Should you give your cat a haircut? It’s still a hot topic among cat owners. Unlike dog grooming, which has been common for a long time, cat grooming is a relatively new trend, but it’s becoming more popular around the world.
Why do people shave cats? What types of cat haircuts are there, what tools do you need, and is it better to go to a groomer or do it at home? We’ve collected answers to all these questions. Read on, look at the photos and decide for yourself whether your cat needs a haircut.
Why Do People Give Cats Haircuts?
There are two main reasons owners have their cats clipped:
- Hygiene: for health and a neat, clean coat.
- Looks: for style.
Hygienic Haircuts
These are usually a necessity and are most often done for long-haired and fluffy cat breeds.
Reasons for a Hygienic Haircut
- to help sick, overweight, arthritic and older cats that can no longer groom themselves properly and develop greasy, tangled fur;
- to remove mats: matted fur pulls on the skin, causes pain, itching and skin sores, and can hide infections and parasites;
- for some skin conditions, on a vet’s advice;
- to trim the fur around the bottom and the “britches” of long-haired cats, so feces don’t stick to it (a “sanitary trim”);
- to reduce hairballs in cats that shed heavily;
- to reduce shedding in the home;
- before some medical procedures on the skin;
- for long-haired cats whose coat tangles very easily.
Shaving a cat isn’t the best way to keep it cool in summer. A cat’s coat insulates it from heat as well as cold, and shaved skin can get sunburned. In hot weather, regular brushing to remove the dead undercoat, plenty of water and cool places to rest are usually better options. Talk to your vet if your cat struggles in the heat.
Style Haircuts
These aren’t a necessity for the cat. They’re more of a whim, or a way for the owner to stand out.
Reasons for a Style Haircut
- for photo shoots and unusual pictures for social media;
- to emphasize a cat’s natural markings;
- because some owners simply love trendy, eye-catching looks for their pets.
Important: if your cat doesn’t actually need a haircut, leave its coat alone. Let it do its job of protecting your cat’s skin.
How Often Can You Shave a Cat?
Hygienic trims are done as needed. For a full-body clip, such as a lion cut, most groomers recommend no more than two or three times a year. Shaving too often can damage the coat and the skin.
Types of Cat Haircuts (with Photos)
Whatever your reason, you’ll need to choose a style. There are many variations, but here are the classic cat haircuts groomers offer and which cats they suit.
The lion cut
The fur is shaved off the body, leaving a “mane” on the head and neck, “boots” on the legs and a pom-pom or tuft at the tip of the tail. The front legs are usually shaved to the elbows and the back legs to the hocks, but the length of the “boots” can vary.
Why it’s done:
- to deal with severe matting;
- to reduce shedding during the seasonal molt;
- for themed photo shoots.
Suitable for: Persians, Siberians, Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons.
The “puma” (rear) cut
Only the back half of the body is clipped, while the head, chest, tail and legs are left untouched.
Why it’s done:
- for hygiene, in sick, overweight and older cats that can’t groom themselves well;
- for cats with matting mainly on their back end.
Suitable for: British Longhairs, Himalayans, Ragdolls, Birmans and Siberians.
The dragon (dino) cut
The fur is shaved from the whole body except the head. The belly and sides are shaved short, while a “crest” with sharp spikes, steps or stripes, or a “mohawk,” is left along the back and tail. The cat ends up looking like a little dragon or dinosaur.
Why it’s done:
- purely for looks, to stand out.
Suitable for: long-haired cats.
You can find photos of these haircuts on Instagram with the hashtag #dinocat.
The comb cut (“kitten cut”)
A long-haired cat’s fur is evenly trimmed all over to the length of a short-haired cat’s coat, usually about 1/2 inch (1–1.5 cm).
Why it’s done:
- it reduces shedding and matting;
- it makes the coat much easier to care for, while still protecting the skin.
Suitable for: all long-haired breeds.
The “boots” cut
This is similar to the lion cut, but without the mane: only the head is left unclipped, along with the “boots” on the legs and the tip of the tail.
Why it’s done:
- to make coat care easier;
- for looks.
Suitable for: cats with dense, plush or semi-long coats.
