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An orange cat with a lion cut, its body clipped short and its head left fluffy

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Lion Cut for Long-Haired Cats: When It Helps and Who Should Do It

What a lion cut is, which long-haired cats it helps, why it belongs with a cat groomer or vet, what to ask before booking, and small trims at home.

By Long-Haired Cats editorial teamUpdated 3 min readHow we research

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A lion cut clips a long-haired cat’s body short and leaves the head, feet and tail tip long. VCA describes it as an option for cats with mats, and Best Friends Animal Society names long-haired cats with matted or trapped shed hair as good candidates. It belongs with a cat groomer or the vet team, sometimes under sedation.

The name comes from the look: a shaved body and a full ruff like a mane. For a cat whose coat mats faster than anyone can comb it, a clip can be a fresh start. For a healthy cat with a coat that stays tangle-free, it is not needed.

What is a lion cut?

VCA describes a lion cut as a trim of the hair on the body that leaves it long around the face, feet and the end of the tail. Best Friends Animal Society puts it the same way: shaved body fur with full head and tail fur.

The body is clipped with clippers, not scissors. VCA’s rule for removing mats, “only use clippers,” applies to the whole cut.

Which cats does it help?

A groomer holding clippers beside a long-haired orange cat on a grooming table

A lion cut tends to come up when daily combing is not keeping up:

  • A coat that mats all over. VCA mentions the lion cut in its advice on removing mats.
  • Shed hair trapped in the undercoat. Best Friends names this, along with matted fur, as a reason long-haired cats are good candidates.
  • A cat that cannot groom itself well. Best Friends describes an overweight cat that struggled to groom itself. International Cat Care lists less grooming among the signs of arthritis, which makes a clip worth discussing with your vet for an older cat.

If the coat is in good shape and the cat accepts combing, a lion cut adds nothing. Keep up the daily routine instead.

Who should do it

A lion cut is not a home job. Best Friends says a professional groomer should do it, with sedation given by medical staff for cats that cannot tolerate grooming while awake. VCA notes that few cats tolerate the noise of clippers. International Cat Care says severe mats often need to be shaved off by the veterinary team, which can require sedation or a general anesthetic.

Note

Sedation is the vet’s decision. If your cat is matted and frightened of handling, start with a vet appointment, not a grooming salon.

What to ask before you book

Questions to ask a groomer or your vet clinic:

  • Do you groom cats regularly, and do you have a quiet area away from dogs?
  • How will you handle a cat that becomes stressed, and when would you stop?
  • Is a vet available if the cat needs sedation, or should the vet do the clip?
  • How short will you clip, and what will you leave long?
  • How should I protect the clipped skin from sun and cold afterward, and how long will regrowth take?

Prices vary by region, coat and whether sedation is needed, so ask for a quote that covers everything before the day.

Small trims you can do at home

A full clip needs a professional, but small tidy-ups are manageable for some owners. Fur under the tail and small areas of the belly are the usual ones. Use quiet, small clippers made for pets, and stop if the cat struggles.

Quiet cat clippers for small trims

Shop quiet cat clippers for trims

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Never use scissors near the skin, even for a small trim. International Cat Care warns that in a long or matted coat it is hard to see where skin ends and hair starts.

After the cut

Comb the coat as it grows back, so the new hair does not tangle as it lengthens. Watch the skin for redness and call your vet if you see any. Once the coat is back, the mats guide and dematting tools help you keep it that way, and a bath is easier on a short coat if your vet recommends one.

Frequently asked questions

Is a lion cut okay for cats?

For the right cat, yes. VCA describes the lion cut as an option when mats are a problem, and Best Friends Animal Society says long-haired cats with matted fur or shed hair trapped in the undercoat are good candidates. It should be done by an experienced groomer or the vet team.

How long does a lion cut last on a cat?

Regrowth varies with the cat, its coat and the season. Ask your groomer or vet what to expect for your cat, and keep combing as the coat grows back so new tangles do not form.

Does a cat need to be sedated for a lion cut?

Sometimes. VCA notes that few cats tolerate the noise of clippers, so some need sedation, and International Cat Care says severe mats often have to be shaved off by the vet team under sedation or anesthetic. Sedation is your vet's decision.

Can I give my cat a lion cut at home?

It is not a home job. A full-body clip on a moving cat risks nicks, and the advice from VCA and Best Friends is to leave it to a professional groomer or the vet team. Small trims, such as fur under the tail, are easier to manage with clippers.

Sources

  1. Grooming and Coat Care for Your CatVCA Animal Hospitals
  2. The lion cut for cats (June 26, 2012)Best Friends Animal Society
  3. Grooming your catInternational Cat Care
  4. Arthritis in catsInternational Cat Care

Filed under MatsStart with Matted Fur on a Long-Haired Cat: What to Do and When to Stop

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