Aunt Stacey's Compassionate Cat Grooming

Compassionate Handling and Restraint

Hello again, fellow Ailurophiles!!  I didn't mean to stay gone for so long.  As luck would have it I'm smack in the middle of a burst of new business opportunities and a steady stream of client requests for appointments.  Being a cat groomer is in high demand, even in these tough economic times.  Providing such a unique service comes with a huge responsibility.  Cats are highly sensitive creatures.  Today I want to share my choices for gentle restraint.

Knowing how to properly handle and restrain a cat is a requirement, for the safety of both the cat and the groomer.  When it comes to products there are some absolutes, some maybes, and some never ever use that when grooming a cat, please!  Less is more.  I never start a groom using restraint.  I find it best to let the cat acclimate to its surroundings for a moment before beginning.  Taking a few moments to pet and speak softly to the cat will give me a lot of information about how they’re feeling.  While I practice a minimal handling and restraint method, I am acutely aware of the potential for injury from a stressed cat.  Taking risks isn’t something I advocate.  I think it's important to have a healthy respect for their ability to escape or attack, but not to anticipate a negative experience.  As I’ve said before and will say many times again, positive ENERGY makes a huge difference and will greatly affect the overall experience. 

Imagine a graph with green at the bottom indicating calm moving up through yellow, to orange and ending with red on top indicating extreme stress.  When grooming is part of the equation you can expect the cat to already be gauged at least a yellow if it’s been riding in a carrier in the car and is now in a new environment.  Add on loud noises such as barking dogs, dryers, water, and all the other sounds of the grooming room.  Now imagine what the cat is feeling as it’s being fitted with a muzzle, or stuffed into a bathing bag, or worse – a combination of overzealous restraint techniques.  It’ll hit the red mark way too soon creating an unsafe and overly stressful experience.

I vary my handling style based completely on what the cat’s body language and vocalization is communicating to me.  I am always calm.  Moving with confidence, but not in an aggressive manner.  Hesitation on my part is an open invitation for an aggressive cat to lash out.  Cats give many indicators of their mood and their mood can shift instantly – both good and bad.  I’ve worked with cats that were sitting quietly then suddenly became tense and struck out with a paw swipe or biting attempt.  And I’ve worked with cats that were fussing up a storm only to immediately relax a little with a chin scratch.  Some are great for combing, but not so eager to have a bath.  There are many variants and one constant.  Compassionate handling will offer the absolute best results.

 

Products I support and use when necessary:

BiteBuster® sleeves   www.bitebuster.com

These are the absolute best tools in my box for protecting my arms and hands.  They’re lightweight, washable and very tough against bites and scratches.  I’ve felt a pinch from a cat bite that left a bruise on my arm, but no puncture wound at all.  I only wish I had discovered them on my first day of grooming.  I’d have fewer scars. 

Elizabethan Collar

A must-have I could never groom without.  There are several styles to choose from, but I prefer the kind with metal snaps and leather covering around the neck rim for comfort.  I order mine through my veterinarian’s supplier.  It’s worth mentioning that a few cats will panic when the E-collar is fitted.  Some will thrash about clawing furiously at it.  If the cat is easily settled, then I’ll proceed.  There have been times like this when I’ve removed the collar quickly and had a little chat with Kitty about my intentions.  I’ll continue the groom without the collar only if Kitty calms down a little.  Otherwise, the E-collar is used again or the groom is stopped.  Many cats overcome the need for using the E-collar with improved tolerance for the grooming over several sessions.  When I first began grooming I used it all the time, but only once in a while now.  The cats haven’t changed.  I’ve just become more attuned to their special handling needs. 

Towel

Multi-functional, a towel offers a cat a place to hide under, it helps protect the groomer from urine and feces, and aids in temporarily restraining an aggressive cat.  In my experience, most cats want to be able to see what’s going on around them at all times.  There are a few however that would prefer to imitate an ostrich and hide their heads for some or all of the grooming process. 

Infant’s Stuffed Animal

Allowing a cat to release some of its negative energy through biting is very helpful in preventing the cat from turning to bite the groomer.  I specify infant because they won’t have any hard plastic pieces that might damage a cat’s teeth.  A towel works well for this, too.

 

Products that may be useful for some, but not my style:

Figure-8 Loop

It can be beneficial to use a loop if you have a very active cat that attempts to bounce from one spot to the next in a nano-second.  It’s important to always keep the loop around the shoulders and not the neck to avoid injury.

