If you have a long-haired cat I’m sure you’re familiar with the endless battle against knots, matted fur, clumps, and foreign objects or stains in their fur.
There are some great brushes for long-haired cats. Cats also do their bit to try and look their best, but sometimes the only answer is to shave their fur off.
If their fur is getting too knotted a vet or groomer might recommend a lion cut.
You’ve probably seen pictures of a lion cut before. It’s where the body is shaved, leaving fur on the cats face, neck, and tail.
The end result is all the fur that gets knotted is gone – and your kitty is left looking like a small lion!
If you have a long haired cat it’s worth considering a lion cut. But not before you’re well aware of all the pros and cons involved in this drastic, but often necessary grooming method.
Lion Cut for Cats: Pros and Cons Explained
Lion cuts aren’t just for fun, sometimes it’s the only way to get a cat’s fur under control. There are some other benefits as I’ll explain, and a few drawbacks to be aware of.
Benefits of a Lion Cut for Cats
It Resolves Issues with Knotting and Matted Fur
The main reason for a lion cut is to remove fur that’s become knotted and is matting. Not only is knotted fur uncomfortable for cats, if left it will only get worse and can cause some serious skin issues.
Some brushes are great for removing small knots as I’ve covered before. But often it’s necessary to just shave all the fur off and start again.
It Helps Cats Struggling to Keep on Top of Their Grooming
Brushing and grooming your cat regularly goes a long way in helping them keep their coats in tip-top condition, but they have to do some personal grooming too.
Some cats end up struggling with their coats for one reason or another. Maybe it’s due to a medical reason, an aging cat, lazy cat, or something else. A lion cut might become periodically necessary.
It Helps Reduce Hairballs / Furballs
Coughing up furballs is completely natural and nothing to be concerned about in most cases. Some cats, however, find it difficult to pass hairballs and can become constipated.
If your cat is having regular problems with hairballs a lion cut can give them a much-needed break from all that grooming and ingesting of hair.
It Helps to Keep Them Cool
Being a long-haired cat in the summer months when temperatures are soaring isn’t fun for them. Just imagine adding another layer to what you’re wearing…
I’ve covered some great tips to help keep both indoors and outdoors cats cool in the summer. But there is only so much you can do.
Sometimes it’s for their own good to have their fur shaved off in the summer months. If it prevents heat stroke it’s an easy decision.
It Reduces Hair Around the House and Allergies
While neither of these reasons should be the reason why you give your cat a lion cut, having less hair floating around your home means you don’t have as many loose hairs to clean and it’ll lessen allergies.
If allergies are becoming a problem to someone in your household you might find my post on hypoallergenic cats useful.
Some of the Drawbacks to Giving Your Cat a Lion Cut
Some Cats Find It Stressful
Most cats aren’t going to enjoy being shaved, not to mention looking like a cat dressed as a lion afterward.
If your cat finds it really stressful however and clearly takes a long time to act themselves after, or get used to their new look, you need to weigh up the health benefits to doing it again or not.
The Costs Add up over Time
Depending on the size of your cat and their length of hair, you can expect to pay anywhere between $80-120 per lion cut.
It can take short hair cats around 3 months to grow their full coat back. While long hair cats may take 6 months. Something to keep in mind when budgeting.
They Have Less Protection Without Their Coats
Your cat is going to have less protection against the sun, cold weather, and cuts and grazes rocking a lion cut. White cats, in particular, are susceptible to burning in the sun, so it’s worth keeping that in mind.
Just spare a thought for your kitty and the temperatures. Depending on the weather where you live you might be able to time it so your cat has a shave in the summer, then their hair grows back for the winter.
In Summary
I hope you found this article, Lion Cuts for Cats: Pros and Cons Explained useful.
As I’ve explained, as long as your cat isn’t too traumatized by the shearing process, the pros of a lion cut outweigh the cons.
This style of cut isn’t just for fun. Sometimes a lion cut is the only way to get a cat’s matted and knotted fur under control.
So, put aside the jokes and don’t worry about how your cat will look. If it’s beneficial for their health, give them a lion cut.
I think it looks pretty cool anyway. How can you disagree when looking at some of the pictures above!
