Like Us
Follow @catster
Google +1 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Contact Us
Answers Home » Grooming
Muffin

Are long-haired cats cooler shaved? Or does it serve as insulation?

I have very long haired Persians, and they are so very hot during the summer. Does the hair serve as insulation, or are they better off shaved for the summer? One needs to stay shaved due to the oily consistency of his hair and the amount of matting he gets.


Asked by Muffin on Jun 29th 2011 in Grooming
 Report this question Get this question's RSS feed Send this question to a friend


Status

  • Cast your vote for which answer you think is best!

Answers

Scooby

Mani the shaved kitty is probably a bit more comfortable on hot summer days, but besides looking kind of (adorably) ridiculous he's also more at risk for sunburn. It's probably not advisable to shave the others just because it's hot.

A more reasonable approach is an all-over trim in late spring. It keeps me cooler and less matted without looking too silly and still offering me the sun protection of standard-length cat fur. And come fall it's just about grown back to keep me warmer for winter!


Scooby answered on 6/29/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Allie

I have 8 and I only shave one of mine because poor Lucy gets so matted that I have to. They never seem uncomfortable. Even when it's hot out, they like to lay in the windows. I definitely think the hair insulates them from the heat and as the other poster mentioned, it protects them from the sun.


Allie answered on 6/30/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Izadore (Izzie)

I had to have Delilah shaved a few years ago due to extreme matting on her stomach area that she wouldn't let me comb out. After I accidentally nipped her with the scissors, my groomer and I decided that it would be better to just give her "the lion" cut. When I posted photos of her on this site, I took a lot of flack for it, but I know it was the right thing to do. As far as being cooler, I don't think it made any difference to her either way. She LOVES to lie in the sun, so I believe she's very heat tolerant. Your best bet is to make sure they are of a good weight for their size so they aren't carrying around extra fat and on those really hot days, to keep your a/c down a little lower and your house cool.


Izadore (Izzie) answered on 6/30/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Cody

I have a Himmy and I think it makes alot of difference he likes to go hang outside in the back yard and he loves his summer lion cut I swear he struts even more . and it keeps the mats away.


Cody answered on 7/1/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Colton

Mommy got me shaved because I matted real bad and it hurt to be brushed. I'm a Maine Coon mix but mommy thinks I might be part Persian or a breed who matts easy. My other Maine Coon mix brothers don't mat like I do. They didn't get shaved.


Colton answered on 7/1/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


More Questions in This Category