Contents | January 2025


ALSO INSIDE
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Daryl Conner
Lynn Paolillo
Jennifer Bishop Jenkins
Melissa Viera
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its advertisers for their continued support.
- Andis2
- Animal Photography14
- AnimalsINK9
- Bandanas Unlimited11
- Pawsitive Educational Training46
- Barkleigh Store – The Pet Stylist Playbook39
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- Best Shot PetDigital
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- Coat Tender36
- Cool Dog Wash Tubs22
- Cosmos Bathing Systems40
- Direct Animal Products15
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- Electric Cleaner Company13
- Evolution Shears17
- Governor Insurance47
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- Groomsoft45
- Hanvey Engineering & Design51
- IV San Bernard | Pet Skin Academy27
- Laube55
- MetroVac21
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- Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast42
- PetBizInsurance.com7
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- Puppy Playground25
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- Ryan’s Pet SupplyDigital Only
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- Super Styling in Session Tour37
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- Wag’n Tails26


Consider this: When hiring an electrician or plumber—services that require skill and care—the costs typically exceed $100. This is a standard acknowledgment of the expertise and risks involved in these trades. So, why should pet grooming, a service equally skilled and potentially more challenging, be any different?
In the realm of pet grooming, we deal with live, sentient beings, each with their own personalities and needs. It’s a profession that demands patience, love and an understanding of animal behavior, often underplayed in its complexity. This work can be as unpredictable as it is rewarding, making the expertise of a professional groomer invaluable.
This isn’t just about grooming pets; it’s about enhancing their lives and, by extension, the lives of their families. As caretakers of beloved family members, a role we take on with pride and commitment, it’s time we are recognized and valued for the vital service we provide.
In conclusion, the pet grooming industry stands as an integral part of pet care, deserving of greater appreciation and value. It’s time to shine a light on these unsung heroes who contribute so much to the wellbeing of our beloved pets, advocating for the recognition and compensation that truly reflects the love, skill and dedication they bring to their work.
Christina Gallagher is a professional dog groomer and the proud owner of a successful pet grooming company. With 16 years in the pet industry, this path has taken her from managing multi-million-dollar big-box pet stores to establishing her own flourishing mobile grooming enterprise.


