PictureMister is very cute in his Cat’s Pyjamas trim of 3/8″

A Teddy Bear Trim (aka, comb trim, cat’s pyjama trim) is a longer styling option for felines. When done correctly, it is an adorable, low maintenance style for your cat that varies between 3/8″ to 1 ” long depending on the owner’s preference and the most attractive length for your feline’s hair and physique. Mane and tail lengths are customized.

This is a very specialized and advanced trim for felines, so I can only recommend it be attempted by a proper Certified Feline Master Groomer. There are no scissors or naked clipper blades used for this style. If the hair is not properly cleansed, prepared and trimmed using the most cat appropriate products and equipment, the results will be VERY disappointing. It will look like your cat fought, and lost, to a weed wacker.

Reasons to consider a teddy bear trim:

  • It’s adorable when done correctly
  • Lower maintenance demands between grooming appointments
  • Reduces shedding
  • Reduces problems with hairballs
  • Not as extreme in appearance as a lion trim
  • For people who want a stylin kitty but prefer the clothes left on


Reasons not to have a teddy bear trim:

  • Your cat is overly aggressive or very nervous/shy. The styling process demands a patient kitty. Trimming is only possible after proper cleansing, blow-drying, combing, and possible dematting. If your cat is not tolerant, it is unfair to inflict a longer grooming session than necessary. A bath n comb package would be a better option.
  • Your cat is very matted. Your best option is to get a lion clip first, let it grow out for a few weeks, and then schedule a regular grooming appointment to keep your kitty at the best teddy bear length.
  • Your cat is elderly or has a medical issue. This is a case-by-case decision as the feline stylist has to take into consideration the temperament, health of skin and hair, lifestyle of the cat, and the grooming maintenance plan the owner can adhere to.


Is trimming a cat cruel?

  • Cat’s don’t have to dwell in the Dark Ages or be second-class pet citizens any more. If it has skin and hair, and lives in your house, surely you can understand the need to have roommates wash at least once a season as a minimum. They actually really enjoy the process and share how fabulous they feel afterwards.
  • Unlike many breeds of dogs, cats can have their hair shaved or trimmed with no effect on the regrowth. Once the hair is totally grown out, many champion cats re-enter the show ring and the judge is none the wiser. This isn’t possible in the dog show ring ring as the damage done by clipping or shaving is very evident and not reversible. So the decision to shave or trim your cat is not about the possibility of damaging the hair.
  • Trimming whiskers, the head, cheeks and legs does constitute as dangerous and unnecessary and no true feline professional would consider complying with such a request.
  • No different than dogs, cats can be introduced sensitively and with understanding to professional grooming. There is always a learning curve for each new visitor, no matter what age they are started at. In my experience, cats learn at the same rate as dogs in trusting their groomer and  becoming familiar with the equipment and process. The difference is the equipment and process is different, from start to finish, for a cat vs. a dog and that is comes down to proper education and training.