One of the most common things I hear from groomers is, “I don’t groom cats — they bite, scratch, and completely lose their minds.”
This fear has stopped many talented groomers from ever touching a cat.

But the truth is — there is nothing to fear in cat grooming when you understand cats, their behaviour, and the correct handling techniques.

Let’s clear up some of the most common myths surrounding professional cat grooming.

“Cats hate baths”

This is one of the biggest rumours in cat grooming — and it’s simply not true.

In reality, it’s rare for a cat to completely lose control in the bath. When water is introduced slowly and correctly, most cats will settle once they are wet and simply accept the bathing process. The key is understanding how to introduce water and recognising early stress signals.

Drying is often far easier than people expect. Most cats will tolerate drying well at a low dryer speed, especially when they are securely and calmly burrito‑wrapped in a towel.

Of course, groomers should always know what to do if a cat does panic — preparation is everything.

What If a Cat Flails or Panics?

If a cat does flail or lose control during bathing, do not put your hands in front of the cat. If you cannot stop the escalation early, allow the cat to flail while maintaining control of the space around them.

Cats will often panic during this response — let this happen, but keep the situation contained. Maintain control of the cat with your hands, not near the face, and use a towel if necessary.

At this point:

• Stop the bath immediately
• If shampoo has been applied, rinse as safely as possible using a bucket or any available method
• Do not continue bathing — continuing puts both you and the cat at risk

In some cases, the cat may need to go home wet. While this isn’t ideal, safety always comes first.

This behaviour is part of the flight response, triggered when a cat perceives a situation as life‑or‑death. Once this state is reached, reasoning is impossible.

Interestingly, many cats labelled as “aggressive” can still be safely bathed. Cats that truly flail are often the anxious, fearful types who react purely out of panic — not aggression.

“Clipping cats is scary”

Clipping cats is often viewed as intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Once you have:

• A clear clipping procedure, stretching the skin whilst maintaining low-stress handling.
• A solid understanding of feline skin and anatomy.

Most cats are actually very easy to clip. In fact, many full cat clips take only 20–30 minutes when done correctly and calmly with experience.

Confidence, preparation, and knowledge make all the difference

“Cats bite and scratch the groomers.”

Cats bite and scratch as part of the fight response.

The majority of bites and scratches seen on social media happen because stress signals were ignored and a cat was pushed beyond its limits.

Every cat should be assessed before grooming:

• Evaluate temperament
• Watch for escalating stress signals
• Adjust or stop before reaching a breaking point

Every time I’ve been bitten, it has been due to my own complacency — not the cat.

And it’s important to say this clearly:
We do not have to groom every cat.

Some cats require:

• Behaviour adjustments and PPE, for safety and prevention
• Calming or pain relief medication to support the groom
• Veterinary sedation at a vet as it is not safe to groom them awake

Knowing when not to proceed is just as professional as knowing how to groom.

With the correct underlying knowledge, support and training, Cat grooming can be a life-changing career.

Thinking about becoming a cat groomer but not sure where to start?
The Australian Certified Cat Groomer (ACCG) Course is designed to guide you step by step — even if you’re completely new to feline grooming.

You’ll build a strong foundation in feline anatomy, behaviour, skin and coat care, and safe handling techniques before progressing to practical assessments. The course is self‑paced, supportive, and focused on real‑world skills to help you grow with confidence.

👉 Learn this in detail and more in our course:
Visit https://www.groomernation.com.au/accg-catcourse to find out how to get started.