Should I shave the cats?

And - IF you do it, HOW do you do it?

Are there cat grooming places?

Do you buy a pair of clippers?

Take them to a dog grooming place, telling them that you have a small dog with a funny bark?

And - WHAT is with Miranda!?

She purrs, snuggles, yowls and, occasionally, bites me when I am brushing her - and she hides as soon as the brush comes out.


And - I have one of those funny soft plastic brushes with the big soft "teeth". How come the fur just keeps coming, no matter how long you brush?

If I kept going, would they end up bald?

And - where IS craven? Place isn't the same without him.

(Don't tell him I said that - I have standards to uphold...)

I have heard of cats in hot parts of the country getting a "line cut" (no, not so they look like a lion). The tummy fur and lower legs are clipped short. Keeps the cat more comfortable in the heat and prevents matting. Ordinary pet groomers do it.

I have an Incredible Feline Shed Machine of my own. As far as I know, new hairs are generated as soon as the old loose ones are removed. Therefore you can stop whenever you like, it will be just the same....

I KNOW!!!!!!! It is weird science, indeed!

Invest in some sheep shears and a full suit of plate armor for a do-it-yourself project.

If I still had it, I'd lend you the plate armor I used to wear when giving our long-haired cats baths.

Seriously though, there are industrial strength electric clippers that the pet groomers use. That's what we used to remove the ever present matted balls of fur.

Just be sure to remove all the floor-level mirrors from the place or the cats will never ever forgive you once they catch sight of their newly-shaved bodies.

Just in case you think me awful - here is some evidence!



The cat hater!


Was Poe's cat shaven? Or merely craven - or a raven-ophile?

"The End of the Raven"
by Edgar Allan Poe's Cat
with canonical apologies to Edgar Allan Poe

On a night quite unenchanting, when the rain was downward slanting,
I awakened to the ranting of the man I catch mice for.
Tipsy and a bit unshaven, in a tone I found quite craven,
Poe was talking to a Raven perched above the chamber door.
"Raven's very tasty," thought I, as I tiptoed o'er the floor,
"There is nothing I like more."
Soft upon the rug I treaded, calm and careful as I headed
Towards his roost atop that dreaded bust of Pallas I deplore.
While the bard and birdie chattered, I made sure that nothing clattered,
Creaked, or snapped, or fell, or shattered, as I crossed the corridor;
For his house is crammed with trinkets, curious and weird decor --
Bric-a-brac and junk galore.

Still the Raven never fluttered, standing stock-still as he uttered,
In a voice that shrieked and sputtered, his two cents' worth --
"Nevermore."

While this dirge the birdbrain kept up, oh, so silently I crept up,
Then I crouched and quickly leapt up, pouncing on the feathered bore.
Soon he was a heap of plumage, and a little blood and gore --
Only this and not much more.

"Oooo!" my pickled poet cried out, "Pussycat, it's time I dried out!
Never sat I in my hideout talking to a bird before;
How I've wallowed in self-pity, while my gallant, valiant kitty
Put an end to that damned ditty" - then I heard him start to snore.
Back atop the door I clambered, eyed that statue I abhor,
Jumped - and smashed it on the floor.

SHEEP shears???!!!!!

And here - he thread that started it all:


http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6674&highlight=shave+cat+craven

My persian gets an annual shave-down , a cute little lion cut. He really seems happier shed of all the fur and mats. I have it done at the vet, and he is sedated for the proceedure.

Sedated? Oh my!

Have you asked the cats what they think about a shave, dlowan?

Let Roberta and Margo try it on Mikey and the 'Poss cat. If it works, we can all try it. If it doesn't, well. . . .

I had a couple of cats that were shedding and I found a very practical solution. Spray paint.

Any sort of spray paint seems to work quite well but I have had great success with Krylor. Simply shake the can well and spray the entire contents onto the cat. (put a little cat hood over his head first to avoid spray getting into the eyes)

The paint seems to clog everything up quite well. The cats no longer shed but they sure do lick the hell out of themselves.

Oh my! You are an evil man, Gus.

Evil is my middle name.

I thought it was "rat"?

That Poe piece is brilliant. Who wrote it?

I don't know - Craven posted it on another thread - perhaps he may tell us if asked?