Pet industry profits soared during some of the pandemic. Lots of people bought or adopted a pet for the first time because they were home more, or they added to those already living in their home. Shelters saw a huge uptick in adoptions. Breeders saw the opportunity and started cranking out more “designer dogs,” charging (opportunistically) enormous sums for mixed breed dogs.
The pet industry made headlines over those years for being one industry that actually grew and made much more money during COVID. Most groomers were trying to hire more help, and lots of us trained new staff, further growing our industry. Once we were allowed to start working again, the money being spent by pet owners kept us in demand and making a higher profit. So, as hard as it was, COVID changed us…in some ways for the better.
“According to the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute, 98% of pet owners say their pet is an important part of their family, 87% say they experience mental health improvements from pet ownership and 76% say their personal health has improved because of their pet. The trend of humanizing pets makes industry growth understandable and even inevitable. Almost no other industry has growth drivers as strong as these. And yet, a number of factors are cause for concern about the future of the pet business.”
One of these concerning factors was described in a PetHelpful article on Yahoo!:2 “It’s becoming harder and harder for pet owners to support themselves and their four-legged companions. In fact, Shelter Animals Count’s 2024 Mid-Year Analysis3 shows just how big the problem has gotten. They discovered that the number of people adopting pets has started trending downward after several years of trending upward, and it’s left animal shelters and rescues with over 320 thousand more animals than they had at the beginning of the year. So why the sudden change?”
Like most answers to questions like these, it’s the economy. “The answer lies in the net effect of acquisition and attrition,” reports an article from PetSmart Charities. “Households with incomes over $100,000 gained three times as many pet owners (3.9 million) during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the period between 2017 and 2019. This surge in pet ownership in the highest income bracket accounts for the commensurate increase in spending experienced by the retail pet supply industry. Unfortunately, the effects of the pandemic were not felt by everyone equally. Lower-income brackets of households earning less than $35,000 saw a loss of pet owners of 3.4 million between 2019 and 2021 compared to a gain of 264,000 between 2017 and 2019. The difference between renters and homeowners is even more stark. Pet parents who owned their own homes increased by 3.7 million, while pet-owning renters declined by 4.3 million between 2019 and 2021—resulting in a net loss of 600,000 pet-owning households.”4
We are still a healthy industry, but we may be near the apex of our recent explosive growth. Time will tell, but things may slow or level off a bit, perhaps to find a “new normal.” So, for us now, the focus may become more about keeping and serving the clients well that we do have, as opposed to creating capacity for an influx of new ones.
Good customer service means always doing our best for the precious living beings that we are privileged to care for as a way of making a living. We can feel good about that and focus ourselves on delivering the best to our clients. My clients were particularly complimentary about the time I was willing to spend explaining their pet’s breed history, advice I provided on matters related to health, training and nutrition, or an explanation of their coat type and what its unique needs were.
Think about the appearance of your grooming facility, whether it be salon, mobile or from home. Redecorate or try a new paint job. Keep everything very clean and sanitary. Try new add-ons just to change things up a bit. Ask your clients what they think of your service, either verbally or by creating a survey for them to take, and listen to their feedback. Thank them for the good observations and take to heart any suggestions they make for improvement. Now is the time to work to keep the clients we have and serve them well so that they stay our clients.
Another factor to consider is the geriatric bump that may lie ahead. Since we saw a lot of newly purchased younger dogs and puppies in 2020 and 2021, and not nearly as many in recent years, in five or more years from now, our businesses could be caring for a significantly larger percentage of geriatric dogs. And since senior dogs take longer to groom and often require special handling, it would be wise for us all to look at our clientele as a whole—a big picture view from above.
There are lots of great publications and organizations that monitor and report on trends, offering very helpful information for our livelihoods. Read and subscribe to industry magazines, go to trade shows, and try to learn about the industry outside of the grooming sector. There are many great podcasts just in our grooming industry that are filled with information about trends in our grooming community, and also in the wider pet business world. Go to dog shows in your area and meet and talk to other pet professionals. Build relationships. Take time to look outside your own busy life to see the wider world of this amazing industry we are a part of, and be proud of it!
References:
- Kestenbaum, R. (2024, April 4). The Pet Industry Is Doing Great. And Getting Worse. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2024/04/10/the-pet-industry-is-doing-great-and-getting-worse/
- LaFrank, G. (2024, August, 21). Number of People Who Have Pets Is Trending Downward in 2024 and One Factor Is to Blame. Yahoo! https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/number-people-pets-trending-downward-162000458.html?guccounter=1
- Shelter Animal’s Count 2024 Mid-Year Analysis. https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mid-Year_2024_Report.pdf
- Castelazo, A. (2022, August 23). Did the Pandemic Really Create a Boom (or Bust) for Pets? PetSmart Charities. https://petsmartcharities.org/pro/resources/thought-starters/did-the-pandemic-really-create-a-boom-or-bust-for-pets


Time. If only you had more of it. While you can’t add more hours to your day, you can learn to better manage your time, which will allow you to be more productive, and thereby reduce some of the stress and anxiety that often fills your life.
So how and where do you start?
First you need to know how you are spending your time. To do this, you can make a time log and write down everything that you do in a day and how long it takes you to do it. With that you can accurately see where your time goes. You might be shocked to find out how much of your time is spent on unproductive things.



