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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Has anyone ever clipped their cat?

16 replies

EllenLRipley · 23/04/2023 20:01

I have a rescue Siberian that has a genetic disorder which makes her coat grow inwards and matt into tight balls. We have to have her clipped every 6-9 months. We have used a local woman for this but the last time I took her she came back very upset and her nipple had been damaged and she had a cut on her leg :( She is all healed now but the woman didn't even tell me!
I need to take this on myself now and am happy to but have no clue. If anyone has any suggestions, tips or advice I will be v grateful :)
Thank you

OP posts:

Eggseggseverywhere · 23/04/2023 20:02

No because I value my eyesight...

Toddlerteaplease · 23/04/2023 20:28

I've do it occasionally. But I'm
Absolutely crap at it and she looks terrible afterwards. (The feline equivalent of a pudding bowl) Usually it's just a go up between professional grooms. She is an exceptionally compliant cat though.

StillWantingADog · 23/04/2023 20:31

I would look on you tube. There is a great channel by a Canadian lady called girl with the dogs (despite the title she does lots of cats too). I don’t have pets but love her videos.

Her top tip is always cut their claws first.

FannythePinkFlamingo · 23/04/2023 20:35

I have. Dcat is a long haired moggy and was a bit overweight last year. She had a bit of difficulty grooming so I gave her a number one all down her back and flanks. She looked crap but it gave the fur a chance to grow back unmatted. She's lost the flab now so I'm hoping not to have to do it again!

caringcarer · 23/04/2023 20:53

I have a long haired cat and I just brush him daily. I'd never cut his claws cats need them for climbing and protecting themselves. Can't you just brush your cat?

BellaBlossoms · 23/04/2023 20:55

We had to clip our old girl in parts for a few years as she was 18 and long haired, she was perfectly well, she just couldn’t keep on top of her grooming. The witch wouldn’t let me near her with a brush or comb but was happy lying to get bits clipped that were matted.

QuinkWashable · 23/04/2023 21:08

Mine are a nightmare when the seasons change - both get big matts - girlcat can do it over night (she's brushed every day), boycat takes longer, but he's a brush-dodger.. I've had to cut massive matts off him before, when he's refused to let me brush him enough and it's gone too far (generally about now - spring time, when he's shedding more).

Girlcat when she was younger, I'd use the hair strimmers (same ones I use on the kids ) to do her bib, and a hygiene trim (give her something to play with, and do my best with her laid on her side), but she's better at looking after herself now so I tend not to - plus she absolutely hates it, and nail cutting, she just loves being brushed.

If they're a bit strong willed like mine are, then you might have to take the hit of them looking a bit ratty/doing it over a couple of days, but I find after a week max they're looking lovely again

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 23/04/2023 21:24

Their skin is quite fragile I’d be too scared to clip one.

Is she amenable to grooming?

WhichSpoon · 23/04/2023 21:47

Those of you asking about brushing/grooming, this is sometimes easier said than done. I have a Siberian, he's pretty good at self grooming but I also try to brush him daily, he hates it! Will tolerate for 10 minutes or so before I'm at risk of losing a limb, his fur is so thick and multi-layered it's really tricky to get through.

He gets bad matts, especially at his joints where the fur is being rubbed as he moves, I have had to get him shaved at the vets in the past.

The Op says her cat has a genetic disorder which makes her coat grow inwards, so I should imagine brushing is virtually impossible.

Original poster

EllenLRipley · 24/04/2023 12:03

We brush her every day but after 3-4 months the hair growth matts into the coat due to a genetic glitch cause by over breeding of this breed. I have another non rescue and she is an immaculate princess, perfectly groomed, never needed clipping.
Thanks for the tips re clipping. I am not sure what is best atm

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 24/04/2023 12:08

I have a mobile cat groomer that comes to the house. She recently gave my cat a Teddy bear cut which is longer than a lion cut and should make it longer until he gets matted fur again.

PortiasBiscuit · 24/04/2023 12:10

We have our Maine Coon clipped twice a year, Google cat groomers, there will be one in your area.
it is expensive though, we pay £60.

Original poster

EllenLRipley · 24/04/2023 12:14

I paid £60, that is what I expected. There are no mobile cat groomers in our area. The ones I called were all incredulous that I asked -I didn't realise it was so unusual.

OP posts:

AtChoService · 24/04/2023 12:16

If you are going to do this, ask another local cat groomer if they can go through it with you first. You will probably have to pay them but don't do it without any instruction.

Cat grooming is completely different to dog grooming. I did a cat grooming course at Absolutely Animals, after qualifying as and working as a dog groomer. I've never groomed a cat since.

Their skin is thinner than dogs and they are a lot harder to groom. The finish on a cat depends entirely on what the cat will tolerate. Heidi at AA used a small cage to wash the cats in, and also dried them and clipped them in it. I wouldn't attempt it without the appropriate restraint and protective gear.

dementedpixie · 24/04/2023 12:42

EllenLRipley · 24/04/2023 12:14

I paid £60, that is what I expected. There are no mobile cat groomers in our area. The ones I called were all incredulous that I asked -I didn't realise it was so unusual.

They're in short supply. I'm in Scotland and it's my neighbour that put me in touch with the groomer. Costs me £80

Batmanandrabbit · 24/04/2023 12:50

Our cat’s ruff gets matted. We clipped it recently. It was a 2 man job. One to hold her still and the other to pull the mats gently away from her skin to get the clippers involved. It worked really well but she absolutely hates it. I’m pretty sure she would hate a vet doing it too so it felt like the kindest option to do it at home.

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