If you are allergic to a pet. As we have written more than once, wool is not the cause of allergies, but it can become a carrier of the allergen. It is easier for an allergic person to get along with a short-haired cat, because it is enough to wipe the skin of the animal every day with a damp cloth (with gloves) and do regular cleaning in order to significantly reduce the concentration of allergenic protein in the apartment. A cat with thick hair in such a situation often has to be bathed, which is not good for the animal. Therefore, we choose the lesser of two evils, that is, a haircut.

If you cannot properly care for your cat’s coat. This situation usually occurs for two reasons. First: you got a fluffy cat, not taking into account the peculiarities of caring for luxurious fur, and as a result, you do not have time to devote enough time to the process. Second: some life situation has limited your ability to properly care for the animal (frequent business trips, illness, etc.). Since the option of parting with a pet cannot be considered, you should provide the cat with the most adequate conditions and take care of its well-being. In addition, tangles and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract when swallowing wool outweigh the consequences of a haircut in terms of negative impact.

The body temperature of cats is higher than human, and the cat itself is much lower, therefore, in a cool room or with sudden changes in temperature, the pet may catch a cold. If it is cold in the apartment, and a haircut is not mandatory and urgent, it is worth postponing it until a more opportune moment. During the rehabilitation period after surgery and in other situations after a haircut, it is extremely important to maintain the body temperature of the cat and prevent hypothermia.

It is better to train the cat to regular haircuts in case of allergy from the owner gradually: by short visits, gentle treatment, treats at all stages of the process. An invitation to a groomer (ideally a permanent one) at home is preferable to trips to the salon, since the cat will be less nervous on its territory.

Because of haircuts, the hairs become thinner, which provokes a more active formation of tangles. The procedure also affects the condition of the skin, which gradually loses its elasticity and becomes prone to dryness, which often causes itching and scratching.

In the presence of tangles, the cat should never be bathed. Moisture evaporates poorly from the skin under the mats, which leads to the formation of diaper rash and necrotic changes.

In some cats, after a haircut, bald patches appear, which subsequently for a long time or never ever grow back. It is impossible to predict this possibility before a haircut, so you should consider the potential risk before going to the groomer.

So let’s summarize. Cats should not be trimmed if you can provide proper grooming and there is no medical indication for trimming.

WHEN YOU CAN’T CUT A CAT

In no case should a cat be exposed to such severe stress without compelling reasons = medical indications. If we are not talking about an operation or a mandatory diagnostic procedure that does not tolerate delay, and the cat is very frightened by the grooming process, grooming should be abandoned.

No matter how funny and interesting the haircut offered by the groomer is, you, as a responsible owner, should first of all be guided in the decision by the interests of the pet, and not by aesthetic preferences.