Everything You Need To Know About The Controversy of The Dinosaur Cat Trend
Cat lovers have been sharing the dinosaur cut all over social media, and it is easy to see why the trend gets attention. A cat with little shaved spikes can look funny, cute, and strangely dramatic all at once.
Still, the look has sparked a bigger conversation about whether the style is harmless fun or a bad idea for most cats. The issue comes down to what shaving can do to a cat's coat, skin, and comfort, especially when the trend is done for the photo instead of the pet.
That is where the controversy starts, and the full story gets a lot less cute.
For most cats, the only real 'pro' to giving your kitty a Dino-themed shave is that they will look absolutely adorable. If you post the photo on your favorite social media platform, you might gain some attention and notoriety for your adorable photo.
For a few breeds of cats, a professional shave by a skilled cat groomer can feel really good for the cat, relieving them of matting and helping them cool off more easily. However, this is not the case for most cats, and if you haven't consulted your veterinarian about whether or not a stylish haircut is right for your cat, then it's important to learn all about the potential consequences of shaving your cat.
The reality is that for most cats, shaving them, even in adorable dinosaur-shaped patterns, can lead to several health risks.
The first thing every cat owner needs to recognize is that cat fur serves several important purposes.
A cat's fur helps them regulate their body temperature, keeping them warm when it's cold and cool when it's warm. Their fur also protects them from the sun and helps prevent sunburns. These are reasons why 'hairless' cats sometimes need to wear clothes and be protected from the sun (hairless cats are hairless due to genetic defects, making them higher maintenance than the average cat). Your cat needs their fur!
But that's not the only reason your kitty needs their fur.
Continuing on to discuss the importance of your cat's fur...
If you shave your kitty and expose their skin, it leaves them vulnerable to tears in their skin much more easily. Now, we're pretty sure that doesn't sound pleasant to you at all, so trust us when we say your cat won't find it pleasant either. Tears in their skin can lead to injuries for cats because their skin is surprisingly sensitive. Not having their fur can also cause their delicate skin to become dry with patches of irritation, and even worse: it's going to itch when it grows back. Your cat will try to deal with their itches themselves by scratching and licking relentlessly, and since their skin is sensitive, this can also lead to injuries. Excessive licking can even result in fur not growing back at all for some cats, and that's definitely not a good thing! All that licking and itching can also lead to abrasions and wounds on your cat's skin.
Does any of this sound worth an adorable haircut yet? We don't think so.
So basically, giving your cat this seemingly adorable Dino-Cut is not going to benefit your cat in any way; it stands a better chance of hurting them more than anything and can lead to long-term consequences, causing your cat emotional and physical distress. So, unless your cat's veterinarian advises you that a haircut is in your cat's best interests, it's best to leave this controversial trend in the dust.
That “cute but questionable” vibe matches the pets who came out unrecognizable after their grooming sessions.
Shadow
Embracing the New Look
Stretchosaurus
Dino Kitty Crossings
For another heated pet debate, see how a woman used tattoo stickers on her hairless cat.
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