Question about shaving cats for the clueless (me)

Until I saw a thread here about a lion cut gone wrong, I never knew that cat shaving was a common thing.

Is this for aesthetics only, or does it really help them deal with heat? I ask because I encountered someone who had shaved their show-dog Lab once and when I asked my vet about it, she said that it wasn't a good idea. That a dog's hair actually insulates them from the heat, and I could make him more susceptible to things like sunburn and heat related illness by shaving him.

I know my dog has a double coat, and it may not be the same with cats. I guess what I'm asking is if this is a medically confirmed thing, or more about aesthetics?

Re: Question about shaving cats for the clueless (me)

I believe it's more for aesthetics.

I used to shave my cats for the summer mainly to cut down on all the shedding they do. I thought they looked cute too.

Also, when I had them both shaved they used to sleep/huddle together for the first couple days. I assumed because they were chilly now that they had less hair.

Re: Question about shaving cats for the clueless (me)

I was told by the person who I adopted my Persian from that he liked to be shaved like a Lion

I didn't really believe her- but in the 2 and half years that I have had him- I see a change in his personality after the hair cut (not the last hair cut of course)

he also gets VERY matted if he isn't shaved and it's a battle to brush him- he hates it

plus is hair is seriously every where - and this is one way to cut down on it

Re: Question about shaving cats for the clueless (me)

I have been looking into shaving my cat.. Not for aesthetic reasons but for the fact that she gets hair everywhere, she gets hairballs and worst of all she hates to be brushed.
I would say not to shave down to the bare skin and leave a little length
for protection from irritants scratches etc...