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[Supervised by trimmer] How to use clippers on cats? Commentary with notes

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[Supervised by trimmer] How to use clippers on cats? Commentary with notes
Cats are self-grooming animals, but proper coat care is important for the comfort of the cat and its owner. Especially for long-haired children and elderly children who are not well groomed, it is necessary for the owner to intervene skillfully to keep them clean.

ここでは、自宅で猫の毛をカットする際に使用するバリカンのやり方や注意点、バリカンの選び方などについて解説します。(最終更新日2024年5月14日)

table of contents

Supervision

Groomer, Veterinary Medical Grief Care Advisor, Veterinary Nurse Ayako Akasu
Grooming and grief care Care Salon h
3-12-7 Adachi, Adachi-ku, Tokyo

Worked as a nurse at an animal hospital in Tokyo since 2005. I have met many animals who were rejected by trimming salons due to illness or old age, and have experienced a lot of animal care. I feel rewarded when I can provide a comfortable life that makes both pets and their owners smile, so I transferred to a trimming school in 2014 to improve my skills. He also deepened his knowledge of veterinary grief care under his teacher, and obtained advisor certification in 2023.
In 2023, he opened “Care Salon h”, a salon that values smiles and hearts, going beyond the framework of an animal hospital to get closer to pets and their owners. Currently, in addition to grooming at the store, I support the happy life of pets and their owners online while posting as an animal medical grief care advisor on Instagram.

In the first place, do you need clippers for cat hair care?

Cats are animals that usually groom themselves. Therefore, not all cats require clipper care.
But,For long-haired or older cats, grooming alone may not be enough to care for their coat. If the coat is not properly cared for, the dirt around the buttocks will affect health, and cats that did not develop hairballs when they were young may develop them as they get older. There is alsoTherefore, the owner should regularly check the condition of the coat, and if necessary, use clippers or a brush at home to care for it.

Things to do before cutting hair with clippers

When cutting hair at home, prepare the necessary items in advance. The following items should be prepared.

<Things to prepare for hair cutting at home>
・Clippers for pets
・Brushes and combs
・Snacks and toys for rewards

Once you have the clippers, brushes, combs, and treats, you are ready to prepare the tools necessary for hair care. As an owner, you should think, "I want to try cutting my cat's hair right away!"
But,Cats are creatures that are very wary of things they see for the first time. Therefore, when trimming a cat's fur at home, it is important to get the cat used to the presence of clippers in advance.

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Precautions when cutting cat hair with clippers

Here are 5 things to keep in mind when cutting a cat's fur with clippers.

 

Remove tangles from the hair with a brush beforehand

By removing the tangles of the hair with a brush in advance, the cut with the clippers will be smooth.

 

not too enthusiastic

Don't let the owner get too enthusiastic about cutting the coat with clippers.
When using clippers, it is important to be careful not to put too much force on your hands and shoulders as much as possible so that cats do not dislike them.

 

Do it in an environment where you can relax as much as possible, and stop before you don't like it

When using clippers on a cat, it is important to do it in a place where they can relax so as not to make them wary.
Also, if he shows reluctance, stop as soon as possible and praise him for what he's done.

 

Before you get used to the clippers, proceed little by little from the part that is easy to apply.

Until the cat is no longer wary of the clippers, apply the clippers little by little from the easy-to-apply part.
Once your dog is no longer afraid or reluctant, and the owner has become accustomed to using the clippers, it is recommended that you gradually expand the area where the clippers are applied.

 

leave some hair

The fur on the cat's paws also acts as a cushioning material that softens the impact when jumping from a high place, so do not cut the fur between the pads.
A cat's whiskers also help with vision and balance. Therefore, when cutting the hair around the face, be careful not to cut the beard.

What is the method to get used to clippers?

In order to relieve the cat's wariness of the clippers, it is important to keep the clippers in contact with the eyes on a daily basis.
After purchasing the clippers, it is important to let them know that the clippers are not dangerous by telling them, "This is what you use when cleaning."
Once you've convinced the cat that it's not dangerous, try lightly touching the cat with the clippers with the power switch off. It's also recommended to praise him a lot when he can touch, give him rewards, and do things that make him happy.

