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26 Cute Cat Haircuts: A Grooming Guide for Cat Owners

When it comes to cat haircuts, some people flinch with terror. Everyone knows how capricious cats are. They seem to be ready to do only whatever they feel is right.

Not many cats realize that they need a haircut while the owners are sure they do! If you are one of the cat lovers, who think that your cat needs some styling, you might want to ask a professional groomer’s advice.

Trying to give your kitty a cut can mean disaster for your hands and face. Only professionals with experience know how to do the job right.

How to Choose The Right Haircut for Your Cat

cat getting haircut

Choosing the right haircut for your feline friend can be a hair-raising adventure, but don’t let it make you “paws” in worry! Here are some fun and practical tips:

Know your cat

Every cat is as unique as their owner. Some cats, like the luxurious Persian, have thick, long fur that might require a bit more maintenance.

On the other hand, breeds like the Siamese have short, low-maintenance fur that requires less grooming.

Pay attention to your cat’s grooming habits and adapt accordingly. The haircut you choose should respect your cat’s individual personality and fur type.

Consider the climate

If your kitty is living the high life in sunny California, a full shave might make them the coolest cat in town. This could work especially well for cats with thicker coats like Maine Coons.

However, if your fur baby resides in frosty Alaska, you’d be better off letting its natural, insulated coat, like that of a Norwegian Forest Cat, do its job.

Check the calendar

Keep an eye on the seasons. A full-on shave for a long-haired cat like a Ragdoll right before winter may leave them shivering.

On the other side, letting your short-haired Burmese’s fur grow out during a hot summer might have them panting. Align your grooming schedule with the weather.

Respect your cat’s vanity

Cats are some of the most self-grooming animals. So, consider their feelings when you choose a haircut.

Remember, your Persian may not appreciate a lion cut as much as you do! Instead, opt for haircuts that retain their dignity and comfort while easing their grooming process.

Listen to your groomer

Professional groomers have seen it all. They’re experienced in dealing with different breeds from the feisty Bengal to the mellow Scottish Fold.

They can guide you on the best haircut for your cat, considering its breed, personality, and lifestyle. Trust their advice, even if it means that your dream of turning your Tabby into a Tiger has to wait.

The goal is to make your cat comfortable, not just aesthetically pleasing to you or your Instagram followers. It’s a haircut, not a personality change! At the end of the day, a purring cat is a happy cat, and that’s what truly matters.

Most Popular Cat Haircuts

Here’s a table showing the cat haircuts and the breeds that can receive them:

Haircut NameCat Breeds
Lion CutPersian, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragamuffin, Somali, Himalayan
Comb CutMaine Coon, Ragdoll, Russian Blue, Devon Rex, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair
Panther CutSphynx, Siamese, Bengal, Oriental, Savannah
Kitten ClipRagdoll, British Shorthair, Siberian, Manx, American Curl
Teddy Bear CutPersian, British Shorthair, Abyssinian, Chartreux, Selkirk Rex
Belly ShaveSiamese, Scottish Fold, Birman, Cornish Rex, Tonkinese
Hygiene CutScottish Fold, Sphynx, American Shorthair, Turkish Angora, Egyptian Mau

Lion Cut

Persian cat with lion cut

The Lion Cut is a popular style where your cat’s fur is shaved short on the body but left longer on the head, legs, and tail tip. It makes your furry friend look like a mini lion! This cut is great for keeping your cat cool and reducing hairballs and matting.

Cat Breeds: Persian, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragamuffin, Somali, Himalayan

Comb Cut

Russian Blue cat with comb cut

The Comb Cut involves shaving your cat’s fur to about 2-3 inches long. This gives your cat a fluffy appearance without the hassle of managing a full-length coat. It’s a wonderful way to manage shedding and keep your cat comfortable.

Cat Breeds: Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Russian Blue, Devon Rex, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair

Panther Cut

Siamese cat with panther cut

The Panther Cut is a full shave, leaving your cat’s skin exposed, like a panther. It’s often chosen for cats in warmer climates or cats that struggle with regular grooming.

Cat Breeds: Sphynx, Siamese, Bengal, Oriental, Savannah

Kitten Clip

Ragdoll cat with kitten clip cut

The Kitten Clip is a short cut, leaving about 1-2 inches of fur, that makes your cat look like a cuddly kitten again. It’s a good choice for cats with long fur that’s prone to tangling and matting.

