With or ‘against the grain’, it’s always a question I get asked.
Many experienced dog groomers opt for ‘with the grain’, the normal to them. Usually, those learning cat grooming from the beginning chooses against the grain, or reverse clipping. I explain each option, and what I choose.
What is ‘against the grain’?
Clipping against-the -grain involves aiming your clippers in reverse, against the natural lay of the coat. In this direction, you will make the coat shorter, therefore clipping more of the down hairs (‘undercoat’). Remember, when clipping this way, cats with less coat, or a lighter coat, you will reduce their protection from the sun, they enjoy naps in the sun or are an outdoor cat.
Here is an example:
What is clipping ‘with the grain?’
Clipping with the natural lay and direction of the coat. Clipping with the direction of the hair leaves a longer length, and a more ‘uneven’ finish, as down hairs (‘undercoat’) remain longer.
Here is an example:
Should I go with, or against the grain?
There is no right or wrong answer. Some say that reversing the clippers against the natural coat direction will affect the arrector-pili muscles. Some also say that reversing can cause damage to the skin microscopely, but I have not seen evidence of each of these. Remember, that vet clip in both directions when clipping for surgery or taking blood. There is a risk of post-clipping alopecia in both directions, as it’s usually an underlying condition, but that is a whole new topic!
I personally teach both ways, because every groom should be individualised for the cat, the cat’s environment, lifestyle, and the existing coat.
Lexie the Groomer
Cat Grooming Education with Lexie
Want to learn cat clipping with low stress handling techniques?
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Want to learn from an experienced Cat Groomer and qualified Vet Nurse, that believes in the cat’s comfort and needs before all else?
When we are grooming cats, we need to think of the cat’s well-being and comfort, as well as the anatomy of a cat.
If you ignore anatomy and the normal range of movement of the joints, not only does it cause the cat instant pain and discomfort but can cause long-term pain for conditions such as arthritis.
Personally, when I work with cats, I like to keep them in a natural position for much of the grooming, then roll them over to the groom underneath.
Pulling a joint into an unnatural range of motion can also cause a cat to react aggressively due to fear, pain, and stress.
Please note these are anecdotal observations by a qualified Veterinary physiotherapist.
Figure 1: ‘Scruff’ holds for clipping the underarm.
Here we are demonstrating an over abduction and external rotation of the cat’s shoulder joint.
Placing joints like the shoulder into end range positions (eg. figure 1), can overstretch the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments. This can cause the cat a lot of pain during their groom and be a cause of lameness post groom session.
As cats don’t seem to have as strong musculature as dogs in stabilising shoulders and seem to have more flexibility, you could sprain the ligaments in the shoulder causing instability.
Figure 2: Hip hyperextension for clipping the belly.
In figure 2, the hip is being stretched into the abduction and external rotation. This will cause pain if the cat has underlying arthritis in the hip. The same applies if the hindleg is placed into extension.
(I had explained I see this hold regularly with hind legs being stretched but was not comfortable putting my model into this hold.)
Both these positions are painful if the cat has arthritis.
Here are some alternative holds:
Figure 3
Rolling the cat on its side and keeping the shoulder in a natural position. Using your elbow weight to keep the cat calm. I use my thumb to pull the skin tight instead of extending the cat’s joints.
Figure 4
Keeping the knee in line with the body. The hip must be comfortable in the natural joint position. Knee bent and lightly held at the hock. If this is uncomfortable for the senior cat, sit on a chair with the cat on your lap, or on a yoga mat, or cat bed.
Another way to care for a cat’s comfort, is by adding a thick gym mat under the cat when grooming, or asking the cat to have pain relief before the groom, if arthritis is present.
Please note this is for informational purposes only. There is no wrong way, I just am helping groomers make an informed decision when choosing handling techniques.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is transmitted from cat to cat by bodily fluids, such as bites, scratches, the womb, or mating.