Which parts of the dog can be safely trimmed at home?

Here, we will explain the parts of cats that owners can cut at home without relying on a professional groomer, along with why they are necessary.

 

Suspension

If the coat near the paws is long, it will not be able to dissipate heat well and it will become slippery on the floor, so cut it short.
If the slippery condition continues, it will put a strain on the joints, so check it frequently, especially if you are a senior.
Also, by cutting the hair around the legs,You can also avoid getting excrement on your feet when sanding after excretion.

 

Around the buttocks

Since the area around the buttocks is a part where excrement adheres, it is a place that is easy to get dirty.
Long-haired cats, in particular, should be trimmed regularly as needed to prevent excrement from tangling, which will make both cats and their owners more comfortable.

 

around the face

The hair around the face is close to the ears, so it is a little difficult for beginners to cut hair clippers. for that reason,Let's cut the hair around the face after getting used to handling the clippers.
Cats also groom their faces by themselves, but if the mane around the chin is covered with long hair, food and other dirt can easily stick to it. If the hair near the mane grows out, cut it with a clipper, being careful not to cut the whiskers.

 

belly

The skin around the belly stretches considerably, so be careful not to scratch the stretched skin or nipples with clippers.If your dog is long-haired and prone to pilling, or if it is prone to getting dirty, cut it within a reasonable range.

[Explanation for each part] How to cut with clippers and tips

When cutting with a clipper, how should I cut it specifically? From here, we will introduce how to cut a cat's coat with a clipper for each part.

 

how to cut legs

Among the areas around the legs, the areas around the paws are particularly sensitive to cats. Some children are surprised by the slight vibration of the clippers on their paws.
Therefore, when cutting the hair around the legs including the paws with a clipper,While communicating as usual, hold the hand of the person you want to cut firmly before cutting.

Also,When cutting hair around the legs, it is recommended to move the clipper in a sweeping motion from the tip of the foot toward the large paws.With this method, you can cut quickly with fewer strokes while avoiding cat punches.

 

How to cut around the buttocks

When cutting the hair around the buttocks, cut it without spending time.If you have a family member or someone who can help you, it would be nice to have them hold you.

Raise your tail so that you can see the anus, and start immediately. So that the anus will not be damaged even if the cat moves,Make sure that the tip of the clipper blade faces the outside of the anus and move from the inside to the outside.

 

How to cut around the face

Be careful when trimming facial hair.Since the clippers are brought close to the ears, the sound of the clippers is heard directly, and many cats have a negative reaction.Don't force yourself if you see that you don't like it.
Here, I will explain how to cut the hair on the ears and the hair on the mane.

・Ear hair
The hair on the ears is oily and prone to pilling, so it is recommended to take care of it by brushing it regularly.

Also, if you have hairballs around your ears, use clippers to cut off unnecessary hairballs. In that case,Firmly check the skin of the ear with your fingers and cut it quickly by inserting the clippers between the skin and the pill.Never overdo it, and if it is difficult to handle at home, consult a professional.

·mane
The mane tends to get dirty, so apply the clippers only to the unnecessary parts and cut along the hair flow.
At this time,Be careful not to cut off the beard.

 

how to cut belly

For the belly hair, lay the cat on its back so that the belly is sticking out, and cut the hair just at the tip.
Also, if you leave your armpits unattended, pilling can easily form, so it is recommended that you check it regularly and cut or brush it when it grows.
However, the armpits are difficult to apply the clippers to and can easily damage the skin. for that reason,When cutting armpit hair with a clipper, stretch the skin firmly and check the position of the skin.At this time, if the cat moves unavoidably, do not force it and stop it for a while.

 

Whole body cut

When you want to shorten the overall coat of a long-haired cat, you may cut the entire body short with a clipper.
However, if you cut the whole body, you will have to keep the clippers on the cat for a long time, so the cat will gradually run away. for that reason,Cutting the whole body is a little difficult for beginners with clippers, and there are many cats that can only be done by experienced trimmers and veterinary hospitals with sedation and anesthesia.