Time. If only you had more of it. While you can’t add more hours to your day, you can learn to better manage your time, which will allow you to be more productive, and thereby reduce some of the stress and anxiety that often fills your life.
So how and where do you start?
First you need to know how you are spending your time. To do this, you can make a time log and write down everything that you do in a day and how long it takes you to do it. With that you can accurately see where your time goes. You might be shocked to find out how much of your time is spent on unproductive things.
After you have a chart of the things you are spending your time on, you can begin to take control. Here are a few ways to get started:
- Plan ahead. Schedule all your day’s activities in advance. Having a written schedule allows you to plan for and be more organized in your work and your personal life.
- Prioritize. Put your most important projects at the top of your list. As you go down your list, you may find tasks that can be eliminated or delegated to someone else.
- Get organized. Being disorganized leads to poor time management. When your tools, for example, are organized and within easy reach, you don’t have to waste precious time searching for them. You will be surprised how much this can increase your productivity.
- Develop a routine. You probably already follow a step-by-step routine for the way you groom a pet, which keeps you moving smoothly through the process and ensures that you don’t forget important steps. A routine in other areas helps simplify and streamline your day. Have a set time to make reminder calls to clients, check and respond to emails, and return phone calls. Once a week check all your supplies and order anything you need.
- Keep learning and improving yourself. The grooming industry is constantly changing and evolving. Attending shows, participating in seminars and learning from other groomers will help you keep on top of the changes. The more informed and knowledgeable you are, the more you can use time to your advantage. Improving your skills will give you increased confidence and belief in yourself and your abilities.
- Connect with others. Joining groomer groups, in person and online, will put you in contact with other like-minded individuals who share your trials and problems, and can benefit you in many ways. You will develop a supportive network of colleagues who provide you with camaraderie, friendship and encouragement. You will learn from others’ experiences, gain access to new ideas and perspectives, and engage in networking.
- Learn to say NO. Your time is valuable and you have to prioritize what is most important to you. Trying to please and accommodate requests from clients or others can lead to you being so overloaded and overwhelmed that the quality of everything you do is affected. Stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation, depression, burnout, eating disorders, and countless other problems can often be attributed to being a “people pleaser” and putting yourself last. It’s time to take care of and make yourself a priority—say no to others and yes to yourself.


Photos provided by Daryl Conner

Many groomers flatly refuse to do any dematting on dogs, even if it means just doing some spot detangling on a pet that they will otherwise clip closely. They argue that they don’t want to put the pet through any discomfort when it is the human’s fault that the coat is matted.
Another school of thought is that by using the proper products and tools, small areas of the coat can often be left longer and fluffier without harming the dog. This results in a more pleasing-looking finished product and happier customers.
When I got her into the bathtub, I realized those tangles were even worse than they looked. They were close to the ear leather and hard, not loose. It occurred to me that I might have to shave her ears for the first time. But I didn’t want to do that, as she is an older dog, and there is a chance she might never live long enough to regrow that beautiful long hair. I knew her owners would understand but would dislike the look if I did have to shave her ears.
So, I decided I could detangle her ears by combining appropriate products, specific grooming tools and my experience. The entire process took less than fifteen minutes, and the dog had no resulting irritation from the detangling and never showed signs of discomfort while I worked.














These techniques will work on most small areas of matted fur. Tails, which generally have slightly coarser hair texture than other body parts, respond particularly well to being dematted. Sometimes trimming an inch or so of length off first, then reducing the tangles into segments, as described above, results in a tail that still has a nice coating of fur rather than being shaved smoothly.
Taking time to save specific small areas, even if tangled, may result in dogs that look much cuter after being groomed and owners who appreciate that their pets still maintain some of their signature looks. Of course, educating the owners on proper coat care is paramount, but sometimes pulling off a quick dematting miracle can benefit everyone concerned.


Let’s take a look at several situations where I see many groomers, and often many businesspeople, doing just that without even knowing they are doing it. First, are you making as much money as you want or need to live? What are you doing about it? We often complain about it, but we do nothing that would change our circumstances. So why don’t we make those changes?
Usually, it is because we don’t see any other way other than what we are currently doing to get out of the rut. Maybe it is time to look at our options. Should we charge more? Should we offer different services? Should we be open longer hours? Do we need to fire someone because they are hurting our business? Should we move the business to a better demographic? Maybe we just need a vacation or to attend a tradeshow so our own attitude or enthusiasm will change.
When we are in the middle of a problem, we often need to get outside help or a consultant/business coach to, if nothing more, get some new ideas. In an ideal world, we should be giving our business a facelift every five years to avoid the rut. Otherwise, some clients will get bored with us and move along.
When was the last time you remodeled your salon? Have you changed the paint? Added something new to the reception area? We also get bored with our own environment if we don’t refresh it occasionally. Often, brightening up your daily routine doesn’t require a lot of money. Sometimes even just doing a deep clean will change your attitude about coming to work.

