Lesson 1 - Cat Grooming Basics

• Cat Grooming Basics
• Vocational Education

Lesson Outline

Theory

Cat Grooming Basics 

Practical

Basic Groom

Models

Student's Cat

• Theory 1 Hour
  
• Quiz 15mins
  
• Break 15 mins
  
• Practical 2.5 hours
  

Lesson 1

Cat Grooming Basics

Presented By:

speaker notes

Importance of Regular Grooming

• Keeps coat clean and manageable 
  
• Perfect opportunity for a quick health check
  
• Help to clean areas that are unreachable 
  

Toolkit

• Nail Clipper
  
• Haemostat / Forceps
  
• Ear Cleaner
  
• Straight Comb
  
• Pin Brush
  
• Slicker Brush
  

• Electric Clipper
• Blade 10/30/40
• Attachment Combs
• Scissors - Straight, Curve, Thinning

Basic Grooming Consists of...

• Nail Clipping
  
• Ear Cleaning
  
• Paw Pad & Sanitary Shave
  
• Dental Hygiene
  
• Removing of Undercoat
  
• Professional Bathing (Wet/Dry)
  
• Brushing & Drying Techniques 
  

Types of Temperaments

Shy

Compliant

Aggressive

1

2

3

Managing Temperament &

Behaviour During Grooming

Environment

Dogs, other cats, stress inducing factors

Genetics

Feral cats will give birth to feral kittens

Hierarchy

Some cats are more dominant by nature

History

Poor past grooming experience

Managing Temperament &

Behaviour During Grooming

• Always approach a cat carefully but firmly
  
• Cats may be hard to predict
  
• Signs of aggression to look out for:
  

• If a cat gets too hard to handle, allow them to rest in a safe area for a few minutes before continuing

Hissing

Tail Wagging

Growling

Signs of Stress

Panting

Repeated 

Urination

Repeated 

Defacation

Not normal behaviour for cats

Due to health conditions

Overweight 

Handling around the genitals can cause the area to be stimulated 

You should be concerned if stool is loose, changes colour, mucousy or has blood 

Safely Carrying a Cat

Step 1 

Place one hand under the cat's body, behind its front legs if you are sure that the cat is accepting of being picked up, OR hold on the loose skin in a firm grip.

Step 2

Support the cat by placing the other hand under the cat's hindquarters.

Step 3

Gently lift the cat.

The Anatomy of a Cat’s Nails

Nail Trimming

• Should be conducted every 2 - 4 weeks
  
• Ensure that the leg is securely held
  
• Avoid pinching the toes together as this would cause the cat to withdraw its paw
  
• Do not cut into the “quick” of the nail to prevent profuse bleeding and distress to your cat
  

The Anatomy of a Cat’s Ears

Ear Cleaning

Note: The cotton should be moistened with cleaning solution.

Clean only visible areas and avoid injuring the ear.

Step 1

Pull ear flap backwards, gently.

Step 2

Clean ear with a suitable amount of cotton wrapped around forceps or finger.

Face Cleaning

Note: The cotton should be moistened with cleaning solution.

Step 1

Gently tilt cat's face up from the back of the cat

Step 2

Clean eyes and nose with a suitable amount of cotton moistened with cleaning solution

Brushing Techniques: Slicker Brush

Primary purpose is getting rid of:

• Debris
  
• Loose hair
  
• Knots
  

Highly effective at penetrating deep into the coat and 

removing matted hair and skin

Brushing Techniques: Pin Brush

Features wider gaps between bristles
Allows thorough brushing without damaging the coat
Does not cause static charge

Recommended for:

• Show cats 
  
• Cats with long fur coats
  

Brushing Techniques: Straight Comb

• Used to check for tangles and for trimming
• Features a finer and coarser side
• Finer side removes unwanted hair
• Coarser side allows air flow into the coat

Professional Clippers & Blades

• Blades come in a variety of numbers
  
• Numbers indicate the length of the cut
  
• The lower the number, the longer the cut
  

E.g. A blade #3 will leave approximately 13mm of length on the coat where blade #10 should leave approximately 2mm of coat.

Professional Clippers & Blades

• These blades also come with different variations of edging, e.g:
  

Ultra Edge: Made of carbon-infused steel offering harder cutting surface and helps extend life of the blade.

Ceramic Edge: Made from high-grade ceramic, it is meant to stay sharper for a longer period. Also designed to resist heat so the blade remains cooler.

Proper Usage of Electric Clippers

• There are clippers with replaceable or fixed blades
  
• There is no need to exert force in order to use a clipper to shave hair 
  
• Gentle support from below will suffice
  
• Gripping too hard may cause over-exertion of force
  

Proper Usage of Electric Clippers

• Hold it just as you would a pencil
• Support the part near the blade to improve stability
• If fingers are too distant from the blade, it may cause the tip of the blade to lose stability

Proper Usage of Electric Clippers

• Make sure that the blade is parallel to cat's skin to avoid injuries 
• Use fingers to pull the skin taut around areas that are soft, wrinkly or rough
• Stretch it so skin does not get caught in the blade

Sanitary Area Shaving

Shaving of the sanitary area includes the belly, inner back legs & anus region.