For owners who have had cats for a long time and are accustomed to cutting, or those who want to cut only the ends of the hair, carefully check the skin with the opposite hand of the clipper and cut along the hair flow.

What to do if your cat hates clippers

If your cat doesn't like clippers, it's important to find ways to relieve the wariness that cats have about clippers.
An unfamiliar sound from an unfamiliar machine can scare you. for that reason,After purchasing the clippers, it is important to keep them as close to the cat as possible so that they can get used to the presence of the clippers.At this time, be sure to put the blade away so as not to be in danger.

Also, if the owner is not good at handling the cat and the body is held down for a long time, the cat will feel stress.When using clippers for the first time, be sure to check the operation method in advance and remember how to handle it.

In addition, the voice of the owner is also important.You can expect to reduce the stress of working with clippers by praising your cat for being a good child, or by speaking in a calm tone that makes your cat feel at ease.

How to choose cat clippers

Here are four points to consider when choosing cat clippers.

 

Choose a pet clipper

Human clippers have larger blades than animal clippers, so there is a risk of scratching your cat's skin. Get a pet clipper so that you can cut soft and fine cat hair smoothly.

 

Choose a clipper suitable for the part you want to cut

In order for the cat not to dislike the clippers, it is necessary to finish it quickly when cutting with the clippers. For that reason, choose a clipper that is suitable for the part to be cut.
If you want to cut the whole body, we recommend a clipper with a wide blade that can cut a wide area at once, and a compact clipper with a narrow blade that is easy to handle when cutting small areas.

 

Choose a silent hair clipper

Loud noises and vibrations can frighten cats. Choose one that has a silent design so that the motor noise does not bother you too much. It is also effective to turn on the switch while paying attention to safety and let the sound be heard in advance.

 

Choose a sharp clipper

Powerful and sharp clippers can be used for quick cuts in a short amount of time. Also, the blades of the clippers wear out little by little each time you use them, so be sure to replace them regularly before they become dull. If you use a blunt blade as it is, it may hurt your cat's skin, so be careful.

猫の被毛ケアにオススメなペティオのバリカンをご紹介

  • SelfTrimmer Self Trimmer Cordless Hair Clipper Professional Regular
    Clippers equipped with special functions that allow you to cut the silhouette you want, such as the number of rotations that match the amount and thickness of your cat's hair, the height slide for clipping, and the attachment that can be adjusted from short to long.

    <Product features>
    ・Cut width: 39mm
    ・Can be used for about 90 minutes on a full charge (continuous use time: 15 minutes)
    ・Entirely washable
    ・ USB rechargeable
  • Self Trimmer Cordless Hair Clipper Compact
    Clippers ideal for cutting narrow areas such as legs, buttocks, and face lines. Comes with an attachment that can be cut to 4 types of length.

    <Product features>
    ・Cut width: 27mm
    ・It can be used for about 60 minutes with a full charge (continuous use time 15 minutes)
    ・Entirely washable
    ・ USB rechargeable
  • SelfTrimmer self trimmer cordless hair clipper detail
    A small turning clipper that is ideal for cutting fine parts such as around slippery paws on flooring.

    <Product features>
    ・Cut width: 6mm
    ・Can be used for about 45 minutes on a full charge (continuous use time: 15 minutes)
    ・ USB rechargeable
  • Self Trimmer Cordless Hair Clipper Small Nail Care 2WAY
    A clipper that can be used to cut small areas such as legs, face, and buttocks by changing the head, and an item that can be used for nail care with 3 types of shaving widths.

    <Product features>
    ・Cut width: 16mm (hair clipper)
    ・By fully charging, it can be used for about 60 minutes for hair clippers and about 45 minutes for nail care (15 minutes of continuous use).
    ・Entirely washable
    ・ USB rechargeable

Cut hair with clippers to make life with your cat healthier

It's important for the owner to help with areas that the cat's own grooming can't reach. If you have a dedicated clipper or brush that matches the part you want to cut, you can take care of it frequently without going to a salon or veterinary hospital.
Stay healthy and enjoy life with your cat more by mastering how to use clippers on your cat.