Guldveterinären can help your cat if it has mats in its coat that cannot be combed or brushed out. Most cats that need mat clipping are longhaired cats with a fine, silky or fluffy coat. However, some cats may have an underlying condition, e.g. pain in the hips, lower back or teeth/mouth, or kidney/liver problems. The cat then cannot, or does not have the energy to, groom itself as before, which makes the coat mat more easily.
Mat clipping is carried out under sedation after a basic health check, in which the heart and lungs are listened to and the mucous membranes checked. Sedated animals sleep with their eyes open, so the cat is given a lubricating protective gel in its eyes to stop them drying out while it sleeps.
With mat clipping, the owner can choose whether only the mats are removed (the result may look “tufty” or “moth-eaten”) or the whole coat is clipped short. A full clip looks neater, and the coat grows back more evenly, more attractively and is easier to care for afterwards.
There are three styles of mat/lion clip:
– Bolero keeps the most fur. The coat is left like a short jacket down to and including the shoulder blades. The front legs are left unshaved. The hind legs are shaved down to the hocks. The tail is kept and combed.
– Lion is the classic clip, where the mane/ruff around the neck is kept. The rest of the body and all the legs are shaved down to the hocks and elbows. The tail is kept and combed.
– Bob keeps the least fur – the mane/ruff is also clipped off, up to the base of the neck. The legs are shaved down to the hocks and elbows. The tail is kept and combed.
Normally the tail is only clipped if it is completely matted or if the owner wishes.
Afterwards, grooming is recommended with a ‘FURminator de-shedding tool’, which removes small mats and undercoat without scratching the skin and also reduces hairballs (note: poorer copies without the correct blade are on the market).
A short clip does not suit outdoor cats in winter, but is fine for indoor cats unless the home is too cold or draughty. In summer, keep an eye on outdoor cats with pale skin/light fur so they do not get sunburnt in strong sun.
Via the contact form you can book a lion cut for your cat.