Cat Breeds: Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Siberian, Manx, American Curl

Teddy Bear Cut

Persian cat with teddy bear cut

The Teddy Bear Cut leaves your cat looking like a plush toy! The fur is trimmed to about 2 inches, giving your cat a rounded, fluffy appearance. It’s a cute style that’s also practical for reducing shedding and mats.

Cat Breeds: Persian, British Shorthair, Abyssinian, Chartreux, Selkirk Rex

Belly Shave

Scottish Fold cat with belly shave cut

The Belly Shave involves shaving the fur on your cat’s belly, leaving the rest of the coat intact. This can help to prevent matting and knots on the underbelly and make it easier for your cat to clean themselves.

Cat Breeds: Siamese, Scottish Fold, Birman, Cornish Rex, Tonkinese

Hygiene Cut

Cornish Rex cat with hygiene cut

The Hygiene Cut is a practical trim, typically around the rear end of your cat, to keep this area clean and free from any mess that might get caught in the fur. It can be especially helpful for long-haired breeds.

Cat Breeds: Scottish Fold, Sphynx, American Shorthair, Turkish Angora, Egyptian Mau.

You can save the below cat haircuts vs cat breed image in case you need it.

cat haircuts for different cat breeds

Cat Breeds That Need Frequent Haircuts

Persian – The Lion Cut

Persian kitten with lion cut

Persian cats are known for their long, luscious coats that add to their regal aura. This beautiful coat is prone to tangling and matting if not regularly groomed. If mats are left untreated, they can lead to skin irritation and discomfort for the Persian.

Additionally, Persians may have difficulty self-cleaning, leading to hygienic issues. Because of their high-maintenance fur, Persians require daily grooming and could benefit from professional trims every few months.

A popular haircut style for Persians is the Lion Cut that keeps their coat manageable and healthy.

Maine Coon – The Comb Cut

Maine Coon with comb cut

Maine Coons, the gentle giants of the feline world, possess thick, shaggy double coats. Their fur, especially around the belly and hindquarters, can mat if not brushed regularly, causing discomfort and potential skin problems.

Trims, particularly in the warmer months, can help the cat stay comfortable and manage their abundant fur better. A Comb Cut is a suitable style for Maine Coons, keeping their fur tangle-free and manageable.

Regular grooming sessions: once or twice a week.

Ragdoll – The Puppy Cut

Ragdoll with puppy cut

Ragdolls are beloved for their soft, plush, medium-long coats. Their fur, however, can knot and become unruly without proper care, leading to potential skin infections. An unkempt coat can also interfere with their ability to self-clean.

Regular brushing is recommended at least twice a week and trims every 2-3 months can help keep their fur manageable and tidy.

The Puppy Cut is a popular choice for Ragdolls, allowing them to maintain their adorable appearance with less grooming hassle.

Himalayan – The Teddy Bear Cut

Himalayan cat with teddy bear cut

Much like Persians, Himalayans have long, thick coats that can quickly become a breeding ground for mats and tangles. If not groomed, these cats could suffer from skin issues due to the trapped dirt and oils in their fur.

Regular grooming is crucial to prevent these issues. Occasional trims around the face, lower body, and areas that mat will help them stay clean and comfortable.

One of the most popular cat haircuts, the Teddy Bear Cut leaves the fur around a Himalayan’s face longer than the rest of the body.

Norwegian Forest Cat – The Line Cut

Norwegian Forest cat with line cut

These hardy cats have a dense, water-resistant double coat designed to withstand cold climates.

However, this coat can become uncomfortably hot in warmer weather and can mat if not regularly groomed.

Therefore, a trim typically every 3-4 months during the warm months is recommended. Regular grooming (once a week) will also help maintain their fur’s health.

The Line Cut is a good option for Norwegian Forest Cats. It reduces the bulk of their coat while still maintaining its natural shape and protection.

Turkish Angora – The Hygiene Cut

Turkish Angora with hygiene cut

Turkish Angora has short fur compared to other long-haired breeds. Still, their fine, silky coats might get tangled.

If people do not groom them, these tangles can develop into mats. These cause discomfort and skin irritation for Turkish Angora.

