PetEdge Groomer Showcase Cat Grooming Edition
07/06/2011
For this edition of Groomer Showcase, we thought it was about time to show off some cats!
After all, these little guys often need grooming as much as dogs, and cat groomers face a unique set of challenges.
As always, thank you to our cat groomers for sending in their work. Keep those pictures coming in!
Congratulations to cat groomers Raul, Lexie and Nicole who are this week’s grooming superstars.
Raul Reyes
Pawlished Paws – Riverside, CA
Raul writes: “Cat grooming and dog grooming are like day and night. When grooming cats, you must always be very, very careful because they have very thin skin. I like using #10 blades; they work the best. I wouldn’t use any other size blade, because you can injure the cat.
"You've got to be careful more than grooming dogs because cats are just crazier than dogs. That’s why cats cost more to groom. You also need to be careful of any biting, because they can really do some damage. When bathing, always take it slow or use waterless shampoo.
“If a cat even looks at me funny or acts funny, I won't start the groom, but that’s just me.
"It’s not worth the hassle. That’s why I tell my customers to bring in their cats starting at a young age so they’ll get used to grooming. In my area there are not a lot of cat groomers. I think I’m the only one in this part of Riverside, but I still like to pick the good kitties from the bad.
"I like cats that think they’re dogs.”
Lexie Goldsmith
Lexie’s Dog and Cat Grooming, Perth, Australia
Lexie writes: “I have 5 years experience in grooming cats un-sedated, am currently studying to become a Certified Master Cat Groomer, and am registered with the Professional Cat Groomers Association.
“I started with grooming cats using sedation, until I tried a ginger cat without sedation and found that some cats are just as good, if not better, than some dogs. My clients always tell me that I have the soft touch, that some cats that don't like strangers actually like me. I have 5 cats of my own and one rescue, so I have a bond with cats.
“Cat grooming can be completely different from dog grooming. Cats need to be very slowly introduced to the noises of grooming. Most cats are scared of water and the blow dryer, so you need a lot of experience in reading their body language so you know what this particular cat can handle and how they will react.
Cats have a lower tolerance level, so you must groom quickly, but carefully. Cats also have an extra weapon—their claws—so you need a muzzle, and gloves in case they get scared.
"Their skin is paper thin, so you must be careful when clipping or using scissors. I have a harness which I put on my cats for bathing, so I can hold them if they are scared of water.
"I love grooming cats, I find they are less stressful.”
Nicole Kallish
Doggy Detailers Mobile Grooming
Orlando, FL
Nicole writes: “Mya is a 4 year old cat that had not been groomed in 8 months when I started grooming her. Her coat was very greasy and flakey.
"I started with my Bravura clipper and was able to do a lion cut on her with the blade on the 10 and 15 settings. Some of the mats around her neck were as hard as a rock.
“After getting her matted fur off, I bathed her with Espree Energee Plus Shampoo and dried her with my K9II dryer set on low.
I went over her coat again with the Bravura and trimmed around paws and face. Mya was not the most thrilled to be groomed, but never tried to bite, a few swats with her front paws was it.
Her owners were thrilled and Mya got on an 8-week grooming schedule with me and was never matted again.”
Are you ready to be a showcase “superstar”?
If you’d like to be included in an upcoming PetEdge Groomer Showcase, please send us a picture of a dog or cat that you’ve groomed, along with your name, address and a brief description of your work (what tools you used, what challenges you faced, etc.)
You can email your photos to blog@petedge.com
Did you know PetEdge has over 17,000 pet products at amazingly low wholesale prices? Shop PetEdge.com for all of your professional pet groomer needs.
