6 Reasons Domestic Shorthair Cats Need Haircuts

If it is hot outside and your Domestic Shorthair cat is an outdoor cat, it is natural to start wondering if they need help cooling down. Of course, everyone knows most cats hate baths, but maybe a haircut would be just the thing you and your cat need!

Every person knows that a shorter stylish haircut leaves you feeling cool and refreshed. But, this is not the same for a Domestic Shorthair cat.

The 6 Reasons Domestic Shorthair cats need haircuts are:

1. For a Surgical Procedure
2. Skin Conditions
3. Hairballs
4. Shedding Prevention
5. Cat Hygiene
6. Cat Matted Fur

Read on and learn more about Domestic Shorthair cats and if they need haircuts!

If you wonder what the best products are for your cat, check out this article that will break down all my recommendations for you: Things To Buy For A Cat Right Now!

Do Domestic Shorthair Cats Need Haircuts?

Domestic Shorthair Cats rarely need haircuts. However, an adventurous owner may choose to experiment with giving their domestic shorthair cat a haircut. Likely reasons to give Domestic Shorthair cats haircuts are medical reasons or badly tangled and matted fur coats.

6 Reasons Domestic Shorthair Cats Need Haircuts

There may be one-off situations when it is necessary to give your cat a bit of a trim. On a few occasions, it may not only be beneficial but vital to shave part or all of Domestic Shorthair’s coat for different reasons.

1.    Domestic Shorthair Health Issues

If your cat is injured or requires a surgical procedure, the vet will shave a portion of your domestic shorthair cat’s hair away. The fur in that area will be removed entirely and the skin sterilized. The removal of hair is an important step that must be done to prevent infection. Therefore, its crucial the vet removes this hair to:

1. Prevent fur from becoming trapped in the surgical incision or wound.
2. To allow the skin to be properly sterilized and prevent surface skin bacteria from entering the wound.
3. To make it easier for you to apply the necessary lotions and creams when your cat comes home.

Usually, the shaved area is relatively small, and apart from making your Domestic Shorthair look a little odd, it will cause them no harm. 

2.    Cat Skin Conditions

It may be necessary to give your Domestic Shorthair Cat a haircut if they struggle with skin conditions. Skin conditions may include eczema, bacterial infections in the skin, and moist dermatitis.

Shaving your cat will allow the air to flow over the irritated area and dry out. Removing the fur makes the affected area more accessible for cleaning and application of topical medicine.  Make sure you do this only on the advice of a veterinarian.

3.      Do Domestic Shorthair Cats Get Hairballs?

All cats, including Domestic Shorthair Cats, can get hairballs, especially if they are particularly fastidious about their grooming. Shaving a cat’s hair will help to limit the amount of hair ingested and minimize or even stop your cat from developing hairballs. The better groomed your cat is, the less your cat will feel compelled to take care of its grooming.

4.      Domestic Shorthair Shedding

Giving your cat a haircut will not limit the amount your Domestic Shorthair sheds. Shaving your cat does, however, shorten the length of hair shed. To truly control shedding, it is essential that your cat has a healthy coat and is groomed regularly.

Healthy fur coats shed less as the hair is less fragile and more robust.  Grooming means you can better control your Domestic Shorthair cat shedding. During grooming sessions, you can remove loose hair all at once. For example, your cat’s loose hair is easily swept up if you groomed your cat on a tile floor.

5.    Cat Hygiene Problems

Suppose your Domestic Shorthair cat is overweight, old, or constipated. In that case, it may be necessary to give your Domestic Shorthair a scissor trim, especially around the anal area.

This discrete trim will prevent any feces from becoming attached to your cat’s fur, keeping them comfortable, clean, and pleasant smelling!  Personally, I would have a professional groomer do this if you need it done for your cat.

6.    Cat Matted Fur

If you keep your Domestic Shorthair cat outdoors, your outdoor cat may develop severe tangles, matted hairs, and knots in its coat. Although this is unlikely to happen with an indoor Domestic Shorthair Cat, it is still possible, especially if your cat is a rescue and suffered severe neglect.

Although the first choice would always be brushing, sometimes this is not possible, and you are forced to give your cat a haircut. I highly recommend you go to a trained professional if your cat’s fur is matted.

