling threatened you will have a much easier time with them.

Many cats are not accustomed to bath rooms, so make sure you take some time to introduce them to it slowly. Allow your pet to sniff around and get comfortable before continuing. Try not to let them run off if they start getting nervous. If they do escape, simply pick them up and place them back in the bathroom.

2. Wash your cat’s fur with shampoo

The fur on your cat is one of the most important features that you will want to take care of. Cats have a natural instinct to groom themselves, but they won’t be able to clean all the areas in their coat and sometimes need some help. There are many different ways to wash your cat’s fur with shampoo while grooming them, so let’s discuss three methods below! 

A) Lather up a small amount of shampoo into your hand or use an applicator bottle. Rub it between both hands before applying it through the fur starting at the head and working down towards the tail. This helps remove dirt and oils from deep within the coat as well as loosens tangles for easier combing out later on!

B) Use a grooming mitt to wash your cat. Similar to how you might wash your own hair, the fur will be more manageable if it’s wet before you start combing through it. Use a gentle motion while running the bristles through the coat.

C) Use an old toothbrush that is no longer used on your teeth to rub up against and clean out the pads of your cat’s feet. This method won’t do much good in deeper areas like their chest or tail, but can be used as part of grooming routine for their paws! The only problem with this method is that they are not exactly made for the job. It takes very delicate strokes and pressure because if you scrub too hard their skin could tear easily from how soft it is. So, if you did this, make sure to be EXTRA gentle!

3. Use a comb on your cat’s fur

Shaving is much easier after the hair has been brushed through out of tangles. Although it may seem like a tedious task at first, you will soon find how fun and relaxing it can be for both of you once you get into it!

There are many different options of how to use combs on your pet such as plastic ones with rubber or nylon bristles, metal ones with wood handles that have teeth made specifically for removing knots, and even electric combs that offer the easiest method of how to shave a long haired cat because they do most of the work for you without having to worry about how hard to press down! Anything will do to remove pet hair knots.

The most important thing that you should remember is how to tell how much pressure to apply when brushing your pet. It’s very easy for long haired cat’s fur to get matted together so they need a lighter touch than short haired dogs and cats.

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Start by using gentle strokes with little or no pressure, otherwise the mats will only tighten up further and become more difficult to comb out later on! Once you are able to pull out a few loose ends of hair from the brush or comb, then move on to applying more pressure until you can simply run the tool through their fur without any snags at all!

4) Slowly introduce your cat to the nail hair clippers

As a cat owner, you know how difficult it can be to trim your cats nails. It is important to introduce your cat slowly and gently. We will provide you three easy ways on how to go about this process.

First, you should get the clipper in front of them so they can sniff it and see if they are comfortable with it being near their feet.

Second, put the clippers in their paws and let them explore it themselves while giving praise for good behaviour.

Thirdly, roll out a towel or mat that has been sprayed with water- not too much just enough for cats to be able to feel wetness on their feet- and then use the nail trimmers as the cat walks over it.

5) Shaving

Now that the prep work is finished, grab a pair of sharp grooming shears and start shaving off large amounts of hair at a time (start from around the tail). Work slowly, but carefully so as not to cut into your pet’s skin. Start shaving from legs and then move towards the chest/belly.

You may have heard of people shaving cats from head down, but this can be very dangerous as doing so will cause excessive stress and too much strain being put on your wrist. Keep yourself safe by taking things slow! Shave the fur from their hind legs, thighs and work up towards their stomach area.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have shaved off all the hair from your pet. If you want, continue lathering up their fur with shampoo and shaving small sections of it off in order to produce a smooth texture to their coat.

6) Rinse Properly

Finish up! Once they are completely bald, make sure to thoroughly rinse your pet’s skin and fur one last time before letting them go back into the room with a treat or reward for how nicely they behaved during grooming.

Show them how beautiful they look now that their long hair is gone! Make sure to boast how much easier it will be for them to keep cool this summer (if pets even feel heat). 

7) Fluff the Fur around the Neck and Tail

Fluff the fur around the neck and tail to make it look fuller and more voluminous. This is how most long haired cat’s fur appears when they are let out. There are three simple ways to help your cat’s fur around the neck and tail fluff up.