Framed Screen

I’ve heard it recommended using a framed screen while bathing so the cat could dig its claws into it.  I also know some groomers who use a carrier door in the tub, tilted so the cat can hang on.  While it’s true that a lot of cats like to hang onto something for security, I worry about the risk of injury to the cat’s paws and claws.  What if it panicked, but couldn’t get free?  Cats are strong and will risk self-injury to escape.  At the vet clinic I use a rubber-coated grate balanced flat across the tub on the ledges.  For housecall service, I use a rubber sink mat with holes.  Both provide stability against slipping while allowing the cat some freedom of movement. 

 

Products I do NOT support and have never used:

Muzzle

I know a lot of groomers count this piece of equipment as a necessity.  In over eight years of grooming I have never felt the need to use a muzzle.  I believe I would be at a great disadvantage if I were unable to see the cat’s eyes and whisker placement because both tell me so much about the cat’s present frame of mind and stress level.  Unlike a towel which gives the cat the option to hide or not, using a muzzle is an unfair and aggressive act toward the cat.  If the cat is biting so ferociously it cannot be handled, then it should be sedated under a veterinarian’s supervision.

Tape on the Paws

Intended to prevent the cat from scratching, this practice does more harm than good. As if the cat isn’t anxious enough about being groomed, tape on the paws will only aggravate the situation further.  Definitely trim the claws if you’re working with a cat that is swatting or grabbing onto you or the table or anything else nearby it can reach.  I prefer to give nail trims after the bath because the nails are much softer and easier to clip, but I won’t hesitate to trim the sharp tips at any point prior to the bath.

Bathing Cages/Bags

These items are marketed to provide “security” for the cat, but too much restraint never makes a cat feel secure.  It only promotes an overwhelming sense of captivity.  Cats are strong-willed and deserve our utmost respect.  If you can manage to easily fit a cat into a bathing bag, you most likely can groom it without much restraint.

I don’t mean to offend anyone, professional groomer or pet owner alike.  However, I feel I must express my opinion on this matter.  It is never acceptable to place a cat into a carrier or a bathing cage and spray it with water as it thrashes about trying to escape.  Getting the job done regardless of the means is never okay.  As pet industry professionals we are obligated to treat every animal in our care with kindness and compassion.

Working with cats is challenging to say the least.  Sometimes there’s very little appreciation, if any, from the cat for our grooming efforts.  But all cats need and deserve our love, admiration and respect.  Today I groomed a beautiful Maine Coon named Brilynn.  During our first session she managed to slice the inside of my left nostril while trying frantically to escape.  I still have a small piece of missing skin there.  Over time she has become a much more trusting cat who now gives me head-butts, purrs and rolls around enjoying her catnip while I clean up the grooming area.  She’s still sensitive and vocalizes when I work around her legs.  That’s her “red zone”.  I know this so I speak reassuringly to her even more then.  As I work with her I appreciate how far she’s come and am so grateful for her trust.  I know she feels this from me and I believe it makes all the difference.

Remember, a cat isn’t necessarily calm just because it’s being still.  Shock from too much stress can freeze a cat’s mobility.  Imagine what aggressive handling does to a cat’s precious psyche.  In my next blog I’ll discuss specific holds for optimizing control and maneuverability.  Thanks for taking the time to visit Aunt Stacey’s Compassionate Cat Grooming.  I always appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions. 

Working with the 'Special Needs' Kitty

We’ve all either met them or heard stories about them.  I’m referring to those “mean cats” that are too aggressive to be groomed without sedation.  In my experience, only a small percentage of cats fall into this category.  Personally, I don’t like that label.  I believe they’re not mean, just misunderstood.  Most cats tolerate compassionate grooming rather well with increased levels of acceptance over time.  It’s my vision to significantly reduce the number and frequency of sedated cat grooms.  Today’s topic will address those cats that express varying degrees of hypersensitivity to grooming and what we can do to alleviate some of their stress.

When faced with the challenge of working with a special needs kitty, I first remind the owner how important it is to be relaxed regarding grooming.  From talking about it to preparing the cat to go into its carrier, positive energy plays a vital role.  If the owner intends to be present during the groom, they must remain calm.  I’ve mentioned before, and will continue to do so, the intensity of a cat’s response to energy.  It’s very powerful.  Thankfully, most cat lovers appreciate and agree with this sentiment.  They’ve witnessed first-hand how the stress of car rides and veterinarian visits affect their cat and want to do whatever they can to make grooming easier for everyone. 

