People who are properly trained  in cat grooming are pretty rare.        

           

(This is one of the reasons I did my training). When looking for a groomer its best to use someone who has specialised in the grooming and handling of cats specifically.

Specialist groomers are trained to handle all types of cats safely for the cat and the groomer, even aggressive and non-compliant ones.

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Why it can be expensive to get a cat groomed, bathed or clipped?

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The two biggest reasons are

1. Cats are difficult to groom

2. Grooming a cat is dangerous

 

Its rare that a cat will allow someone to groom them without at least a little protest (and sometimes a lot!)

Cats generally don’t like being brushed, having their nails clipped or being manhandled. You can’t reason with them and tell them that they’ll feel better when it’s all over with.

 

Cats are also harder to groom because of the nature of their skin which is very thin and can be damaged easily. Time has to be allowed not only for the cat’s determination that he won’t be groomed but also to be able to work safely. Brushes, scissors and clippers can all cause scrapes and tears in the skin if not used properly and safely around the cat.

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Cat grooming is dangerous!

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The potential for danger is high for both the cat and the groomer.

A cat’s mouth is full of nasty bacteria and there is a huge risk of infection from a cat bite, especially if the bite is deep enough to hit tendons, nerves or joints. (I, myself have learnt this the hard way on a few occasions!)

The trouble is that vet style ‘gauntlets’ are a big no no for professional cat groomers as they are not only intimidating for the cat but reduce the groomer’s ability to feel properly. Protection for the groomer can therefore be a challenge with an aggressive customer.

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Groomers obviously use their hands to work and the risk of a serious injury possibly caused by a scratch or bite is a major factor in setting groom prices. This is why many dog groomers will not accept cats as clients.

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  Have you wondered how a groomer keeps the cat still?  

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Cats absolutely can not be tethered to the grooming table the way that a dog normally is during grooming. You can not use a neck tether of any sort on a cat. A cat’s behaviour can go from passive to furious in the blink of an eye so its obvious why a dog style ‘grooming leash’ would be a very bad idea.

 

Specialist groomers are taught handling techniques which help to control the cat during a groom. This isn’t easy and as every cat is different, a groomer needs to learn as they go how best to handle any particular cat, and even for an experienced groomer this can also be challenging and physically demanding.