Is giving a cat a lion cut mean?

There is no reason health wise not to shave the cat. It will be more comfortable. If the cat doesn’t cooperate, it might be better to go to a professional groomer to have it done.

If you do try it yourself just don’t cut the whiskers…that would be like poking yourself in the eye.

If they’re part of a group of cats the other ones will point at them and laugh at how stupid their hair cut is.

Will it be beneficial for said pussy that’s the mane thing.

Try shaving the undercoat, only. No need to shave the other parts.

I’ve heard that shaving a cat is traumatic to them, but I’m not positive. Maybe you can thin out the coat without shaving him bald.

My cat used to wig out just having a collar put on. I can imagine the reaction to a pair of buzzing clippers. And as stated, the other cats will make jokes and laugh.

(we all know the tune)

….All of the other felines used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor kitty, join in any feline games.
Then one rainy springtime eve the owner came out to say.
Kitty with your mane so high, you better come on in and hide….

Well, it disrupts their pattern of shedding.

I used this photo as my screensaver for a couple years. It still makes me laugh.

@MagsRags aww he looks completely mortified and humiliated lol…great pic though

@MagsRags I think his human is going to find some ‘presents’ in his shoes. LOL

Give him a mohawk

t’s not mean,it’s hilarious.

You might determine if he’s truly too warm, by providing a small fan in his sleep area. If he stays close to it, you might see him liking the cooler atmosphere. I’ve had a lot of cats, indoor and outdoor, and none appreciated a haircut. They acted intimidated after,so no more trims unless it’s necessary because of injury.

@MagsRags That’s just sick & cruel.

There is no problem (physically or emotionally) with shaving a cat. It makes maintenance of their coat easier for them, reduces mats and hairballs, and makes parasite control easier.

Make sure that whoever does the clipping is experienced so there is minimal risk of cuts, burns, or clipper burn. The clipping itself is usually stressful for a cat, the degree depends upon their personality.

I had a Persian that I would clip down every spring and she loved it. Immediately afterward, she would race about, leaping on furniture and playing wildly. She was clearly invigorated and excited.

After some surgery, my cat couldn’t hold her head up with pride until her belly fur grew back. She was a sorry spectacle of shame and humiliation.

@MagsRags
Priceless

The only reason I would ever do it would be if I got a neglected long haired cat with lots of mats or dirty fur. Many times they will do this at shelters to make neglected cats healthier and more adoptable.

But, personally, I’m not a big fan of long haired cats. But if I did have one, I would just be consistent with regular grooming to avoid matting and let nature take it’s course.

Cats aren’t poodles. That poor kitty in the picture ! That is a pretty severe cut.

Cats grooming and licking of themselves is only partly for cleanliness. It’s also their air conditioning system. Dogs don’t groom themselves the way cats do, so I can see giving them a shave down.

But I think it’s unnecessary for most cats. They know how to take care of their needs in all kinds of temperatures.

Your cat lying on his back in hot weather is his way of cooling off. I don’t think it’s related necessarily to hair length because every single SHORT HAIRED cat i’ve ever had has done exactly the same thing. I doubt that shaving them completely would have changed things much.

My vote would be to let the cat be his natural self unless you know for certain that he has a placid enough disposition to tolerate this or is suffering terribly from matted hair.

I had a Persian cat that I kept cut very short for years. I couldn’t deal with hair in the house, and she liked being cool. Of course she was quite a sight to behold.

Ask the veterinarian what she would recommend. There might be a better way.

We shave my long haired cat into a lion cut when it gets too hot, I think it’s a pretty common thing. He gets used to it soon enough.

@ShiningToast

That’s a beautiful cat. Is he a Ragdoll ? They are pretty well known for their easygoing personalities.

I think a lot of the decision for this type of cut would hinge upon a cat’s particular personality.

The one in the previous pic posted was clearly miserable. Jeruba’s cat would most likely be as well.

But Syz, on the other hand, has a cat who clearly doesn’t seem to mind.

I don’t think there is any one answer which fits the needs of all cats and a wise cat owner will take into account their own particular cat’s unique personality.

But just because a cat lies on his back to cool off his belly isn’t necessarily indicative that a cut like that must be done.

If you’ve watched any nature films, larger cats do this all the time, lions, tigers, leopards etc and they all survive quite well without being shaved down. And even tho their hair is ALREADY short, they STILL roll over on their back.

Cats have the ability to make themselves most comfortable in ANY situation, hot or cold.

Just because lots of people do it may not be reason enough for one to submit their cat to it if it makes the poor animal miserable.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. But most of the lion cuts are done for the owner’s convenience, needs and desire NOT the cat’s needs IMHO.

@Buttonstc Thank you, he is a blue-point Himalayan (Persian and Siamese cross). That isn’t my cat in particular, but he looks similar. Yes, he is very easy going and absolutely loves attention and when company comes over, he is in heaven. :)

We shave him occasionally because it gets to be +110 F where I live in the summer, and the poor guy has such a thick coat. And Himalayans have a tendency to get greasy, so he gets treated to baths too :P.

Bilbo (the cat’s name) is a non-show Himalayan, so his face isn’t as squashed. (This is actually him).

They make new grooming brushes now that remove just the undercoat of fur and aid in shedding, which is going to happen this time of year.The brush removes the loose dead undercoat. Animals shed when it gets warm to stay cooler. There are new types of brushes that just get rid of the shedding fur all at once. Google undercoat brush or undercoat rake or ask your local petco or vet. This will thin out the fur considerably without having to shave.

My cat lays on his back all the time, even in the dead of winter. He likes to sleep on his back. He often flips over and rolls a bit to say “hello” when I first get home, and sometimes he is just waiting for a belly rub too. Most cats HATE their bellies rubbed. My cat stretches out and loves every minute of it. He’s weird that way.

@ShiningToast

I love the way Bilbo looks. He looks very sweet. Himmies also have a reputation for being good natured.

It doesn’t surprise me that they don’t consider him to be “show” quality and, frankly, he’s much better off because of it.

I think it’s a shame that many of these purebred standards push things to such extremes. Those pushed in faces with the more braceocephalic cats causes no end of health problems with both breathing and obstructed tear ducts. Your little boy is so much better off not being on that extreme end of things. I think he’s gorgeous.

I also dislike the trend for the severely triangular heads in Siamese just because someone arbitrarily decreed this to be the “breed standard”.

Anyhow, I’m sure Bilbo is a very happy cat with an owner attentively bathing, clipping and grooming him. He looks totally content :)

My cat used to purr when I would shave him. He liked being more comfortable & having less hairballs.