Lesson 4 - Temperament and Handling

• Cat Breeds
• Coat Colours and Types
• Vocational Education

Lesson Outline

Theory

• Temperament and Handling 

Practical

• Holding Scissors
• Finger Exercise
• Scissors Practice in Square

Models

• 2 students: 1 meowdel
  

Lesson 4

Temperament and Handling

Presented by:

Feline Temperaments

Shy

Compliant

Aggressive

1

2

3

Behaviour of a Shy Cat

Signs to look out for:

• Nervous
• Anxious
• Withdrawn
• Hiding it's head

Shy cats are not necessarily aggressive

What they may not like: Showers

Goal: To gain their trust

Handling a Shy Cat

Cover the cat's head - Towel, air muzzle

Hold them close to your body

• Let them lean against your body during grooming
• Let them hide their head under your arms
  

Goal: Make them feel safe and protected as they can 

          lash out from fear

Behaviour of a Compliant Cat

Signs to look out for:

•  Relaxed 
• Front of carrier
• Trust from the beginning

Compliant cats mostly enjoy grooming and are 

tolerant of the process

Goal: Do not frighten or hurt them

Behaviour of an Aggressive Cat

Signs to look out for:

•  Hissing 
• Growling
• Alert
• Feels threatened

Aggressive cats might do better in the bath

What they may not like: Shaving or being touched

Goal: SAFETY and manage the stress level of the cat and groomer 

Handling an Aggressive Cat 

Neutralise their weapons by: 

• Using a Towel
  
• Using a Muzzle
  
• Using a Bite Glove
  
• Cutting their nails 
  

Move quickly and methodically as possible

Keep stress to a minimum

Prevent any injuries to cat and groomer 

Handling an Aggressive Cat 

Start with a sanitary trim to determine an aggressive cat's tolerance of the clipper

Never use any noose/neck restraint on an aggressive cat

• They can break their neck or strangle themselves
  

Grooming on the floor

• More space, distance and control 
  

 

5 things to determine during an assessment 

• How much can the cat be handled? 

• Is the coat matted?
  

• What condition is the skin & coat in?
  

• Does the cat have parasites - mites/fleas/ringworms?
  

• Does the cat have other obvious signs of health or skin issues? 
  

5 things to determine during an assessment 

Step 1

Place the carrier on the floor or table (lower than waist level)

Step 2

Place your hand near the door of the carrier and speak calmly to the cat

Step 3

Open the carrier door (do not let the cat dart out)

5 things to determine during an assessment 

Step 4

Get cat to focus its attention elsewhere to get a quick scruff to get him out 

Step 5

While scruffing, feel the cat's back, rear & belly for mats and bumps, etc. 

Note:

If you have trouble getting the cat, ask the owner or pour the cat out of the carrier 

5 things to determine during an assessment 

Step 6

Express front claws, check ears, and discuss options with owner 

Step 7

Put cat back into carrier

Note:

If you have trouble getting the cat, ask the owner or pour the cat out of the carrier 

Common Signs of Stress

Panting

Repeated 

urination

Repeated 

defection

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 

Common Signs of Stress

Ears back

Hair standing 

up

Pupils 

expanding

Not normal behaviour for cats

Not normal behaviour for cats

A cat's pupils may also dilate during playtime

Common Signs of Stress

Meowing excessively

Tries to 

hide/escape

Aggression

Constantly meowing, crying

Scratching on carrier doors, drying cabins, frantically trying to find a place to hide 

Such as growling, hissing, spitting, or trying to scratch or bite

How is Anxiety in Cats Treated? 

Behaviour Modification

Environmental Modification

Medication/ Sedatives

• Leaving the cat’s carrier out in the home all the time and placing treats inside
• Cat may come to view their carrier as a fun place rather than a scary place

• Helping them feel safer and calmer
• Wrapping them in their own blanket/towel
• Grooming them in their own carrier

• Vets will start with natural remedies for how to help a cat feel calmer in their environment
• Sedation or anxiety-reducing drugs, whether it’s short-term or long-term (requires trial & error period) 

Natural Remedies

For Cats with Mild Anxiety

Vets usually recommend starting with these prior to prescribing a sedative or anxiety medication.  

Treatment:

• Behaviour or Environmental Modification
  
• Supplements such as L-theanine, Zylkene (hydrolyzed milk protein) and calming formulations for felines
  
• Pheromone products which release calming cat scent signals
  
• Herbal Treatments
  
• Catnip - post-catnip crash may be ideal for travel, grooming, etc.  
  

Sedatives for Cats

• You may recommend sedatives for a stressed/ aggressive cat 

• Only Vets or Owners (under direction of vet) should administer sedatives to their cat, not you
• Allocate a maximum of 90 minutes to groom a sedated cat

Note:   Two cats may respond differently to the same medication

Commonly Used Sedatives

Gabapentin

Used for several purposes, including seizure control, anxiety relief, sedation, and pain management. A common cat sedative for grooming, travel, vet visits, and other short-term events. 

Side Effects:

• Minimal side effects

Often used in combination with other medications in pets who need a stronger sedative effect.

Commonly Used Sedatives

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)

An antihistamine that’s commonly used for relieving allergy symptoms. However, sedation is a very common side effect. 

Side Effects:

• Dry Mouth
  
• Increased heart rate
  
• Urine retention
  

Unsuitable for cats with these medical conditions:

• Glaucoma 
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Urinary problems 
  

Commonly Used Sedatives

Acepromazine

Causes sedation and some anxiety relief. It may be given as an injection in the veterinary clinic, or as acepromazine pills.

Side Effects:

• Low blood pressure
  

Unsuitable for cats with these medical conditions:

• Heart disease
  
• Cats who are ill
  

Commonly Used Sedatives

Alprazolam (Xanax)

Help cats with anxiety during short-term stressful events like fireworks and storms. May also be used for grooming, vet visits, etc. 

Side Effects:

• Can cause excitement rather than tranquillisation
  
• Does not have a strong sedative effect
  

Often combined with sedatives for anxiety-relieveing boost 

Sedation vs. General Anesthesia

Injectable Sedation

General 

Anesthesia

• Administered by a veterinarian during a checkup, nail clipping, x-rays, or other procedure
• Required to monitor a pet to ensure their heart rate, breathing, and temperature all remain normal during sedation
• Usually administered by mouth or via an injection

• Involves a deeper level of unconsciousness, which is maintained by an inhalant (gas) anesthetic
• Required for surgeries, although sedation may be appropriate for less invasive procedures

Sedation

Other common Side Effects:

• Vomiting or Diarrhoea
  
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
  
• Decreased blood pressure
  
• Decreased ability to regulate body temperature
  
• Occasionally, paradoxical reactions (when medication has the opposite effect, causing excitement, reactivity or aggression instead of sedation) 
  

Practical

• Pair yourselves up with a partner
• You will need to complete a basic groom for your meowdel
• 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

What are the 3 types of behaviours you usually encounter during grooming?

How do you identify a shy cat?

How do you identify an aggressive cat?

What should you do if you have trouble reaching for the cat during check-in?

Why are restraints not used for
cat grooming?

What should you do if an aggressive cat gets too hard to handle?

List at least 5 common signs of stress