Cat grooming

I don't usually groom cats, but I make exceptions. I have to say I have nothing against cats. In fact, I love cats. Grooming cats is another story. Cat grooming at a client's home has its special challenges. First, there's the cat. If the cat is against it, then it can be just an awful experience for everyone involved. One big problem is that once you start shaving a cat into a lion cut you are pretty much committed to finishing it. Second, there's the mess.

Trim the nails first. This will minimize injuries if the cat happens to scratch you.

If the cat hates water then you might skip the bath and just trim the cat.
If the cat hates the electric clipper or just being handled, forget it!
If you need the owner's help, forget it!
An angry or frightened cat may spray - and oh, you don't what to know what that smells like! (and YOU don't want to smell like that for even a minute! Odds are, you'll smell like that all day if the cat sprays and you're really close by!)

The best case scenario is that the cat is really easy going about all of it: the water, the dryer, the clippers, being handled. Even with a great cat, the amount of hair involved can be extreme. Be prepared to have it in your eyes, nose, and mouth. It'll be in the air. Try to contain it. A bathroom is ideal for drying, brushing, and combing. The hair will get everywhere so remove all items from bathroom before starting so cat hair doesn't get into all the owner's toiletries, decorations, towels, rugs, robes, etc. Cleanup will be easier if you remove all these things first.

How to do a lion cut trim:
1. If you've never done a lion cut don't try it without someone who has done it before.
2. Use a 10 blade or higher. Using lower numbered blades creates a higher risk for cutting the cat's skin which is thinner than a dog's. Older cats have even thinner, looser, skin and can be cut more easily than younger cats.
3. Decide how much fur you'll keep around the neck and/or on the chest as a mane.
4. Don't shave legs below the hock.
5. Hold skin taught while shaving with electric clipper and shave in the direction the fur grows.
6. Don't shave directly on spin, pull skin to left or right side of spin to shave.
7. Be careful not to cut nipples, flank skin, skin on back of rear legs, or privates.
8. Decide how much fur you'll keep at end of tail and shave the rest of it.
9. Use shears or thinning shears to neaten up where longer fur meets shaved body.