It may be better for your cat’s comfort to shave the coat and allow it to grow back. Once your cat is shaved, it’s vital to protect the skin until the fur grows back. Once your Domestic Shorthair Cats coat has grown, you can prevent the situation from repeating by regularly grooming your cat.

Giving Your Domestic Shorthair Cat A Haircut

I do not recommend giving a haircut to a Domestic Shorthair cat, but here is some useful information.  As you groom your cat, you may discover that there are stubborn hairs that refuse to be brushed out.

The easiest option to remove these is a quick scissor snip. It’s essential that you use sharp scissors, and your cat remains calm as you snip the offending tangle out of your cat’s fur.

When cutting a domestic shorthair’s fur, you must always keep a comb between your cat’s skin and the very sharp scissors.  I’ve also heard good things about the furminator product.  

Using the comb as a cutting interface will stop you from accidentally cutting your cat’s skin. However, if your cat needs a complete haircut, it is best to get a professional to do it for you.

Domestic Shorthair Grooming

Grooming your Domestic Shorthair should be a pleasant, bonding experience for you and your cat. Therefore, it is crucial to introduce grooming slowly and carefully. Short and sweet grooming sessions are the best approach to getting your kitty comfortable.

Domestic Shorthair Cat Grooming Needs

A Domestic Shorthair Cat will benefit from being groomed at least once a week.  I prefer to groom my Domestic Shorthair cat twice a week.  Grooming allows you to check your cat for lumps and bumps, inspect for fleas, and ensure their coats stay smooth and shiny.

Grooming has the added benefit of allowing you and your cat to enjoy a pleasant activity together. In addition, with regular grooming, your Domestic Shorthair Cat is unlikely to need a haircut.

3 Ways to Groom a Domestic Shorthair Cat

There are three main types of brushes that work well for grooming Domestic Shorthair Cats:

• Short bristled plastic-tipped brushes. These are excellent for giving your cat a firm massage and quickly removes any matted hairs tangled in their coats. However, sometimes the matted hair can be seriously bad, and you should take your cat to a veterinarian or a professional groomer for help.

This is a brush on Amazon (affiliate link) that is quite similar to the one I use on my cat:  Check Out This Great Cat Brush On Amazon.

• A textured grooming mitt is an ideal choice for cats who are reluctant about being groomed. The mitted glove gives the cat a feeling of being stroked. In addition, the grooming mitt gradually introduces the brushing element to your grooming sessions.

This is a grooming mitt on Amazon (affiliate link) that I also use on my Domestic Shorthair cat:  Check Out This Effective Grooming Mitt On Amazon My Cat Likes.

• A double-sided brush with a soft and a hard side is an excellent choice for grooming. The hard side will function like the first brush mentioned but once done, the brush is flipped over, and the soft side is used. The soft side provides a gentler feel and is more efficient at spreading the natural coat oils through the cat’s fur. The soft side’s denser bristles will be better at removing loose hair than the more widely spread plastic bristles.

Domestic Shorthair Fur

Cats’ fur is sleek and soft to touch, a tactile delight for their owners! But this is not the primary function of the cat’s coat. The coat of Domestic Shorthairs performs several vital functions and should not be cut without careful consideration.

Why is a Cat’s Coat Important?

The Domestic Shorthair’s coat protects the cat. It protects the delicate skin from scrapes, knocks, and cuts. The fur even protects these cats from sunburn! By blocking ultraviolet light, the cat’s skin cells are shaded from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet has been positively linked to the development of squamous cell carcinoma.

White cats or pale-colored cats are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma. Their fur is not as efficient at blocking ultraviolet rays as dark-colored coats. It is very clear from this that if you do give your domestic shorthair cat a haircut, you should leave sufficient length to protect your cat’s skin.

Domestic Shorthairs’ fur is so essential that if you shave large areas of their body, the cat will need protective garments. The protective garments will assume the fur’s ultraviolet blocking function. Any cat breed, including the Domestic Shorthair, cannot safely go out into the sun unless protected by hair or artificial garments.

Do Cats’ Coats Keep Them Warm?