Some clients and staff have “expiration dates.” They started off as one of your best, but now they have become complacent, and you feel loyal to them because, in the beginning, they were good. The reality is, they may be feeling the same way, and the best thing for both of you is to start a new chapter in your lives. I have had several occasions in my career where employees returned and thanked me for letting them go. After they left, they realized they weren’t happy either. No one was at fault. It was just that things had changed.
Maybe the rut you have found yourself in has nothing to do with money, staff or clients. Perhaps you are just tired of doing doodles or dealing with “red-zone” dogs. Maybe your back can’t take another Great Pyrenees bath. No one says you have to do any of those things, or you could raise your prices on those dogs! One of two things will happen: Those clients will seek another groomer, or you will find that it is not near as much drudgery if you make more money.
It could also be time to invest in a hydraulic tub or a nicer grooming table. We have to remember that investing in good equipment can make a big difference in our wellbeing and ability to groom as we get older physically. Think of it this way: a $1,000-$4,000 investment could allow you to groom another five to 10 years. How much income would you lose if you had to quit 10 years before you were ready to retire? The earlier we wear out our bodies, the sooner we will get to the point where we no longer can do what we love.
So if you find yourself in a rut doing the same things but hoping for different results, it is time to be bold and do something different. Changes are not always easy, but if you don’t make them, you may be going down that path to insanity.
Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee, Hill’s International Global Veterinary Board, and a Veterinary Management Group.

Photo provided by Melissa Viera

But by 10:00 a.m., you replace hydrating with water for an extra coffee and your mind is drifting to the next dog on your schedule instead of the dog on your table now.
Positive mindset challenged.
Checking in with yourself has migrated to the bottom of the list. You forget to pause, take a deep breath and be present with your work. Your craft. You might work quickly, but working this way too often can cause a disconnection between you and your love for grooming. Even if you are moving fast while doing lovely work, there is something to be said about reminding yourself to groom with a different focus, too.
Being able to work in a fast-paced environment is a skillset for dog groomers. Dog grooming is physically and cognitively demanding. Pressure comes in many forms. There are challenging dogs and challenging clients. While time management is an important skill, and the ability to remain calm under pressure is essential, it’s also important to stay deeply connected to the work so that the art of grooming and the communication between dog and groomer don’t suffer.
Reminding yourself what it feels like to groom without pressure can help add to your skillset and make you feel connected to your work again. Focused grooming sessions are grooming sessions for you—the groomer—instead of the client. These are the grooms you do outside of work hours. There are no time limits, and no one waiting for their dog to be ready for pickup.

For someone else, a focused grooming session might be grooming to practice a certain skill, such as perfecting scissor work. It could even be grooming for the wellbeing of animals, such as volunteering to groom shelter dogs. There is not one type of focused grooming session.
Not only do focused sessions vary between groomers, but it can change over time for one groomer. What you need to recharge and feel good about your work does not always have to be the same thing each time. One week might look totally different from another. The primary goal is to spend some time grooming away from the normal grooming routine.
Focused grooming sessions should not feel rushed. You should give yourself time to enjoy the art of grooming and bonding with the dog you are working on, whether it’s your own or someone else’s. By focusing on grooming, you can connect with the dog in a way that’s easy to miss during the regular business day.
As a groomer, you most likely set out with the best intentions each day. You try to set yourself up to succeed, and to have healthy habits while taking care of dogs. The fact is, most days do not go according to plan. If you have something to go back to, you might be more likely to maintain a positive mindset while facing challenges throughout the day.
Focused grooming sessions live in your memory, providing you with something to look forward to and draw strength from when you face challenges at work. You love grooming, after all. Why not give yourself permission to groom for fun and to be connected with the incredible dogs you work with?



