The Catty Shack - grooming article

“You groom cats? You mean you actually give them a bath? You must be out of your
mind!”
I’ve heard this countless times from cat owners. And I will admit that sometimes I
just might be out of my mind. Despite the state of my mental health, most cats do
need grooming from time to time. If you are the proud owner of a long-haired feline
you know this all to well. Those of us who claim ownership to such a breed have
come to understand that black outfits are no longer allowed unless we are into the
white-cat-hair-all-over-black-pants look. Last time I checked it wasn’t the
fashion. If I could turn back time, I would have invested my money in the company
that makes those lint-remover sticky roller things. I’ve gone through so many over the
years that I’m sure my investment would have more than paid off.
And then there’s the hairball - a most unusual specimen that typically appears just
when guests are about to arrive. This indescribable blob on the floor is almost
always discovered by the guest rather than the cat owner. And if having your
obsessively clean mother-in-law find a hairball on the kitchen floor isn’t bad enough,
the sound of your cat barfing one up is.
Beyond the shedding and subsequent hairballs, cat owners often find themselves
battling tangling, matting, eye staining, and more. This is where the cat groomer
comes in. The cat groomer, you see, is the brave soul who fearlessly takes on the
deadly challenge of immersing an animal into a tub full of what it hates most. Cat vs.
Water. Big strong cat with sharp teeth and eighteen VERY sharp claws vs. tub of
water AND cat groomer. You get the picture!
Yes, I am a groomer of cats. I have battle scars to prove it. And I love my job
immensely! It all started years ago when I began showing Persians as a hobby. It
took months and months of practice, but I finally figured out how to make my
pampered felines as glowingly fluffy and immaculate as possible. For those who
have never been to a cat show, it is, simply put, a beauty contest for cats. Whether
you win or lose most often hinges on how good a groomer you were before you got
to the show.
Out of this hobby was born the only feline-exclusive grooming business in the
Upstate. I groom all sorts of cats. Most are of the domestic breed - a mix of
origins unknown yet beautiful in its own unique way. The other portion is made up of
Persians, Himalayans, Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coones, Ragdolls, and a few
short-hairs thrown in for good measure.
Cats get greasy. It’s a fact. You may not realize it because you are used to the way
“Fluffy” looks and feels. But, trust me, cats get VERY greasy as though they’ve been
rubbed down with a stick of butter. Imagine if you didn’t wash your hair for a few
years. Natural oils build up over time. Combined with the oils from our hands that
are left behind when we pet our feline buddy, grease eventually takes over. Natural
shedding takes place throughout the year, most often in the spring and summer
when the temperature warms up and the days get longer. As the hair sheds, the
greasiness of it causes it to stick together in a clump. This clump of hair is small at
first but grows about as fast as kudzu. Before you know it, “Fluffy” is no longer fluffy.
Instead, “Fluffy” looks like he’s wearing a toupe of matted hair. At this point “Fluffy”
must be shaved to remove his new “do” thus provoking what I like to call the
“Samson Syndrome.” This is where your usually stealthy and outgoing cat now
slinks around the house with his belly to the ground as though weak and totally
embarrassed by his new nakedness. With time he gets used to his new look. And
with time, his hair grows back in, and his strength and personality return. “Fluffy” is
fluffy once again.
The cat groomer’s job is to wash that grease right out of the hair. Keeping the
grease away with a good bath, blow dry, and comb-out will do wonders for any feline.
It is a known fact that after a thorough grooming session the amount of shedding
and hairballs is significantly lessened. This in turn makes you fall in love with your
little furrball all over again now that life and the living room carpet are a lot cleaner.
“Fluffy” is still fluffy and looking mighty fine.
Besides coat care, a good cat groomer will also take the time to thoroughly clean the
cat’s ears and clip all nails so they are no longer vicious weapons used on you just
when you least expect it. A cat groomer also keeps a sharp eye out for signs of fleas,
ear mites, and an assortment of other feline-related inconveniences. Catching these
conditions early on can help prevent more serious problems and the huge vet bills
that accompany them.
If you share a home with a longer-haired breed, you may want to take advantage of
such options as a belly shave, sanitary clip, or lion cut. All of these will help
tremendously in making life cleaner, neater, and more manageable for you and your
feline bed-buddy. And a good cat groomer will be happy to share with you some tips
on what you can do at home in between grooming sessions to help keep your kitty in
the best condition possible. The right tools, products, and techniques can make all
the difference in the world. And having a happy, well-groomed cat can make all the
difference for you.