Do you shave/trim your own cats? What shaver do you use?

I have two long haired cats. They both have different types of hair, one with sleek straight hair on top with downy, fluffy hair in certain areas like his butt and chest. The other cat I swear is made of cotton balls. It's thick and squishy and felts together into matts as soon as it gets warm. The cotton ball is usually taken to the groomer twice a year to be shaved, but it's getting to a point that $75 every trip is the norm. The other cat is an ex feral that is terrified of car trips and people who aren't me. I trim his butt with scissors every few months, but he's started to get mats on his neck and chest in the last year and a shave would probably make him feel more comfortable.

I'd like to try shaving them myself but there are so many different types of shavers I don't even know where to start. I'd probably like something cordless and quiet as possible, but honestly I have no idea.

What do you guys use?

I heard you shouldn't try to shave them around their butt area, that you could hurt them.  Maybe check with your vet for advice?

Misty8723 said:

I heard you shouldn't try to shave them around their butt area, that you could hurt them.  Maybe check with your vet for advice?

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I've never heard that. I know professional groomers often offer a sanitary clip which involves shaving around the genital area and the back of the legs. This helps long haired cats go to the bathroom without soiling themselves.

IndyJones said:

I've never heard that. I know professional groomers often offer a sanitary clip which involves shaving around the genital area and the back of the legs. This helps long haired cats go to the bathroom without soiling themselves.

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My vet had actually done that for us when we asked about how to reduce poop getting stuck on my cat's bum.

I use the Andis Ultraedge clipper with a #10 blade. That blade cuts to 1/16th' I believe. If you don't want it that short you can get different blades for a longer cut.  I don't like shaving my Persians, but since I work full time when the shedding starts it makes it much easier. I am looking forward to retirement so I can keep them all in full coat.

I use some generic shaver (intended for human use ) that has a plastic cover that you can move up/down to set how close/far from skin to cut. 

Its actually pretty loud and my kitty was petrified when she first saw it so I did the following:

1. Take out the shaver and let her smell it (give treat)

2. Turn on the shaver and give her some time to come inspect it as well (give treat)

3. Put your cat in position you'd like her to be in and start shaving If you feel like she's fed up give another treat and start again

For me, I trim her butt area + under the paw area.

I use scissors for under the neck area so I don't accidentally shave of some whiskers

Good luck!

IndyJones said:

I've never heard that. I know professional groomers often offer a sanitary clip which involves shaving around the genital area and the back of the legs. This helps long haired cats go to the bathroom without soiling themselves.

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I actually meant WE shouldn't do it should have vet do it because we don't know how to do it right and could hurt them. Might have read it on this site. I have vet do it when needed. Would rather pay than take a chance of hurting him and have actually heard some bad things about some groomers.

I do shave some of my cats. I am very careful since cats skin is very elastic.I have one that I have been shaving yearly for the past 8 years and I have never cut her. Others I do sometimes and again never hurt them.  Vets and groomers can also nick a cat. I see no problem in an owner trying it IF they take it slowly and very carefully, use the correct equipment,  and the cat is not severely matted. If a groomer is needed find one with cat experience, not just a dog groomer who wants to make a little extra. They need to be a certified cat groomer as the grooming is different than a dogs.