Standing may seem like a benign activity, but prolonged periods of it, especially in awkward postures, can have dire consequences. Beyond a certain threshold, typically around eight minutes, the body starts to experience what is known as “postural sway.” Postural sway is the body’s natural response to gravity, where it tenses up to maintain stability. However, this tension often manifests in locking the knees and hips, setting the stage for a cascade of health issues.
When the knees lock, the calf muscles—often referred to as the “second heart”—are disengaged, impeding the efficient return of blood to the heart. This leads to blood pooling in the feet and legs, increasing the risk of circulatory problems and contributing to the development of heart disease over time. The heart, burdened by this inefficient blood flow, faces strain and may falter in its function, setting the stage for cardiovascular complications.
Similarly, when the hips lock, they induce muscle apathy in the core muscles, which are the very foundation of posture and spinal support. With weakened core muscles, the spine becomes vulnerable to degeneration, as it lacks the necessary support to maintain its natural curvature. This deterioration can lead to chronic back pain, spinal misalignment and a host of related issues that can severely impact the groomer’s quality of life.
Moreover, locked hips impair the body’s ability to pivot at the hips when bending forward, a movement crucial in grooming tasks. Instead, groomers compensate by bending at the spine, placing undue stress on the vertebrae and increasing the risk of herniated discs and spinal degeneration. This improper bending not only compromises the spine’s integrity, but also exacerbates existing muscular imbalances, further perpetuating the cycle of pain and dysfunction.
The stress that groomers experience causes them to pull and tug the dogs closer so they don’t hurt their back, instead of moving to the dogs with proper hip hinge. This improper technique further strains their muscles and joints, contributing to the overall burden on their bodies.

This dynamic creates a vicious cycle where the groomer’s stress feeds into the dog’s agitation, and vice versa. The more the dog reacts, the more frustrated the groomer becomes, leading to increased tension and difficulty in handling the grooming process. In turn, this exacerbates the groomer’s physical strain as they struggle to manage an uncooperative or anxious animal.

Cathy Sitek is a certified Ergonomist and the driving force behind Human Balance & Stability Systems. With a background in manufacturing as a toolmaker, Cathy faced crippling pain in her back, neck, legs, and feet. Advised to quit or undergo surgery, she pioneered a solution: the StandRite-Pro (www.standritepro.com), her patented ergonomic device for standing workers. As the founder of Human Balance & Stability Systems and the dedicated Ergonomist for her daughter’s dog grooming company, United Dog Grooming, she ensures comfort and optimal performance in the pet grooming industry, prioritizing the well-being of groomers and the pets they care for.


So, fellow Chaos Goblins, how often do you hear, “We all have the same 24 hours in a day,” or “If I can do it, you can too,” etc.? The reality is, everyone’s 24 hours is different. Maybe you’re:
- A single parent
- Parents of young children/teenagers who have after-school activities
- Caring for an infirmed parent, significant other or child
- Dealing with chronic medical issues
- Neurodivergent and struggle with time blindness
- Spending a considerable amount of time on something else.
Now, let’s add attention spans to the mix. I can work for an hour at a time under the right circumstances, but mostly in half-hour chunks. If I try to work longer than my attention span will allow, everything takes longer than if I just set up work tasks in half- hour chunks.
So how much time are you wasting trying to get that one thing done? Or, realistically, what is your attention span, and what circumstances can you create to extend or accept your short attention span and work around it?
Another question to ask yourself is, how is my ego hampering my efforts to be more productive? It’s common to think that only you can do the task correctly—you don’t need help; you’ll figure it out eventually. After spending three days trying to troubleshoot a tech issue on my website, I got over this. Now, if I can’t figure out a solution in 15 minutes, I ask for help.
The hard part is figuring out where you’re spending your time, and that starts with tracking your time. You can’t fix the problem if you don’t know what the extent of the problem is. So grab a notebook or open the notes app on your phone and start writing down everything you do, when you do it and how long you spend doing it. Some things you will pick out quickly, while others will require a deeper dive.
What repeating tasks are able to be consolidated? Conversely, what are you spending more time on because you’ve maxed out your attention span? When you start scrolling your social media feed, it’s time to take a break. Sometimes it’s just getting up, making coffee, and then returning to work. Are there tasks you can outsource or delegate to family or co-workers? Trust me, they can do the task as good as you can.



One concern about striving to be hyper-organized is that it can stifle creativity. Therefore, it’s important to learn how to manage time effectively while still fostering innovation. That’s why I embrace the Chaos Goblin moniker. But I promise you, taking the time to find the right combination of time-management tools and skills is life-changing.