It is similar to HIV in humans, where it attacks the immune system, but cannot be transmitted to humans. FIV and HIV are both lentiviruses. However, humans cannot be infected by FIV (FIV+), nor can cats be infected by HIV.
Although contagious to other healthy household cats, spread via sharing water bowls and through mutual grooming is rare. It is best to have your other cats immunized and tested against the virus for prevention.
If your FIV cat is treated for any secondary infections, it should live a longer life. I personally had an FIV cat that lived until at least 15 years old.
With normal infection control procedures in your salon, and keeping nonfamily cats separated, there is no reason why an FIV-positive cat can’t be professionally groomed.
My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
Come join me on your cat grooming journey, I promise you will not be disappointed, I have a 30day money back guarantee for all courses.
Here are a few simple ways to reduce feline stress.
Having guests:
Make a retreat for your cat where they can escape (dark, temperature controlled, quiet area). Even a baby gate can help separate these areas.
Have a retreat up high from any unwanted pats or touches.
Use feline pheromones such as feliway or rescue remedy for days prior to the guests. There are also now pheromone collars and nature calming treats and homeopathy such as zylkene.
Try not to change your cats routine of eating, access to outside and areas if possible.
Try not to take over your cats favourite areas to rest. I know it can be hard not to!
Remind your guests not to touch the cat unless they come up to them.
Try not to have any scented candles, oils or diffusers as this can also trigger a cat to become stressed.
Leaving the house
Again, try and keep routine the same, such as having a friend come to feed at the correct time or using an automatic feeder.
Keep the house the usual temperature.
Have access to their favourite areas open (not possible of course if only supervised outside)
Homeopathy such as zylkene and pheromones can reduce stress
Cats like to hide stress signs, and if your cat stops eating, drinking or is urinating out of the litter box, they will need to see a vet ASAP.
My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
Come join me on your cat grooming journey, I promise you will not be disappointed, I have a 30day money back guarantee for all courses.
Separate your goals into business and personal, or even further into educational, financial, career, family, etc. This helps prevent burnout and gives you something to work towards.
Set Business and personal goals using the SMART system:
My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
Come join me on your cat grooming journey, I promise you will not be disappointed, I have a 30day money back guarantee for all courses.
A new client form is such an important tool where you take the clients’ contact details and start the grooming consultation, which helps you, the professional, decide on the best grooming service for the individual cat.
Client/agent name: This would be who is responsible for bringing the pet and the pet at time of drop off/pick up.
Address: You may believe that a salon groomer does not need these details, but it would help with invoicing late payments, or no-show fees. If the cat happens to not be picked up, you are aware of where the client is coming from, or in case of forgetfulness, you can drop it home.
Alternate phone number: This can come in handy if you cannot contact the original owner/agent that has not come to drop off/pick up. I have had to use these on rare occasions.
Email: Make sure you add a checkbox to add them to your list for updates, reminders, holiday leave, etc.
Vet Clinic Details: For any emergencies or questions you need to ask the Vet.
Pets name: Obvious, but sometimes clients forget to fill this part out!
Species:
Breed: Some cats are bigger than others, have more coat, more predisposed to health issues, coat types
Age: Can be a contributing factor to what grooming the cat has, such as kittens and elderly.
Weight: Sometimes you have booked the pet in a small spot and it turns out to be a 9kg Maine Coon! Good to know before the cat shows. Other times I have booked a large Maine coon spot and it has been written as 4kg.
Grooming History: It is important to know if the owner has been grooming the cat, if it has required sedation, if the cat has never been groomed or even had its nails clipped. I’ve heard it all! And just because a client has been grooming the cat at home, doesn’t always mean the cat is happy to be groomed. ‘She doesn’t like me grooming her’; can be so many things.
Why is the cat being groomed: This can help you decide what is needed. Shedding doesn’t always need to be a clip, bathing and brushing also reduce shedding, and when also stating the cat is aggressive at home or elderly, you can recommend a bath instead.
Does the cat have current matting? Location of matting.