When shaving the anal area, gently lift up the tail and use a light touch in an outward direction to shave off the hair. 

• Be mindful of the cat’s posture when clipping
  
• Ensure they aren’t feeling uncomfortable or in pain
  

Bathing Techniques

• Ideal frequency for bathing a cat is once six to eight weeks 
  
• Regular bathing promotes a healthy coat
  
• Bathing from young encourages cats to be familiar and unafraid of water
  
• Makes for easier grooming sessions over the course of the cat’s life
  

Administering a Bath

Use only warm water! 

• Wet the cat's hair, starting with the neck to the back
  
• Apply shampoo onto whole body starting from the neck and work down
  
• Use the rest of the shampoo to work through legs, paws, toenails
  
• Rinse off shampoo from the neck and work down
  

Administering a Bath

• Squeeze gently until there is a feel of squeakiness
  
• Rinse according to hair flow
  
• Carefully dry using a towel
  
• For any part that has to be dried quickly, make sure that enough moisture is removed
  
• Be mindful of areas between toes and pad, making sure it does not have any agents left
  

Making Baths Bearable

• Many cats do not like the sound of shower splashing
  
• Keep shower head as close as possible to the cat
  
• Shampoo should never enter the eyes, nose or ears
  
• Use bubbles from the mixture of shampoo and water to clean the head region
  

Note: Skip Step 2 and use diluted shampoo if cat is 

nervous or aggressive

Drying Techniques

• Fur and skin must be thoroughly towel-dried
  
• Use hair dryer on lowest setting if cat dislikes loud noises
  
• Cage drying is extremely helpful
  
• Check temperature frequently to prevent overheating
  
• Do not blow the dryer directly in the cat’s face
  

Grooming Safety Tools

1.  Muzzles
2. Happy Hoodie
3. Towels
4. Bite Gloves
5. E-collar
6. The Groomer (Yourself)

Towels

• One of the most versatile tool
  
• For shy or anxious cats: Towel can be draped over the head while the groomer works on the back or rear end
  
• Feisty or nervous cats: can be wrapped up in a “kitty burrito” while having ears, eyes, and nails done
  
• Can be used to scoop up a frightened cat while still offering protection to the groomer
  

Muzzles/E-collars/Happy Hoodie

• Offers a great deal of bite protection for the groomer while still allowing a visual of the cat’s face and breathing
  
• Muzzles give shy or nervous cats a chance to hide, or to keep the air from the dryer blowing directly into or across their face
  
• If a cat reacts poorly, usually by significant negative changes to stress levels, breathing, or any thrashing of limbs, it should be taken off and an alternative method tried
  

The Groomer

• Your body is the best and most flexible tool to use while grooming cats
  
• It is important to understand how a cat’s body works, and you should learn to be comfortable using different parts of your body while grooming
  
• Hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, lap, knee, and foot
  

Cats can feel more comfortable when tucked up against the groomer’s body, and the groomer can get a better feel for when a cat is uncomfortable while squirming, or if they are about to swipe or lunge. Make sure to prevent bites or scratches by staying alert and observant of a cat’s movements and anticipated movements. Many cats relax when handled comfortably by a calm and confident groomer, so less restraint can easily be used.

Practical

• Pair yourselves up with a partner
• You will need to complete a basic groom for you and your partner's cat
• Take turns working on each cat
• By the end of 3 hours, each pair should have completed a basic groom with either a wet or dry bath for both cats
• Take pictures of before and after the groom

Ear and Facial Cleanse

Take a maximum of 10 mins per cat to complete this

Nail Clipping

Take a maximum of 10 mins per cat to complete this

Things to note:

• Clip the nails to 1mm before the quick

Paw Pad Shave

Take a maximum of 10 mins per cat to complete this

Things to note:

• Blade length

Sanitary Shave

Take a maximum of 10 mins per cat to complete this

Things to note:

• Blade length

Undercoat Removal

Take a maximum of 15 mins per cat to complete this

Things to note:

• Tools required for undercoat removal

Quiz

Take a maximum of 10 mins to complete the quiz

Which tool requires extreme caution when in use?

1. Dematting Knife
2. Pin Brush
3. Fine-toothed metal Comb
4. Slicker Brush

How often should nail clipping be conducted?

1. Every week
2. Once every 2-4 weeks
3. Once a year
4. Once every 3 months

Which are the signs of stress?

1. Panting
2. Hissing
3. Head butts
4. Repeated urination and defecation

What can affect a cat's temperament during grooming?

1. Poor past grooming experience
2. Genetics
3. Scent of dogs
4. Scent of more dominant cats

Pick the correct answer

1. Blade 10 is longer than Blade 5F
2. Blade 40 is longer than Blade 30
3. Blade 40 is shorter than Blade 10
4. Blade 5F is shorter than Blade 20

Show the most significant difference between
your cat before and after the groom

What did you learn during class today?

What do you think you can improve on in the next lesson?

Homework

Check the basic groom you have done on your cat today and touch up if necessary

Show Touched Up Areas