I have a fluffy cat that looks like he should stay inside lounging on a velvet pillow. Instead, he runs outside to rid the yard of those evil butterflies. After about 10 minutes in the heat, he drags himself back into the house looking like he’s about to have a stroke.
Do people not shave their cats because it’s unattractive? Or is it unhealthy?
Let’s get this out of the way first off–I assume that you are not using “cat” as a euphemism here. 
Wouldn’t it itch as it grew back?
Bald cat = somewhat ugly?
Interesting question, though - many dogs are shaved (usually for looks, but I’m willing to bet a lot of folks shave their dogs in the summertime).
I have a friend who has her Himalayan clipped every summer. Poor cat looks very silly and disgruntled, but I guess he’s cooler.
All three of my cats are short hairs, and are indoor-only cats, so there is no need to shave them. Bo does get mats on occasion, but he is patient so I can comb them out.
I have read that shaving animals can do more harm than good - the same hair that protects them from cold in the winter can also insulate them in the summer, keeping them cooler. And you also have the sunburn factor. So unless a coat was horribly matted/dirty/icky, I’d leave them be.
I don’t know about that, but we have a collie that we shave, Lassie now looks like a german shepherd. She’s older and with the hot weather, I think she prefers it. My cat has short hair so it really isn’t an issue.
I will admit when I read the thread title this was the first thing I thought of.
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186971&highlight=shave+bird
As to the OP I don’t know the shedding is a pain in the ass.
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increased risk of sunburn – all that cat hair is nature’s own sunblock
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increased susceptibility to biting parasites (fleas, ticks, chiggers, mosquitos)
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increased risk of injury during encounters with other cats/dogs (bites that don’t actually lock into skin/onto limb are reasonably likely to wind up with the biter getting only a big mouthful of cat hair. take away the cat hair, and the likelihood of real damage being inflicted is greatly increased).
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maybe increased risk of skin irritations (contact dermatitus, razor burn… who knows?)
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increased risk of owner-hate on the cat’s part… do you have any IDEA of the hit their dignity would be taking???
I have always wondered this but only because I am so allergic to the damn things.
If only my friend would keep her four cats nicely shaved, I would spend so much more time at her place !
Because the cats don’t like it.
The only reason I shave my oldest cat is because she gets matted and has an absolute horror of being brushed. She gets shaved about once a year when I start losing ground on keeping up with the mats. And yes, she looks hilarious but at the same time I think she enjoys being rid of the knots. She acts like a kitten again, tearing around the house like a maniac.
If brushing wasn’t an issue, I’d just leave her be. I don’t think that the heat really affects her that much, but she’s an indoor cat. On the really hot days, she just goes and lies on tile or in the tub to keep cool. If she were panting, I’d be more concerned.
Oh, and her fur grows in thicker now. One of the drawbacks of shaving.
I didn’t even think about the sunburn factor. Also, Billy Bob has allergies so it’s probably not a good idea.
That cat looks PO’d.
PO’d and in need of a little kitty bra, I think.
I still laugh every time I see it though.
Shaving the cats would probably not help your allergies. The allergens a cat makes are mostly in its sweat and saliva. A shaved cat would still sweat a bit, and would still groom himself, so the saliva would still flake off and make you sneeze.
I got my last dog from an American Eskimo Dog rescue group (Heartbandits) and the folks there told me of an Eskie who had been shaved for summer. The poor dog got badly sunburned and blistered. So, if you get a pet trimmed for summer, leave an inch or so for sunblock.
I’d say it’s because one day, you’ll turn up with your throat mysteriously gone, and a very innocent looking cat sitting beside you…
Heh. I can’t imagine a cat sitting still for a shave - mine would rip my eyeballs out in two seconds flat.
No self-respecting cat would stand still for the types of indignities a dog takes for granted.
Well, one, my cat doesn’t need to be shaved and, two, I like not being covered with scratches and bite marks. I WANT to live for another 60 years or so, so I’m not really in any hurry to shave or bathe a cat.