One way is to use a dryer on low heat, another is by giving them a good brushing, and thirdly, you can put an old turtleneck or shirt over their head and let it drape down. The best time for this process is when they’re just waking up from their nap so they’ll be more receptive to what you’re doing. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

8) Brush their Teeth

This should be done every day, and has many benefits such as preventing tartar buildup, combating bad breath, and greatly extending the health of your pet’s digestive system. Start grooming younger cats before they develop any bad habits so that it will become part of their routine in the future. Every time you brush your pet’s teeth, take a moment to remind yourself how much better off you will be by keeping up with this task regularly.

9) Regularly Groom Your Older Cats

For older cats that aren’t used to regular grooming sessions: do small increments at first (perhaps once or twice a week). This will allow your pet to adapt as well as slowly associate grooming sessions with positive experiences.

10) Use Sunscreens to Cat after Shaving and Bathing

Cats have sensitive skin and need to be protected from the harmful rays of the sun. Sunscreens can help prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and other problems that come with too much exposure to UV light. Cats will stay more comfortable in their own fur coat if they use sunscreen after shaving or bathing.

There are many options available for your cat including sprays, powders, liquids, oils and creams. The best choice for your pet may depend on where you live as well as how often they go outside so it’s important to do research before shopping.

3 reasons why cats need to use sunscreens after shaving and bathing are as follows:

1) To protect against harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation

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2) Preventing a cat’s skin from drying out

3) To allow the their natural fur coat to grow back in healthily

But how can you get cats to use sunscreens? The answer is by getting them familiar with how it feels on their skin. Do small increments at first, and slowly increase how often they are applied until your pet is used to it. Try to use the same brand of sunscreen everyday so that there will be a connection between how their skin feels while using it and how they associate how nice it makes them smell.

11) Use Flea treatments for long haired cats

Fleas not only make your cat’s life miserable, but they can also have adverse health effects on humans!They can cause many problems, including skin allergies, anemia, tapeworms and even death. There are plenty of flea treatments to choose from but it’s important to know which one is best for your furry friend based on their fur type. We’ll be discussing three ways to do flea treatments for long haired cats in this blog post! 

A) Spot-on treatment

This is the most common way that vets recommend because it is so easy to administer and offers protection against both fleas and ticks. The product should have been approved by the FDA before being sold though so always make sure you read the label before purchasing! A spot-on treatment will typically last around 30 days.

B) Oral pills

A common oral treatment is Capstar, which kills half of the fleas within 12 hours and comes in pill form. It’s convenient to administer but can be a less effective option for long haired cats because it doesn’t protect against ticks or cover as large an area as spot-on treatments.

C) Ticks & fleas shampoo

These are only recommended for small areas because they aren’t as effective against large populations of parasites. All in all, the best treatment choice will depend on how many cats you have and how bad the infestation is so be sure to consult your veterinarian before purchasing any products!

D) Use Flea collars for Cats

Some cats are so sensitive to chemicals that they cannot handle any of the flea shampoos or spot on treatments. In these cases, flea collars may be your only option. Some work better than others, so do your research before settling with one product. Fleas start breeding in Spring and can last all the way until the Fall, so be sure not to just pick one at random and expect it to work wonders.

Keep up with regular grooming sessions of at least every few months. By cutting out their excess fur, you will be both giving your cat a haircut and maintaining their natural coat at the same time. If done consistently over many years, your pet will never look matted again!

How to Hold a Cat to Shave it Properly?

We all know how much cats love to be groomed, but it can be tricky to hold them correctly during the process. This is especially true for long-haired cats as they are more likely to get tangled in your arms. Here are 3 ways you can hold a cat while shaving: 

1) Tuck their head under one arm and cradle the body with your other arm. The downside of this method is that you have less control over where the cat’s feet go which could result in scratches or bites from an unhappy kitty.

2) Place their front paws on your chest and wrap both arms around them so they’re securely held against your body. This position allows you to easily brush their hair out of the way without having to worry about how they’re going to react.

3) Hold their back legs like you would a baby bird and support their torso with your free arm. This method prevents them from scratching at you but works best on cats that are naturally calm and cooperative.

