Thread: Shaving your cat due to excessive heat?

You know, Maine Coons are "designed" to last in the cold. However -and I must note here I'm not a vet or anything - I have to say that a cat's normal temperature is about 39 celsius (that is 102 fahrenheit), that is well above our normal body temperature. That makes them more heat tolerant than humans.

I've had many long haired cats (not MC, but still, long haired) and my vet never advised me to shave them for the summer - and I can tell you it gets really really hot here, sometimes even 45 celsius (113 fahrenheit)! A/C and all, my furry creatures still preferred to lie out in the extreme heat during the worst hours of the day (that is 1-5 pm). Also, in my experience, cats absolutely HATE it when they lose their precious fur. They're very proud animals.

I think cats know how to take care of themselves in that area, for example I've noticed that my black moggie never sits in the sun during the summertime, like the rest of my cats, she always finds a cooler place to lie down. That's probably because due to her fur color she can feel the heat much more than the others.

Btw I remember reading somewhere that cats were originally desert animals and that the maximum temperature they can take is 56 celsius (132.8 fahrenheit)! Of course, I don't know whether that is valid and if it is, I'm not sure it applies to all breeds. Just thought I'd share this rather interesting information

I have a friend who has an MC in NYC and "Winston" gets a shave/groom every spring to help him cope with the city heat.

There's always a "Lion Cut"







When I lived in Nevada, MC Bubba (RIP) used to flop down in the cold air stream in front
of the air conditioner in the summer and he wouldn't budge except for food.

I wound up using the Furminator on him instead of a lion cut as I didn't want to be the object of kitty revenge...



I'm guessing he was more comfortable without the undercoat hair when it was 120° outside, even though he didn't go out much.

I had a Exotic variant,( his coat was about twice the length it should have been) he was ok in our UK summer but when the central heating came on in winter, he would lie on my Marble dining table, I decided he was not comfortable so took the Horse clippers to his belly, he was much better afterwards. So we did that every winter . Unlike those "Lion Clips" you couldn't tell unless you picked him up.

When I would take Samantha in for her twice yearly bath, demating and butt shave I'd have them thin out her belly fur.
I'd go their to pick her up and there would be a big pile of fur and hair all over the groomer but except for her britches which the trimmed way down you could hardly tell.
She did smell lovely and her coat just glowed after a bath.
I combed her at least 3 times a week at night before bed time and I swear Maine Coon Cats convert cat food into fur and poop.

Originally Posted by cooncatbob

... and I swear Maine Coon Cats convert cat food into fur and poop.

My housemate and I are rapidly coming to this conclusion. However, luckily, there are also side orders of purrs and mischief.

Originally Posted by Peter Galbavy

My housemate and I are rapidly coming to this conclusion. However, luckily, there are also side orders of purrs and mischief.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adored Samantha and miss her terribly, I did learn early on to never wear a black tee shirt
She had a kind and gentle soul, not a mean bone in her furry body, there's still a rolled sleeping bag in the corner of my closet covered with fur from where she liked to sleep, I still can't bear to clean it up.

Originally Posted by Carol ann

I had a Exotic variant,( his coat was about twice the length it should have been) he was ok in our UK summer but when the central heating came on in winter, he would lie on my Marble dining table, I decided he was not comfortable so took the Horse clippers to his belly, he was much better afterwards. So we did that every winter . Unlike those "Lion Clips" you couldn't tell unless you picked him up.

What does an exotic varient look like...............hehe subtle pic request there!!!

Originally Posted by Helen & John

What does an exotic varient look like...............hehe subtle pic request there!!!

Sadly Mr Henry is no longer this side of the rainbow, he was the cutest cat , red and white, I presume you have seen pics of Exotics, well that was him except his coat was slightly longer but not as long as a persian, he would walk up to visitors and raise his front leg , as if giving a high 5. Totally brilliant and still sadly missed.

Thanks for all the answers. I'll not shave him, but just work on keeping him inside. Even if I have to sedate him to do so.