Cat Grooming

[indi_dog]

Curious to hear if any groomers here clip cats...

As I'd attempted to clip a cat today for somebody, the body came up beautifully smooth but trying to clip the legs - ohmygosh (kitty was doing the deep mreooooow at this point so I let him be).

Any tips on clipping cats without losing fingers, arms, and eyes?

example of the kitty lion clip http://www.whiskeroaks.biz/images/lioncut3.jpg

I was aiming to clip down to the wrists though :D

ps. the clip was for general health reasons

[Doggrooma]

That pic shows a good cat clip. I dont go down the legs. I always clip their nails first, then muzzle them with a cat muzzle unless it one of my excellently behaved regulars. Because the cat muzzle covers their whole face they tend to be less agro. But when a kitty's had enough, a kitty's had ENOUGH!! I try to whip through it as fast as I can, an extra set of hands for manouvering and stretching them out can sometimes help too. My hubby loves when I ask to just come hold this cat for a minute :D

[indi_dog]

That pic shows a good cat clip. I dont go down the legs. I always clip their nails first, then muzzle them with a cat muzzle unless it one of my excellently behaved regulars. Because the cat muzzle covers their whole face they tend to be less agro. But when a kitty's had enough, a kitty's had ENOUGH!! I try to whip through it as fast as I can, an extra set of hands for manouvering and stretching them out can sometimes help too. My hubby loves when I ask to just come hold this cat for a minute

I know isn't it a gorgeous lion clip! They mane is absolutely perfect.

Note to self - clip kitty's nails FIRST (looks at scratches on hands and arms)

I got the kitty death stare all afternoon, it was a tad scary... :D

[jemappelle]

I clip a couple of my old Persians regularly. I use a number 7 blade so it gives a little length and then just taper it off at the top of the leg. To try to clip a cat's legs is to risk your life :D

[Dogsfevr]

No we will not groom cats due to the damage they can do if the bite.I now too many groomers who have ended up with blood poisoning due to there bites & even lost fingers as the infections where so bad.

[indi_dog]

No we will not groom cats due to the damage they can do if the bite.I now too many groomers who have ended up with blood poisoning due to there bites & even lost fingers as the infections where so bad.

I don't know a lot about cats, do they have a lot of bacteria in their claws/mouths? I always wondered why cat scratches/bites hurt sooo much even though they don't seem to pierce the skin much.

[Dogsfevr]

Cats claws extend in/out ,they bury there poo with there feet & many are scavengers .

We wont do them as the risk just isnt worth it

[Clyde]

I don't do them either but more for fear of my own safety :D I gladly recommend another groomer when people enquire. Although the nearby cat groomer will only groom cats who are used to it.

[Becky in Oz]

I have groomed my own with no probs. Generally I don't do the legs with clippers, but trim with scissors if needed.

[Quirkyhound]

I have groomed my own with no probs. Generally I don't do the legs with clippers, but trim with scissors if needed.

40 years plus experience in the grooming trade makes me tell all cat owners and cat clippers that the main thing is to get the mats off the body, the belly and the under arm area to make the cat comfortable---as that's the only reason one should ever have to clip a CAT. It's always amazing how so many kitten buyers are not prepared to groom their cats----is it their fault or the fault of the kitten seller? I don't know because I'm only on the grooming end. I do know that I have an amazing number of cats to clip every spring when they begin to shed and the owners do not bother to brush the loose hairs out. What's wrong with buying a short haired Moggy if that's all you really want????? Don't worry. you young groomers, no one really tries to clip cats below the elbow, unless it's just to get rid of some long fluff, and that can be scissored off more easily than clipped To put a cat through anything more is actually cruel. This next part comes from having groomed for over 40 years, and it's not one of my favorite things to share with the general public---but if you really need to bathe a cat---for medical purposes---as in it's covered with fleas---and it comes into your salon---the only safe say to bathe the cat is to put it in a wire crate, plastic bottom is fine, and make sure the top is secured---just wash the cat in the crate. Make sure all fleas are dead,

[Quirkyhound]

I have groomed my own with no probs. Generally I don't do the legs with clippers, but trim with scissors if needed.

40 years plus experience in the grooming trade makes me tell all cat owners and cat clippers that the main thing is to get the mats off the body, the belly and the under arm area to make the cat comfortable---as that's the only reason one should ever have to clip a CAT. It's always amazing how so many kitten buyers are not prepared to groom their cats----is it their fault or the fault of the kitten seller? I don't know because I'm only on the grooming end. I do know that I have an amazing number of cats to clip every spring when they begin to shed and the owners do not bother to brush the loose hairs out. What's wrong with buying a short haired Moggy if that's all you really want????? Don't worry. you young groomers, no one really tries to clip cats below the elbow, unless it's just to get rid of some long fluff, and that can be scissored off more easily than clipped To put a cat through anything more is actually cruel. This next part comes from having groomed for over 40 years, and it's not one of my favorite things to share with the general public---but if you really need to bathe a cat---for medical purposes---as in it's covered with fleas---and it comes into your salon---the only safe say to bathe the cat is to put it in a wire crate, plastic bottom is fine, and make sure the top is secured---just wash the cat in the crate. Make sure all fleas are dead.

I always rinse cats completely. so as not to leave anything on them that might make them ill, since they all will lick them selves dry and once they settle in the small crate, I take them out to towel dry them. I usually cage dry them, from a distance, on very low or no heat in summer, and so far 100% of all cats I've groomed/bathed for over 40 years have survived and been repeat customers.

So if you are new to grooming cats, just be happy with getting most of the body hair off and leave the legs, as cat's hate the legs being fiddled with. Cat's are unique, and cat owners should be willing to look after their cats, but as most groomers know---this isn't the case. I have taken to asking my cat owners---what is it that you want of this cat??? A knot free silky fleece----or a mess of knots that need to be clipped off every year? I ask them why they didn't just get a short haired moggy and they tell me that it's because they love the long hair. I rest my case here---the same as I do with Maltese/similar breed owners who employ me year around to 'clip the lovely coats off their dogs'