Top cat grooming tips

Be Cat Aware

A cat is not a dog. Sounds like a silly statement doesn’t it, but it’s always worth remembering for us groomers, when a cat comes to visit the salon. By Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty from iPET

Cats have a whole range of special considerations, and that is why last year we launched our portfolio of Ofqual regulated cat grooming qualifications, the first of their kind in the country.

We wanted to launch these qualifications so that dog groomers who decide to diversify and offer cat grooming can do so in a safe and welfare-led way. And so that new cat groomers can get a gold-standard of training, which will set them up for success, just as our dog grooming qualifications do.

We have worked with numerous cat grooming professionals to develop our qualifications and recently Katie Gwilt has joined Four Paws Groom School as a cat specialist, delivering iPET Network courses. Katie also has her own business as The Kat Lady offering compassionate and highly professional grooms to a multitude of cats in the Liverpool area.

For this issue of Total Grooming Katie has put together her five top tips, for when a matted cat arrives at the salon:

Katie - the Kat Lady

Make sure you use the correct equipment

1. Assess the coat and the extent of the matting

Before deciding how to proceed, do a thorough assessment of the matting and how widespread it is. You will need to decide whether a full shave/lion cut is needed, a modified lion cut or spot shaving. Take into account the age and health of the cat before doing lion cuts as the cats welfare and health always comes before how it is going to look at the end. Treat each cat as an individual always.

2. Don’t use scissors!

Especially with tight mats. They can change the conformation of the skin underneath and pull it into the mat. This means if you start cutting fur initially, by the time you have cut the entire mat out there is a chance you could have cut a nasty gash in the skin.

3. Go slowly as the cat is likely to be in pain and suffering some degree of discomfort

Be aware that the cat is likely going to be very wary initially. Once tight knots start to form they will not like being touched around the matted areas and moving them can cause pain and discomfort. Work with the cat and let them guide you to remove the mats in the most comfortable position for them as an individual. Be aware that they may be more reactive than usual due to being in pain but be gentle and use towel wrapping as needed.

4. Let their skin breathe

Try not to put anything over their skin once the mats have been removed. It will likely be dry, sore and irritable and the best thing is to let it breathe and have fresh air get to it. There may be sores and broken skin underneath, so use your best judgement if you think a vet referral is needed. If they are an older cat and it is winter time, ensure that the guardian has lots of cozy spots for the cat to rest as keeping warm is paramount. You could suggest a cat jumper, but make sure the skin gets access to fresh air for part of every day to help it from getting more dry and letting the cat start to groom themselves again and spread the natural skin oils around.

5. Educate the guardian as to how to help them from forming again

Be non-judgemental - always. Mats can form really quickly and then spread so fast. Try to never assign blame and help the guardian to spot them and be able to stay on top of them or know when they are in the early stages of forming and to book an appointment asap. Life happens and if someone has contacted you to help with their cat then consider that a win. Many people with long haired or older cats just don’t know how to brush to the root of the fur so do give tips if they are able to help maintain the cat’s fur in between grooms. Prevention is always better than cure.

To find out more about the iPET Network go to www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

To find out more about Katie go to www. thekatlady.co.uk

Don’t use scissors on tight matted coats