Lesson 12 - Handling Kittens

• Handling
• Primary Education

Lesson Outline

Theory

Handling Kittens

Practical

Dry Bath + Prep Coat

Clipper + Scissoring

Models

MW Cats

Lesson 13

Handling Kittens

Presented by:

Why should kittens be groomed?

Gentle introduction to grooming at an early age can help the kitten develop a healthy and positive association with the grooming process. 

Grooming sessions for kittens should be kept short to avoid overly stressing them out.

You may encounter adult cats that have not been groomed in their life before. They may be skittish and sometimes aggressive as they are not used to being handled for a prolonged period of time in an unfamiliar environment by a stranger.

In such cases, you can suggest to the owner to opt for a shorter session so avoid stressing the cat out too much and work with the owner on placing the cat on a regular grooming schedule so that the cat may slowly get used to longer sessions.

Kitten Handling

Picking up a kitten

Be gentle and patient when picking up the kitten. Kittens are very small and fragile, so make sure you're using a very light touch and gentle care.

If the kitten is skittish or very wriggly, you can use a towel to wrap around the kitten so they feel safer.

Kitten Handling

Picking up a kitten

Place a hand palm-up below the kitten. Your hand will provide the support for the kitten. As you place your hand under it, let it get used to you and smell your hand.

Kitten Handling

Picking up a kitten

Use your other hand to secure its hind legs. This hand should also be palm-up and securely under the kitten’s belly. You can cup the kitten's hind legs so it isn't dangling in the air as you lift it.

Using both hands will help the kitten to feel secure and keep it from trying to escape your hands as you hold it.

Kitten Socialising

Socialising the kitten

Kittens are natural explorers, and the sooner you let it get used to its surroundings, the sooner it’ll feel comfortable. Allow the kitten to sniff the table and tools while keeping a close eye on it, ensuring that it does not fall off the grooming table. 

Always have 1 hand near the kitten for security just in case the kitten tries to engage in anything dangerous.

When speaking near the kitten, use a soft and gentle voice to avoid scaring the kitten. Approach the kitten quietly and calmly.

Kitten Socialising

Food and Treats

If the client has brought treats with the kitten, you can offer some treats to positively associate yourself and the new environment with the kitten.

We do not feed the kitten anything, this includes water from the salon for preventive measure. We can only offer the kitten treats that their owner brings with them.

Kitten Immunity

The immune system is your cat’s defense against parasites, viruses, and bacteria of the outside world. When this line of defense is weak or becomes weakened, a feline is more susceptible to developing life-threatening illnesses.

Especially in a shared-cat environement, we want to be extra cautious. Some cats can have weaker immune systems that are unknown to even the owner. 

On our end, what we can do is advise the client to bring their cats for regular vet check ups and ensure that the salon and our tools are disinfected thoroughly.

Kitten Vaccination Requirements

In a shared cat requirement, kittens are required to have their vaccinations completed to prevent the chances of them falling sick while being out of their home.

If the kitten is sick, they should not be vaccinated until they recover or given a wet bath in case they fall even more sick.

We usually groom kittens from 12 weeks of age, where they are old enough to have their core vaccinations completed and their immune system is stronger

Some things to check with the owner before accepting a kitten for grooming:

Has the kitten completed his/her vaccinations?

Has the vet cleared him/her for a wet bath?

If the client answers no to both questions, let the owner know the possible complications that may arise (kitten may fall sick) and check if they are ok to proceed. 

You can let them know that you will try to complete the groom as quickly as possible to reduce the time spent out of home, but in the unfortunate event that the kitten does fall sick after the groom, we cannot be held liable. 

Include in the check-in form that the kitten is not vaccinated and that the client is aware of the possible complications and wants to proceed. Have them sign off on it before starting with the groom.

Core Vaccinations

The core vaccine recommendations for cats in Singapore do not differ greatly from that of most other countries. Core vaccines serve to protect a cat especially when it interacts with other animals of unknown health and vaccination status. 

An unvaccinated cat is not only susceptible to these vaccine-preventable diseases, it may also act as an additional transmission host capable of spreading the disease to other animals (e.g. when the infected cat enters a boarding facility or is allowed to roam outdoors).

• Feline parvovirus; feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)
  
• Feline calicivirus (FCV)
  
• Feline herpesvirus (FHV)
  

While all cats should be vaccinated with core vaccines, non-core vaccines should be considered in specific circumstances. A vet should be consulted to customise a vaccination programme suited to the needs of the animal and its environment. 

Non-core vaccines are used to protect cats from diseases when certain factors, such as their geographical location, lifestyle, or environment, put them at risk.

Core Vaccinations

An unvaccinated cat is not only susceptible to these vaccine-preventable diseases, it may also act as an additional transmission host capable of spreading the disease to other animals (e.g. when the infected cat enters a boarding facility or is allowed to roam outdoors).

• Feline parvovirus; feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)
  
• Feline calicivirus (FCV)
  
• Feline herpesvirus (FHV)
  

While all cats should be vaccinated with core vaccines, non-core vaccines should be considered in specific circumstances. A vet should be consulted to customise a vaccination programme suited to the needs of the animal and its environment. 

Non-core vaccines are used to protect cats from diseases when certain factors, such as their geographical location, lifestyle, or environment, put them at risk.

Grooming-Adverse Kittens

Some kittens may not be used to the grooming process initially. They may be afraid of the shaver or dislike combing in general.

We should communicate this to their owners so that they are aware of their cats’ likes and dislikes.

Practical

• 1 pair to 1 meowdel
• In your pairs, complete a basic groom for your meowdel
  
• Check for any undercoat or matts and remove them
• Do a pre-clip before bathing your meowdel 
• Bathe and blow dry your meowdel (Practice on your dummy while waiting for your cat to dry)
• Trim your meowdel

Write down the steps/ what you have learnt for a fur trim?