Ok, so we really call it a Sanitary Clip. But if you want to get fancy and class it up a bit, call it the Brazilian. Whatever its tag, many cats can benefit from a butt buzz. Since cats don't really groom themselves, we have to help them out a bit with things like this. Shaving a cat's behind will be one of the most popular services you offer to your cat-owning customers. Either the cat ends up with a lion cut or it most likely gets a sanitary clip. Both result in a smooth-as-a-baby's-bottom shave around the behind and surrounding region.
Where do the lines go on a sanitary? This is a question I get asked quite often. In order to achieve some level of benefit with the whole sanitary thing, it is best to take the lines down the inside plane of both rear legs so that the line stops just short of the ankle. The inside plane only should be shaved. Avoid a naked knee or back of the leg (unless a customer requests something of this sort). The overall goal is make the sanitary worth doing, while at the same time, making it aesthetically pleasing to the eye and as unnoticeable as possible.
- shaving the inside of the leg for a sanitary clip
The sanitary clip should also include removal of the hair around the anal area and about an inch or two up the base of the tail on the under side. This prevents long hangy "things" from collecting where they shouldn't. After all, the purpose of a sanitary clip is to keep things sanitary.
At the school, we teach an "8 Point Sanitary." Think 3 point turn in a vehicle. In other words, 1 swipe up the inside plane of the leg, then 2 swipes down (3 points total for each leg). That creates the knee line and back of leg line. After doing this on both rear legs, 6 points will have been made in total.
Next, flip the cat back upright and take one swipe on each side of the anus. 2 more points. The sanitary should be pretty much done at this point. All in all, the process takes less than 2 minutes. Cat goes into the bath, then into the dryer. For the finish any little strays or "fringes" can be taken off and the whole area up touched up as necessary. Another 2 minutes at the most.
For more description and photos to go with it, check out the Ultimate Cat Groomer Encyclopedia. Or get the dvds. Or better yet, come to the school so we can give you the skills to master the sanitary clip and more!
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