Cats are better at dealing with hot temperatures than with cold temperatures. A shaved cat will be vulnerable to developing hypothermia if shaved during the winter months.

Cat Fur and Health

A domestic shorthair cat’s skin and fur are a good indicator of its overall health. If you notice your Domestic Shorthair’s coat has become dull and flat or has begun falling out, leaving unsightly bald patches, it’s time to bundle your cat off to the vet. A sleek, shiny coat is not only beautiful but also a sign of good health. If you shave your Domestic Shorthair Cat, you would have lost this valuable tool for assessing your cat’s overall health.

Cat Hair Standing Up

Domestic Shorthair cats, like all other cats, use their fur to communicate. Think of how a cat’s hair will stand on end when they react to something that has made them frightened or angry. Removing their fur could limit this method of communication.

The Domestic Shorthair Cat

The domestic shorthair cat, also known as a Moggy in the UK, is the cat version of a mutt dog. The Domestic Shorthair’s lack of traceable ancestry makes them no less loving or wonderful to have as pets.

Like all cats, Domestic Shorthair cats have unique grooming requirements that their owners need to understand and follow.  Known for their sleek, smooth fur, these cats come in a variety of colors. Although they are small and compact like the American Shorthair cat, they are not the same breed.

Is It OK to Shave your Cat’s Fur?

There are reasons that it is OK to shave your cat.  Some of these reasons are medical issues, shedding prevention, fur matting, skin conditions, hygiene, and surgery preparation. 

If you decide that your cat needs to be shaved, you need to take great care because a cat’s skin is sensitive and could get damaged.  If you are going to have your cat’s fur shaved, I recommend taking your cat to a professional cat groomer.

Why is a Cat’s Coat Important?

A cat’s coat is important because it can protect them from the sun and debris while also providing a good indicator of overall feline health.  A cat’s coat can also help your cat regulate their body temperature. 

Ensure you are keeping a good eye on your cat’s coat, grooming them regularly, and giving them proper nutrition. 

Should I Shave my Cat if She has Fleas?

No, you should not shave your cat if she has fleas. Instead, use a quality flea shampoo and bathe your cat to get rid of the fleas.  Additionally, taking your cat to the veterinarian so they can prescribe a parasiticide, such as Revolution, can eliminate fleas. 

You could shave your cat to try and get rid of fleas, but I don’t recommend it, and you should get a veterinarian’s opinion.  I think going the route of bathing, and the parasiticide will be much more effective.  Obviously, you should consult a veterinarian.

Can I Shave My Cat Myself?

Yes, you can shave a cat yourself if you are educated on shaving a cat correctly.  However, it is a good idea to take your cat to a professional cat groomer if you need your cat shaved.  A professional cat groomer will know all about your cat’s skin and fur coat and the best way to groom or shave them.

How Do You Deal with Cat Hair?

The best way to deal with cat hair is to educate yourself on your cat breed’s fur coat since they can differ by cat breed and being disciplined about maintaining your cat’s fur coat.  It is important to take the management of your cat’s hair seriously.

This disciplined plan to manage your cat’s hair should include how often you will bathe your cat, how often you will brush your cat, proper cat nutrition, and even how often you will keep your home vacuumed due to shedding fur. 

Does Cat Hair Grow Back After Shaving?

Yes, cat hair does typically grow back after shaving.  Full cat fur growth will likely take four to six months.  There are medical reasons that cat hair may not grow back, so if your cat has trouble growing back their hair, you should consult a veterinarian.

If your cat does get shaved, keep a good eye on your cat’s fur coat and ensure your cat is being fed proper nutrition since nutrition does affect the health of a cat’s fur coat.

Conclusion

Typically, Domestic Shorthair Cats do not need haircuts. A healthy cat who is regularly groomed will receive no benefit from a haircut and may be harmed by being shaved.  I own a Domestic Shorthair cat (her name is Charlotte).  I do not recommend you give a haircut to a Domestic Shorthair cat.

Removal of a Domestic Shorthair Cat fur could result in sunburn, skin cancers, injury, and hypothermia. Occasionally your cat may need a haircut for medical reasons, hygiene reasons, or to remove tangles and burrs. The best way to protect your cat’s coat and ensure their comfort is to follow a regular grooming schedule.

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