My heart belongs to cats!

[snowflake]

Im new to the forums here, and I love it!

Just a brief introduction.

Im an extremely tattooed pet groomer with a stylish mohawk who belongs to a 17 year old kitty named Snowflake. Ive had her since she was 7 weeks old. Shes the love of my life. I only wish she got along with other kitties...well sometimes. Then Id be overruns with meowing furballs, and she takes up most of my attention. I think my fiance gets jealous sometimes;] Once she passes on, I plan on grieving for quite some time and then moving on to getting a Serval.

Ever since I started grooming, Ive wanted to specialize in cats. People at my salon (employees and owners alike) call me a cat whisperer. My day always gets so much better when I see a kitty come through my salon doors. Owners who cant brush their cats are amazed at the way I work with them. Literally every cat (except my own, haha) I can get to lay calmly on its side on my grooming table for me to brush/shave their underbelly. Im not sure if its a nice pressure point of love Ive found, or if I truely have some sort of magic with kitties. Now if I can find a pressure point or hold to make them like their rear ends brushed/shaved! Ive demonstrated this to their owners and mouths have dropped. I like working with dogs, but I find cats so much more cooperative with the process in general, and hope to completely switch over to cats and not have to work on the pups anymore.

Ok, ok, on with it.

Im very happy to have found quite a bit of information on here to help make some of the grooming process go easier, like EQyss for that pesky static ridden fur that seems to love attaching to my eyeballs, face and hands. Im planning on investing in some Wahl Bravaras...thanks for that tip!

Now, since I seem to get 'problem' kitties that other groomers refuse or cant do, I get many that are severely matted. One thing Ive noticed is some major dandruff. Im not talking a few flakes, but I could pet the kitty after shaving them down and it looks like I have started creating a snowball in my hand. My company provides very specific shampoos, I always elect for a hypo allergenic oatmeal shampoo that I let them soak in for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing. It helps quite a bit. I always educate owners in proper grooming care for their feline family members, ie no slicker brushes since I believe they actually do more harm to the skin than good...and use a greyhound comb after using a rubber 'curry', then a soft bristled brush to help grab the finer dirt and dander. I always ask what they are feeding, and recommend a better balanced diet to help promote coat and skin health. Ive also heard of little tricks like recommending Fish oil capsules that you pop and put over their food for extra Omega 3 and fatty acids...is there anything else you would recommend to help skin get back to a healthy glow?

Id also like to ask if there are any Cat Grooming specific organizations that I could belong to. I love the way dog grooming orginizations have many clinics and learning seminars...is there something like that for kitties?

Im sure if I have any questions along the way, Ive found the right place to come!

[seleste]

Cats Rule!

Welcome! I'm glad you've found the information here helpful. I'm looking forward to hearing lots of tips and techniques you've had success with. Your passion for cats is obvious. I was grinning from ear to ear reading your post because I know exactly what you mean! My oldest cat is an absolute diva and I can't even clip all of her nails at once, but I seem to have a certain talent for working with most cats. It brings me so much satisfaction and joy every day. I hope you pursue your dream of working exclusively with cats.

I agree about the slicker brush. I only use it on their paws and as a light final fluff on the tail. I've also seen that excessive dandruff/scales after shaving off a severly matted coat. It's disgusting and must feel horrible to the cat. I use a veterinarian-prescribed shampoo, typically Sebolux by Virbac, unless their vet recommends something else. I also allow it to remain on the coat, usually 5-10 minutes. In order to receive the full benefits of a medicated-type shampoo treatment, it really should be done at minimum once a week for four weeks. In my experience, very few cat owners will agree to such frequent appointments, but some will and it makes a huge difference.

Definitely food is a major factor in skin issues, as are allergies, stress, weight and overall health. It's always important for the cat to receive a complete physical workup, exam and bloodwork, with any abnormalities to the skin and coat. Treating topically with shampoo can only help in the short-term if something wrong is going on inside. And any additives to a cat's diet should also be discussed with their veterinarian. We have to be very careful as groomers regarding the products we recommend to clients.

As for your question about cat specific organizations, stay tuned! Some news is on the way very soon.....

Can't wait to hear your cat grooming secrets!

Stacey

[furrybestjob]

I have so much respect for someone who can do cats well, and enjoys doing them at the same time. I know there are those of you that love to groom cats. I wish that I had the confidence and ability to be one of those people, but I'm not, and everyone knows that a cat would be the first one to know that, lol.

Welcome

[rainingcats&dogs]

hello fellow cat freak,im owned by 12 they allow me to live with them,i used to be a dog person ive always liked cats and had cats but my heart was with dogs,and i still absolutely love dogs,but i found my feline soulmate(no longer with me)in 2004,and that was the start of a love affair,and i love grooming cats,and i love there attitudes,and like you im covered in tats,mostly sharks.but have a few cats and dogs too,welcome to the board
trish

[snowflake]

Thank you all for the very warm welcome!

As far as techniques, one thing I just seem to be able to do to get their underside easy, is while on the grooming table I grab their scruff and use the arm that Im grabbing the scruff with to slowly roll them over on their side. After they are on their side I slide my arm under the two legs that are on the top and hold the legs up with my arm while kind of 'pinning' them down with the hand thats is still holding the scruff.

Lol, dont know if that makes sense. Every cat Ive done responds well this way.

I also use a 7 reverse on the top of the body and when I get to the underside, I use a 10 for saftey reasons. When I use a 7 reverse, it doesnt leave clipper marks and actually tends to make the cut hair look 'fluffier' and softer.