However, if I face a situation where the cat has been stressed out recently or immediately prior to grooming often it’s detrimental to proceed.  On several occasions over the years, I’ve received calls from a frantic client saying they’re going to be late bringing their cat in because it’s hiding under the bed and they’ve been trying for thirty minutes to get it out using a broom.  Or the cat’s been secluded to a bathroom for a couple of hours before I arrive for a Housecall groom.  Yikes!  In these cases, I prefer to reschedule.  Grooming is challenging enough and we know we only have a small window of time to reasonably work with a cat.  We must consider the big picture.  We need to have a steady repetition of positive grooms for continued success.

Once I’m able to reassure my client I will handle their cat with loving care and we’ve established mutual trust, I can then concentrate on the specific needs of their cat.  The first order of business is to determine why the cat feels the need to be aggressive.  By taking a thorough history of the cat’s experiences I can begin to understand the reason for their behavior.  Is the cat aggressive at home when the owner tries to groom it?  Has it been professionally groomed before?  If so, what were those experiences like for the cat, both during and afterward?  Does the cat suffer from any medical conditions such as arthritis or obesity that might account for discomfort during handling, which then translates to aggressive behavior?  What other issues is this cat facing that might adversely affect the grooming process?

A truly feral cat is very dangerous to groom and most likely a candidate for sedation.  Early socialization plays a vital role in a cat’s tolerance for handling.  Lacking human contact in the critical first 5 weeks of life makes it extremely difficult for many cats to trust humans enough to be safely restrained for any length of time.  My cat grooms typically last from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.  This requires the cat to be extremely accepting of my intrusion into their personal space.  Difficult enough sometimes when you’re only dealing with a cat’s ego, but impossible when you’re dealing with an aggressive cat that has become consumed with panic.  Aggression is defined as overt or suppressed hostility, either innate or resulting from continued frustration and directed outward or against oneself.  There is a distinct difference between panic and fear.  Fear is defined as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined.  Panic is defined as a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, which produces hysterical or irrational behavior.  (Source: Dictionary.com)  A panicked cat is too dangerous to groom.

That definitely sums up what a cat might experience during grooming or any other invasive acts.  They need to have a way to release this negative energy.  Try offering a soft plush toy for them to bite instead of you (ones designed for infants are purr-fect because they don’t have any hard pieces that could damage cat teeth).  Sometimes placing a towel over the cat’s head blocking it’s vision will help it to relax, but I have found most cats actually feel much more in control when they can see what’s going on around them.

A cat that has been subject to negative grooming in the past is more likely than not to be suspicious and defensive.  If they will accept treats or catnip, this will go a long way in putting the groomer on the good side of their list.  Remember, more positive associations with grooming equals more acceptance from the cat.  Tremendous patience on the part of the groomer is absolutely necessary.  A fearful, but not panicked, cat needs to be handled at a very slow and steady pace with constant reassurance.   Loud noises, which frighten any cat, can send a fearful one over the edge.  It’s best to provide a very quiet environment with no interruptions. 

“Do cats like grooming?”  This is a question many new clients ask me.  My honest reply, “Some cats enjoy certain aspects of grooming, but in general, no they don’t.”  All of them are quite proud of themselves after their groom, prancing around soaking in all the praise and adoration from their families.  Many of them respond affectionately to petting throughout the grooming process.  Some cats even offer unsolicited affection and display a genuine loving bond with their groomer.  But alas, there are those whom prefer no hands-on treatment whatsoever.  For aggressive cats, is sedation the only alternative?  Thankfully, in many cases, we have another option.  I’d like to share a success story about a very special kitty named Bobby that I love.  He’s a big Longhair Bobtail kitty with an endearing personality.

Here's a picture of Bobby before his groom.  Notice his flattened ears and tight body posture.

This is Bobby and I getting our bath.

And here's a picture of Bobby in my lap being hand-dried.  That nose lick is an indicator of stress.  Bobby was nearing the end of his groom and he knew it.

And finally, Bobby after his groom.  Doesn't he look proud and happy!!

