For the Groomer:
When we are shaving a cat, we need to consider the feline anatomy. I have heard this question many times, ‘Should I shave a cat’s legs,’ and the short answer is no, it’s not safe to do so. I will explain to you why in detail.
Anatomy
A cat’s skin is tissue paper thin, on average 0.4 – 3.6mm compared to dogs 2.6-5.2mm. Of course, shaving or clipping a cat, you must be careful anyway. You must also consider the anatomical structure of the cat beneath these skin layers.
Also imagine the size of the cat leg. Then imagine the muscles, tendons and thin bones which make up the leg. Below the hocks and around the metatarsal bones, these ligaments, tendons, arteries and veins run closer to the skin, increasing the risk of injury.
On the legs, are main arteries and veins. If caught, could cause a cat to pass away due to blood loss or shock. Remember, a vet will often choose a leg to shave and use for intravenous injection or drawing blood.
There is also the carpal pad, which is possible to catch with clippers and scissors.
About 2/3 the ways down the leg are fine vibrissae (carpal whiskers), which can be hard to sight on some coat lengths. As a house cat, these are not of high importance to a cat’s use, but I would personally leave them for the cat’s comfort.
Comfort
Also thinking of the cat’s comfort, a great deal of handling and manipulation is required to clip a cat’s leg. A vet will have one nurse to hold the cat, and one nurse or vet to shave the leg. It is very uncomfortable as we only use the longer No 10 blade, to shave these legs, so this takes more time and patience, of which a cat does not have.
Once in a while I come across cats with very matted legs. I try to avoid clipping, and instead use bathing, brushing and a fine face/feet comb, if possible. Use of this comb, while the cat is wet, can usually separate these hairs. Failing that, I will need a shorter blade and help, or send to a vet to clip under sedation.
Please note these below are compacted and slightly matted to the skin. Not extremely matted.
Here are some photos of a cat’s anatomy that will help you visualize why.
Further Reading:
Who am I?
I’m Lexie Goldsmith,
My slow introduction and low-stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
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