Shaving your cat & the "kitten clip"! - Page 2

**marie73** · 02-03-2012, 10:00 PM

Fozzy!

I think a good lion cut looks so cute!!

shan841 · 02-03-2012, 11:25 PM

how does fozzy fit on the chair like that?? silly kitty

Greenport ferals · 02-03-2012, 11:57 PM

One of my new rescues turned out to be a longhair. In all my years of cat ownership, I'd never had one. Sparta is 9 months now and does occasionally have trouble with poop sticking to the long fur around her butt and shanks. She acts totally disgusted with herself when this happens, so I checked out getting her a potty patch. The groomer at PetSmart said if that was all I wanted, she could do it, but mentioned she didn't like shaving cats "for the owner's convenience." The groomer said a lot of cats get depressed without their fur because it makes them feel secure. That makes sense to me.

my4kitties · 02-04-2012, 02:31 AM

Getting a potty shaved is not for the owner's convenience...it's also for the cat. Maybe you should ask her if she's ever had a long furred cat with diarrhea. From recent experience, I can tell you it's NO. FUN. AT. ALL.

**marie73** · 02-04-2012, 02:41 AM

The twins got potty patches every few months. Now they're pretty good, which is amazing because they have the fuzziest butts ever!

Cleo was shaved before she adopted me.

Her fur had grown out a lot by the time she came home with me.

NJgroomer · 02-04-2012, 04:39 AM

I agree with other posters, a potty patch isn't just for the owner's convenience, for some LH cats it's almost a necessity. A matted, poopy butt isn't fun for anyone. Here's a picture of such a butt:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_4016.jpg

Unless you are standing directly behind a cat who walks around with their tail up, potty patches are not visible the majority of the time. I didn't get an after picture of that matted cat since he got a lion cut, but here's a picture of a different cat who got a potty patch:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...itetfinal2.jpg

Some kitties I take it a bit further and do a half-belly or a full-belly shave, here is a half-belly shave:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3543.jpg

Lion cuts can be a good easy maintenance option for owners who are overwhelmed by their cat's hair (or angry kitties who are tough to comb regular). I'd rather have a client get a lion cut every 2-3 months to prevent matting then having to deal with an angry cat that's in pain from huge mats. This picture is during a matted cat shave, the discoloration/marbling/scarring on the back is cause from the pulling and irritation from the mats. Not a very happy kitty

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3824.jpg

These picture are "before," "after the bath" and then "after the lion cut"
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3430.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3432.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3434.jpg

If the cat's hair doesn't grow back after a lion cut, I would be checking to make sure there aren't any health issues going on - for example, thyroid problems. Cats that have a second coat of undercoat can grow back a bit funky at first because the undercoat is now growing at the same time as the top coat, but once it grows to its full length it looks fine.

The kitten clip the OP asked about, I call a 'comb clip' since it is done with clipper comb attachments. It can only be done on cats that are completely clean and combed out, and honestly - it will never look perfect (as in no choppiness). Its just the texture of cat hair and it is too dangerous to try and even it out with shears/scissors. Here's a couple comb clips:
"Before," "After bath/blow dry," and "After comb clip"
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3435.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3437.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3438.jpg

"Before" and "After comb clip" - this is one of my favs, he regularly gets comb clips and his great tabby markings are apparent till after he's trimmed! So interesting

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3411.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_6993.jpg

F/3 · 02-04-2012, 06:28 AM

Great pictures,
The few times I've had to shave my Himalayin he was mad at me until his hair grew back. He ignored me and wouldn't come around me. The only time he came around was at night and he wanted under the blankets. The ONLY time he sleeps under the blankets is when he is shaved. It's probably because he was cold.

Diarrhea and a long hair cat is not fun. About 8 years ago I gave mocha some cheap cat food that gave him diarrhea. He had to have a bath 2-3 times aday.

Both my cats freak out if the get a dingle berry stuck to the butts. They will drag their butts across the floor trying to get it off.

ownedby4cats · 02-04-2012, 08:08 AM

Last year was the first year that I had Tony shaved, I have added before and after photos. Before that I took him to the vet when he got matted and they would get the matts out. I bought all the fancy combs, brushes to do it myself, but he just doesn't like to be combed for more than a couple minutes at a time. His hair is very fine, it matts easily, so I decided to have him shaved. Late spring last year he was sedated and shaved and he loved his look! He strutted around, and was much more comfortable through the summer. He will get shaved again this year. Would I get rid of Tony because he is long hair and doesn't like to be groomed! No way! Would I have turned him away when he showed up at 6 months on our porch starving because he was long haired? No way!

The only part I don't like is he has to be sedated, other than that this is the perfect remedy for the matting problem. He doesn't get all stressed out because I'm always trying to comb every little matt, although I still try to keep them under control as much as possible.

**Heather102180** · 02-04-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

how does fozzy fit on the chair like that?? silly kitty

When there's a will, there's a way.

littleminnie · 02-05-2012, 08:57 AM

my cats freak out if the get a dingle berry stuck to the butts. They will drag their butts across the floor trying to get it off.
__________________
This has happened to Minnie 2 times. Both times I try to wash it off in the utility sink with a warm sprayer and she does not like it. Then after it dries I use a scissor to cut off any dry terds left. It is gross and I am glad I learned about the potty patch. I just have to find somewhere to have it done. I am scared to bring her to a groomer because Im afaraid there might be fleas there!! I wold like to try doing it myself,am a hairdresser and I have clippers for humans. Will they work or do I need the kind for fur? Thanks for posting the pictures, they are very helpful!!

