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50 Bad Pet Haircuts That Should’ve Never Been Done
We all know the stress of going to get a drastic haircut. A high reward cut requires taking high risks. But what if the stylist cuts off way too much? What if they misinterpret your vision and give you a mullet? What if the trendy bob you asked for ends up being a bowl cut? What’s even worse than the pre-haircut anxiety is the sinking feeling of leaving the salon knowing you’re stuck with an unsalvageable hairdo for the next few months. But what about when animals get bad pet haircuts?
As people, we have the chance to speak up when a haircut starts going awry, but our pets don’t have the same luxury. We drop them off at the groomer, just praying our babies will not return with bad pet haircuts. A great way to prevent terrible haircuts is by bringing in photos of what you want. In the case of animals, however, maybe it’s best to bring in examples of what you don’t want. We’ve gathered photos of some of the worst pet haircuts ever to make you laugh (and maybe to be cautionary tales as well). Below, you can also read our exclusive interview with Jess Rona, Los Angeles' most popular celebrity dog groomer.
Enjoy this list, and when you think you’ve seen it all, check out two other Bored Panda pieces featuring funny pet haircuts here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Asked For The Can I Speak To Your Manager Haircut. I Almost Peed Myself
RELATED:
#2
I Made A Mistake. She Won't Let Me Clip Anymore. Will I Be Arrested?
Laura Jackson 4 years ago
No, you won't be arrested. Institutionalized, sure, but not arrested. If this was a human child CPS would be called to remove them from custody
#3
This Cat Fully Shaved... Except For Its Face
#4
Thanks I Hate It
#5
Y'all. This Is My Cousin's Dog Henry, Who Was Given A Mohawk Haircut From Groomer. We Have Been Laughing For 2 Days
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 4 years ago
Either a grumpy man or a posh gentleman in one of those old pictures
#6
"Gave Him A Shave"
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 4 years ago
I thought that somebody did terrible photoshop when I first saw this
#7
Had To Have The Vet Shave My Cat To Treat A Skin Issue, And He Looked So Fake No One Believed These Photos Were Real
#8
What Happened?
#9
I Asked The Groomer To Cut Her Paw Fur Shorter This Time
#10
"Give My Dog A Slinky Look" "I Gotchu Fam"
#11
This Dog Looks Like It Is Wearing A Mask
#12
Just Shaved My Newfoundland. Look At His New Hair Style. What A Dude
#13
A Lady Posted This On A "DIY Doodle Grooming" FB Page And Said They Think They Messed Up And I Cannot Stop Laughing
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Looks like the dog tried to trim their own bangs—-and you know how THAT always goes…
#14
I Picked My Dog Up From The Groomer's And Burst Out Laughing. The Groomer Apparently Didn’t Understand My Request Very Well And Gave Him This Monstrosity Haircut
#15
I Thought I Was Having A Rough Day. Then I See This Poor Bastard And Know Others Have It Worse
#16
I Feel Like My Dog Looks Way Too Cute. Barber - I Got Chu Fam
#17
Yeah I Don’t Think He Likes The Haircut
#18
Work Cats Got A Close Crop For The Summer And Now They Look Like They’re In A Community Theater Production Of “Cats”
Penny Harrison 4 years ago
Gees Sid, what the heck did they do to you. Your cut is ridiculous.
#19
I've Been Cutting My Dog's Hair To Look Like A Person
#20
My Mom Just Ruined My Dog And She Literally Said "He Wanted To Keep It Long On The Top" I Am Devastated
#21
I Got My Girl Groomed. This Is Not What I Was Expecting. I Can’t Stop Laughing
#22
My Dad Is Shaving My Dog But He Took A Break At Her Head. Business Up Front, Party In The Back
#23
The Groomer Has My Dog Looking Like He Has A Disease
#24
"What Have They Done To Me?"
#25
My Boyfriend Wanted To Cut My Cat's Hair For Once And Totally Failed. It's So Sad But A Little Funny At The Same Time
She always looks angry so it is probably not because of the weird hairdo
#26
Mom Thought It Would Be A Good Idea To Cut Our Pony's Hair Cause It Couldn't See
#27
Mistakes Were Made
#28
Took My Dog To Get Groomed (Trim And Undercoat Brushed Out) And The People Decided To Shave Him
I thought it was common knowledge to not shave a dog with fur like this? Especially for a dog grooming service. He looks so bald.
#29
She Looks Wonderful
#30
Yesterday I Was A King, Today I Am A Rat
#31
Probably The Last Time I'll Be Allowed To Give My Dog A Haircut
karen snyder 4 years ago
Skip the hair cut, go with a mani-pedi. Those babies are looking snagly.
#32
That's Horrible
Joseph rick 4 years ago
Poodles must have the hair between their toes cut. Its vital. All our poodles paws are cut like this. They are water dogs and the fur doesn't fall off like most dogs.
