“How do you groom a cat?”

That’s a question I’ve been asked countless times over the years. My standard reply is “compassionately“. Of course, it goes far beyond just that. For me, the most successful groom happens when the cat and I are comfortable with each other. I need to be able to reach areas of the cat’s body that are intimate and highly sensitive. This requires cooperation from the cat in order to have easy access for combing, clipping, drying, and a multitude of other things.

Like many groomers, I was trained to be part of a 2-person cat grooming team. One person held and comforted the cat while the other person focused on the intricacies of using various tools on a live being. For more fractious kitties, a third person might join in and hold a leg or two. In retrospect, it’s clear to see how that must have felt quite overwhelming to the cat. At the time, I did all I knew to comfort the cat through the process.

Early on I realized that less is best when it comes to manipulating cats. Even so, double-teaming seemed to work well enough and was the accepted standard for cat grooming. I continued to rely on handling assistance for a couple of years. Then one day I found myself with no available aide and the clock ticking on a groom appointment. I needed to find a solution and fast! What followed changed everything about how I handled cats from that point forward.

It was back in early 2003 and I was working at a combo dog & cat retail, boarding, and grooming facility. Taia (tay-yuh), a beautiful and persnickety cream Persian I had groomed several times before, needed her tummy clipped. In less than two hours her mom was due back at the salon to retrieve her. There was simply no way I was going to present my client with a failed groom after more than 2 years of successful sessions. Necessity is the mother of invention, right? My top priority was to figure out how to groom her safely all by myself.

This prompted me to gently roll Taia onto her back in my lap while I stretched my legs horizontally against the wall for support. After a few moments, she seemed to understand what I was trying to do. The level of trust involved was remarkable. She leaned her head back and allowed me to manipulate her legs so I could reach the tricky spots. As has happened time and again in the span of my grooming career, Taia proved to me that cats are supremely intelligent and will often comply when handled in a cooperative way versus with dominating force.

A slight shift of my legs was all it took to guide her from one side to the other. Tilting my legs down or up made her naturally adjust her body accordingly. I was amazed at how much easier clipping her tummy actually was this time! She was more compliant than ever before and without a doubt I believed it was because she had more freedom of movement and self-control.

Since then, I’ve groomed all cats using The Lap Method for Cat Grooming™ in one way or another. I discovered it was purrfect for clipping, drying, claw trims, ear cleaning, and more. It can be utilized while in a chair or on the floor. In April 2007, prompted by a request on Petgroomer.com about how to clip a cat without help, I finally asked a co-worker to take some photos of this handling style during a groom with Lizzy, one of my very favorite Himalayans. The images featured below show multiple poses used to achieve varying results.

I’ve often said I’d be the purrfect groomer if I had four arms and hands so I could comb, hold, pet, and give treats all at the same time. Although I prefer to groom solo, there can be many benefits to having an assistant, particularly when counter conditioning an insecure cat to accept grooming. Being able to get the urgent grooming done while someone else offers petting and treats might be the most efficient and safest solution in certain situations. Distraction can be an excellent behavioral tool when used to redirect attention from something the cat considers unpleasant to something interesting.

I’ve found many times it’s the cat’s own family member that can provide the best assistance and comfort because they know each other well and the cat already trusts them. It’s vital the helper understands that the groomer working with the tools is the one who directs the action. A good assistant will be an asset, not a distraction or liability. Safety for all above all else.

Achieving positive cat grooming results takes creativity and a willingness to try different things. A compassionate, holistic cat groomer performs under guidelines that consider the true nature of cats and caters to their unique needs. I hope you’ll find the following images and instructions helpful with your own grooming and handling adventures.

* Cats should only be shaved by someone well-versed in their anatomy, behavior, and handling requirements due to the high risk of injury.

All images, videos, and content featured in this blog are the sole property of Stacey Ward with Aunt Stacey’s Cats. Reproduction is strictly prohibited.
© Aunt Stacey’s Cats All Rights Reserved