Groomers may also offer other, more elaborate styles. These are hard to recreate at home.
Should You Go to a Groomer or Do It at Home?
It’s up to you whether to take your cat to a professional groomer or clip it yourself. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both options.
Professional Cat Grooming
A good groomer will first examine your cat and assess the condition of its coat. They can advise you on coat care and grooming products. The whole process takes place in a specially equipped space, which is another advantage. Look for a groomer with experience handling cats, ideally one with a cat-specific grooming qualification or a “cat-friendly” approach.
The downsides are the cost and the stress your cat may feel when it’s taken to the salon and handled by strangers. To reduce stress, consider a mobile groomer who comes to your home, or a cat-only grooming salon without barking dogs.
Grooming Under Sedation
Some cats are so frightened or aggressive that they can’t be groomed safely while awake, or they have such severe matting that clipping would be painful. In these cases, the grooming can be done under sedation or general anesthesia.
Important: sedation must only be given by a veterinarian, at a veterinary clinic, after a health check. Groomers aren’t allowed to sedate animals. Never accept a “sedative injection” from a groomer, and never give your cat any sedative yourself before grooming without your vet’s advice.
Advantages of sedated grooming at the vet:
- your cat doesn’t struggle or panic;
- there’s no risk of your cat injuring itself or the person grooming it;
- badly matted fur can be removed without pain;
- the vet can check your cat’s skin and health at the same time.
Disadvantages:
- any sedation or anesthesia carries some risk, especially for older cats and cats with heart, kidney or other health problems, so your vet may recommend blood tests first;
- your cat may be drowsy for the rest of the day;
- it costs more than grooming at a salon.
Grooming without sedation
Grooming without medication is the usual approach and is safer for most cats, since there’s no sedation risk.
Advantages:
- your cat stays alert and in control, which helps it feel more secure;
- an experienced groomer knows how to handle a cat calmly and without force;
- your cat can learn to trust the groomer and gradually get used to the procedure.
Disadvantages:
- it may take longer, with breaks;
- some cats need gentle restraint or a protective cone (Elizabethan collar) to keep everyone safe;
- there’s a risk of the groomer being scratched or bitten.
How to Trim Your Cat at Home
Owners who decide to groom their cats themselves usually have two reasons:
- saving money and time;
- their cat’s well-being: most cats feel calmer at home and trust their owner more than a stranger.
If you’re ready to learn, here are our tips.
A cat’s skin is very thin and elastic, and it’s easy to cut it with scissors or clippers, especially in loose areas like the armpits, belly and groin. If you’re not confident, start with small trims, or leave full-body clips to a professional.
What You’ll Need
Decide where you’ll groom your cat. Some owners prefer the bathroom, because the fur is easier to clean up. If you’ll be working in another room, roll up the rugs. You’ll need a stable, flat surface, like a table, covered with an old towel.
Before you start, get:
- quiet pet clippers designed for cats, with a guard comb;
- small, sharp grooming scissors with rounded (blunt) tips;
- a wide-toothed comb and a brush to comb out the coat before trimming;
- a fine-toothed comb to slide under mats so you can clip them out safely;
- styptic powder for accidental nicks to the claws, and a clean, damp cloth;
- your cat’s favorite treats.
Tips for Trimming Your Cat at Home
- Choose a place for the trim and prepare your work surface.
- Trim your cat’s nails first. This protects you, and your cat, from scratches.
- It’s easier with two people. Ask a family member to hold your cat gently by its sides while you work.
- If your cat is very defensive, a soft cone (Elizabethan collar) can help prevent bites, but if your cat panics, stop.
- Before you start, talk to your cat gently, offer it a treat or a favorite toy and brush it with its favorite brush.
- Move confidently but carefully: your cat can sense when you’re nervous.
- Start with the back and sides, then carefully move on to the belly. At home, the legs, tail and head are usually left alone.
- Work very carefully around the nipples, armpits and genitals, stretching the skin flat and using clippers rather than scissors.
- Only clip dry, brushed fur.
- Clip in the direction the hair grows for a longer, softer finish. Clipping against the direction of growth leaves the coat much shorter and increases the risk of clipper burn.