A professional haircut every 3-4 months maintains their coat in top shape. The Hygiene Cut suits Turkish Angoras well. This involves trimming the fur around the back end to stop dirt and matting.

Haircuts for Different Cat Breeds: A Guide for Cat Owners

Contrary to the popular belief that cats groom themselves, many of them require their owner’s attention. This mostly goes for pedigree cats with long fur. They don’t feel comfortable during the summer days and need a trim.

Cat haircuts can vary greatly. Some are designed to make the animal feel better while others are aimed at the owners, who want their pet to look unique.

Whatever the case with you, you can take advantage of the below options that are created to make your cat’s next grooming session fun and exciting.

Cat BreedHaircut NameLength
PersianTeddy Bear Cut2 inches
Maine CoonLion Cut1 inch
SphynxHygiene Cut1/2 inch
RagdollComb Cut2-3 inches
British ShorthairKitten Clip1-2 inches
SiamesePanther CutBare skin
Scottish FoldBelly ShaveBare skin
Norwegian Forest CatLion Cut1 inch
Russian BlueComb Cut2-3 inches
BengalPanther CutBare skin
SiberianKitten Clip1-2 inches
AbyssinianTeddy Bear Cut2 inches
BirmanBelly ShaveBare skin
American ShorthairHygiene Cut1/2 inch
RagamuffinLion Cut1 inch
Devon RexComb Cut2-3 inches
OrientalPanther CutBare skin
ManxKitten Clip1-2 inches
ChartreuxTeddy Bear Cut2 inches
Cornish RexBelly ShaveBare skin
Turkish AngoraHygiene Cut1/2 inch
SomaliLion Cut1 inch
BurmeseComb Cut2-3 inches
SavannahPanther CutBare skin
American CurlKitten Clip1-2 inches
Selkirk RexTeddy Bear Cut2 inches
TonkineseBelly ShaveBare skin
Egyptian MauHygiene Cut1/2 inch
HimalayanLion Cut1 inch

1. Maine Coon – The Lion Cut

Maine Coon with lion cut

The Maine Coon is a breed well-known for its dense, shaggy coat.

When given the Lion Cut, your fluffy friend will sport a short, sleek body coat and a full, round mane that rivals the king of the jungle himself!

It’s an adorable, fun look, and also helpful for keeping your cat cool in the summer.

Grooming Tips: Always keep your clippers sharp and well-oiled. Start by trimming small sections at a time to ensure your cat feels comfortable.

2. Scottish Fold – The Teddy Bear Cut

Scottish Fold cat with teddy bear cat

The Teddy Bear Cut can transform your Scottish Fold into a living plush toy! This cut keeps the fur short and fuzzy, accentuating the round face and folded ears that Scottish Folds are known for.

Grooming Tips: Brush your cat’s fur regularly to prevent matting. Also, make sure to clip slowly and gently to keep your feline friend relaxed.

3. Siamese – The Comb Cut

Siamese cat with comb cut

The Comb Cut trims down the coat length of your Siamese cat, leaving it neat and velvety. This cut maintains the breed’s sleek appearance while reducing shedding.

Grooming Tips: Use a comb attachment on your clippers for a uniform length. A regular brushing routine will help keep your cat’s fur silky and healthy.

4. Persian – The Shell Cut

Persian cat with shell cut

For Persian cats, the Shell Cut trims the fur close to the body, leaving it longer around the face. This gives your Persian a distinct, bobblehead-like appearance, while also reducing the high maintenance associated with their long hair.

Grooming Tips: Ensure a gentle touch while clipping around the face. Brush your cat’s coat daily to prevent tangles and matting.

5. British Shorthair – The Hygiene Cut

British Shorthair with hygiene cut

The Hygiene Cut trims the fur around the rear of your British Shorthair, keeping them cleaner and more comfortable. This is a practical cut, especially for older or overweight cats that have trouble grooming themselves.

Grooming Tips: Use rounded scissors for this sensitive area. Regular brushing can keep the coat smooth and free of debris.

6. Bengal – The Line Cut

Bengal cat with line cut

The Line Cut is a simple trim along your Bengal cat’s belly line, designed to reduce shedding and hairballs. It keeps your cat looking sleek while making grooming a bit easier.

