Stubborn Fluff: To Shave or Not To Shave?

kittybernard

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Somehow I manage to complicate, suck and spectacularly fail at grooming the cats. It doesn't matter if I'm using the most amazing brush/comb on earth, chances are it won't work just because I'm the one who is using it.
It doesn't help that Kitten has a seemingly impenetrable, 99.99% waterproof coat either! So matted fur has always been the norm for her.

Up until now I have just cut out the clumps (after brushing) but as she's gotten older her coat has become increasingly dense, so it's just not cutting it anymore. I'm tapped out, so paying to have her groomed is not a possible option right now. So I was wondering if I should give her a lion cut and just shave her down myself? My thought was that it would be like starting over by constantly brushing it as it grows in, maybe making her fur less susceptible to matting in the future? I'd greatly appreciate any & all landscaping tips from any of you with fluff balls!


My only concern is if it might permanently change the appearance of her fur after it grows back in. Her undercoat is very soft and fine with a gorgeous red/brown color. I don't want to ruin that by taking it all off.
 

lil maggie

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I used to have a cat that sounds just like your fluffball. Sadie was so hard to keep groomed because of so much undercoat. She would matt up the day after I'd brush and comb her. It was like a never ending battle. I have always cut my whole family's hair and also have always used a Wahl shaver with attachments (for the guys). One day I got so frustrated and couldn't afford a groomer but I was so tired of the matts Sadie would get. I sat her down in the bathroom and shaved off all her fur except around her head and tail. It all grew back fine. Every summer I shaved her and even after 18 years she loved it. She got used to it and would hold still while I shaved her and the minute I got done with her she'd tear through the house like a kitten. She'd play with the other cats, be silly and even sleep with me at night. Once the fur grew back in, she'd start being her old lazy and loner self again.
If you decide to do it on your own, be careful around the head, tail and tummy areas. It's not hard, just takes a little practice and patience!
 
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kittybernard

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Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with Sadie!
Especially about how much she loved it. Sometimes Kitten will have these little bursts of energy to play like a kitten and be super friendly with the other cats, but they are very few and far between & short lived episodes before she sacks out. So maybe the cut will help in the same way it did with Sadie!


 
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