Can you get your cat a Lion Cut without having to anaesthetize them?

Question

Has anyone else had this done to a cat? How did they take being "nude"?

Boo to some of the posts here!!! My god!! My cat was just so damn hot over the summer I though it would help her. I have a Persian, and she is not knotted up. Why would you think that first off the bat, or my question wasn't clear ask first? I have heard they need to be put under to do it from some people, and was wondering about it for next year. I got her clipped down short, but it grew in too fast for the whole hot period, and I don't think took down enough. I asked the "nude" question because I was wondering if being that short hair would be a shock to her or if someone else's cat seemed upset by the experience. I am asking now so I can find out more BEFORE I DO IT NEXT YEAR. geshhhh.

I groom my cat every day, and I clean her eyes every day too. I do not do anything to amuse anyone that would HURT her. I see lion cuts picks all the time, I thought lots of people did it, and it was normal for long haired cats?!? I got my dog clipped uber-short this year too, no one put him under, and NO ONE tried to tell me I was a bad owner or abusive or trying to amuse my friends.

If she needs to be put under I would not do it!!!

Petsmart by me won't do lion cuts, they were one on the sources that told me only Vet do after sedating or anaesthetizing therm. I see picks of Persians on sites with Lion Cuts all the time, none said it was mean to do, only that they can't be shown with clipped or shaved hair.

I take my [Persian cat to the groomers about 3-4 times a year. She has been clipped b4, just not way short. I take two of my cats in, one less often, because with long hair poop gets stuck, and when they molt I could use some extra help keeping ahead of mats and don't mind paying for it :)

It is wrong to let your cat become matted up, I agree, but not to use a groomer to help you with doing so IMHO. Same for sanitary clips.

Answer 1

This seems like abuse. You should not abuse your cat so you can amuse yourself or friends. How would you like to be "nude" to everybody?

Answer 2

I believe so. First off, I would NEVER allow my cat to be anes...ed just to be groomed. Anes... is not something to be taken lightly. Granted they're not put out like they would be for an operation, and so blood work doesn't necessarily need to be done first, but still. I don't believe in messing with them unless it's truly required.

Second, I would never allow a groomer to anes... my cat. That is something that should only be done by a trained professional. Like a vet. Perhaps the groomer is a trained professional, but that's something you should find out ahead of time.

And last but not least, it depends on the cat. If she's used to being groomed to any extent, your groomer should have an idea of how excitable she is. The groomer I use once had a cat in that was being shaved. She simply had it tied up and it may even have been wearing a muzzle (which calms them). It certainly wasn't anes...ed.

I have only ever gotten Poppy a Kitty Brazilian. I did consider a lion cut but decided against it.

Answer 3

I imagine certain cats need to be sedated unless they've been clipped & groomed since kittens. Same with dogs I suppose, but cats would have a major meltdown with the noise from the clippers, a strange person handling them, being in a strange environment etc. Those clipper blades can do some major damage unless you know what you're doing. Now add a screaming terrified kitty into the mix. I remember getting tiny puppies in for their very first clips when I was dog grooming. They got scared at first, but settled down very quickly. Cats are a different story. Nothing inhumane about pet grooming in my opinion.

Answer 4

I used to have a long haired cat that needed to be groomed constantly or his hair would get matted everywhere. During the warmer months, my family would always get him a Lion Cut at the vets and they always sedated him. However, a little while ago, we found a groomer who was able to do the Lion Cut without any sedation whatsoever, and my cat did not mind one bit. If you find the right person to do it, and they are gentle and care about the animal, it should be fine to send your kitty in for a haircut. My cat never minded being "nude", and if your cat can always find a warm place to hang, I don't think it is cruel at all to shave him.

Also, if you're planning on getting your cat a haircut, ask the person about a "Line" cut; they may be able to shave just the abdomen and upper legs to prevent matting in the most difficult spots, but allow the cat to keep his back and neck fur.

Answer 5

Just take them to a local groomer. A lot of groomers won't groom if the animal is sedated in anyway. (i.e. Petsmart).

They're trained to handle cats.

FYI: If your cat is especially violent or evil, they will charge you more though. :)

**EDIT** - By the way, it isn't abuse to get your cat groomed. If you have a long haired cat in a warm place, your cat can get miserable. Especially if it's an outdoor cat. And even if it is just cosmetic, who cares? I really don't think the cat does. I mean, just look at a Sphynx. Whatever.

Answer 6

I have a long haired Maine Coon by the name of Zeke. He has a very thick undercoat that mats horribly. I don't care how often I brush or comb him, his coat mats. So, I found a really great groomer who takes my boy and shaves him down and he is a different cat and very happy. With the thick undercoat, he can't keep himself properly groomed and for a cat, that is horrible and it makes him unhappy. So don't listen to what people are saying about shaving your cat, if you think it would make your cat happier, then I would do it. In fact, my boy is snuggled up next to me right now purring away with his nice short haircut!

Also, my cat does not need to be sedated. The groomer says he sits very quietly and lets her shave him down. She says he even purrs sometimes. (I know, I know, that can mean he is under stress!) But I am telling you, he is much, much happier with a shorter coat.

Answer 7

I cut my cousins cat once. There was alot of moaning and groaning but not too too much fighting (I expected alot more).

You can definately do it without drugs, you just need self confidence and a firm grip...and maybe some thick gloves if you have a sassy cat. And make sure your clippers is really well charged, because stopping and having to start again would be a nightmare.

I did his is the early summer and so he loved being nice and cool for those few months. I don't know what the weather is like where you live, but here it is going to be getting cold rather soon, so if you live in the states I would wait for spring.

Answer 8

Why would you want one for kitty? Is cat super badly matted from not being regularly groomed?

Had it done to one semi-wild (long haired cat that was abandoned in woods and reverted to being distrustful and a fighter with humans!), that was brought to me.
She HAD TO BE knocked out with General, vets (3 including technician) could NOT contain her. No choice.
The cat was so badly and tightly matted that ribbons of hard streamers of fur were dragging on each side of her body!

If you can avoid do NOT take a chance with General A. on a domesticated pet cat,.. there are risks.
Maybe a mild sedation, but even that is traumatic to cat.
Maybe a gentle patient and experience groomer would be the answer rather than sedating or G.Anest.

Groom kitty often in future and if by the off-chance you just want a Lion Cut for cosmetic reasons, then SHAME ON YOU!

Gd. Luck.

Answer 9

Dont have them clipped super short in the summer its like turning off their air conditioning. I interned at a vet clinic and we were on the subject of clipping one day and they all ALL told me that it does not help at all, leave the fur long in the summer. Since you groom your cat daily there is really no need to have it lion cut and your dog has a double coat the under coat is like air conditioning just dont leave it out too long.

Answer 10

if i were you...id call a pro...do u have a pet smart..?or something and just ask them or ask the vet......everyone here is so quick to act like your such a bad person for thinking anything...but i think that shaving the cat would be bad only because i think the sound would scare her/him.....that's why they put them under I'm assuming......and if u cut it short but it grows back then i think shaving it wouldn't be much better and would be more traumatic.....hope you find a solution

Answer 11

you can try to take your cat to a groomer, if the cat is well behaved enough and the groomer feels comfortable they may be able to do this without sedation. Cats will have no problem not having fur, especially if the fur is matted