Clipping / trimming fur

[Jolysium]

Hi, can anyone advise on the best kind of fur trimmers to use for helping my little old lady Freda keep herself clean? She's maxed out on pain meds to help with arthritis but still struggles to keep her bottom and tail clean, so sometimes we have to trim soiled/matted fur away for her. We really need some that will allow us to be very precise with where we're cutting, to minimise the risk of nicking her skin, and minimise how much we have to move her around as that is uncomfortable for her. Thanks for any recommendations or ideas!

 

[Shimmer]

I use sharp dressmaking scissors (very carefully) if I have to trim fur - but mine are very fluffy lionheads.

 

[Pets mum]

I used to use some small sharp nail scissors on Treacle, she had trouble with keeping her rear end clean too. I always made sure I held her fur between my fingers, and cut above them

 

[Jolysium]

Thanks both, I will try scissors

 

[SarahP]

You can buy safety scissors for cutting around dogs' eyes etc. They aren't so sharp though. I use these a bit with piggies, but mainly I use sharp hairdressing scissors with a fine toothed comb, so I can lift up the hair away from the skin and cut it (or hold it between my fingers).

 

[Shimmer]

Scissors need to be sharp, otherwise you pull rather than cut the fur. Make sure the points are going outwards, so you are cutting away from the skin, rather than into it - less chance of doing any damage.

 

[bunny momma]

You can buy safety scissors for cutting around dogs' eyes etc. They aren't so sharp though. I use these a bit with piggies, but mainly I use sharp hairdressing scissors with a fine toothed comb, so I can lift up the hair away from the skin and cut it (or hold it between my fingers).

Yes. I have some scissors from manicure area of store that have rounded tips. Though sometimes I can use a small pair of embroidery scissors. Keep a comb or fingers between skin and scissors.
If a matte is close to the skin, I remove only part of it that is further from skin and the rest may then be loose enough to comb out.