Maine Coon Lion Cuts: Dangers & Benefits

Maine Coon cats are renowned for their majestic appearance, showcasing a robust build, tufted ears, and a long bushy tail. One of their most distinctive traits is their luxurious, two-layered thick fur coat which provides insulation against cold weather, and protection from the sun’s rays.

Many pet parents (like me!) are attracted to this beautiful cat breed because its long-haired coat makes these former wild cats look incredibly majestic.

However, did you realize the fluffy coat is not just for show? If not, you might be surprised to learn that the Maine Coon’s fluffy coat plays a vital role in protecting them from environmental elements, and even injuries!

In recent years, the “lion cut” has become a trendy grooming style for Maine Coons, but I have to admit I’m just not a fan, and with good reason, as I explain later in this article.

What Is A Maine Coon Lion Cut?

The lion cut is a distinctive grooming style primarily applied to long-haired cats, particularly the Maine Coon breed.

This haircut involves shaving the fur close to the skin on most parts of the cat’s body, leaving only a mane around the cat’s head and neck, a tuft at the end of the tail, and sometimes fur around the paws, creating an appearance reminiscent of a lion.

The result is a striking contrast between the short fur on the body and the longer hair on the extremities, giving the cat a unique and somewhat exotic look.

Here’s a picture of the Maine Coon lion cut hairstyle:

Why Some Owners Opt for This Look

While some cat owners love the look of this Maine Coon fur style, you might be surprised to discover there are other reasons why owners pick it.

Aesthetics

Many owners choose the lion cut for its visual appeal since their cat is transformed from a fluffy, long-haired cat to a sleek, lion-like figure. They consider the lion cut adorable and enjoy the novelty of their cat resembling a miniature lion.

Ease Of Grooming

Long-haired cats, like Maine Coons, require regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles from forming in their fur. This is a time-consuming task.

For some owners, maintaining a cat’s long coat can be a lengthy and challenging task, especially if your cat gets a little spikey whilst being brushed! The lion cut significantly reduces the amount of cat fur, making grooming tasks easier.

If you live with a Maine Coon prone to daily tangles and mats, like Mika my blue-tabby, I can empathize with why some cat owners would be motivated to select the lion cut. Mika is groomed almost daily and still gets tangled fur.

Reduced Shedding

Another common reason why cat owners opt for a Maine Coon lion cut is to reduce the levels of fur that their cats shed, thereby reducing the amount of dead fur getting tangled in the cat’s fur coat.

According to Tica.org Maine Coons are known for their dense, double-layered coats (a short dense undercoat, and one longer silkier outer guard coat), which shed considerably, especially during seasonal changes.

Shedding fur can accumulate around the home, requiring regular cleaning. By giving a cat a lion cut, owners minimize the amount of fur shed around the house, making it easier to maintain a clean living environment.

Heat Relief

Some owners believe the lion cut helps their cats stay cooler during hot weather. By removing most of the fur, they assume it prevents overheating and makes their cat more comfortable in the summer months.

The truth, however, is that a shaved cat is at an increased risk of the sun’s rays because the Maine Coons fur coat protects this breed’s sensitive skin from burning and helps keep these large furry cats cool.

Health Reasons

Owners might choose the lion cut for health-related reasons. For example, if a cat has severe matting that cannot be easily brushed out, a lion cut would remove the mats painlessly and allow new fur growth to develop.

Hypoallergenic Myth

Some owners believe a lion cut will make their cat more hypoallergenic. However, allergens are primarily found in a cat’s saliva and dander, not the fur itself.

Effective allergen reduction involves regular grooming, cleaning, and maintaining good air quality, rather than shaving​.

Maine Coon Fur Characteristics

Maine Coons are celebrated for their luxurious, dense fur, which is a key feature of their majestic appearance.

Tica.org states that Maine Coons have a two-layered coat, as follows:

“The mature Maine Coon has a two-layered coat which is shorter around the shoulder and longer around the underbelly, britches and ruff. Coat type/texture can vary based on the color and/or their ancestral lineage.”

If we take a closer look at the two layers of fur, we discover:

• Undercoat: This is the soft, fine layer close to the skin. It provides insulation and helps keep the cat warm in colder climates.
• Guard Hairs: The outer layer is made up of longer hair that protects the undercoat and skin from moisture and dirt.

These two layers work together to provide a robust defense against the elements, making the Maine Coon well-suited for various environmental conditions.

Maine Coons shed seasonally. During the spring and fall, they shed more to prepare for the changing temperatures, transitioning from their thicker winter coat to a lighter summer coat, and vice versa.

1. Temperature Regulation

The fur of a Maine Coon plays a crucial role in regulating their body temperature. The dense undercoat acts as an insulating layer, trapping heat close to the body to keep the cat warm in cold weather.

Conversely, the guard hairs help to repel water and moisture, ensuring the undercoat remains dry and effective. Yes, you understood that correctly, these giant cats are semi-waterproof!

In warmer weather, the Maine Coon’s fur also provides a level of protection against heat. The outer layer of fur shields the cat’s skin from direct sunlight, reducing the risk of overheating and sunburn.

