Mindful Monday – A Summer Fur-do for Cats

Have you ever thought about shaving your cat so she’ll be cooler in the summer? Don’t do it. Experts say that cats have coats for a reason. A cat’s fur insulates her from the heat in summer and the cold in winter. This is not to say that a cat with a full coat can’t get seriously overheated or suffer and even die in cold weather. It’s up to us to help keep our cats comfortable in any weather conditions and shaving them might hinder our attempts.

Some people shave their cats because of matting. I’m one of those. I used to take my long-haired calico, Daisy, to the groomer once a year and have her belly shaved. I could manage her fur mats except for those on the fine fur on her tummy. You couldn’t even tell she’d been shaved unless she rolled over and exposed her bare tummy.

My parents had a part Maine coon cat for several years—a stray who chose their home as his. He was actually Smokey one. He had the finest fur. It was awful to deal with and they would have him shaved every summer. I swear that cat was embarrassed having to roam the neighborhood naked for three or four months every year.

If your cat tends to collect awful fur mats, consider spending more time grooming him. Consult a cat groomer as to the best tools and procedures to prevent matting. Cats shed in spring and summer. The shedded fur tangles with the rest of the fur and this is one way mats are formed. So regular grooming can help. Sometimes we have to cut out a mat that formed when we weren’t looking. A groomer can show you how to do that. If you absolutely must shave your cat or even a section of your cat, let a professional do it. Your veterinarian may even help with this during a routine vet check.

Some cat owners think it’s fun to dye their cats different colors—red-white-and-blue for patriotic holidays, green at Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day, etc. Experts say, “Don’t do it.”

Sure there are relatively safe solutions to use on a cat, but there are also some that are dangerous and can make the cat sick or at least irritate his skin. So while we’re cautioned not to interfere with a cat’s natural beauty and health, many cats need a little help with their grooming routine.

Unless you have show cats and are into showing, you probably don’t spend enough time helping your cats groom. Many cats would rather not have your help. It’s not fun to tangle with an uncooperative cat. But there are ways.