Behaviour History: If the cat has signs of petting induced aggression at home or more, then you will require to reassess the grooming type or your policies with aggressive cats. We discuss the health history and how it affects a cat’s behaviour for grooming in ‘Behaviour for the Cat Groomer’.
Health History: Many health issues and health history influence the cats grooming. Anything from arthritis to having a history of fractures or teeth removal. Current medications and vaccination status. Flea/tick/worming prevention status.
Asking where the client found you can help you see what marketing is working for your business, you can also thank those that recommended you.
Terms and conditions of grooming: These are important to add to your form, remembering that this is not admissible in court, but also can show your client what they are to expect for grooming. Always add that there is a possibility of injury. I also state death, is rare, but they need to be aware of the risks involved with having their cat groomed. Include any extra fees that you add on top of the groom including the late fee, no-show fee, parasites, matting, behaviour, extra time taken, behaviour fee, or anything you add to your services. The client is then aware and add a check box or signature box. It is also recommended to state that this form is for any further appointments. In this disclaimer, you may be stating you are not liable, when in fact, any animals in your care, you are liable for. A form will not cover you but deter those that want to use you for dodging vet bills (it happens!) Or those with badly behaved cats that may be a liability to you and your staff.
Specialised forms: It is recommended to make specific forms for the following cases:
Senior Pets- Senior pets have thinner skin, and so have a higher risk of injury. They also may have a higher risk of death post grooming if stress puts them into kidney failure.
Matting declaration form- If the Cat is matted at all, there is a higher risk of injury.
Sedation and medication– If a client have worked with you and a vet to give a medication before grooming. You may choose not to take cats with any sort of sedation before.
This is general advice, ask for specific advice from your insurance provider and legal advisor before starting a business, and writing forms is recommended.
Who am I?
I’m Lexie Goldsmith,
My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
Come join me on your cat grooming journey, I promise you will not be disappointed, I have a 30day money back guarantee for all courses.
In Australia, spring has sprung, and this means… Grass seed season.
What is a grass seed? A ‘Grass seed’ or ‘Foxtail’ is a weed that grows rampant at the end of winter and starts to dry in the warmer weather. It then will release its dry seeds, to populate more areas.
This seed has been designed to spread throughout your garden, it has a point at the beginning, perfect for penetration, and a brushed end, making it hard to remove.
Yes, a seed I found yesterday!
This unfortunately means that it easily gets stuck in fur and can penetrate the skin, or even worse, it can go into the ears, eyes, mouth, nipples, or genitals. A pet shaking its head will be checked by a veterinarian for the presence of grass seed.
Once penetrated into the skin, due to its shape, the seed can move around the body, causing even more problems.
Dogs and cats should be checked regularly for the presence of seeds. If any of these weeds are on your property, daily checks could prevent a vet visit.
How do I know if I have a penetrated grass seed?
If on the surface of the skin, a granulated wound may be present with the seed still showing. If penetrated or naturally removed, a hole will be present. If evidence of a hard ‘trail’ under the skin, this needs to be seen ASAP to find the location of the seed, this may require exploratory surgery. If no ‘trail’, veterinary attention is still required, as antibiotics may be needed.
What do I do if I find a grass seed in the skin?
If a cat is found to have grass seeds embedded in the skin, do not clip the cat, unless by veterinary advice, as clipping the end of these seeds while embedded, can cause them to be lost under the skin, and in turn, cause infection and exploratory surgery to retrieve.
You may like to remove the grass seed if sticking out enough, put this in a bag to show the vet how much is removed, and seek veterinary attention. An abscess can still form.
So, get out there and remove these weeds! Prevent a possible abscess or surgery.
I absolutely love taking Christmas photos! I start planning for the backdrop in October to allow for delivery of any backdrops.
Choose your styling/colours/decorations/props/dress ups!
Order or buy decorations (I love Kmart for this!)
Set up a part of the salon so it is always there ready to go and takes a limited amount of time.
Remind clients that you will not be taking photos of stressed pets, they go straight into the carrier.
