Temperament and Handling Flashcards
How many temperament categories are there in cats?
3
What temperament categories are there in cats?
Shy, Compliant, and Aggressive
Describe a shy cat
They huddle against the back of their kennel, attempts to hide, curls into a tight ball and covers its head
Describe a compliant cat
Looking out the front of their carrier, trusting, laid back, cooperative
Describe an aggressive cat
At the front of their carrier on the offensive, biting, hissing, scratching
What techniques make grooming the shy cat easier?
Cover the cat’s head with a towel or air muzzle, keep in contact with the groomer’s body (leaning against the body, hiding head under arm)
What is the most difficult process of the grooming process for a shy cat
Bathing
What is the goal of grooming a shy cat?
Make it feel safe and protected since they can lash out due to fear
What is the goal of grooming a compliant cat?
Keeping their trust by not hurting or frightening them
What is the most difficult part of the grooming process for an aggressive cat?
Clippers/Shaving
What part of the grooming process does an aggressive cat typically handle the best?
Bathing
What is the goal of grooming an aggressive cat?
Keeping stress to a minimum, moving as quickly as possible, preventing injury to the groomer and the cat, stress to the owner preventing matting/shaving
What is the cardinal rule of cat grooming?
Never trust a cat
What is the first thing a groomer should determine when a cat comes into the salon?
Temperament and Assessment
Where is the ideal place to assess a cat?
On the floor, looking into the cat carrier
What 5 things are determined during an assessment?
1) How much can the cat be handled?
2) Is the coat matted?
3) What condition is the skin/coat in?
4) Does the cat have fleas?
5) Does the cat have other obvious signs of health or skin issues?
What are the 7 steps of the assessment?
1) Sit on the floor in front of the carrier
2) Place your hand up near the carrier door and speak calmly to the cat
3) Open the carrier door (do not let the cat out)
4) Get cat’s attention and focus elsewhere to get a quick scruff on the cat and pull him out onto your lap (If the cat tries to come out on their own, let them come out enough to get a scruff)
5) While still scruffed, use the other hand to feel the cat’s back, rear, then belly area to check for matts, bumps, etc
6) Express front claws and discuss options with owners
7) Put cat up to his carrier and allow him to get back inside
What is accomplished after the 7 steps of the assessment?
Knowing if the cat is shy, compliant, or aggressive, and if aggressive, you can determine the level of handling
What are the first things you should do when grooming an aggressive cat?
Trim nails and put on an air muzzle
Since aggressive cats hate shaving, where should you start in order to determine the cat’s tolerance of the clipper?
Sanitary trim
Never use ____ on a cat
A noose or neck restraint
What can result from using a restraint around a cat’s neck?
The cat can break its neck or strangle itself
What are signs of stress in cats?
Panting and frequent/repeated urination or bowel movements
Who should administer sedatives to a cat?
Veterinarian or the owner under the direction of a vet
Is it okay to recommend sedation for an aggressive cat?
Yes
How long should you allot to groom a sedated cat?
90 minutes
What health condition can be fatal if the cat is too stressed during grooming?
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
What types of cats should a groomer pay extra attention to during grooming for signs of stress?
Elderly and cats with known health issues
Describe a street smart cat
Used to fighting for survival, territorial and suspicious, and will bite and/or scratch if threatened
Describe a house dumb cat
Does not have to hunt and kill food, trusting, and never had to use teeth or claws
Why should groomers inquire into a cat’s background?
If the cat is street smart or house dumb, and if the cat has any health issues