I began grooming Bobby back in January 2003 when I worked at a local salon.  Like many cats, he was nervous and displayed various degrees of discontent, from growling to “bluff biting” (my definition of a cat that half-heartedly acts as though it’s going to bite, but pulls back quickly).  Despite his obvious disapproval for grooming, he’s a lover-boy and allowed me to perform many grooms for almost two years.  By March of 2004 I had left that salon and was focusing more on my Housecall business.  Bobby transitioned to this type of service just fine and I was able to bathe and groom him several times at his home.  Unfortunately, Bobby suffered a severe bite-wound to his back during a fight with another cat.  He developed abscesses that required daily treatments from his owner.  Understandably, he became hypersensitive about any touching in that area to the point it was no longer safe for me to groom him.  Due to his obesity it also made it very dangerous for him to experience stress at such an elevated level.  Sadly, stress can kill a cat, particularly one compromised due to poor health.  After a thorough examination by one of the doctors at Stonebriar Veterinary Centre where I work part-time, Bobby was cleared for anesthesia.  His first sedated groom took place on December 14, 2004.  We continued to do sedated grooms approximately every 8 weeks through June of 2006 when it was discovered that Bobby was borderline diabetic and there was great concern about the potential of anesthesia toxicity building up in his kidneys and liver.  Bobby has an amazing “mom” who wants only the very best for her kitties.  She agreed to allow me to make weekly visits to her home for de-sensitization sessions.  Our first visit happened on July 11, 2006.  We sat on the floor in her living room with Bobby positioned next to a catnip scratching pad.  I have to admit, I wasn’t able to do much more than just pet his cheeks and talk lovingly to him.  He was in no mood for much of anything that day.  Nevertheless, we continued our weekly visits gradually progressing to a full-body comb-out.  I had to allow Bobby to guide me in what he was willing to accept.  I was and continue to be amazed by him and his reception to me.  On the ninth visit I was able to give Bobby a sanitary shave.  On March 29, 2007 we celebrated our first full groom with a bath again.  Realizing the impact our consistency made, we moved forward with our weekly sessions with a full groom given every three months.    Bobby has one of those dense coats that mats very easily.  For some reason, I had never thought to suggest a tummy shave to Bobby’s owner until June of 2007.  What a difference that made in his comb-outs!  No more matting in his armpits or along his sides!  There were times when it was beneficial to have what we referred to as a “love session” which simply involved petting and catnip, but no grooming tools.  I believe this allowed Bobby to bond with me outside of just grooming.  Every once in awhile Bobby won’t be in the mood for much, or he’ll reach a point of frustration that dictates the groom needs to end before he shares more with me than I want (a.k.a., he will poop if he gets too upset and stress poop is rarely solid!).  I still wear my BiteBuster sleeves when working on his tummy because he’s incredibly accurate with his claws when he kicks.  And sometimes he has to wear the “Party Hat” (plastic Elizabethan collar with snaps).  But we always end our sessions with Bobby’s mom telling him he has to “pay the toll” which means he has to walk to me and give my hand a little head-butt before his mom opens the door to let him out of the office where we work.  He graciously obliges us and now strolls out of the room instead of rushing out.  Bobby has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that cats can be surprisingly generous and forgiving.  No, he doesn’t like grooming, but I know he loves his Aunt Stacey because he knows I love him!

On a side note:  Bobby and his sisters, Tabitha and Sabrina, are the only cats I bathe in the bathtub.  All other cats are bathed in a kitchen or laundry room sink during Housecall service.  Due to water pressure, volume and sink size, the tub is much better for all of us in this particular case.

The lesson here is the desire to find a solution coupled with the art of patience.  Cats are vocal creatures.  Throughout my years as a groomer, I’ve heard it all.  They certainly have a lot to say and are never shy about saying it.  I always enjoy their conversations and appreciate their willingness to so openly share their feelings.  It’s actually an enormous aid in gauging their comfort and stress levels.  A soft, high-pitched meow is more curiosity than anything else.  A lower-pitched meow is saying “I’m not so sure about this”, groomer proceed with caution.  Growls and hisses clearly state the obvious – kitty is not a happy camper and handling should be done with absolute precision.  Cats that spit and lunge don’t necessarily qualify for sedation, but they are at the high end of the aggression scale.  A funny quick story - I used to groom a cat named Lucy (she has since gone on to the Rainbow Bridge and I miss her terribly).  She would growl and hiss and sometimes spit at me, but once my hands were on her she submitted.  She would let out a sporadic screech, but really never made a serious attempt to bite me while grooming.  But the moment she was put into a holding unit to wait for her owner to pick up, she would cross over into wild girl and would manage to deposit saliva on my face from several feet away.  This was not a cat that could handle a start and stop and start again type of groom.  Needless to say she waited in her carrier after her grooms with a towel over the door giving her the privacy and space she desperately needed. I also groom a cat appropriately named Sassy who must wait in her carrier until I’m absolutely ready to start her groom.  If she is placed in a unit out of her carrier, I can forget about getting a handle on her.  But yet again, once the grooming starts she’s easily handled as long as I keep my fingers from close proximity to her mouth.  These are only two examples of cats that want to appear much more scary than they truly are.  My advice is to let go of your fear and work as hard as possible to decipher the various communications the cat expresses.  Once you understand what a cat is saying and why it’s behaving in a specific manner, then you will have enormous success working with them.

