21/06/2025
PLEASE SHARE TO RAISE AWARENESS!
I’m re-posting this today as it’s been increasingly hot over the last few days and I wanted to get this information back out there.
This knows so important and I’m really keen to educate as many owners as possible that shaving their cats in summer is NOT the answer.
I say again….a cat with a clipped coat may well overheat as their fur has been designed to regulate their body temperature in both cold and hot weather. The only reason for clipping a cat’s coat is to safely remove mats and pelts or to provide a hygienic clip for a furry bottom!
Just remember to provide lots of cool, shady areas for your cat to tuck themselves into and always have plenty of cool, fresh water available for them to drink.
Why not try a couple of ice cubes in their bowl or water fountain? Or maybe pop some liquid cat treats into ice cubes and offer them as a treat? Even keeping these liquid treats in the fridge is a nice way to offer a cool treat.
Let’s get the word out there and keep our cats cool and comfortable this summer in a way that puts their welfare first 🐈⬛🐾.
The Cuttycrumb Cat Mobile Groomer
Now we’re heading into the warmer weather I hear a lot of potential customers say this. Others have been advised that this is necessary to keep their long haired cat from overheating.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into the true function of a cat’s coat. We need to understand first and foremost that it is not a winter jacket to be removed when it warms up and put back on when it becomes chilly again.
The cat has three distinct layers of fur-the outer guard hairs, the middle layer, called the awn hairs, and the downy soft under coat which is usually wavy or crimped. These layers along, with the skin of the cat, are designed to regulate body temperature. They trap a layer of air next to the skin which enables the cat to keep warm in winter but, equally effectively, remain cool in the summer.
Shaving the coat to the skin in an effort to “ keep the cat cool” can actually cause the cat to overheat as they lose their innate ability to regulate their body temperature and can also affect the hair’s regrowth over time due to structural changes. The hair contributes to a heightened sense of touch, conveying sensory information and helping them react to their environment. The loss of this sense can also cause a cat to become anxious or disoriented.
It’s important to be aware that once a cat becomes matted or pelted there is no other option but to shave those areas safely by engaging the services of a professional feline groomer. The pain and skin damage that these mats can cause outweighs the downsides of shaving in this instance.
Keeping your cat on a regular grooming schedule with a qualified groomer and grooming at home yourselves in between visits will ensure not only that your cat stays mat free, healthy and happy but encourages bonding between you and your cat. Keep your grooms short and sweet with treats as a reward, gradually encouraging your cat to enjoy the process.
🌞 Worried your cat will be too hot this summer? Get in touch with me to have a chat about how I can help your cat stay comfortable 🐾.