#33
Fluffy Corgi When The Groomer Shaved Her By Mistake
#34
Had My Cat Shaved
#35
The Groomer Told Me Not To Laugh At Him. I've Failed
#36
His Groomer Called Me To Come Get Him Because She Was Done Trying
#37
My Significant Other Owns A Dog Grooming Facility And This Guy Came In Today. Meet Freddy Fender
#38
Wait Until The Professionals Are Back
#39
"I Got A Haircut Today. I Am Undecided If I Will Hate My Humom Forever Or Just Until My Hair Grows Back"
#40
I Should Have Known When I Went In, And The Earlier Appointments Were Coming Out All Looking Like This
#41
Vet Recommended Haircut
#42
"I'm Not Fat It's The Way I'm Sitting"
#43
I Had The Groomer Try A New Clip On My Dog
#44
My Friend's Husky After The 3rd Time She Had To Be Shaved Down For A Tick. She Refuses To Take The Vet's Treats Now
#45
When You See It
#46
My Poor Dog Came Back From The Groomers Looking Like This
#47
Ever Seen A Shaved Husky? Now You Have
#48
My Boy Ended Up Freaking Out At The Groomer's And His Trim Ended Up Being A Buzz Cut
Lyyyy 4 years ago
I have a question: why people shave these dogs that normally shed their fur, and therefore do not need shaving? Is it only because they have a skin condition, or is it because the dogs are too hot in a warm climate? This dog looks like it is a Finnish lapphund. (I have one too)
#49
Mom Took Me To Get A Buzz And The Groomer Sent Me Home Lookin Like A Peeled Chicken Nugget
#50
When That "Play In Pond, Roll In Wood Shavings" Life Is Too Legit To Quit
#51
Look At What My Boyfriend Did To Our Poor Dog. The Other Dog And The Cat Have Been Moved To A Secret Safe House Until Boyfriend Relinquishes The Clippers
#52
I Told The Groomer To Get Creative With My Dog's Hair Style. I Wasn't Expecting This
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Never ever EVER tell any kind of hair stylist to “get creative” with anyone’s hair, be it yours, you children’s, or your pet’s hair! EVER!
#53
Well, I Did Tell The Groomer To “Take About Half Off”
#54
Because It Had To Be Done
#55
What A Funny Haircut
#56
The Haircut My Groomer Gave My Dog
#57
What Did They Do To My Cat
#58
Mister Isn't Happy That I Have Exposed His Potbelly And Kitty Moobs After His Haircut
#59
Sent Home From The Groomer For Being Naughty Halfway Through A Haircut, And This Is What You Get
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
It was not up to the groomer to punish them with a haircut like this, though.
#60
Friends, Let’s Never Forget The Time I Took My Beautiful American Eskimo For A Well Intentioned 'Nice' Summer Cut. Here Is The 'Before And After' For Your Amusement
Alias Delfs 4 years ago
Summer cut my a*s go to a vet or breeder first to see that most of the time it’s not necessary!
#61
I Like To Let My Groomer Have Fun With My Goldendoodle Service Dog
#62
"You Know A Pan Flute?" "Say No More, Dog"
Daniel Atkins 4 years ago
Just because you think you are a Rastafarian doesn't mean you need to force it on your dog.
#63
"This Angle Make My Haircut Look Weird? Just Kidding! Ev-Furry Angle Makes My Haircut Look Weird"
#64
Oh My Poor Pupper! This Is What A Quarantine Fail Looks Like
#65
This Is What Happens When You Don’t Let The Groomers Style Your Face
#66
Why Do You Do This
kath morgan 4 years ago
But actually why though? Why shave a whole short haired cat for anything?
#67
My Cat Gets A Lion Haircut Every Summer, And Who Would Have Thought It Could Be This Easy To Acquire A Summer Bod?
#68
Mother, I Asked You To Cut Me Like A Lion! This Is When The Whole Body Is Shaved Except For The Head, And Not Vice Versa
Laura Jackson 4 years ago
Looks like someone took a French bulldog's head then stuck it on a cat body.
#69
So, Um, Uh... Mom Says I Need A New Groomer
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
At first glance, I thought that was some kind of lump (like, tumor) on the poor baby’s head!
#70
Got My Dogs Groomed, But The Groomer Called After She Had Began The Second One And Said She Couldn’t Finish. This Is How They Sent My Poor Baby Back Home With Me
#71
Damn They Did Moose All Kinds Of Wrong With This Haircut
#72
"Dad Said It Looks Like I’m Wearing Socks"
#73
And Just Like That My Life Is Made
#74
New Year - New Me
#75
Dog-Mom Shame Me If You Must. I Must Have Remembered To Recharge My Clippers Before Starting A Haircut. Poor Oscar Looks Like He's Wearing Pants
#76
Somehow The Groomer Mistook “Wash And Comb Out” And Shaved My Husky/Collie Mix
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
FIRE! THAT! GROOMER! Find one who actually likes animals, and still has functioning brain cells.
