Temperament and Handling

Question 1

How many temperament categories are there in cats?

Answer 1

3

Question 2

What temperament categories are there in cats?

Answer 2

Shy, Compliant, and Aggressive

Question 3

Describe a shy cat

Answer 3

They huddle against the back of their kennel, attempts to hide, curls into a tight ball and covers its head

Question 4

Describe a compliant cat

Answer 4

Looking out the front of their carrier, trusting, laid back, cooperative

Question 5

Describe an aggressive cat

Answer 5

At the front of their carrier on the offensive, biting, hissing, scratching

Question 6

What techniques make grooming the shy cat easier?

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

What is the most difficult process of the grooming process for a shy cat

Answer 7

Bathing

Question 8

What is the goal of grooming a shy cat?

Answer 8

Make it feel safe and protected since they can lash out due to fear

Question 9

What is the goal of grooming a compliant cat?

Answer 9

Keeping their trust by not hurting or frightening them

Question 10

What is the most difficult part of the grooming process for an aggressive cat?

Answer 10

Clippers/Shaving

Question 11

What part of the grooming process does an aggressive cat typically handle the best?

Answer 11

Bathing

Question 12

What is the goal of grooming an aggressive cat?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is the cardinal rule of cat grooming?

Answer 13

Never trust a cat

Question 14

What is the first thing a groomer should determine when a cat comes into the salon?

Answer 14

Temperament and Assessment

Question 15

Where is the ideal place to assess a cat?

Answer 15

On the floor, looking into the cat carrier

Question 16

What 5 things are determined during an assessment?

Answer 16

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?

Question 17

What are the 7 steps of the assessment?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is accomplished after the 7 steps of the assessment?

Answer 18

Knowing if the cat is shy, compliant, or aggressive, and if aggressive, you can determine the level of handling

Question 19

What are the first things you should do when grooming an aggressive cat?

Answer 19

Trim nails and put on an air muzzle

Question 20

Since aggressive cats hate shaving, where should you start in order to determine the cat’s tolerance of the clipper?

Answer 20

Sanitary trim

Question 21

Never use ____ on a cat

Answer 21

A noose or neck restraint

Question 22

What can result from using a restraint around a cat’s neck?

Answer 22

The cat can break its neck or strangle itself

Question 23

What are signs of stress in cats?

Answer 23

Panting and frequent/repeated urination or bowel movements

Question 24

Who should administer sedatives to a cat?

Answer 24

Veterinarian or the owner under the direction of a vet

Question 25

Is it okay to recommend sedation for an aggressive cat?

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

How long should you allot to groom a sedated cat?

Answer 26

90 minutes

Question 27

What health condition can be fatal if the cat is too stressed during grooming?

Answer 27

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Question 28

What types of cats should a groomer pay extra attention to during grooming for signs of stress?

Answer 28

Elderly and cats with known health issues

Question 29

Describe a street smart cat

Answer 29

Used to fighting for survival, territorial and suspicious, and will bite and/or scratch if threatened

Question 30

Describe a house dumb cat

Answer 30

Does not have to hunt and kill food, trusting, and never had to use teeth or claws

Question 31

Why should groomers inquire into a cat’s background?

Answer 31

If the cat is street smart or house dumb, and if the cat has any health issues