02-03-2012, 10:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 27,439	Fozzy! I think a good lion cut looks so cute!! __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

02-04-2012, 02:31 AM	#14 (permalink)
my4kitties Premier Cat Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, CA, USA Posts: 4,371	Getting a potty shaved is not for the owner's convenience...it's also for the cat. Maybe you should ask her if she's ever had a long furred cat with diarrhea. From recent experience, I can tell you it's NO. FUN. AT. ALL. __________________ Cats are grace and beauty in feline form. RIP, my beloved Smokey. (3/23/09-01/14/11) ---------- Renée

02-04-2012, 02:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 27,439	The twins got potty patches every few months. Now they're pretty good, which is amazing because they have the fuzziest butts ever! Cleo was shaved before she adopted me. Her fur had grown out a lot by the time she came home with me. __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

02-04-2012, 06:28 AM	#17 (permalink)
F/3 Cat Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Stockton, ca Posts: 187	Great pictures, The few times I've had to shave my Himalayin he was mad at me until his hair grew back. He ignored me and wouldn't come around me. The only time he came around was at night and he wanted under the blankets. The ONLY time he sleeps under the blankets is when he is shaved. It's probably because he was cold. Diarrhea and a long hair cat is not fun. About 8 years ago I gave mocha some cheap cat food that gave him diarrhea. He had to have a bath 2-3 times aday. Both my cats freak out if the get a dingle berry stuck to the butts. They will drag their butts across the floor trying to get it off. __________________ Mark F3 Savannah, simba (7 months) Himalayan, mocha (11 years old)

02-04-2012, 08:08 AM	#18 (permalink)
ownedby4cats Jr. Cat Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 35	Last year was the first year that I had Tony shaved, I have added before and after photos. Before that I took him to the vet when he got matted and they would get the matts out. I bought all the fancy combs, brushes to do it myself, but he just doesn't like to be combed for more than a couple minutes at a time. His hair is very fine, it matts easily, so I decided to have him shaved. Late spring last year he was sedated and shaved and he loved his look! He strutted around, and was much more comfortable through the summer. He will get shaved again this year. Would I get rid of Tony because he is long hair and doesn't like to be groomed! No way! Would I have turned him away when he showed up at 6 months on our porch starving because he was long haired? No way! The only part I don't like is he has to be sedated, other than that this is the perfect remedy for the matting problem. He doesn't get all stressed out because I'm always trying to comb every little matt, although I still try to keep them under control as much as possible. Attached Thumbnails

02-03-2012, 11:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
shan841 Tom Cat Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 471	how does fozzy fit on the chair like that?? silly kitty

02-03-2012, 11:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
Greenport ferals Senior Cat Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hudson, NY Posts: 887	One of my new rescues turned out to be a longhair. In all my years of cat ownership, I'd never had one. Sparta is 9 months now and does occasionally have trouble with poop sticking to the long fur around her butt and shanks. She acts totally disgusted with herself when this happens, so I checked out getting her a potty patch. The groomer at PetSmart said if that was all I wanted, she could do it, but mentioned she didn't like shaving cats "for the owner's convenience." The groomer said a lot of cats get depressed without their fur because it makes them feel secure. That makes sense to me.

02-04-2012, 04:39 AM	#16 (permalink)
NJgroomer Cat Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hamilton, NJ work in Howell, NJ Posts: 137	I agree with other posters, a potty patch isn't just for the owner's convenience, for some LH cats it's almost a necessity. A matted, poopy butt isn't fun for anyone. Here's a picture of such a butt: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_4016.jpg Unless you are standing directly behind a cat who walks around with their tail up, potty patches are not visible the majority of the time. I didn't get an after picture of that matted cat since he got a lion cut, but here's a picture of a different cat who got a potty patch: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...itetfinal2.jpg Some kitties I take it a bit further and do a half-belly or a full-belly shave, here is a half-belly shave: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3543.jpg Lion cuts can be a good easy maintenance option for owners who are overwhelmed by their cat's hair (or angry kitties who are tough to comb regular). I'd rather have a client get a lion cut every 2-3 months to prevent matting then having to deal with an angry cat that's in pain from huge mats. This picture is during a matted cat shave, the discoloration/marbling/scarring on the back is cause from the pulling and irritation from the mats. Not a very happy kitty http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3824.jpg These picture are "before," "after the bath" and then "after the lion cut" http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3430.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3432.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3434.jpg If the cat's hair doesn't grow back after a lion cut, I would be checking to make sure there aren't any health issues going on - for example, thyroid problems. Cats that have a second coat of undercoat can grow back a bit funky at first because the undercoat is now growing at the same time as the top coat, but once it grows to its full length it looks fine. The kitten clip the OP asked about, I call a 'comb clip' since it is done with clipper comb attachments. It can only be done on cats that are completely clean and combed out, and honestly - it will never look perfect (as in no choppiness). Its just the texture of cat hair and it is too dangerous to try and even it out with shears/scissors. Here's a couple comb clips: "Before," "After bath/blow dry," and "After comb clip" http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3435.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3437.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3438.jpg "Before" and "After comb clip" - this is one of my favs, he regularly gets comb clips and his great tabby markings are apparent till after he's trimmed! So interesting http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_3411.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...n/IMG_6993.jpg

02-05-2012, 08:57 AM	#20 (permalink)
littleminnie Jr. Cat Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 47	my cats freak out if the get a dingle berry stuck to the butts. They will drag their butts across the floor trying to get it off. __________________ This has happened to Minnie 2 times. Both times I try to wash it off in the utility sink with a warm sprayer and she does not like it. Then after it dries I use a scissor to cut off any dry terds left. It is gross and I am glad I learned about the potty patch. I just have to find somewhere to have it done. I am scared to bring her to a groomer because Im afaraid there might be fleas there!! I wold like to try doing it myself,am a hairdresser and I have clippers for humans. Will they work or do I need the kind for fur? Thanks for posting the pictures, they are very helpful!!

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