#77
Sure Am Concerned About His New Haircut
#78
I Don't Have What To Say About That
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
There are no words, unless the was done by a vet for a very good reason.
#79
My Parent's Cat Walked Through A Wax Warmer And Had To Get A Haircut
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Well, at least there was a good reason for the cut, not owner’s vanity or groomer’s “creativity”.
#81
He Is A Poodle, He Looks Like A Chihuahua Now
#82
Still Cute
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Rank amateur cut—-no, CHOP—-for a supposedly professional groomer. Hope they comped the cut before you fired them.
#83
Saw This Cat While Walking Home. I Don't Think He's To Impressed With His Haircut
#84
Omg, He’s Naked
#85
"I'd Like To Speak To The Manager" - Daisy. We Had A Bad Time At The Groomer's Yesterday
#86
My Sheamus Was Caught In The Same Situation, Here Is A Before And After The "Just A Trim To Clean Him Up"
#87
Don't Ask About His Haircut, Hubby Thought He Could Groom Him
#91
First And Probably Last Time I Use Clippers On My Dog. I Guess Dog Grooming Is Not My Strong Suit
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
I have a dog who has to get his hair cut. You use an attachment, and run the clippers though their fur the same way it grows. Don’t go against the direction it grows, and don’t come up from underneath, or you’ll cut too much, too short, cut out the undercoat that they actually need, and may even leave abrasions on the dog’s skin. Go slowly, and try to make it feel like you’re petting them or running a comb or brush through their fur. Really works with a dog who likes to be brushed and/or combed.
#92
My Cat Was Not As Happy To Receive The Lion Haircut
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Unless the cat is a badly matted stray you rescued off the street or has a skin condition, don’t shave them. GROOM them, ffs—-and I mean brush and comb, not clippers!
#93
What? Is There Something On My Face?
#94
Petsmart At It Again
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Well, the dog looks happy, and at least the cut came out smooth and not choppy. Though huskies should never be shaved, unless by the vet for a very good reason.
#95
Bono Was Bad At The Groomer
#96
Wilma Woke Up After A Haircut. I Don’t Think I’m Loved Anymore
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
If looks could kill, you’d be dead, because this cat is looking absolute daggers at you.
#97
PSA: If You Need To Shave Your Cat, Pet Clippers And Beard Trimmers Are Not The Same Thing. This Haircut Is To Be Continued... Once The Clippers Deliver
Jo Johannsen 4 years ago
Cat fur is so much finer than human hair that hair clippers often tangle and pull out fur.
#98
I Figured I'd Share My Cat's Grooming Fail
#99
Help! My Dad Went Crazy And Gave My Dog “A Haircut”. What Can I Do?
#100
My Sis Accidentally Got Dye On Our Dog Lassie’s Head While Helping My Mom Dye Her Hair. This Is The Result
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Take Lassie to the vet. Human hair dyes can contain chemicals that are toxic to dogs.
#101
My Aunt Just Tried To Dye Her Dog's Tail
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
No. If you must dye an animal’s hair, have a groomer do it. They have special no -toxic vegetable-based dyes that are meant for animal hair. If your aunt used human hair dye, she needs to take the dog to the vet. Animals can get sick from the chemicals in human hair dyes because they’re toxic to them, regardless of them being non-toxic to humans.
#102
"70's Jumpsuit"
#104
When You Go To The Groomers Looking Like A Dog And Leave Looking Like A Coyote
#105
My Friend's Cat Got A Haircut
#106
So My Brother-In-Law Decided The Cat Needed A Haircut
#107
This Is My Cat Chips. He Got A Bad Haircut
#108
When You Change Your Hairstyle But You Are Still Not Happy With It. PD Scooby After Letting His Handler Give Him A Trim
#110
Tarzan's Groomer Wasn't Available (Family Emergency) So We Decided To Do It Ourselves
#111
So My Floof Got A Bit Out Of Control And Mama Took Me For A Groom
#112
No, I Didn’t Get Stung By A Bee. This Is The Result Of My New Haircut. Not Impressed. Can We Still Be Friends?
#113
Oh No
#115
I Need Tips To Grow The Hair Faster
#116
Had A Pretty Bad Experience With Groomer And She Shaved Her Bald! She’s Not Digging This New Look At All. Hopefully Her Floof Grows Back Soon
#117
When The Groomer Gives Up After 10 Min... Mom Takes Over And Nails It
#118
This Is Trim FYI
HugAMally 3 years ago
Noooo!!! Still beautiful but, just what were they thinking?! Why don't groomers call if they're not sure about instructions? They just do whatever?? I had a woolley Alaskan Malamute and if anyone cut her like that, I'd be far more than pissed! Fortunately I was able to set up a grooming area for our dogs and did it myself.