It would be impossible for me to count the number of times I’ve heard people say, “My cat would NEVER let you groom him/her.”  Most of you can appreciate my satisfaction when, given the chance, those same people sit in awe that their cat is actually cooperating with the groom and even appears to like me.  Take heed when an owner tells you their cat is aggressive, but trust your own assessment above all else.  And remember, positive time spent working with a cat is valuable beyond measure. 

Sedation and cat grooming seem to have a history of going hand-in-hand.  Unfortunately, there is always a risk involved with anesthesia.  When all measures of compassion and safe handling have been exhausted, we must accept that anesthesia sedation is the safest choice.  A thorough exam by the cat’s veterinarian prior to sedation should include a full blood panel work-up with periodic follow-up testing to ensure the cat is tolerating the anesthesia safely over time.  Factors such as health and age must also be considered.  A cat should never be groomed under sedation without a veterinarian on hand.  The risk is entirely too great to take a chance.  In the past my veterinarians have preferred a cocktail mix of Domitor and Ketamine and sometimes with Torbugesic and/or Buprenex.  The effects of sedation can easily be reversed if necessary with Antisedan.  I am not a fan of Acepromazine.  Well, that isn’t entirely true.  I am a huge opponent of the use of Acepromazine for grooming.  It seems to be a wonderful drug when mild sedation is required for traveling and the cat is kept in a peaceful environment.  But it is absolutely detrimental when intense body manipulation is involved.  I have personally witnessed two cats die that were under the influence of Ace.  And I have witnessed countless cats struggle to fight the effects of the drug to the point their blood pressure fluctuated to dangerous levels.  It is much safer for the cat to sleep while it’s heart and respiratory rates are monitored during grooming.  They can then wake up fresh and clean, albeit slightly groggy for a short time.

Always remember, every cat is unique in its personality and needs.  To be successful working with them, the most valuable thing we can offer is our compassion, patience, and willingness to try unconventional methods.  I hope you'll share your stories of success for others to learn from.  Happy Cat Grooming Everyone!

Don't be afraid, be aware

 

When working with cats one must possess an

equal and respectable amount of fear and fearlessness.

Cats are astounding creatures.  Their intelligence coupled with unique personalities makes them the most endearing of all animals to me.  Growing up as a child I made all the mistakes in handling cats one can imagine out of ignorance.  I can remember even pushing my cat away because I didn’t like the sound coming from it (a purr).  Thankfully, my cats were very tolerant and forgiving.  I read a few books and began learning so much about feline care.  A love affair began!  When I was a young woman of 19 my grandmother generously gave me her beautiful Siamese, Seleste, whom I had adored and developed a strong bond.  Sadly, my Seleste suffered from and finally succumbed to HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy).  I learned an enormous amount about that disease, more than I ever desired.  Over the years I’ve been blessed to share my life with several cats, each incredible and fascinating in their own way.  Every cat is different, but with distinct species traits and behaviors.

It wasn’t until I became a professional cat groomer and worked with them extensively that I realized I didn’t know enough to handle them safely and make the process as positive as possible.  This isn’t anything like hanging out with your own kitties at home.  Although the groomer I trained under had several years of experience, her style of dominance wasn’t one I wanted to imitate.  I’ve since discovered it’s actually commonplace and quite acceptable to many in our industry.  There are so many items on the market encouraging, in my opinion, barbaric measures to “safely” groom a cat.  We’ll talk more about products and tools soon.  I just knew there had to be a better and even easier way.  So I decided to educate myself.  I researched more books, read tons of online articles, participated on grooming message boards, attended trade shows, anything I could to absorb more cat-specific grooming knowledge.  There sure wasn’t as much out there as I had hoped.  Thankfully, I connected with an amazing and talented groomer, Daryl Connor.  This lady knows her stuff!  And she practices a loving, very compassionate approach to cat grooming.  Her success, encouragement, and insight inspire me to this day.