Key indicators of stress in cats include:
- Flattened ears or ears turning sideways are signs of annoyance or fear.
- Dilated pupils and wide-open eyes suggest heightened alertness and potential defensiveness.
- Growling, hissing or yowling are direct signals that the cat feels threatened and may respond.
- Tense or jerky body movements indicate the cat is uncomfortable with what is currently happening to them.
Remaining mindful of these indicators and responding accordingly—such as allowing the cat a brief respite, adjusting your hold or position, finishing what you’re doing quickly or distracting them—can help reduce aggressive behaviors and lower the cat’s stress during grooming.
Arm Protectors and Gloves
Arm protectors and/or thick gloves can provide a protective barrier that reduces the risk of deep scratches or bites. Arm protectors, typically made from puncture- or cut-resistant materials, extend from the wrist to the elbow, covering a large area that is often vulnerable during grooming. Some groomers may find gloves restrictive when handling delicate areas, so try out different types of arm guards to find what works best for you.
Towels as Restraints
The humble towel is one of the most effective tools for working with cats, both by providing some control over the cat, while also adding a layer of protection between your skin and the cat’s sharp teeth or nails. Wrapping a cat securely but comfortably in a towel—a technique often called “burrito wrapping”—helps to immobilize the cat’s legs, reducing the risk of scratching. A towel can also give the cat a sense of security.

- Choose a thick, large towel that fully covers the cat.
- Wrap the cat snugly with the towel tucked under the cat, using its own body weight to help secure the wrap.
- Hold firmly but gently, ensuring the cat can breathe comfortably and isn’t overly restricted.
- Unwrap sections of the towel to expose the part of the cat’s body that you are working on.
If a cat has jumped or escaped away from you, use a towel to drape over the cat’s entire body and head, then swiftly scoop them up off the floor while holding them firmly in the towel. This approach can significantly reduce risk of injury to you from bites and scratches, and it safely secures the cat to move them back to the grooming table or to put them back in their carrier.
Appropriate Muzzles
Muzzles and collars are invaluable tools for handling especially reactive cats. However, they require careful consideration to ensure the cat’s comfort and safety, as not all muzzles and restraints are appropriate for all cats. When choosing a muzzle for a cat, prioritize comfort, safety and the ability to monitor the cat’s wellbeing throughout the grooming session. Always ensure the muzzle fits securely without putting pressure on the cat’s neck or restricting airflow.
Start by selecting a muzzle that is snug but not restrictive, allowing the cat enough room to breathe comfortably without impeding their vision too severely, as many cats feel calmer when they can see their surroundings. Options like the Air Muzzle, which secure the head gently while allowing the cat full visibility and ventilation, are often beneficial. Throughout the session, monitor the cat’s breathing, watching for signs of increased stress, such as rapid breathing or struggling, and adjust or remove the muzzle if needed.
This careful selection and monitoring help maintain a balance between the necessary restraint for safety and the cat’s comfort. Proper training on the application and removal of these tools is essential, as improper use may cause additional stress or even injury.
Shorter Grooming Sessions
Some cats become increasingly agitated as time goes on, especially if they’ve hit the end of their “turkey timer.” Prioritize what is causing immediate problems or discomfort and do not drag the groom on longer than necessary.
Limit Elective Options
For highly aggressive or anxious cats, consider only performing essential grooming tasks, such as nail trimming, bathing, sanitary trims, etc. This includes avoiding or limiting elective (non-matting) shaving on cats that become aggressive. A good bath, blow-dry and comb-out will prevent many of the same issues as a haircut and will be more tolerable for reactive cats than forced shaving or trimming.
Senior and Special Needs Cat Considerations
Older or special needs cats may experience discomfort from prolonged handling. Being especially gentle and mindful of positions and pressure can improve their grooming experience and reduce reactive behaviors.
Bite Care: Immediate Steps and Medical Attention
Cat bites in particular pose a high risk of infection due to bacteria in a cat’s mouth. Follow these steps to minimize risk:
- Clean the wound immediately by rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
- Disinfect with antiseptic to reduce bacterial presence.
- Apply pressure to stop any bleeding if the wound is deep.
- Seek medical attention, especially if the bite punctures deeply or shows signs of swelling.
- If antibiotics are prescribed, complete the full course as instructed. In some cases, a tetanus shot may also be necessary.
Scratch Care: Treating and Healing Superficial Wounds
While scratches are typically less severe than bites, they can leave scars if not cared for properly. Here are a few ways to treat and minimize their impact:
- Clean with an antiseptic wash to prevent infection.
- Apply a healing lotion or oil, like vitamin E or Aloe Vera, which can speed healing and reduce scarring.
- Use wound dressings or bandages for larger scratches to prevent reopening the wound.
Consistent, mindful wound care not only supports faster healing, but also reduces the likelihood of long-term skin damage.
Although injuries may not be entirely preventable, a thoughtful, prepared approach can greatly reduce the risk of bites and scratches. By combining an understanding of cat body language, utilization of protective equipment, improved handling techniques and a customized grooming experience, professional cat groomers can create a safe, stress-free experience for both groomers and cats.