#119
Why My Pets Hate My Haircuts
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
If looks could kill, you’d have been dead long ago. They don’t call them “murder mittens” for nothing.
#120
I Took My Dog For Grooming. Almost 5 Hours Later I Received A Call To Pick Him Up And This Is What He Looked Like. He Had Random Spots Where His Fur Was Shaved Off
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Hope the groomer comped it. Fire them and find a true professional. They’d never ever let a dog go home like this.
#121
Gave My Dog A Bad Haircut And Now He's Super Suspicious Of Me
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
No, this is a Chinese Crested. That’s just how they look. Thought you’d put one over on us, didn’t you? FAIL.
#123
Our Dog's First Time Getting A Haircut Since We Adopted Him. My Wife Had To Come To Pick Him Up Because He Was Freaking Out And Scared And They Couldn't Continue
#125
Well, If This Isn't A Total Groom Fail I Don't Know What Is... This Time By A Pro
#126
Josh Watched A Youtube Video And Now He Is An Expert Dog Groomer. I Will Rent Out His Services For 200 An Hour
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
So, Josh will pay ME $200/hour for him to groom my dog? Because he’d have to.
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What do you think ?
Aran Lindvail 4 years ago
Seriously? Half of this is bordering on animal abuse. If you have a long haired cat, brush it daily. If you life in hot climate, don't get a husky. Then you don't have to butcher their fur like that.
Rens 4 years ago
OK, I'm glad to realise I'm not the only one looking at these pictures, and thinking they are just cruel.
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Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
A summer puppy cut for a dog who doesn’t shed is one thing, but shaving down a dog or cat for a non-medical reason is simply unnecessary. It’s either owner vanity, or groomer incompetence and or “creativity”. And, FFS, NEVER dye their hair, especially at home! Groomers have special non-toxic animal hair dye, you don’t. Human hair dye has chemicals in it that can be toxic to animals, if not to humans, and should never be used on a pet FFS.
Marion Friedl 4 years ago
Yes, dyeing is another issue, but we don´t know how filthy and full of knots the fur of most of these furbabies was BEFORE they were groomed/shaved. We simply do not know.
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Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
Mostly not funny. Only dogs that have hair (which continually becomes longer) require haircuts. This doesn't include Huskies, Goldens, and any dog with a double coat. If you shave a dog with a double coat, you risk ingrown hairs and you will disrupt the balance between how each layer grows (and they grow at different rates). The result is that the double coat will not be able to provide the insulation and protection it's supposed to. Brush your double-coated dog every day to distribute the fur's natural oils and prevent matting. It literally takes 10 minutes to do this.
Joshua Howard 4 years ago
We used to vacuum our Husky mix twice a day during shed season. He didn't really car to be brushed - he was ticklish, go figure - but try to sweep the floor without spending ten minutes sucking out that shedding undercoat first, and he'd call PETA on your behind.
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Aran Lindvail 4 years ago
Seriously? Half of this is bordering on animal abuse. If you have a long haired cat, brush it daily. If you life in hot climate, don't get a husky. Then you don't have to butcher their fur like that.
Rens 4 years ago
OK, I'm glad to realise I'm not the only one looking at these pictures, and thinking they are just cruel.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
A summer puppy cut for a dog who doesn’t shed is one thing, but shaving down a dog or cat for a non-medical reason is simply unnecessary. It’s either owner vanity, or groomer incompetence and or “creativity”. And, FFS, NEVER dye their hair, especially at home! Groomers have special non-toxic animal hair dye, you don’t. Human hair dye has chemicals in it that can be toxic to animals, if not to humans, and should never be used on a pet FFS.
Marion Friedl 4 years ago
Yes, dyeing is another issue, but we don´t know how filthy and full of knots the fur of most of these furbabies was BEFORE they were groomed/shaved. We simply do not know.
Load More Replies... Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
Mostly not funny. Only dogs that have hair (which continually becomes longer) require haircuts. This doesn't include Huskies, Goldens, and any dog with a double coat. If you shave a dog with a double coat, you risk ingrown hairs and you will disrupt the balance between how each layer grows (and they grow at different rates). The result is that the double coat will not be able to provide the insulation and protection it's supposed to. Brush your double-coated dog every day to distribute the fur's natural oils and prevent matting. It literally takes 10 minutes to do this.
Joshua Howard 4 years ago
We used to vacuum our Husky mix twice a day during shed season. He didn't really car to be brushed - he was ticklish, go figure - but try to sweep the floor without spending ten minutes sucking out that shedding undercoat first, and he'd call PETA on your behind.
Load More Replies...
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