Throughout my life, and especially my career, I’ve felt a deep connection with cats.  To be truly successful working with them in our profession, I believe we must be acutely aware of their communication  – verbally, physically, and mentally.  They’re most definitely paying attention to all of these things about us.  Keep that in mind when you’re working with them.  Are you hurried or frustrated?  Or are you calm and happy?  It makes a huge difference.  Cats offer a wealth of information to us.  They make sounds during grooming most owners never hear their cats speak – from the purr of stress to the ferocious mountain lion scream.  They utilize their whiskers and ear placement, body posture, eye shape and pupil dilation, breathing patterns, and heart rate to express their feelings.  They send and receive energy so powerfully you can actually feel it.  Scientific studies have proven the power of thought and imagery to elicit a specific response.  Try sending a thought to the cat you’re grooming as you visualize the process being smooth and the cat cooperating.  I think you’ll be surprised at the response.  Of course, it’s certainly not an endorsement for complete submission and compliance on the cat’s part, but if you’re sending positive thoughts you will encounter more cooperation and less resistance. 

One pattern I’ve repeatedly seen over the years when groomers and cat owners alike speak of working with cats is fear.  Although this is an understandable and justifiable emotion, unreasonable fear will hinder the person’s ability to handle cats confidently versus aggressively.  I strongly dislike getting scratched or bitten, but I cannot allow that to translate to a fear mentality.  It’s inevitably going to happen.  I’ll take what I feel are the necessary precautions to avoid injury, but I can’t handle the cat as though I’m afraid it’s going to hurt me.  I don’t want it to think I’m going to hurt it either.  Rather than expecting a battle, I groom with the intention of forming a bond with the cat.  I’ll never forget this one attendee at a class I taught a couple of years ago.  She asked how you keep from getting bitten and scratched when grooming cats.  I responded without hesitation, “You don’t groom cats.”  I’m not reckless, but I choose to accept this might happen because my technique is a conservative approach to handling and restraint.  However, this encourages the cats to feel safe and less fearful of me, which then translates to a more positive grooming experience.  Over time I’ve seen enormous strides in the tolerance of my grooming cats and I attribute that to my continued offers of love, respect, and less-is-best handling.

If you’re nervous and jumpy, or aggressive and too strong in your moves, the cat will not want to cooperate.  Typically they would prefer to leave the scene and avoid a confrontation.  But if pushed too far (and just what too far means for a cat is determined by that specific cat), they will lash out.  Combine petting and kind words as often as possible when working with cats.  Accept each cat for it’s uniqueness and alter your style accordingly.  Some cats need a lot of reassurance throughout the process.  Whereas others want to just get it over with as quickly as possible and aren’t interested in hearing what you have to say or accepting any petting whatsoever.  That’s okay, as long as we handle them compassionately whatever their needs.

Another person whose style I will always respect is Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter.  He’s my absolute hero.  Some people thought he was way too risky, but he just had a connection to animals and a confidence that grew from an enormous love for them.  I know I’ve learned a lot about the importance of being educated about and the acceptance of an individual animal’s needs from watching Steve.  When you think about it, sometimes trying to groom certain cats can seem like wrestling crocodiles, only more dangerous!  Those kitties are best left to the care of a very qualified veterinarian who can safely let them dream away and wake up freshly groomed.  I’ll write more on the topic of sedation in the near future. 

I’m not so naive to think all cats are going to be thrilled all the time with being professionally groomed.  But I do know grooming cats is the most rewarding career for me I can ever imagine.   It provides me with immense satisfaction.  I’ve met so many wonderful cat lovers, many of whom I consider friends.  My own experiences have proven time and again I will always have much to learn.  Please feel free to share your stories and advice for compassionate cat grooming.  Comments are welcome and appreciated.

Greetings from Aunt Stacey

Hello and welcome to what I hope will be an inspirational and informative forum for compassionate cat grooming.

Compassion is defined as a "deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it."  While some cats will enjoy certain aspects of the grooming process, overall it's a stressful situation for the majority.  As many of you have probably discovered if it's not the cat's idea, then it's just not a very good idea.  (Random treats are the usual exception!) 

