We have to shave the fur from my cat in the summer. It's not as important as you think. Her fur is so long and thick she overheats in the summer and it's obvious she struggles. When we shave her she becomes much more lively and friendly (and looks like a lion lol). It's not like they're wild cats with no way to protect themselves from frostbite, especially in June... I just feel like this need to be said because this post is hilarious and y'all are worrying way to much -_-

When we had a pair of longhairs, we'd take them for a shave every June just as the hot weather was starting. They loved it, they'd come back bouncing around and full of energy. If we didn't, they'd spend the whole summer lying on the concrete basement floor in our house, because we didn't have air conditioning.

What about hairless cats? And if your answer is that is from bad breeding practices then so are pretty much all dog and cat breeds

I worked at a dog groomers that occasionally would take in long haired cats for shaving. They are usually done for several reasons. Cat's fur is matted, Cat has flea infestation, cat is shedding long fur everywhere (usually around springtime), or the cat spends most of it's time outdoors (in the south..kitties not only have to deal with 90+ degree temps in the summer, but high amounts of humidity.) We've shaved down a few cats in our time. But we would have offered a second shaving if the wife was infuriated about it.

Most likely this cat is kept indoors at room temp. It should be fine.

Thank you that's what I was going to say. What's wrong with people? There's a reason cat only groomers don't actually exist, they groom themselves.

It is common for cats with long hair to have it all shaved off occasionally, it removes any knots or even dreadlocks.

This is true, but a long hair breed doesn't have a proper purpose and actually benefits from grooming. On the other hand there is also hairless cats, which were bred that way for humans and they definitely need more ways to stay warm than your average cat.

That was my first thought. Now they have to dress him up, so really not funny at all. This is a topic that generates a huge amount of controversy among pet owners, groomers, veterinarians, and other animal care workers etc. There a good reasons why it should not be done: insulation for the body, protecting them against sunburn and skin cancer, and there are better alternatives to shaving your pet. We have 4 cats, one of them has long hair and it keeps him also cool during hot summers and he knows when he needs shade, so it really isn’t necessary to shave them, just make sure there is extra water and a possibility to go in the shade. Grooming on the other hand is different, some cats need help because their fur gets so tangled.

Animal cruelty in sight, as you said, cats need their hair for thermoregulation... They hail from warm and arid climates...

Oliver probably could not care less -- he's a cat!

We shaved our long haired cat every summer just to help cool her down and she LOVED IT!!! She looked kinda funny, but we loved her and didn't care how she looked, we cared about her comfort. This is in no way cruel.

I agree ....selfish act as a prank...

It's true, that's how cats regulate temperature, but in case you haven't noticed, domesticate cats living in a house don't struggle too much from freezing anymore these days. Why you gotta hate?? This isn't as harmful as you think, if at all

It's not abuse. Clearly you've never owned a longhaired cat. I have and that summer shave was essential for their enjoyment of the hot weather.

Okay I see what you're trying to say, but this cat isn't suffering! Like I'm not unknowledgeable about this topic either haha, and you're way over thinking this!! The cat is not being abused. Pick your battles Alusair, this one isn't worth your time.

Alusair I have a lovely main c**n, if he wasn't so relaxed I wouldn't be able to keep most of his knots at bay through daily brushing. But on several occasions he has needed to go to the vet to have knots clippers off, and once needed a trim during a summer heatwave so he didn't suffer. Funny how you also jumped into an assumption so fast.

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Oh gosh... That's just... Sad. For you.

I totally agree, apparently this site now lumps cat haircuts as animal cruelty lol... I'm literally on my way to wildlife ecology and at least with big cats I understand this isn't serious in any way.

Bc it helps cool it them down. They love it. Our kitty we so happy to be shaved in the summer!! She was happy to get the long hair off and felt free. She would rub all over the floor and purr and knead...and was so affectionate. Loved when you rubbed her new short haired back!!

We couldn't groom our long-haired cat. He wouldn't allow it, and sedating him was out of the question. By summer, his coat was a mass of matted clumps - and yes we did try to comb them out, gently.

Why change groomers? They did the fur the way they were asked to do the cut. They also should not refund the money for the same reason. They might redo the cut for free as a courtesy, but don't have to. I've considered having my long-haired cats shaved for the summer but haven't done it because it's only really hot for a couple weeks a year here. I don't have air conditioning for the same reason.

Oh my gosh right?? Seriously fur grows back and this black cat probably will enjoy not overheating this summer now!!