Today started as one of those easy summer days where nothing in particular is happening, but everything feels just right. We were out on the deck eating lunch, soaking up the warm weather, and I was mentally running through the list of chores I’d been happily ignoring. Somewhere between “do the dishes” and “fold the laundry,” it hit me: I really needed to spend some time grooming Bean, our big fluffy Maine Coon.
Grooming Bean is not my favorite chore. He absolutely hates being brushed, and he has so much fur. Normally I can keep up by working on him in small batches a couple of times a week, but this year his coat has been especially bad. I’m not sure if it’s the weather, his age, or just a heavier shed season, but he’s been getting matted more than usual, especially in those tricky spots where it’s hard for him to groom himself.
For the past few weeks I’ve been slowly working away at the mats, a little at a time, trying not to stress him out too much. Even so, every time I thought I was making progress, I’d find another tangle hiding along his sides or under his belly.
While we were talking about it, my husband casually asked why I didn’t just shave him. I immediately said I was nervous about doing it myself, and the groomer I talked to wanted over $400 to shave him down. That’s a lot of money for one cat haircut, even a very large, very fluffy one.
My son, however, had a different attitude. He was sure we could handle it ourselves. Before I could overthink it, I decided to be brave. I grabbed all my grooming supplies, the clippers, and, of course, the cat. I started on my own and was able to get a little done, but Bean wasn’t thrilled with the process and I definitely needed an extra set of hands. My son jumped in and we took turns—one of us holding and reassuring Bean while the other worked carefully with the clippers.
I’m not going to pretend the end result is show-ring perfect. There are a few slightly choppy spots, and he definitely looks a little funny if you catch him from the wrong angle. But you know what? We got rid of the mats, and that’s what really matters. Bean seems so much happier and more comfortable already. All that heavy fur can’t feel great when it’s hot out, especially when it’s pulling on his skin in tight clumps.
Now that he’s lighter and smoother, he’s moving around more easily and seems more relaxed when we pet him. I’m hoping this new short “summer style” will also cut down on the number of hairballs I find around the house. With less loose fur for him to swallow while grooming, maybe we’ll all get a bit of a break.
In the end, I’m really glad we went for it. It was a little nerve‑wracking to do it ourselves, but it saved a lot of money and, most importantly, Bean is more comfortable. Sometimes the spur‑of‑the‑moment decisions turn out to be the best ones—for both pets and their people.