Unfortunately, cats have a bad reputation when it comes to grooming.  At the start of my career, I found this puzzling.  Why did so many groomers dislike working with cats?  They’re such amazing and loving creatures in addition to being extremely intelligent! Overwhelmingly, I have found the root cause of so much misfortune to be a lack of true feline understanding.  Too often cats are handled in a way that promotes negative reactions from the cat and the groomer alike. Granted, an injury from a cat can be dangerous, even life-threatening. Avoidance of injury is paramount. How do we manage to comb, bathe, dry, shave, or even nail clip a CAT without bloodshed?

First and foremost, we must see things through the cat’s eyes, as well as their other senses. Imagine being an animal that thrives on normalcy and routine, is easily startled by loud noises and sudden movements, who prefers their home environment to new places, not to mention having serious control issues. Now imagine being put inside a carrier against your will, driven in a car, taken into a foreign facility, and introduced to strange humans and other animals (many of whom are loud with poor manners!). Whew, that sure is a lot to handle right off the bat and the grooming hasn’t even begun! It’s really no wonder cats resist grooming.

How do we create positive grooming experiences for cats? You guessed it, Compassion!! Above all else, cats deserve our respect and understanding. It’s not easy to adjust to so many intrusions into one’s personal space. However, the manner in which it’s done will make all the difference in the world.

Let’s put this in human perspective. I’m a very touchy-feely kind of person. I love hugs and physical displays of affection, a touch to the arm or a pat on the back regardless if we’ve been friends for years or just met. I find this type of exchange of positive energy exciting and heart-warming. But I’m not a cat! An ailurophile (cat lover!) for sure, but my social interactions are most often of my own free will. On the flip side, some people do not enjoy physical contact, particularly if it’s uninvited. They feel anxious when someone else is in their personal space and will seek out refuge as quickly as possible. This is more like the mindset of a cat. Remember the point made earlier in this post about it being the cat’s idea? It was meant to be funny, but said in all seriousness because it’s definitely true.

It all starts with the introduction. How do you greet a cat that you need to groom? Do you open the carrier door and hold the carrier on end so the cat is dumped out on the groom table? (Rude!) Or do you take the time to dismantle the carrier, removing the lid slowly as you speak softly to the cat? (Compassionate!) Do you immediately reach for the cat to remove it from the bottom portion of the carrier? (Too rushed!) Or do you extend your fingers for a quick cat sniff before getting hands-on? (This is equivalent to a human handshake and tells the cat a lot about your personal aura.) A wussy handshake makes me question the sincerity of a person, while a too-firm handshake leaves the impression of a very domineering personality. A firm, but gentle, grasp conveys genuine regard. For cats, an apprehensive groomer is sending out red flags that there’s a real reason to be nervous. Aggressive actions instigate a fight or flight instinct in the cat. But gentle, and proper, handling is very reassuring.

Another important issue is mutual trust. In my experience, this is the most effective way to build a genuine bond with a cat you will hopefully be caring for over many years. We want the cat to trust in us, to know we mean them no harm. We need them to cooperate with us, to calmly accept the various positions we must put them in to groom them safely, to tolerate water and forced air and clippers. It’s unfair to expect all of these things from a cat if we are unwilling to have the same level of trust in them. It’s not the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality that will bring success. But rather a more compassionate approach to handling coupled with rewards such as treats, catnip, and even the much-loved chin scratch! We must be responsible in our handling to avoid injury. It would be foolish and dangerous to be dismissive of the many signals a cat gives through body language and vocalization. I don’t advocate a casual approach to cat handling. Never forget we’re dealing with a potentially dangerous animal, one who is acutely aware of its’ defensive weapons. However, if we go into a groom expecting the worst, that’s likely what we’ll get. If we choose to be calm, and yes, trusting of the cat, we will be sending out wonderful, positive energy.

To dive a little deeper into cat psychology, I highly recommend the book, The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats – a journey into the feline heart, by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. It’s a wonderful resource for truly understanding how a cat thinks and reacts to various situations.

There are so many cat grooming topics I’m excited to discuss here. Environment, Handling Techniques, Groom Styles, Product Choices, Client Relations, and the list goes on and on. I welcome your feedback and suggestions. Together we can elevate the standards of cat grooming care through a better understanding of these wonderful creatures.

Purrs, Love and Happy Cat Grooming to All!!!