Best Clippers to Shave a Long Haired Cat

Ever feel like your cat’s fur is out of control? If you are tired of being the person who does all the grooming, it may be time to invest in a new clipper. Cats can get pretty hairy and sometimes their hair can even grow into their skin causing serious discomfort and infection. To help keep your kitty as healthy as possible, here are some things to look for when buying a clipper: 

What type of blade is best suited for cats?

The blades should be sharp enough to cut through thick mats but not too thin that they break easily. Your veterinarian will usually have recommendations on what kind would work best for your specific pet’s needs. 

How often do I need to replace my blade?

Blades typically need to be replaced every 4-8 weeks. How often they will need replacing depends on how often you use them. 

What is the weight and size of the clipper?

Some are heavier than others due to their ceramic blades and ergonomic plastic handles, but a lighter option may be preferred if your pet has sensitive skin or is particularly skittish.

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How easy is the clipper to clean and how long will it last?

If you are going to be using this on multiple pets, you’ll also want to make sure how easily a clipper can be cleaned since different cats have different kinds of fur (e.g. some are wiry while others are silky) and the clippers themselves can get dirty pretty quickly.

How expensive are they?

You will typically be able to find a clipper for around $15-$20 but how long it lasts and how well it works may not justify the rather high price tag. Check out reviews on sites like Amazon or Walmart to see if you’re getting your money’s worth.

Is it OK to Shave a Cat?

This is a question that many owners find themselves asking when they first bring home their new feline. There are both benefits and drawbacks to shaving your furry friend.

Cats are furry and it seems cruel to cut some of that fur off. But how much hair is too much? If you have a cat with tangles in their coat they probably won’t be able to clean themselves properly since they can’t reach every spot on their body, which could result in disease or infection if left untreated. It may be a little scary at first, but getting rid of excess hair will keep your cat cleaner and healthier in the long run.

The main benefit of shaving a long-haired cat is reduced shedding. Shaved cats shed less because the undercoat of hair has been removed and there is less fur on the surface. A secondary benefit of grooming your pet with this method is increased air flow- if you’ve ever tried to pet an unshaved cat then you know how puffy and warm they can be!

The down side, however, may outweigh any positives associated with this practice: some cats will groom excessively after being shaved, causing them to pluck out their own fur or lick the stubbly texture of their skin.

How to Shave Your Cat’s Butt?

Shaving a cat’s butt is actually pretty simple. The first thing you’ll need to do is prepare some wipes, towels and (if you have them) various sized clippers to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Next, lift up your pet from the scruff of their neck so they are standing on all fours. This will leave the fur on their tail and butt exposed so that you can see how much needs to be shaved off. If your cat has long hair, it may be hard to tell how much is too much- try placing a towel around the area where you are going to shave, then slowly pull it away once you have started cutting. Once this fur has been removed, wash your cat’s butt with a gentle soap to remove any dirt or grease that may be blocking the blades.

If you do not have the time, resources or energy to shave your long haired kitty yourself, then you can always take them to the groomers! Just make sure how they perform their services and if they have ever shaved a cat before. Lastly, don’t forget how cats are finicky creatures and how they do not necessarily enjoy being combed or cut- make sure how you are gentle with them and how they will be comfortable during the entire process!

Final Thoughts

There are many benefits to brushing your cat, including reducing hair loss and promoting a healthy coat. If you have had trouble getting your pet on board with this routine, try some of our favorite tricks above! 

Some cats may need more than one session before they start warming up to the idea. With patience and time, most felines will eventually come around. In fact, it is possible that once they feel how good their fur feels after being brushed out thoroughly all those knots can be worked out- they might just not want to stop! They also often seem much happier afterwards too! Who doesn’t like feeling clean and happy?

When was the last time you brushed your kitty’s fur? You should give them a pat for how well they tolerate it.

If you have any more questions related to this topic, please comment below. We will be happy to assist you!

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Immad Amir

Immad has a black Labrador who is his first child. With no prior experience of how to take care of his pooch, Immad started researching about what dogs love to eat. This blog is a journal of all the research Immad has done regarding a pet's diet.
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