Cat Grooming Techniques, Common Grooming Issues, and the Products and Tools used
Air Muzzle
This is a light open design muzzle. It slips on and off easily without interfering with the cat’s breathing or vision.
Allergies
These are the most common cause of skin disease in cats. An allergy occurs when the cat’s sensitive immune system overreacts to stimuli that do not present any actual danger. A balanced and varied diet is important. Regular grooming and a relaxed environment will help your pet maintain a strong, healthy immune system.
Bathing A Cat
The most beneficial way to maintain or restore a cat’s coat to a healthy condition is through a degreasing bath and blow dry. By removing dander, excess oil, and dead moulting hair, the resultant clean coat is better able to shed any excess hair.
Blow Dry and Tangle (Mat) Removal
A professional high velocity pet dryer is essential to a quick and comfortable de-matting process. Post bathing any remaining tangles and loose hair can be easily removed.
Cat Trimmers
The safest way to deal with mats is by the use of specialist trimmers.
Cat-a-Tonic
A rich after-groom spray to add body and shine to a cat's coat with a distinctive scent.
Chubbs Bars
Made of natural organic ingredients, these versatile shampoo bars will leave the coat degreased and thoroughly cleaned. Chubbs Bars are currently available in; Creamy Nutmeg, Bay Rum Cat-A-Tonic, Warm Vanilla Sugar and Creamy Coconut.
Comb Out
The final comb out comes after the bath and blow dry with particular attention being paid to the belly area, legs, ruff and tail.
Dander
Undiscernable to the human eye, dander is composed of tiny particles of dead skin cells and dried saliva. People with cat allergies are reacting to the protein Fel D1 which is found in cats' saliva.
Dandruff
Large flakes of dead skin build up and accumulate under a greasy, dirty coat when there has been a lack of regular grooming.
De-shedding Treatment
This grooming technique removes loose hair and undercoat in an effective way. This helps the even distribution of the natural oils resulting in a top coat that is nourished, shiny and healthy.
Dry Bath
A dry bath uses a rub on, comb out grooming foam, that produces a velvety soft coat, beautifully scented and shiny. By gently cleaning away dirt and dander, it reduces shedding and can help remedy cat allergies in humans. Specific breeds such as British Shorthair, Siamese and Devon Rex would particularly benefit from this approach as they should be wet bathed sparingly and dried naturally.
Ears and Eyes Clean
Routine ear cleaning will helps prevent painful infections caused by bacteria and parasite infestations. Breeds such as Persians and Himalayans are prone to tear staining and require regular eye cleaning to prevent coat discolouration, skin irritations and potential infections.
Earthbath
An all natural range of pet care products and shampoos that are both kind and gentle to your pet and the environment.
Face Trim
This treatment is recommended for breeds such as Persians, Himalayans and Exotics which have a tendency to overgrown facial hair. Eyelashes, the forehead and tips of the ears are trimmed, while cheek hair is gently plucked.
Fleas
The ordinary cat flea is the most common parasite found on a cat’s skin. For successful eradication both the cat and its environment must be treated together. A flea bath and the spot on treatment will provide the cat with immediate relief.
Grooming Combs
Three distinct combs are used in Cat Grooming. Greyhound Style Comb - an all-round comb, great for removing mats and combing through. DG Cat Comb - used to comb short-haired breeds, and for the finishing work on long-haired breeds (ruff, legs and feet). Face & Feet Comb - perfect for combing around head, legs and other sensitive areas.
Grooming Styles
A range of grooming options are available to match your pet’s needs.
Grooming Table
The grooming table is portable, light and easy to fold.
Hair
A cat is born with all the hair follicles it will ever possess already in place. The hair grows in stages with new hair growing alongside old hair and from the same follicle. Not all follicles are in the same phase at the same time so cats tend to shed continually throughout the year. Although the coat may change in appearance and thickness, the number of hair follicles remains constant.