The natural shedding process helps your gentle giant to adapt to seasonal temperature changes, maintaining an optimal balance of warmth and cooling.

2. Protection

Beyond temperature regulation, the Maine Coon’s fur offers significant protection against physical harm.

The thick coat acts as a barrier against cuts, scrapes, and insect bites, reducing the likelihood of skin injuries. It also helps protect against parasites such as ticks and fleas by making it more difficult for them to reach the skin.

My cats have a full set of fur and occasionally encounter ticks while roaming in the garden. Ticks are pretty gross creatures, and my husband has to remove them as I just cannot stomach it! I hate to think how many ticks cats with lion cuts get.

Finally, the fur aids in camouflage, allowing the cat to blend into its surroundings more effectively. This can be particularly important for cats that spend time outdoors, helping them avoid potential predators or sneak up on prey.

Below is a picture of Bali, my tabby Maine Coon cat. He’s sat in the garden and is semi-camouflaged by the conifer bush next to him!

The Drawbacks Of Removing Fur

The Maine Coon cat’s fur plays an important role in their health and well-being. Removing it can have the following drawbacks:

1. Overheat Or Get Too Cold

Without their dense coat, cats can become more susceptible to temperature extremes, both hot and cold.

They might overheat in direct sunlight without their protective outer layer or become too cold in lower temperatures without the insulating undercoat.

2. Sunburn, Injuries, And Bites

The cat’s skin is left more exposed and vulnerable to injuries, sunburn, and insect bites. The absence of the natural barrier can lead to discomfort and health issues that otherwise would be mitigated by their fur.

3. Behavioral Changes And Cat Stress

Sassy Koonz, a Maine Coon cat breeder in the USA highlights how lion cuts can cause your cat stress. The breeder draws on an experience they had with a 1.5-year-old Maine Coon whose owner had given them a lion cut:

“I had an owner contact me about her 1.5-year-old Maine Coon. His behavior had changed recently, and not for the better. While he is typically laid back and docile, he was lashing out at her, swatting her legs when she passed, and acting upset overall”.

After reviewing the issue they advised that the lion cut had caused the Maine Coon to be stressed, causing a behavioral change in the cat:

“I knew immediately that his new “hairdo” was the reason for his stress and abnormal behavior. He was NOT happy about being lion cut”.

Here are some real-life examples of how a stressed Maine Coon cat would act.

When A Lion Cut Might Be Necessary

While the lion cut might seem appealing to some pet owners, it is generally unnecessary and can even be harmful unless specific medical conditions justify it.

1. Severe Matting

A Maine Coon’s fur can become severely matted if not properly groomed. Even if you do groom regularly, you might have a cat whose fur is prone to knots, like I do!

According to Sassy Koonz Maine Coon Cattery, mats can cause discomfort, restrict movement, and even lead to skin infections. In such cases, shaving might be the most humane option to provide relief and prevent further complications.​

2. Skin Infections And Conditions

Certain skin conditions or infections may require shaving to facilitate treatment. For instance, if a cat has a fungal infection or severe dermatitis, removing the fur can help apply topical medications more effectively and keep the area clean and dry​.

3. Surgical Procedures

Shaving is often necessary before surgical procedures to ensure a sterile environment and prevent post-operative infections. This is standard practice in veterinary medicine and helps aid the healing process​.

My cat, Bali suffered from a severe UTI earlier this year. The vet surgeon had to shave his leg to apply a hydration drip and shave a large area of his belly fur to ensure the X-ray would be successful. In this scenario, shaving our Maine Coon was necessary.

Hypoallergenic Misconceptions Of The Lion Cut

The term “hypoallergenic” refers to something less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Many people wrongly assume that giving a Maine Coon a lion cut makes the cat more hypoallergenic, when in fact, decreasing the amount of fur does not decrease the amount of allergens.

Allergic reactions to cats are primarily triggered by proteins found in a cat’s saliva, urine, and dander (dead skin cells), rather than the fur itself.

While shaving the fur may result in less shedding, it does not significantly reduce the allergens present in a cat’s environment. Allergens are still produced in the same quantities because they are found in the cat’s saliva and skin cells.

When a cat grooms itself, the allergens in its saliva are transferred to the skin and fur, and these allergens can still become airborne even if the fur is shorter​.

A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that cat allergen levels are not significantly influenced by the length of a cat’s fur but by the amount of grooming and dander production.

Cost Of Maine Coon Lion Cuts

According to Upgradeyourcat.com, in the USA, the cost of a lion cut for a Maine Coon typically ranges from $80 to $100, depending on the groomer’s experience and the specific needs of the cat:

“You can expect to pay around: $60-80 to give a short fur cat a lion cut. $80-100 to give a long fur cat a lion cut.”

For heavily matted fur or additional services like sedation, the price can be significantly higher, sometimes reaching $200 to $300​.

Ragdollandyou.com states that the cost of a lion cut in the UK is generally around £70 to £79 for a standard lion cut. Like in the USA, the price can increase if the cat requires more extensive grooming due to severe matting or additional care​:

“In the UK, giving a Maine Coon cat a lion cut can cost between £70 to £79.”