Cat Grooming Course

Lesson 1 • Identifying Major Coat Categories

Teaches recognition of short, medium, long, and hairless coat categories. Students connect coat category to grooming frequency and tool requirements.

Lesson 2 • Feline Skin and Coat Structure

Covers the layers of feline skin, hair follicle anatomy, and sebaceous glands. This knowledge underpins product selection and technique choices throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Breed-Specific Coat Characteristics

Examines coat traits unique to common breeds such as texture, density, and curl. Students use breed profiles to anticipate grooming challenges before handling begins.

Lesson 1 • Creating a Calm Grooming Environment

Addresses table height, lighting, noise reduction, and pheromone use to minimise environmental stressors. Students design a grooming space that supports cooperative cat behaviour.

Lesson 2 • Reading Feline Body Language

Teaches interpretation of ear position, tail movement, pupil dilation, and vocalisations. Accurate reading prevents escalation and guides handling decisions throughout a session.

Lesson 3 • Handling Special Populations

Focuses on kittens, senior cats, and cats with medical conditions requiring modified handling. Students adapt standard techniques to protect vulnerable animals during grooming.

Lesson 4 • Low-Stress Restraint Techniques

Covers towel wrapping, scruffing guidelines, and lateral restraint for cooperative and resistant cats. Each technique is matched to a specific stress level and coat task.

Lesson 1 • Salon Sanitation and Disinfection

Establishes surface cleaning schedules, disinfectant selection, and waste disposal procedures. Students maintain a salon environment that meets professional hygiene standards between every appointment.

Lesson 2 • Zoonotic Disease Awareness

Covers diseases transmissible between cats and humans, including ringworm, cat scratch fever, and rabies. Students identify exposure risks and apply appropriate personal protective measures.

Lesson 3 • Groomer Personal Safety Practices

Addresses bite and scratch prevention, ergonomic posture, and repetitive strain injury avoidance. Students adopt habits that protect their long-term physical health and reduce incident rates.

Lesson 4 • Vaccination and Health Record Requirements

Teaches what vaccination and health documentation to require before accepting a cat for grooming. Students create an intake form that captures all necessary health and behavioural history.

Lesson 1 • Bathing and Drying Equipment

Covers tubs, spray nozzles, high-velocity dryers, and cage dryers for feline bathing. Students set up and operate drying equipment at safe temperatures and distances.

Lesson 2 • Combs, Brushes, and Deshedding Tools

Covers slicker brushes, wide-tooth combs, dematting rakes, and deshedding blades. Students match each tool to coat type and grooming objective.

Lesson 3 • Scissors and Thinning Shears

Introduces straight, curved, and thinning shears for finishing and detail work. Students develop safe scissor handling habits and learn when shears outperform clippers.

Lesson 4 • Tool Cleaning and Sterilisation

Establishes cleaning schedules and sterilisation methods for all grooming tools. Proper maintenance prevents cross-contamination and extends equipment lifespan.

Lesson 1 • Towel Drying and High-Velocity Drying

Covers towel absorption technique and progressive high-velocity drying from roots to tips. Students avoid heat damage and coat breakage whilst achieving full dryness.

Lesson 2 • Post-Bath Coat Finishing

Addresses final brushing, fluffing, and coat alignment after drying is complete. Students produce a finished coat that meets professional presentation standards.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Bath Preparation and Assessment

Covers pre-bath brushing, mat removal, and skin condition checks before water contact. Thorough preparation prevents mats from tightening and identifies contraindications to bathing.

Lesson 4 • Shampoo and Conditioner Selection

Teaches product categories including moisturising, medicated, whitening, and hypoallergenic formulas. Students match product to coat type and skin condition for each individual cat.

Lesson 1 • Eye Area Cleaning and Care

Teaches safe removal of discharge and staining around the eyes using appropriate solutions. Students avoid corneal contact and recognise signs of eye conditions needing veterinary attention.

Lesson 2 • Nail Trimming Techniques and Tools

Covers guillotine, scissor-style, and plier-style clippers for different nail thicknesses. Students practice smooth, confident cuts that minimise vibration and cat discomfort.

Lesson 3 • Ear Anatomy and Cleaning Procedure

Introduces ear canal anatomy, normal versus abnormal discharge, and safe cleaning technique. Students clean ears without inserting tools past the visible canal.

Lesson 4 • Recognising Ear Pathologies

Covers signs of ear mites, yeast infection, bacterial infection, and polyps visible to groomers. Students distinguish groomer-manageable conditions from those requiring veterinary referral.

Lesson 1 • Finishing Touches and Quality Assessment

Covers final scissor work, symmetry checks, and coat presentation before client handoff. Students use a structured checklist to self-assess and correct their own work.

Lesson 2 • Foundations of Feline Coat Styling

Establishes principles of proportion, blending, and coat flow that underpin all trim styles. Students apply these principles as a framework before attempting specific breed trims.

Lesson 3 • Sanitary and Hygiene Trims

Teaches belly, groin, and perianal trimming for hygiene maintenance between full grooms. Students perform these trims safely on sensitive areas using appropriate blade lengths.

Lesson 4 • The Lion Cut and Its Variations

Covers the classic lion cut, modified lion, and dragon cut as the most requested feline styles. Students execute clean body clips whilst preserving the mane, leg boots, and tail tip.

Lesson 1 • Building a Professional Reputation

Covers portfolio development, client reviews, referral networks, and continuing education commitments. Students create a personal professional development plan aligned with their career goals.

Lesson 2 • Communicating Findings and Recommendations

Teaches how to report skin conditions, mat severity, and behavioural concerns to clients clearly. Students use non-alarmist language that builds trust and encourages follow-through on referrals.

Lesson 3 • Client Intake and Consultation

Covers intake form design, pre-groom consultations, and setting realistic client expectations. Students conduct a structured consultation that uncovers health, behavioural, and style needs.

Lesson 4 • Handling Difficult Client Situations

Addresses complaints, refusal of service, and managing clients whose cats are unsafe to groom. Students practice assertive, professional responses that protect the cat and the business.