Hairballs
Long-haired cats, fastidious self-groomers and the elderly are more susceptible to fur balls and will require more frequent grooming, especially during moulting season. The rasp-like surface of the cat’s tongue serves as a grooming brush and the middle portion possesses no taste buds. As the cat licks itself the hair becomes stuck to the tongue and when swallowed forms a solid mass in the stomach which can lead to appetite loss, constipation or a blocked intestine.
Health Check
A cat’s general demeanour should be relaxed and confident, curious and alert. A healthy cat’s fur is sleek and unbroken, its eyes are clear and bright and its nostrils are clean and dry. The teeth should be white and the gums uniformly pink. The first signs of ill health would generally present in introverted passive behaviour, a change in appetite, inflammation, any unusual discharge or odour.
Lion Cut
The Lion cut is the ideal solution to eliminate shedding, matting and hairballs. The coat is completely shaved off, leaving only longer hair on the legs, head (with ruff) and a ‘pompom’ or full tail depending on the owner’s preference. Some cats will naturally feel better without their long, heavy coats and enjoy their owner's touch on their skin. It will take around three months for a short-haired cat to regrow its coat and approximately four to six months for…
Mats
A cat’s naturally oily skin in combination with hair being shed throughout the year inevitably causes matting regardless of coat length. When a cat struggles with coat maintenance and general grooming, shed hair becomes trapped in its oily, greasy fur. As more hair sheds and accumulates, clumps of hair appear all over the body. These tangles become larger and fuse together forming a mat very close to the skin. Mats can restrict movement and leave bald sore patches on the…
Mobile Grooming
This is our recommended and most convenient way to treat your pet. We bring all necessary tools and equipment simply requiring a quiet space for the grooming table and a hand held shower with plenty of warm water. Owners are welcome and encouraged to join in and share in their companion’s day as they undergo their transformation.
Nail Trim
Cat’s nails grow continually. When not worn down by activity or self-grooming, they should be trimmed regularly, especially if the cat is elderly or lives indoors. Untrimmed nails will begin to curl under and grow into the paw pads and if infected will require veterinary attention.
Pelt
Over time mats fuse together on the body and form a hard turtle-like shell causing difficultly in walking and grooming. In this situation it is necessary to shave the animal, removing the pelt and freeing them from a potentially life threatening condition.
Sanitary Trims
Not visible while upright or walking, sanitary trims and belly shave combinations are the ideal solution for elderly, infirm and longhaired cats. Indoor pets can also benefit from a belly shave during the summer months keeping them fresher and cooler.
Shedding
All cats shed or moult at some stage. The extent and speed to which an individual sheds is determined by a combination of factors such as age, breed, diet and lifestyle. Central heating and artificial lighting found in the indoor environment promotes year round shedding. Many domestic short-hairs have denser coats and hence shed much more than long-hair varieties.
Skin
There are three main types of skin gland: sebaceous, apocrine and eccrine. Sebaceous glands are located near the hair follicles and their function is to produce sebum, a natural oil that protects and waterproofs the skin and coat. Grooming maintains healthy skin by stimulating the production of sebum and aids its distribution across the coat resulting in a natural glossy shine. Whilst found all over the body, the apocrine sweat glands are not particularlty useful for cooling purposes, their main…
Skin Diseases
Some common skin issues that present themselves are - Gland hyperplasia or stud tail – this is a heavy, waxy build up on top of the tail, near its base. The skin underneath the build-up can have blackheads and feel very bumpy. The condition is most common in tomcats but also occurs in females and neutered males and is caused by oversecretion of the sebaceous glands. Feline acne (chin acne) – this is a blockage of skin pores and excess…
Soft Paws Nail Caps
A creative solution to protect your belongings from sharp claws. Available in a variety of colours so you can mix and match to coordinate with the coat, accessories or even for a special occasion, these are vinyl caps that fit over the nails and are easy and quick to apply. Soft paws last approximately four to six weeks and some cats might require several applications before they are fully adjusted.
Toe Tuff Trim
Certain longhair breeds such as Persians and Himalayans have excess hair growing on the bottom of the feet in between their paw pads; for hygiene reasons a toe tuff trim is recommended for cats that frequently get litter stuck here.
