The Time We Shaved Blue: What We Learned

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

The Lion Cut. The ultimate trim specifically designed for the fluffiest of pets. The close shave on the body and untouched tufts of fur to frame the face, paws and tip of the tail are the key features. Each poof long and exaggerated as to resemble the king of the jungle. We thought Blue’s mane was majestic. Her tail? Adorable! Boots with the fur? Our favs. But we never chose to shave Blue to boost her style or gawk over how fierce she was. There were several reasons we thought shaving solved not only for her but for us too.

To Trim or Not to Trim

Initially, we didn’t have to think that hard about the decision to get Blue shaved. Here were our major selling points:

Seasonal Temperature

Blue always had a long heavy coat. During the summer months, she liked to spend her time out on the balcony with us. There were times it looked as though it was snowing when she was pet or brushed. The airborne hair would catch our clothes, make a mess of our patio furniture and we’d often track it back into the house. We thought if she’s shedding this much, she must be hot! So, the first reason presented itself.

Dirty Butt

Not being able to properly clean her butt was a huge factor in our decision to have her shaved annually. Although we tried to clean as well as we could, there was always a bit of build up. We’d often have to cut away her hang-arounds but neither my husband or I were comfortable getting close enough to Blues skin to remove them completely. Bam, reason two.

Excessive Shedding

I suppose this reason ties nicely into our first too. There was an extremely large amount of cat hair in our home during the summer. Literal tumbleweeds. Not for a lack of effort either. We vacuumed frequently, brushed her when we could.

We were thrilled with the results after the first shave! Did we just tap into the holy grail of cat ownership?!

The More You Know

I am so grateful for the information I have now. No, shaving cats is not the unspoken answer to all of our long-haired coat problems. It is very much the opposite, posing new and more serious challenges for our fur babies.

Temperature Regulation

Cats are hardwired to regulate their temperature in a range of weather conditions. From cold to hot, their bodies are able to sort themselves out internally because their coats hang on to what it needs. Molting allows them to lose excess hair in the summer and of course, they’re able to keep the extra fur when it’s cold!

Exposure to the Elements

Blue escapades on the balcony after she was shaved meant she was exposed to direct sunlight. She was no longer protected and was susceptible to sunburn. Thankfully I don’t think she ever experienced that but the risk was right there. Our house was air-conditioned and we kept it at a brisk 19 degrees in the summer. Imagine not being able to change out of your swimsuit after a day in the sun and walking into what I’m sure felt the arctic? Poor Blue. How uncomfy that must have been. Finally, she was vulnerable to bug bites. Having such a close shave meant bees, mosquitos and other pests had quick access to her skin.

Trauma

Imagine being a cat, territorial by default. You thrive in familiarity and routine. Well, taking our poor Blue to the groomer felt like we were doing her an injustice. She pleaded from her crate for us not to leave and was distant upon her return, spending the next few hours excessively grooming herself. It still breaks my heart to this day that we left her with a stranger who essentially stripped her of her security blanket. Maybe it’s not as bad as I am imagining it in my mind but it’s not something I would ever want her to experience again.

Where We're At Now

Expanding our kitty cat knowledge and actively working on improving grooming practices has helped Blue out significantly. Our home is not littered with hair (there’s still hair, but we no longer look like the Wild West), and she’s not left with uncomfortable messes to clean after using the litter box. So, would I recommend anyone get their cat shaved? Nope. In my opinion, the good does not outweigh the potential health risks. Luscious locks for life!