- Check the clipper blades often: they get hot. Touch them to your wrist, and switch blades or use a cooling spray if they feel warm.
- Clean the clippers of hair as you go.
When you’re done, give your cat something tasty. A bath is usually unnecessary after a trim; a good brushing removes the loose hair.
Important: if your cat isn’t in the mood, struggles and runs away, don’t chase it. That’s very stressful for your cat! Stop and try again in a few days. If your cat gets even a small cut, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth and call your vet, since cuts in cat skin often need stitches.
Can You Use Human Hair Clippers?
Professional groomers say no! Human hair clippers and scissors may look just like pet ones, but cat fur is very different from human hair. It’s finer and softer, and cats have a dense undercoat. Human clippers aren’t designed for it: they overheat quickly, and their blades dull fast. Dull blades pull the hair instead of cutting it, which is uncomfortable and painful for your cat. They’re also often louder, which frightens cats. So if you decide to groom your cat yourself, invest in clippers designed for pets. Good cat clippers cost about $30–80 / £25–60.
The only time a small trimmer may be OK is for removing a single small mat from a short-haired cat.
What to Keep in Mind Before Clipping Your Cat
- Clipping is stressful for a cat, so it’s best avoided unless there’s a clear reason, such as health, severe matting or hygiene.
- If your cat can’t be groomed calmly, ask your vet about grooming under sedation at the clinic.
- If your cat is nervous, a mobile groomer who comes to your home may be the best choice. Familiar surroundings have a calming effect.
- In some cats, the fur grows back a different color or texture after clipping, for example darker or thinner. This is especially common in colorpoint cats such as Himalayans and Ragdolls, whose coat color depends on skin temperature, and in cats with tipped coats.
- In rare cases, the fur takes a very long time to grow back to its full length, especially in older cats or cats with hormonal problems.
- Don’t trim the fur on your cat’s face, and never cut its whiskers or eyebrow whiskers: cats use them to sense their surroundings.
- Don’t shave the whole tail. Leave fur on the tip. Some cats chew or overgroom a bare tail.
- Leave some fur on the paws and lower legs (“socks”).
- Trim your cat’s claws first, to prevent scratches to the groomer, the owner and the cat itself.
- How often you clip depends on the condition of the coat and your cat’s health. Full clips are usually done no more than two or three times a year.
- A guard comb that leaves at least 1/8 inch (3 mm) of fur is gentler on the skin. Very close clipping leaves the skin exposed and the regrowing fur prickly, which cats dislike.
- Never shave your cat down to bare skin. Its skin is very delicate: a cat could injure itself just by scratching, and cats that go outside can get sunburned.
- Never cut out mats with scissors. It’s one of the most common ways cats get injured during grooming, because the skin gets pulled up into the mat. Use clippers, or slide a fine comb between the mat and the skin first. Severely matted cats should be clipped by a groomer or vet.
- If you show your cat, check the rules of your cat association (such as CFA, TICA or GCCF) before any clipping.
Read also: How to brush a cat properly.
How Much Does a Cat Haircut Cost?
Prices vary by region, the cat’s coat and temperament and the groomer’s experience, but you can expect roughly:
- Sanitary (hygiene) trim: about $30–60 / £25–45.
- Lion cut or full-body clip: about $60–120 / £40–80.
- Mat removal or a “difficult cat” fee: often an extra $10–40 / £10–30.
- Mobile grooming at home: often an extra $20–50 / £15–40.
- Grooming under sedation at the vet: usually considerably more, depending on the sedation and any tests needed.
What Cat Owners Say
Owners who have their cats clipped often mention a few common reasons: a shelter cat that wouldn’t tolerate brushing and shed all over the house, a Norwegian Forest Cat whose coat kept matting despite regular combing, or a senior cat that could no longer groom itself. Many say a trim made home life easier and their cat more comfortable.
Others say their cat found the experience very stressful, for example struggling, peeing or vomiting during the clip, and decided not to repeat it. If your cat reacts this way, talk to your vet about alternatives, such as more frequent brushing, partial trims or grooming under sedation.
Read also: How to get rid of cat hair in your home.
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