Nowadays, we have become accustomed to feeling guilty if we take time for ourselves. This is largely due to learned behaviors over the years. Yes, someone can be an innate caregiver, but if you take an introspective look, it typically stems from childhood. Taking a glance at our upbringing allows us to understand why we may be more reluctant to enjoy self-care. Whether you are the eldest sibling, a parentified child or come from a deeply empathetic family unit, our caring tendencies have an origin. If you find yourself being a caretaker for others, you may struggle with caring for yourself.
Though empathy for others may come easily, at the same time, when others have empathy for you, it may feel uncomfortable. This feeling often stems from guilt of not wanting to be a burden or that we feel we are undeserving of care from others. In the same breath, if we feel this way, we tend to not put our own care as a priority either for those same reasons. The basics of partaking in self-care can allow us to look at our own needs, which may range from mental, physical, emotional or spiritual health.
It is important within the workplace to be supportive and open in communication regarding mental and physical health. Where there is fear, there is distrust and unhappiness. If an employee is fearful or worried about asking for much-needed time off, then they may become burnt out or even seek other avenues of employment. Burnout is real and it’s miserable. When you lose interest in something that you once loved and enjoyed all because you are tired, you become frustrated with yourself, among other things.

There are numerous forms of care that many of us lack. This can include additional sleep, emotional expression, healthy eating habits, social support, mindfulness or even exercise. It is important that we put enough pressure on ourselves to implement a form of self-care without making it feel like a chore.
Meditating, journaling and breathing exercises are all ways that you can improve your mental health. In the realm of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, these self-care techniques are not only for improving your wellbeing, but also function as excellent coping mechanisms.
Box breathing is a great way to ground yourself. This breathing exercise consists of breathing in through your nose for four seconds, holding it in for four seconds, breathing out through your mouth for four seconds, and then holding it out for four seconds. This is a simple exercise that can be conducted essentially whenever and wherever. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed in between dogs, take the 16 seconds and reset your breath. You can repeat as needed until the results are in effect.
As much as your brain may want to convince you that doing something for yourself is selfish, taking care of yourself is not selfish. We are quick to have our shears sharpened, but it’s time to sharpen yourself. You are the most valuable tool that you have, and we don’t have the option of a replacement. Being a dull blade in life won’t bring you the satisfaction and pride that a sharp one will, so take care of yourself.


The following outlines some scissor drills that will help to improve your grooming skills and extend the working life of your hand.







Your thumb should extend all the way to straight in order to maximize every inch of your blade.


These drills can be taken even further, like scissoring around a metal water bottle and hearing a *ting* every time you make a mistake, or even try scissoring off shaving cream from a balloon to train curved shapes and smooth finishes. Regular refinement of your scissoring form will not only help you achieve a finer finish, but will also provide longevity in your career!



CLASSIFIEDS
- Loyal customer base
- New clientele every week
- Fully equipped grooming stations
- Prime location in Chicagoland area
- Desirable location in upper-middle-class neighborhood
- Has capacity to accomodate additional groomers; spacious, bright, clean, and open shop
- Designated, private, cat grooming area
- Laundry
- Office
- Hassle-free parking
Call broker Larry at 630.796.0070, EXT: 1, for more details. Email: lswanson@tworld.com

Kathlena Austin

of the Year
Another Grooming Podcast

