Every week Dr Chris Brown answers your pet questions — submit your own or browse our archives.
Question
I know you can clip dogs in summer, but can you do the same for cats? And if so, where do you clip them? My Persian X really feels the heat and needs some help!
— Paul
Answer
When you take into account the fact that our pets never evolved to live in our hot and often humid climate, its easy to see why your little mate needs all the help he can get at this time of year. The good news for your cat is that as the temperature rises, it’s quite okay to make that fur fall away. No matter what anyone says and no matter how short you clip their fur it will always grow back to exactly where it once was; same length, same thickness, same colour. The added bonus is that it reduces the risk of hairballs as well as the potential pain associated with knots that all too easily occur in long-haired cats.
So, how do you do it? Well, I may not be a feline fashion aficionado, but here are some styles that might not only cool down their temperature but also give them some cool ‘street cred’ at the same time.
Option one: The short, back and sides
The haircut your cat would have if it was in the army. A basic, no fuss clip that cuts the fur to a length of around one centimetre all over. You could set your watch by this one and at the same time observe the time you save by avoiding daily brushing. Completely shaved is also an option.
Option two: The Posh and Becks clip
The haircut your cat would have if it was David Beckham. Basically, a Mohawk for cats. A strip of fur (at least two centimetres long) is left along the top of the back and shoulders from the head to the tail. The rest is shaved. This is great for cats that knot their fur regularly but still want to maintain some length for their owners to run their fingers through.
Option three: The lion clip
The haircut your cat would have if it had a sense of humour. Basically, imagine your cat trying to look like a lion and you’ve arrived at the lion clip. Shaved short all over apart from fluffy feet, tip of the tail and of course a furry head and neck to make a mane. All jokes aside, it’s quite a functional style. They look cute, keep cool and avoid fur balls. Plus, they probably feel as though they can demand respect on the streets with their furry features.
It’s recommended that all clips be performed by trained groomers. You avoid potentially painful nicks and cuts, plus your cat has to live with the hairstyle once you’re finished with it…
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