Grooming Tips: Trim carefully and slowly. Regular brushing will keep your Bengal’s coat healthy and shiny.

7. Summer Trim

black cat haircut

If your cat has long and thick fur, you can give it a surface summer trim that involves cutting about 1/8th of an inch. You might want to leave the facial hair intact since touching the face is disturbing for the animal.

8. Lion cut

cats lion cut hair

The lion cut is the most famous way to make the cat look funny and delightful. You need to keep the hair on the head and trim the fur on the body. Some owners might decide to shape the tail fur as well.

9. Shape it up

Nice cat hairstyle

Some cat haircuts involve a little trimming in order to shape the fur. You might want to give your cat a round (or even a square!) shape to make it look more interesting and worthy of as pageant title.

10. Kitten style

Kitten style for cat

It’s not recommended to give your cat a haircut when it’s still a kitten. Kittens are nervous creatures and have trouble keeping calm during a cut. Sedating a kitten might cause health problems in the future.

11. Egyptian style

 Egyptian cat haircut

Egyptian cats with large ears look beautiful but they might have long fur that ruins the image. Ask a professional groomer to create a short haircut for your Egyptian cat to make it look even more classy.

12. Tail grooming

Beautiful hair for cat

Cutting the tail fur is one of the most complicated cat haircuts since the felines really don’t like it when you touch their tails. However, furry cats have trouble keeping their tails clean and might require your help.

13. Frilled front

A short-haired cat can benefit from a frilled front hairstyle. It involves shaping the hair on its chest into a circular form. Some owners play around with various shapes, including the heart.

14. Ear trim

Cats often have hairy ears, which don’t match their overall silky appearance. If you want to get the hair on the ears cut, you might need to sedate the animal. Don’t touch the hair inside the ears as it may affect the animal’s hearing.

15. Natural look

Natural cat haircut look

Kittens don’t usually have a fur problem so the only reason you might want to cut their hair is if they have a problem. Hygienic and belly cuts are allowed for the kittens but in most cases, they should stay natural.

16. Styling

Don’t be upset over being unable to give a cat haircut to your kitten. You can do some styling instead. Ask a groomer about hair products you can use on your cat to create fashionable hairstyles.

17. Dragon style

 Dragon style cat hair

This is an interesting mix of lion and dragon styles. You can create such cat hairstyle if your animal has long enough fur. Make sure you go for this choice only when it’s hot outside so your cat doesn’t freeze.

18. The real lion

This real lion hairstyle is a wonderful choice for owners who want their cat to make an impression. Pay attention to the paws and the tails as they complete the image. Keep the cat as warm as possible.

19. Grey lion

The furrier the cat is, the more amazing a lion hairstyle can look on it. Enjoy the way your cat sports the new style. When creating a mane, keep some fur on the cat’s neck and down the back for a more voluminous look.

20. Time for a cut

Extremely furry cats suffer from hairballs and lack of grooming. They are just not flexible enough to get all the grooming done on the regular basis. If your cat looks like this, it’s asking for a haircut.

21. Sleek buddy

Feline with short hair will be unhappy with almost any cat haircut you offer them. So if you can’t wait to do something about your cat’s fur, you can consider a belly cut. Short-haired animals should be left alone for the most part.

22. Black panther

cat Black panther look

If your pet is black and you want to make it look like a sleek black panther, you need to give its fur some trim. Ask the groomer if it’s possible to take about 1/8 to ¼ of an inch from the fur to make it look smoother.

23. Enhanced pattern

If your cat has an interesting fur pattern you can outline it by trimming the fur along the pattern lines. In this example, you can see how the white fur is slightly trimmer to outline the gray and black pattern.

24. Lower body

Most of the time older cats have trouble reaching their lower bodies for trimming. That’s why you might want to consider giving your old pet a cat haircut that will make the self-grooming easier.

25. Pedigree cat

Pedigree cat

If you are lucky enough to become an owner of a short-haired pedigree cat, there is no need to tamper with the fur. You can cut away an occasional stray hair or deal with some fur knots but leave the fur alone.

26. Sphynx cat

If you are not a fan of cutting the cat’s hair or have allergies, you might want to consider a Sphynx cat. These felines won’t have you worrying about the cat haircuts. Just make sure to keep them warm.