Ideas:
White Christmas
Candyland
Picture with Santa/Santa’s chair/sleigh
Greenery such as a forest and snow
Cosy Christmas (inside, fire, tree, warmth)
Colourful Christmas (red, green, white)
Toy Christmas/Christmas morning
Food Christmas
Gold or silver
Lighting and presents
Aussie- Beach, Santa hat, sand snowman
Scandinavian- White, textures, pink
Gift unwrapping- pet inside a gift
Bedtime stories- bed, book, night lighting
Vintage- Green, gold, tartan, antique colours
Neutral colours- Snow (white ivory or crème) with browns, textures
Creamy tones- Beige, warm shades of brown, ivory, textures
Night before Christmas
Nightmare before Christmas
A bed, fur or sleigh for pets to sit on (must be comfy)
Photos courtesy of Lexie Goldsmith and Anjie Coates
Client Present Ideas
There are so many things you can do for your clients at Christmas. Presents are to be small but show appreciation to your clients for a year of loyalty. It’s good to keep them under a few dollars, as when you have hundreds of clients, it can really add up. It is also a good idea when starting out, not to spend a large amount for only a small client list, as once your business booms, you will have those customers’ expectations.
Just a couple of ideas:
Bal-ball with photo or something inside such as a lock of their hair
Handmade treats
Tree decoration/ornaments
Jar with treats inside
Pets photo
Christmas bow ties
Christmas scarf
Soap for owners
Toy- Red and green mice, or feather toy
Fish treats
Christmas cracker
Paw prints on presents
Photo frames
Coupon for January
Keychain photo of pet
Calendars
Christmas card with photo of their pet
Mini stockings
Raffle tickets into a large hamper for a December booking
Random presents on a tree they can choose out
Cat mint/cat grass/catnip plants
Cat masks for owners
Collar charms
And of course there are endless things you can do with a cricut machine
Personalised treat jar
Carrier tag
Pet safe candle
Personalised food mat
Personalised bowl
Personalised brush/comb
and my carrier tags last year…
Have fun! It helps change of routine can help prevent burnout over the busy period.
My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
Come join me on your cat grooming journey, I promise you will not be disappointed, I have a 30day money back guarantee for all courses.
The ‘Bolero’ clip is completed using a #10 blade or 5-in-1 clippers on the rump of the cat’s body and leaving the coat anywhere from behind the shoulders to the lower back forwards, depending on the cats’ needs.
Why is the clip named the ‘Bolero’?
The ‘Bolero’ clip is named after the Bolero jacket, a short, cropped jacket you may wear with a dress.
Why would a cat receive a ‘Bolero’ clip?
A cat owner may require clipping be removed, but prefer the majority of the coat to remain.
There are many reasons why a cat may need this style; age, over-grooming, under-grooming, matting removal in winter, health, overweight, surgery, and skin conditions that may require topical medication, or they just like the style!
By Amber Hanrahan Qualified Physiotherapist, Perth Western Australia.
As you are very well aware, your hands are your biggest asset as a groomer. Wrist pain can be a real problem, not just at work but also impacting everyday tasks at home too.
There are two main types of wrist pain that you are susceptible to when grooming; De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Both are caused by overuse and repetitive movements, often referred to as RSI (repetitive strain injury).
I’ll explain both problems in detail, so you can look out for early signs and symptoms. I’ll share my top tips and some exercises to help reduce the risk of them happening in the first place.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Pain on the thumb side of the wrist due to inflammation around the tendons of the thumb. It is often described as a constant ache, a pulling sensation and even a burning sensation. Tenderness and swelling is common around tendon sheath, which is a connective tissue ‘strap’ that holds the tendons down and prevents them from bowstringing. These structures may become sensitised causing pain to extend up into the forearm too. The irritation of the tendons occurs from repetitive wrist movements. Pain can be triggered by making a fist, gripping, spreading the fingers apart or with a twisting movement, like opening a jar. As a groomer, you are more susceptible to this problem with work tasks like using scissors and razors (repetition of the task and twisting positions), turning a tap on and off. Pain can also be triggered by picking up animals of varying sizes and weight, particularly when they are not cooperating! Outside of work, examples of aggravating positions include sleeping with your hands curled in and picking up children or shopping.
