Maine Coon haircut features
Maine Coon is a very interesting cat breed. They got this name in honor of the state of Maine. Cats grow quite large and have long hair. By nature, these animals are kind and playful, they also have a good memory. Their amazing coat helps them withstand temperature extremes, in addition, they have hunting qualities, an obedient character, and are also not afraid of danger.
This cat breed is becoming more and more popular every year. They are made not only for themselves, but also for exhibitions. But in order for the animal to always have a decent appearance, it needs to be trimmed.
Why is this needed?
Some Maine Coon owners are categorically against haircuts, while others cannot imagine their life without such procedures. Let's consider both sides of the issue in more detail.
- In the hot season, it will be easier for the animal. Indeed, in such moments he will feel better. But there will be no protection from various external factors (sun, draft).
- The shedding period will be easier. But this process also depends on completely different indicators, such as nutrition, stress.
- When an animal licks its fur, it can enter the digestive tract and eventually cause nausea. In order not to lead to this, it is necessary to constantly comb out the fur. Alternatively, add a special paste to naturally remove clumps.
- The presence of tangles is a reason for a haircut. But still, this can be avoided.The main thing is to regularly wash and comb your pet.
- If we talk about a beautiful appearance, then everyone has their own opinion. Most owners like the natural beauty of the cat.
Is a haircut dangerous?
This cat breed has a two-layer coat. And she is incredibly important to them. During clipping, the fur loses the necessary qualities.
- Thermoregulation. It maintains the desired body temperature - this is due to the air gap.
- Navigation... On the upper part of the coat there are tactile long and coarse hairs. They exist to help the animal navigate space at night.
- Softness. After clipping, the amount of wool and mats increases.
In addition, some cats do not feel very well after a haircut. A sleepy state can manifest itself due to a loss of orientation. The animal is confused, as a result of which it hides.
However, there are situations when the owner initiates the care. A lot of tangles appear throughout the coat, which interfere with normal life. And in this case, you cannot do without a haircut.
If the pet lives in a small apartment, during the shedding period, the hair that falls out will be everywhere, wherever possible. Of course, it will not be possible to get rid of this problem completely, but it is possible to partially reduce the number of hairs.
Cat lovers who have been dealing with this breed for many years know that if the animal is completely healthy, then no haircuts will harm it.
This breed of cats is very difficult to get wet to the skin, as they have a long and thick coat. They also have a guard hair that repels water, thereby protecting them. Most representatives have tassels on their ears, and if not, then it's okay. There is a fur collar on the neck. The tail is also very thick and fluffy.
As a standard, you shouldn't use scissors before an exhibition. You just need to wash, dry and comb the wool thoroughly.
Preparing for the process
Specialists who have been breeding and caring for Maine Coons for a long time always have in their arsenal a few tricks for beginners.
- Almost all representatives of this breed are good with water. There are those who are very fond of splashing around in it, but there are also those who are afraid of it.
- Before you start washing, you should put a towel or rag on the bottom of the tub or basin. This is done so that the animal is not frightened, and the legs do not slip. And only then they collect a small amount of water.
- One of the tricks is this: first, mix a special shampoo with water in your palm. This will make it easier to apply and distribute. Remember that this breed has guard hair and makes it difficult to wet the coat. It is also very important that no water gets into your eyes and ears.
- There are three types of shampoo that are used: for deep cleaning, color and texture maintenance. They are applied in the same sequence. In addition, you can use special rubber massage gloves, they are easy to buy at any pet store.
- It is also necessary to apply a balm so that the scales on the hairs close, and the coat is smooth and shiny. All fur care products are selected for each animal individually. They will not change the structure of the hair, but they will help to make your pet well-groomed. However, before the exhibition, the balm should not be used. This will cause the coat to be slightly greasy to the touch.
- In order for the haircut to be good and to maintain its original shape, the wool must be thoroughly dried. This can be done with a towel or hairdryer, but at minimum speed. Then you need to thoroughly comb all the hair and remove the tangles. It is recommended to do this along the hairline. Only after that you can start the haircut itself.
How to do it right?
There are two types of cat haircuts: home and show. Of course, the first option is interesting to almost everyone. And one of the most common haircuts in this case is this is the "French lion"... The fur is removed all over the body, leaving only a couple of millimeters. The legs are trimmed to the joints. A small part of the hair is left on the tail, and the hair is neatly smoothed on the head.
If you decide to do your own haircut, it's best to enlist someone's help. Prepare hydrogen peroxide and cotton pads in advance if you accidentally injure the animal. You will also need a regular clipper or cat trimmer and scissors.
During the process, one person holds the cat's paws or simply distracts the animal, and the second cuts a haircut. You need to start from the back, moving to the sides. The feet can be trimmed with scissors. This should be done as carefully as possible. After the clipping procedure is over, the animal is wiped with a damp towel or washed to remove fine hairs.
If several days have passed after the haircut, and the animal behaves strangely, then you should contact the veterinary clinic.
In the event that you decide to go to specialists, then you do not need to worry about anything - the masters will independently select the type of haircut and find a common language with the animal. But they may suggest getting a haircut under general anesthesia. As a rule, you should not agree to this - the haircut is absolutely painless, but the harm from anesthesia, especially frequent anesthesia, is obvious.
If the animal does not want to contact at all, just do not take it to the salon, and take care of the coat yourself.
Care after the procedure
This procedure is recommended to be carried out once or twice a year. In the hot season, it will help regulate heat transfer. In addition, if your pet is walking on the street, then he is able to pick up ticks. A haircut will help get rid of these harmful parasites.
To care for the coat, the following items are used:
- comb with thinned teeth;
- comb with frequent teeth;
- comb with natural bristles;
- scallop with fine and fine teeth.
Each tool must be made of metal. Combs should be taken with rounded tips so as not to injure the animal. They must be used in the order in which they appear in the list. In the event that you need to quickly comb your pet's hair, then you should use a comb with different lengths of teeth.
During molting, you will also need a slicker. It must be used very carefully, since not all animals love this device. This procedure must be carried out a couple of times a week. And all the wool that has fallen out must be removed in a timely manner. Molting happens only a couple of times a year, and does not create any serious problems.
All cats require constant attention and careful grooming. And each owner decides for himself whether or not to cut his pet. But everyone is obliged to keep it clean, to trim the claws, to pay attention to the ears, eyes and fur. The Maine Coon's coat should always be monitored, both when it is overgrown and when it is shorn.
See a video about the features and content of Maine Coons below.