what's the best way to restrain a cat while grooming?

[amiga]

Hi, I have been grooming cats for a while, but I haven't quite mastered the handling part when shaving- particularly the underside... I work alone, but sometimes I get the cat owner to help out. That works pretty good for doing the undercarriage when I can put them on their back ( with the owners help, since most cats are not impressed with being upside down). I'd like to know what you all do with a squirmy cat when you're trying to shave it. The really matted ones especially are a bit of a scarey proposition - trying to shave, keep the skin tight and keep them from flipping off the table. I think I need 4 arms to do cats. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[jaeinn]

Bite Busters

Ok get some Bite Buster arm sheaths. and wear blue nitride gloves underneath. The nitride gloves give you a better grip for scruffing.

Chuck dont be mad at me for this, but I have found less restraint is more. I used to use the GH loop around the chest and restrain for everything. But, now I only use it for the bath and sometimes drying.

Also I have 20 inch rotating tables I built for small dogs and cats that works quite well for cats. I place that table on top of either a regular table or drying counter which places the cat at a fairly good height for me to groom them and they feel more comfortable being a little higher off the ground.

Keeping the cat facing away from me is made a little easier by just turning the table. Turning a cat for clipping of the stomach can be tricky for some cats and some cats you just cant do. That is just how it goes.

Recently I have been introduced to the wonderful world of the clipper-vac on cats. We have the Hanvey Max 10 and setting it on very low the cats dont get freaked out by it. I have an Ivac hooked to that.

Also when you are shaving the belly area I find it is better to go from outside in with the cat on its side rather than running straight down the stomach. Whatever clipping you miss doing this you can cleanup by scruffing the cat and lifting the front portion of the body off the table for short intervals of time doing this until you have everything shaved.

I only do shavedowns with a #10 blade. Any other trimming I would do would be with a guard comb.

I am not cat grooming expert but I have gotten much better than when I first started. You have to find what works for you. Helly and Seleste are 2 people on the board that have alot of cat grooming knowledge. The old message board had a ton of info on it. Do a search there and read what is posted. But again, you have to find what works for you. Having an extra set of hands always helps in making whatever techniques you apply work that much better!

Jason

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

What Jason said---and with the Clipper Vac. I just can't even stand the THOUGHT of clipping a cat without the VAC!!!

Tammy in Utah

[goldiphlox]

four arms

Hi, I have been grooming cats for a while, but I haven't quite mastered the handling part when shaving- particularly the underside... I work alone, but sometimes I get the cat owner to help out. That works pretty good for doing the undercarriage when I can put them on their back ( with the owners help, since most cats are not impressed with being upside down). I'd like to know what you all do with a squirmy cat when you're trying to shave it. The really matted ones especially are a bit of a scarey proposition - trying to shave, keep the skin tight and keep them from flipping off the table. I think I need 4 arms to do cats. Any suggestions?
Thanks

You just answered your own question. You need four arms. Or an assistant. It's the only really safe way to do it...imo

[Poodlefluff]

When I groom a cat I always have one hand on the scruff, the other hand is on my clippers so what I do is hold the cat up by the scruff back feet still on table and shave the belly as much as I can. Then I grab the tail, one back foot and scruff all with one hand mind you and shave one side of the rest of the belly, then do the opposite side. Most cats will let me those that won't I ask for help with. Some are really nice and let me just lift their back leg and shave under it. I just try to keep the cat scruffed so if it tries to bite I can either hold it tighter or let go if it is really freaking out. I will usually keep my forearm against the cats back. This is the safest spot if there is a safe spot on a cat.

[hairdevil]

I don't groom cats..but if they ever come up with a device that you can put their heads in, clamp their feet in...and fully restrain them, then I might consider it lol

[seleste]

The Lap Method

Here's what works for me. I hope the pictures help.

The first couple of years I groomed I always had an assistant hold the cat I was shaving. At times we even had three people working on the cat. An assistant holding the cat in their lap with another assistant holding the back feet while I did the shaving. I didn't consider trying it any other way until I was forced to due to lack of help.

With my very first solo shave it became clear that Less Is Best when it comes to restraining cats. I've been using the "Lap Method" for several years now and would never go back to having multiple people working on a single cat. While safety for the groomer and the cat is the number one priority, let's consider things from the cat's point of view.

Control, security and confidence are paramount needs of a cat. Fight or flight is an instinct. The more threatened the cat feels the higher the risk of injury. A cat is incredibly limber, strong and fast-moving. Cats are highly tuned to other animal's and people's attitudes and demeanor. Cats are self-serving. Their needs always come first in their minds.