If you suspect you have this tendon problem, it’s best to see a physio. Usually a splint is prescribed to help limit aggravating movements and positions. You can purchase one over-the-counter from the chemist, however they tend to be bulky and difficult to achieve a personalised fit. So instead, I suggest seeing a physio or OT who specialises in hand therapy, as they will be able to make you a custom made splint. If you are in Perth, I recommend Flex Physio. Other than splinting to offload the sensitive structures, physiotherapy may include massage, dry needling, mobilisations, taping and specific exercises.
Some things you can try for yourself:
· Self resisted exercises
· massage your forearms on the inside and outside using your hand or a small firm ball i.e tennis or lacrosse ball
· Try to sleep with your wrists flat (neutral position), as if they were in a splint.
· When your wrists are sore, limit lifting where possible, this includes at work but also at home too!
Heat or Ice?
Well it depends. Either could help for both of these problems. Inflammatory type pain is usually relieved with cool packs whereas achy muscles are usually relieved with heat therapy. You could try both, not at the same time obviously!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A nerve related problem that occurs at the front of the wrist and travels into the palm of the hand. The median nerve is compressed as it travels through the carpal tunnel in the hand. Sometimes pain isn’t always present but other symptoms include numbness or tingling in the thumb and middle fingers. A loss in grip strength and hand coordination are other common complaints. If you notice the muscle at the base of the thumb is smaller than on your non-painful side, please discuss this with your physiotherapist. Usually it will occur in one hand only, but if it’s present in both at the same time, it’s important to discuss this with your physiotherapist or GP. This type of pain often occurs in women more than men, aged 35-60 years old.
What can you do about it?
This problem is easy to diagnose and often responds well to treatment. If you suspect you have Carpal tunnel syndrome, the earlier you get an assessment, the better. It is best to see a physiotherapist first, or your GP, who will likely refer you to physio at some stage. Medical imaging is not essential for diagnosis. Management includes relieving symptoms through hands-on techniques (massage, mobilisations and movements) as well as exercise prescription. See the videos below for some examples.
We will also provide you with tips to incorporate throughout your day, specifically tailored to suit your needs at work and also your lifestyle. We recommend you reduce repeated movements where possible and try to incorporate a variety of positions and movements to compensate. Let’s face it, not always possible! An ergonomic assessment of your work space is recommended to ensure you are taking care of your body.
If left untreated, it can become persistent. Your GP may prescribe some pain medication and anti-inflammatories. As a last resort, referral to a specialist for surgical release around the nerves can be considered if conservative management has not helped.
Now that seems like all doom and gloom right?!
How can we prevent these problems in the first place?
Strengthening the hand, wrist, shoulder and neck can reduce the likelihood of overuse, building your capacity above what your work demands of you. These preventative exercises are often ones that will relieve symptoms too! We call it ‘pre-habilitation’.
Physio Exercises
Thumb isometrics (De Quervains)
Hold for 10-30sec x3
If you have pain, stop if pain increases and apply less pressure
Elastic band
As many reps until fatigue
Wrist stretches – Prayer & Reverse Prayer
Hold stretch for 10-20 seconds
AROM Long finger flexors (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
Repeat until symptoms change OR muscles fatigue
Dumbbell curls
8-12 reps. If you can do more than 15 reps, the weight is too light!
Lateral Raise
8-12 reps. If you can do more than 15 reps, the weight is too light!
Wall angels
Move slowly x 6-8 reps, up to 12 in a row
If symptoms worsen or persist, see your healthcare professional.
Who am I?
I’m Lexie Goldsmith,
My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
Come join me on your cat grooming journey, I promise you will not be disappointed, I have a 30day money back guarantee for all courses.
Cat Grooming Education 