I had my Persian cross shaved (what they call the “lion trim”; leave hair on head, legs, and tail, but remove it from everywhere else) a few years ago, and he was humiliated. Spent the whole time it was growing back hiding from people and slinking around nervously. The next summer, when he got mats again, I took him to the vet and said “Just cut out the mats.” They said “It’ll look patchy. Why don’t we give him the lion trim?” I said “NO, I definitely do NOT want that. Just cut the mats out. I don’t care what it looks like, it’s got to be better than the lion trim.” So they did. And you know what? I was right. After a week, you couldn’t even tell he’d been taken after with scissors, whereas the lion trim took at least a month to grow out.
I didn’t have that problem at all, because I errored on the side of caution, and made sure not to cut up right against what I thought was his skin. Better to not get all the matted fur off in one session then take chunks out of his skin…
That’s to mop up the blood and wrap your forearm with on the way to the ER for stitches. I suggest you have two, just in case.
Although the advice to refrain from using scissors on mats is very good, I know sooner or later everyone with a matted cat will try it anyway. If you do, pinch as close to the base of the mat as you can get with your thumb and finger and cut ABOVE your own fingers. You’ll at least know if you’ve gone through the mat and into skin if it’s your own skin.
Related topic… Several years ago we were being over-run with fleas. Had two dogs and one cat. They were all miserable from the scratching. Decided to bomb the house and spray all the animals with flea spray.
Of course the dogs didn’t mind, being dogs and all they were just happy to get attention.
For the Demon Cat From Hell, I put on thick leather welders gloves, and my wife proceeds to flea spray the kitty. The cat is foaming at the mouth growling and clawing and hissing. I’m sure if looks could kill we would both be dead.
When we finished spraying her the ungrateful beast runs directly upstairs to our bedroom and while looking me directly in the eyes proceeds to piss on my wifes pillow!
Its been three cats ago and probably 15 years and we still laugh about it (although it was not even close to funny at the time).
So if you insist on shaving your cat be smart and do it in the garage or in some controlled area, kitty paybacks can be severe.
