questions about shaving cats

Off and on I have had a problem with 9 mo. old Smokey(long-haired) getting"poop" sticking to his fur in the back area, and when this happens, I usually stick him in the laundry tub and give him a bath. I talked to the vet about this, and we talked about me shaving his back area to make it easier to keep him clean. Does any have any advice on this? How the heck am I going to keep him still enough to do this?? Is there any safe products that will help hold him in place to do this? I sure am not looking forward to this!!!

 

Don't know about any safe products but how about shaving him or cutting his fur when he's sleeping. You might have to do it over a course of a few trys. This is how I trim Pumpkin's nails. She has to be very relaxed or sleeping or she just runs away. Otherwise, you can get the fur trimmed professionally but it'll probably be very expensive. :mrgreen:

 

Would it be expensive just to get the fur trimmed on his behind? I've never done it so maybe it is, but I think I would call around and see what the prices are. You may even be able to find a groomer who is willing to show you how to do it yourself, so you don't have to pay after the first time.

 

I have to get my cats bum trimmed too. I just go into the groomers real quick and they take her in back, shave the butt and give her back. Sometimes they charge me $5 other times they do it for free.It always takes two seconds for them to do it

I would never try doing it myself, i dont want scratches up and down my arms.

The interesting thing though, when she was just an indoor cat I had to have her butt shaved like once a month or every couple months, now that she is indoors and outdoors I havnt had to shave her butt in 6 months. Weird!

 

my mother takes her cat to a groomer a couple times a year to help alleviate the "cling-on" problem
Tinker (mother's cat) gets really upset when he's got cling-ons. I don't know what my mother pays but it can't be much cause she and my father live on a fixed income and don't have a lot to spend.
Tinker seems happier, more relieved (no pun intended) after his grooming session.
My parents won't attempt the job themselves and the groomer makes Tinker nice and neat and happy.

 

I'd definitely go the groomer route, if I were you.

 

I have the same problem with Socks. She is chubby and her grooming habits around her tail are not very good. She's even had a couple of bladder infections because of poop stuck to her fur.

The Vet has shaved her under her tail area and said they would do it or I could do it at home. I think she said they would charge $10.

Anyway, I went and bought an electric razor at the pet store. I was scared at first but it is real easy. You do have to have another person to help. My husband holds Socks on his lap while I shave her behind. I don't even worry about shaving real close. Just getting some of the long hair on her bum trimmed shorter is enough. She is so well behaved when we do it, too.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

 

I have to occasionally shave Emily because she has curly fur and doesn't like being brushed. I just take her into the bathroom and close the door. I can generally get her to lay down for awhile and get a fair amount done. When she starts getting angry, I let her calm down for a while then go at it again. Sometimes I'll stop and finish the next day.

The haircuts don't always look great, but they serve the purpose.

-Chelle