Cat grooming

Misconceptions in the World of Cat Grooming

It is more vital than ever to manage client expectations when it comes to cat grooming.

The old saying goes, ‘the customer is always right’, but that might not always be the case in the world of cat grooming...

Humane treatment of the cat is the most important rule.

A grooming salon is a scary place for a cat, especially if it is their first time or if they have had a bad experience elsewhere.

The grooming salon is full of strange smells, loud sounds, unknown people, and other pets, and we should always bear this in mind when grooming.

It is as much our job to relax and soothe the cat as it is to groom it.

But the expectations of our human clients too is always key, and particularly with cats, the welfare groom that the cat needs may not quite fall into line with what the owner expects when they come to collect their moggy.

Cat groomers say to us that the biggest complaint received from customers is that their cat was ‘skinned’!

This shock for the human client has of course come about because it has been necessary to shave the cat as it is the most humane option.

Which is why it is so important to set expectations right from the start, and never be in the situation where an owner has returned expecting to pick up a gloriously fluffy cat and have instead been handed a cat that has been shaved off on a number 7F all over!

Be honest with the owner, as some do have very unrealistic expectations of how their cat is going to look following the groom or just do not realise how severely matted their cat is.

It doesn’t always mean that the owner is a bad pet parent. And if the owner’s expectations have been set, then they understand why you have done what you have to do, and they do not receive a shock when they pick up the cat.

It is our job too to educate owners on how to care for the specific coat of their cat.

A lot of cat owners, especially owners of long haired or curly coated breeds, acquire the cat without knowing how to care for the coat and keep it healthy

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty iPET Network

and mat-free.

This will be the case with most of the cats that arrive at your salon very matted, and there are steps we can take to ensure that the cat is better cared for at home.

Cat grooming is enjoyable and rewarding, as welfare is key. And we are on the frontline when it comes to sharing vital information, which will keep cats looking great, but also feeling comfortable and healthy too.

By Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty To find out more about the iPET Network’s range of cat grooming course go to www.ipetnetwork.co.uk