Jason is absolutely right on with his points. I'm totally jealous of your clipper vac system. It's high on my wish list. I have to second his suggestion for the Bite Buster sleeves. These are a must-have for all cat groomers. I'm not wearing them in the pics I'm posting because I know Lizzy, the Himalayan, and she is not a scratcher. But I've made it a practice to wear them with almost all cats and my forearms are so thankful. Plus if the cat just needs to get out some aggression, a few kicks against these tough sleeves helps them release that negative energy.

Personally, I limit scruffing a cat to only when necessary for mine or the cat's safety or to quickly work on an area the cat is being disagreeable about. I'm not opposed to scruffing a cat when needed. However, I prefer to give the cat as much freedom as safely possible thus increasing its trust and confidence in me. Keep in mind, a cat thinks much like a human. Way more so than a canine. I would not appreciate being heavily restrained when a light touch would work even better. I mean no offense, Poodlefluff. And I agree with your style of keeping your forearm against the cat's back.

Hairdevil, I pray no one ever invents a contraption like you described. Sent shivers down my spine imagining the trauma something like that would cause a cat. I did find something similar online one time. I won't mention the name of the product because I don't want anyone to ever buy one, but just let me say it was barbaric!!

Following are pics of me with the aforementioned Lizzy utilizing the lap method during her groom. I use this method for all tummy combing, shaving and drying. It takes practice to become comfortable holding cats this way. Learning how to use your legs and upper body to manuever the cat becomes easier with time and experience. There will be some cats that refuse to cooperative in this position, but in my experience those cats are few and far between. And even cats that may be squirmy the first time do become more relaxed once they realize they're safe and they can brace their front paws against something (the bottom of the grooming table, the dryer, whatever is nearby and sturdy that they can push against or grab ahold of). A few cats will use the table or whatever as leverage to push out of my lap, but most are very cooperative.

In this first pic, I've scooted Lizzy's back end up so she's not laying fully on her back. This reduces the chance of the cat using its back legs to push off my stomach and in general gives me better control of the cat's movements.

The second pic shows how putting my leg in a certain or different position naturally moves the cat in a specific direction.

[seleste]

The Lap Method

In these next two pics I'm demonstrating once again how moving each of my legs will determine the direction the cat moves as well as how a light touch is typically the most productive handling technique.

[seleste]

The Lap Method

Another pic demonstrating my legs braced against the wall so they're parallel to the ground. I have a very light hold on Lizzy's legs while I slowly stretched them into a natural position.

[seleste]

The Lap Method

The next pic shows how gravity can work with you when handling cats. By keeping the cat's head lowered slightly towards the ground it's not as easy for the cat to curl up. To clarify, I do not advocate holding a cat upside down!

Notice how Lizzy closed her eyes once her paws were against my hand. Happens all the time when a cat feels more secure.

The other pic shows how instinctively a cat will brace its front paws against something for balance and security. Even when a cat isn't using its claws to scratch, sometimes the claws will extend for a better grip. It's a good idea to trim the claws before working on a cat in this position.

[seleste]

The Lap Method

And finally a couple of pics illustrating the benefits of letting the cat brace its front paws against something. I seem to be repeating this point, but I feel it's a strong one.

I'm a big believer in always being totally respectful towards a cat. Grooming is stressful. Being placed in a carrier, leaving the house, going for a car ride, then being brought into a place with strange noises, people and other animals is a whole lot of stress to begin with for a cat. I have found that doing all I can to make grooming as stress-free as possible makes the experience better for the cat which makes it much more fun for me.

Purrs,
Stacey

[goldiphlox]

cat grooming techniques

Your a kind soul Seleste. I do very much like your approach to cat grooming if you have no choice but to groom them by yourself. I have never had to, and I like having an assistant. I can get them done very quickly and safely this way, and after all, isn't being done what a cat really wants? You are very correct about less restraint is best. I have my assistant hold the cat very gently. Before he was very comfortable with cats he would hold with a tighter grip. This was not better. I kept telling him that, but he had to get alittle more confidence with them. Also, I let them hold onto something. We have one cat that really doesn't like to be groomed, she would always try to bite and she would try to pull your hand toward her mouth so she could get you. One day we gave her a soft stuffed toy and now she just takes her aggression out on that. She doesn't even try to bite us anymore.
P.s. Don't fret about hairdevils approach. We all know that was just a little groomer humor.

[rapuzzled]

And finally a couple of pics illustrating the benefits of letting the cat brace its front paws against something. I seem to be repeating this point, but I feel it's a strong one.

That's one thing that I noticed that my boss does. She always lets the cat hold onto the bar.

[amiga]

Thanks to everyone

Thanks everyone, I came back from a little holiday to New Mexico (very interesting and beautiful place ) and found all this good advice (with pictures, too!) I really appreciate the help. I will try the lap method.
Thanks again.