The Lion Cut: Should You Shave Your Maine Coon?#

Walk into any Maine Coon forum and ask about “Lion Cuts,” and you will start a war. Some owners swear it is cruel to shave a cat. Others swear it saved their sanity.

As an owner who lives in a place with hot summers, I have explored the Lion Cut option. While I generally prefer to keep Atticus in his full glory, there are medical and practical reasons to consider the shave.

Here is the unbiased truth about the Lion Cut—what it is, when to do it, and why you definitely shouldn’t try it at home.

What is a Lion Cut?#

A Lion Cut is a specific grooming style where:

The body is shaved very short (usually #10 blade).
The head, neck ruff (the mane), lower legs (boots), and tail are left full and fluffy.
The Result: The cat looks like a miniature lion.

A Maine Coon with a professional Lion Cut grooming style — A professional Lion Cut keeps the head and tail fluffy while shaving the body for cooling or mat removal.

The “Pros”: Why Do It?#

1. The Matting Reset#

If you adopt a rescue Maine Coon or if you fell behind on grooming and your cat is “pelted” (mats connecting to other mats), a Lion Cut is the most humane option. Brushing out a full-body pelt is torture. Shaving it off gives you a fresh start.

2. The “butt Cut” (Sanitary Trim)#

You don’t have to do a full Lion Cut. I do a “Sanitary Shave” on Penelope. We shave the area around the anus and the glorious “pantaloons” on her back legs.

Why: It prevents… “accidents” from getting stuck in the fur. If you own a Maine Coon, you know exactly what I mean. “Dingleberries” are a real struggle.

3. Heat Intolerance#

Maine Coons were built for snow, not Arizona summers. If your cat is lethargic, panting, or laying exclusively on tile floors in July, a Lion Cut can provide immense relief.

My Experience: One summer, Atticus seemed miserable. We did a Lion Cut. His energy skyrocketed. He played like a kitten again because he wasn’t overheating.

The “Cons”: The Risks#

1. Sunburn#

Without their coat, their skin is exposed to UV rays. If your cat sits in windows, a white or light-skinned cat can get sunburned easily.

2. The “Post-Shave” Coat Texture#

There is a myth that shaving “ruins” the coat.

The Truth: It doesn’t ruin it permanently, but it grows back weird. The undercoat grows faster than the guard hairs. For 3-6 months, your cat might feel like aggressive Velcro until the silky guard hairs catch up.

3. Loss of Protection#

The coat also protects them from claws (during play) and bug bites. A shaved cat is more vulnerable to scratches from other house pets.

Can I Do It Myself?#

NO. Please, do not buy clippers and try to Lion Cut a Maine Coon on your kitchen table.

Paper-Thin Skin: Cat skin is incredibly elastic and thin. It pulls up into the clipper blades easily. I have seen horrific photos of home-grooming accidents requiring stitches.
The Cost: A professional groomer charges $80–$120 for a Lion Cut. It is worth every penny for the safety of your cat.

Conclusion#

A Lion Cut is not “cruel”—it is a tool. If your cat is matted, hot, or unable to groom themselves due to age, it is a kindness. However, if you can maintain the coat with brushing, the natural insulation of the double coat actually helps regulate their temperature in all but the most extreme heat.

Resources & Further Reading#

National Cat Groomers Institute: Feline Skin Anatomy & Shaving Safety.
Veterinary Dermatology: Thermoregulation in Double-Coated Breeds.
PetMD: Sun Safety for Hairless and Shaved Cats.