asherman

Folks,

First, I’m sorry about the bizarre question. I’ve looked on the internet and I get conflicting responses. I talked to a vet here and he didn’t make sense. He didn’t seem to know much about cats.

The situation: I brought a long-haired cat to Barbados (after the poor little guy had to make two trans-Atlantic trips on his own via London). He’s half Maine Coone, and he’s basically wearing a long fur coat all the time.

I brought him from a colder place, where he spent all day outdoors and was happy. Here, in Barbados, I notice he’s happy when I let him out in the early morning. But otherwise he spends all of his time trying to be cool in the house. He’s miserable in the coat.

Can I clip him, the way you’d do with a dog?

Any feline-owners out there? Suggestions?

Thanks.

zanne

Asherman, our cat made the same journey. He also spent 6 months in the UK freezing his furry butt off. Anyway when he arrived here he was fat (almost 4 kilos more than when I sent him) and had way more fur than ever before, after 6 months here and loads of brushing his coat has changed and he isn't so fat. I would say give it time and he will adapt to the climate much like we humans do.

I would also stick to saying can you "shear" a cat. Ha ha! My cats are both spayed/neutered but secretly resent me for it!

P.S. I used to have a cat that was part Maine Coon that couldn't get enough of the heat sleeping on the radiator and my laptop.

Foxy_fromCanada

I have a friend with a part Maine Coone who "shears" her cat - not like a buzz cut, but enough to make him comfortable. She takes him to a dog groomer who has worked with cats. It's much the same process. I have no idea if there is anyone here who does it, though. Try calling a few groomers.

Good luck. Hope kitty adapts! I, too, have a long-haired cat but unfortunately had to re-home him in Canada as he is too old to travel. Luckily he is very happy in his new home and doesn't miss me at all!

Poppy girl

I am in California and have a long haired burmese he is clipped in the hot weather, looks funny, but you can tell he is so much happier.

zanne

RSPCA might do it come to think of it try there!

asherman

Many thanks to Zanne, Foxy and Poppy for input. I’d been genuinely concerned about this. I work at home, and watching the guy be miserable all day had upset me.

I think I’ll buy one of those pathetic “home barber” kits and see if I can get the guy’s hair a little shorter … so it looks a bit less like he’s wearing a full-length sable coat and more like he’s just wearing an early-1960s Beatle wig.

And Zanne: you’re quite right about “shear”. I realize now that asking if you can clip a cat is a bit like the Sopranos.

Tony Soprano: “I want you to clip that cat.”

Sidekick with gun: “You want the cat whacked?”

Tony: “What are you, an idiot? Take the cat for a haircut!”

zanne

That is too funny.

RSPCA did shear my cat's side for her clipping, they did a good job, maybe try them.

bimchick

Yes cat can 100% be clipped. I asked my mother and she's a cat expert! (She bred cats for 30+ years) so go ahead and clip the cat. although, she also said that the cat should regulate itself after some time.

asherman

Very good to know, bimchick. Many thanks. I needed exactly that kind of confirmation. I think it'll make the little guy happier.