If your cat has been suffering from fleas, you have surely thought about shaving cat for fleas out of desperation.
However, can you shave a cat to get rid of fleas? Is this the right solution to get rid of your flea problem once and for all?
At one glance, there is really a high chance of getting rid of the parasites this way. It’s not just that, though. You need to consider certain factors like your cat’s health and safety. This topic can be a little complex, so read on to the following sections to learn more.
Does Shaving Your Cat Help with Fleas?
To be fair, shaving cat for fleas isn’t 100% bad. It comes with its share of pros, especially if done professionally.
Here is a list of some of the good things that shaving can do to your cat’s fleas:
Increases Chances of Getting Rid of Fleas
If your cat is one of the severe flea cases, then shaving all their fur can definitely increase your chances of getting rid of most parasites. You won’t have to worry about those that are crawling around and hiding under your feline’s fur.
Makes Existing Fleas Visible
Since there is no more fur for the fleas to hide in, you will be able to see the existing fleas more visibly since you will be dealing with your cat’s bare skin. Similarly, it will be easy to know if your feline friend has inflamed skin or a wound. This will help you give better spot treatments in the long run.
Keep in mind that these benefits will be a different topic if you don’t have an existing background in pet care and you’re referring to doing the shaving yourself. Making the most out of shaving only comes if experts like long-time cat owners and veterinarians do the task.
Not only that, but you also need to remember that the success of shaving requires the use of the right tools and methods. This isn’t as simple as shaving human hair.
Is Shaving Good for Your Cat?
If you’re going to ask, “Can you shave a cat to get rid of fleas?” then you may as well ask if shaving is good for cats. After all, there’s no use in eliminating parasites if that means compromising your cat’s safety.
The effect of shaving on our feline friends is a case-to-case basis. One thing that you need to remember, however, is the fact that cats have fur for a reason. Even if it’s for a good cause, you and your cat may end up with irreversible damage. Cats, most especially, can go through skin infections, trauma, and in the worst-case scenario, skin cancer.
On the flip side, there are some times wherein shaving can do a lot of good to cats. Long-haired cats, most specifically, may benefit from shaving if they suffer matted coats. Vets may also recommend those with already existing skin conditions to go through the process.
If we weigh the pros and cons, it’s evident that shaving cats do more bad than good. It’s more of a last resort for extreme situations like ruined fur and heavily inflamed skin. This means that shaving won’t be good for your cat’s physical and mental condition, especially if done without a sufficient reason.
Why is Shaving Your Cat is a Bad Idea?
If you’re still not convinced as to why shaving your cat to get rid of fleas is a bad idea, then here are some more reasons that you may want to know:
Veterinarians Don’t Recommend the Idea
Whether it’s for a flea infestation or keeping cats cool during the summer, veterinarians don’t really recommend pet owners to shave their cats. This applies even if you’re planning to ask a professional to do the task. Since vets are professionals who spent years understanding animals and their health, then there’s no reason for you to go against their suggestions.
Shaving Opens More Risks of Skin Infections
With or without fleas, shaving still comes with more risks than benefits. Since you will basically be leaving a cat’s skin bare, you’re opening them to more dangers of skin infections like blisters, allergies, yeast infections, and even feline acne.
Cats Can Get Stressed from Shaving
Shaving causes stress to cats. This may be because of the sound, being in a new environment, or having the strange lightweight feeling brought by having no fur. Whichever, you shouldn’t really expect your cat to have a good reaction towards shaving. Some are even reported to have trauma over the situation.
Your Cat Won’t Have Their Natural Protection
Your cat’s fur serves as all-around protection against physical injuries, weather sensitivity, hypothermia, and likes. This means that if you proceed with shaving, you’re stripping these benefits away from the cat. What makes it worse is that these are things that you can’t substitute for your cats. Even if you can, you need to prepare a lot of money for it. The only way to not go through all this trouble is to let your cat’s fur stay where they are.
Easily said, shaving your cat is a bad idea simply because it compromises the comfort and safety of your feline friend. This should be enough reason for you to find better alternatives when it comes to treating flea infestation.
How to Effectively Get Rid of Fleas on Your Cat?
By now, you should already know that we don’t recommend shaving your cat if the sole purpose is to get rid of fleas. There are much better treatment options like using an anti-flea shampoo and medicated ointments. Better yet, just go to a veterinarian for professional advice. No matter what solution you opt for, make sure that it won’t harm your cat. This is the most important thing that you should remember.
Learn more over here: Flea Treatment For The Cat: The Most Efficient Way
Conclusion
So, can you shave a cat to get rid of fleas?
The short answer is yes. However, even though shaving cat for fleas does decrease the volume of the parasites infesting the feline, it’s not recommended for a number of health reasons. It also doesn’t permanently get rid of the said parasites since they latch more onto your cat’s skin rather than the fur.
Thus, if your cat is struggling with fleas, the best thing to do is to go to a veterinarian. They will be able to prescribe you the right treatments and aftercare without risking your pet’s life.
