How to Groom A Cat With Clippers?

Grooming makes our feline friends look dapper. But, this isn’t the only purpose it serves to fulfill. It makes our cats look tended to and loved. Along with this, regular and thorough grooming also yields benefits for the health and wellbeing of the cat. Read this guide to learn how to groom a cat with clippers.

Pets are truly a delight. However, it is very important to take the utmost care of them. If we don’t give the proper amount of love and attention to our pets, we are not fulfilling our responsibilities. While all animals are demanding, cats are particularly more so. All cat mamas will surely concur!

Cat Grooming

Grooming your cat is quite an important task. While it is important for all cats, it is even more so for those that have either medium or long fur coats. This isn’t just for aesthetic reasons. Of course, grooming makes our feline friends look dapper. But, this isn’t the only purpose it serves to fulfill. It also makes our cats look tended to and loved.

Along with this, regular and thorough grooming also yields benefits for the health and wellbeing of the cat. If a long or medium-haired cat isn’t groomed properly, the fur may become matted and could be pretty uncomfortable. When grooming is performed, it allows dead skin cells to shed and an even distribution of natural oils. 

Shaving Your Furry Friend at Home – Can It Be Done Using Clippers?

Cats don’t generally like getting their fur to be trimmed or shaved. The moody ones don’t even like being handled all that much. Plus, thinking about shaving your cat at home certainly brings to mind vivid images of ending up with arms chock-full of scratches. Or rather, just about anywhere that the cats’ paws can reach. However, that being said, it is possible to shave your cat at home. Using clippers can make the entire process quite a bit easier and pain-free, not just for your cat, but for you too! 

Be Careful Of the Skin!

When shaving your cat’s fur using clippers, it is very important to be mindful of the skin. Cats have skin that hangs relatively loosely and is, therefore, in danger of getting caught up in the clippers. In order to avoid this, clippers manufactured for humans shouldn’t be used on cats. There are special varieties manufactured for cats that should be used for the purpose. Furthermore, take some time to spot the areas where the skin hangs particularly loosely, forming folds, and exercise added caution when using clippers on those areas.

Tips and Tricks to Ease the Process

You would be hard put to find a cat that is docile enough to submit to anything, let alone grooming with clippers, in the very first attempt. However, there are a number of tips and tricks that you can utilize in order to make the process as smooth as is possible. After all, it is best to be prepared! 

Trim the Nails

More often than not, cats will retaliate to the whole experience of being groomed with clippers. They try to defend themselves in whatever way possible. For cats, their claws are one of the main defense mechanisms. It would be quite wise to clip the nails of your cat before embarking upon the adventure that most likely will be grooming with clippers! 

Sound Check

Cats have quite a strong sense of hearing. This keenly attuned sense of hearing means they might get spooked by the sound of the clippers. Particularly more so for clippers that make more noise than others. Before the actual exercise commences, make your cat used to the sound of the clippers. Depending on the cat, this could take some time. For instance, one that detests the sound might take quite a few days. Switching on the clippers and letting it see it is harmless might help. 

Skin Ought to be Taut

As mentioned earlier as well, cats have skin that is flexible and moves easily. When using clippers to groom your cat at home, make sure you are being extra careful about this particular aspect. 

The Top Is Where You Start

When you groom your cat using clippers at home, start near the head. Since their tails are quite sensitive, leave that region for the last. The tail shouldn’t be messed with at all. Not just because it is sensitive, but also because a skinny shaved tail would look quite bizarre, not to mention comical.

Hold on Tight!

When using clippers for the purpose of grooming your cat, make sure you have a good grip on the cat itself. Of course, you don’t need to hold it so tight that they get terrified. However, keeping a firm grip throughout the exercise is a good idea.

Take a Break As Often As Needed

There is no need to hurry at all. We have all heard the age-old adage “haste makes waste.” When it comes to grooming cats, this is really very important to keep in mind. First, there is no prize to win. And second, the calmer you are, the calmer your cat will be.

If you’re terrified, you are more than likely to emit the same vibes to your cat, freaking it out as well! Keeping calm and going at an unhurried pace will also ensure you avoid any cuts due to recklessness. Further, if your cat keeps getting breaks in between, it won’t get fed up with the process.

When Is It Not a Good Idea to Groom a Cat at Home?

Normally, grooming a cat at home isn’t an issue at all. However, there are instances in which help should be sought from professional groomers. These are:

• Sometimes the fur gets matted to such an extent that the knots extend down to the skin. Only professionals should deal with such situations. 
• If the skin underneath appears to be infected or is bloody, it should be left alone. 
• If your cat is especially rowdy by nature, it would be wise to leave the job to the groomers who are experienced in handling them.

Bottom Line

There is little doubt as to the fact that if you want your cat happy, you better get grooming. Maintenance can go quite a long way. Even the little things like trimming nails and bathing are essential to keep your little furry friend in top shape!