After bathing, most of the cats Ive done are very good while I fluff dry them. I dont scissor any of the fur unless the tops of the legs are a bit longer then the fur on their legs.

I finish up with a 7 going with the grain on the tops of the legs and blend the fur so it doesnt look like a straight line.

Thats all I have for now, if anyone has any techniques they find effective, Id love to hear them. And if I figure anything else out, Ill be happy to share!

[PetsRus]

God bless you, I wish you lived near me, I would send you mine!!! When I have a cat scheduled I cringe! I guess I am more of a dog person... The only reason I still do cats is because noone else in town will and I feel bad for the owners. Not all are bad and most are just scared.

[rapuzzled]

Welcome to the board! We don't have a whole lot of specifically cat groomers that I know of (Seleste), so it will be nice to have some input on that. And I am sure that Seleste will enjoy the company! I hope that you find this board useful, I know that i certainly have gained much over the years from this board!

[Luvkitties]

Snowflake---Since I am new to grooming in general, could you explain to me what the different type of brushes you use? I am not sure what a greyhound or curry brush is. It would be nice to have these on hand as I build my cat grooming business!

[gitl]

Welcome

Hi Snowflake. While I mainly groom dogs, I do have a lot of cat clients. I never refuse the request to shave a cat. Some I've found quite at ease, while (unfortunately) most just want to run away. I only use a #10 blade on cats, especially if it's a lion cut. Being a housecall groomer, the cats are done in their own home. (I can't/won't allow them into mine 'cause I have 2 of my own who RULE AND OWN their territory.)
It's taken me awhile to feel comfortable handling them, that is, without getting bitten or scratched. I've worked as a vet tech, so I'm quite used to handling cats, giving injections, medications, etc. But taking a buzzing clipper to them sometimes freaks them out.
I find it a challenge and enjoy it. I have more trouble with the owners than I do with the cat because my scruffing the cat seems to alarm the owners. But when they see that I can "handle" their cat without harming them, they become more relaxed.
I always bring an E-collar, muzzle, cat harness, etc., just in case it's needed, although most times I don't.
That's my experience. Over the years, I've asked Seleste for a lot of advice. Now I have another "supporter." thx

[snowflake]

God bless you, I wish you lived near me, I would send you mine!!! When I have a cat scheduled I cringe! I guess I am more of a dog person... The only reason I still do cats is because noone else in town will and I feel bad for the owners. Not all are bad and most are just scared.

I wish I was closer too! Haha. Right now Im doing average 8 cats a week, and its growing since clients are finding out that theres now a cat groomer there again. I get a lot of scared cats too, so I either throw a towel over their head or let them 'hide' in my armpit, lol.

[snowflake]

Snowflake---Since I am new to grooming in general, could you explain to me what the different type of brushes you use? I am not sure what a greyhound or curry brush is. It would be nice to have these on hand as I build my cat grooming business!

Ill try and describe them;] Im not the best with descriptions. What I would recommend is go to a grooming supplier online and search for them so you can see what they look like.

A greyhound comb is a metal comb that looks like a normal human comb with teeth further apart on one side, and closer on the other.

I only use rubber curries on cats. Its important you keep in mind they are rubber, because curries come in metal as well. Its circular with a strap that goes over your hand. on the outside of the part you use there are little bumps, then another row of little bumps working in toward the middle. Rubber tends to grab the fur that a metal or bristle brush cant. It gets quite a bit of fur out;]

[snowflake]

Hi Snowflake. While I mainly groom dogs, I do have a lot of cat clients. I never refuse the request to shave a cat. Some I've found quite at ease, while (unfortunately) most just want to run away. I only use a #10 blade on cats, especially if it's a lion cut. Being a housecall groomer, the cats are done in their own home. (I can't/won't allow them into mine 'cause I have 2 of my own who RULE AND OWN their territory.)
It's taken me awhile to feel comfortable handling them, that is, without getting bitten or scratched. I've worked as a vet tech, so I'm quite used to handling cats, giving injections, medications, etc. But taking a buzzing clipper to them sometimes freaks them out.
I find it a challenge and enjoy it. I have more trouble with the owners than I do with the cat because my scruffing the cat seems to alarm the owners. But when they see that I can "handle" their cat without harming them, they become more relaxed.
I always bring an E-collar, muzzle, cat harness, etc., just in case it's needed, although most times I don't.
That's my experience. Over the years, I've asked Seleste for a lot of advice. Now I have another "supporter." thx

Thanks! Ill be happy to give advice, as long as I know it works;] I dont know everything about grooming kitties, but I learn more every day. And I hear ya on the kitties who rule your house, mine sure does. Heck, when Im dead asleep, shell sit on my head and meow until I wake up to let her under the covers, haha. She knows she has me wrapped around her little paw.

The owners I work with too are very uneasy about the scruffing, but once they observe me handle them, they realize its not so bad. Heck Im a baby, and cant scruff my own kitty, so I know how they feel, lol.

[wvgdminva]

static

What is a good way to get rid of static on a cat????

[snowflake]

Im not sure, but Id like to know that as well! Im so frustrated, Im close to rubbing a dryer sheet on them, haha.

[seleste]

EQyss Cat Mist Rehydrant Spray - the absolute best anti-static coat spray I've ever tried. I've sold tons to clients, too. I get it through Pet Edge (they're way pricier on the EQyss site). It's a very fine mist with a light scent. Plus it's a pretty good detangler for kitty coats. It also doesn't irritate the eyes, in case kitty turns around just as you're spraying. I've sprayed myself in the face a few times cuz I was holding the bottle wrong. LOL! No irritation at all. And it doesn't build up on the coat. Can you tell I Love This Product!?!

Stacey