Five reasons cat grooming is for you

Adding cat grooming to your offer is not only rewarding, but it is building on your existing skills, and with an iPET Network Cat Grooming Qualification, you will leave with the bespoke skills you need too. In this latest cat grooming column, iPET Network tutor, and skilled cat groomer Katie Gwilt, explains why this is the career move for you...

Network.

We are heading for summer, and the lovely bank holidays which give many of us a little bit of time off, to reflect on a few things.

For some of us, it might be ways that we could enhance or expand our business offer.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cat grooming! I trained as a cat exclusive groomer in 2020 and haven’t looked back. I have always been an animal lover in general, but grew up with cats and always had a special bond with them over all other species.

It’s been amazing to realise my dream and make working with felines my fulltime profession. I know most readers are exclusively dog groomers, but have you given any thought to working with cats as well? Or even just cats? Here are 5 reasons cat grooming could be for you.

High demand for services

According to Cats and their Stats in 2021, there were a reported 10.8 million pet cats in the UK with 26% of households owning at least one feline. Now have a think about how many cat groomers you know and it doesn’t take a genius to do the maths. There are so many cats out there just waiting to be helped by you. Many long-haired cats need a hand with their grooming as well as older and sick cats with short hair too. I have four shorthaired cats and you should see the fur I regularly brush off them! Mats form very quickly on cats with dense fur and they only have their tongue to look after their coat so any help a trained professional can give can make such a positive impact on their life, health and well-being.

By Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty, the iPET

Cat grooming is becoming more popular

There are not just literally millions of pet cats in the UK, their humans are starting to hear more and more about cat grooming and are looking to find these services. Many vets will do sedated shave downs for health reasons, but many don’t have the time, resources or training to be able to do regular grooming (rightly so, their focus is always health). Many cats need regular maintenance grooming just like dogs and you could be the person to provide such a service. People specifically trained in cat grooming are still very hard to find and worth their weight in gold to many cat owners.

A chance to learn a new skill set

Cats are definitely not small dogs. Working with cats you will need to learn a whole new set of behaviour and body language signals as well as additional techniques and handling skills. Cats’ skin is thinner than that of dogs too (0.42mm in cats depending on the breed versus 0.5-5mm in dogs) and so they have different requirements and not all the same products are suitable for both species. This is a pretty exciting prospect if you are looking to change things up a bit and broaden your skills in general. Some skills will definitely cross over, but it’s like a whole new world out there…

Making a differencepositive in a cat’s life

Cats can be very misunderstood and it takes a little time to learn to read their signals. When you do though you really start to see the difference grooming can make to their life. Often it is after you leave and they are relaxing in their home again that their owners really start to appreciate the positive changes. Seeing a very matted cat be able to go back to being able to get into all those amazing yoga positions again after removing the mats is one of my favourite things ever. Once they are freed from the mats, ingrown claws, dirty bottoms or mucky ears they are happier and can go back to showing kitten-like behaviour again. They often play more, enjoy being stroked again are generally more sociable as a result of feeling more comfortable in themselves. I work a lot with a couple of local cat rescue centres as well where I can make a real difference in the welfare of the cats and also help them look and feel their best to better their chances of being adopted.

Cats are fascinating animals

Cats are all so completely unique and it’s not until you start working and living with cats that you really start to appreciate this. My four are two sets of brother and sister littermates with 10 years between them and all act completely differently and have very unique personalities. I love this about cats so taking the time to work with cats on an individual level and finding out what works for each specific cat on that day is one of my favourite parts of the job. They can be quite quick to change their minds so you need to keep on your toes, but again I love this about cats and they always let you know exactly how they are feeling. Having a cat purr during their groom and give you head bumps is just wonderful, the same as slowly starting to gain the trust of a timid or nervous cat. Knowing I have done something to help a cat is my motivation to go to work every day and I love constantly learning and studying felines in an effort to better understand them.

If you would like to learn more about qualifying in cat grooming, please contact the iPET Network which runs courses of varying lengths for those completely new or with experience in dog/cat grooming around the UK. Go to www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

Animal Talent & Casting Agency

Urban Paws UK

Urban Paws UK are the leading and award-winning animal talent and casting agency. We have a team of knowledgeable and experienced bookers with over 40 year’s experience in the pet industry who work with film producers, TV studios, PR agencies and in-house marketing companies to provide the perfect animal talent for any media brief. We are always looking for well-groomed pets for media briefs so get in touch today.

London: 020 8161 6556

Manchester: 0161 808 1667

E: info@urbanpawsuk.com

W: www.urbanpawsuk.com

Grooming and Hygiene

GHS Direct GHS Direct specialises in the manufacture and supply of a comprehensive range of concentrate liquid disinfectants and detergents to the animal care industry.

T: 01268 513200

E: sales@ghs-direct.com

W: www.ghs-direct.com

Grooming Supplies

Artero Artero has specialized in dog grooming and hairdressing products since 1909. With 113 years of experience, Artero has become a reference in both the Grooming and the Hairdressing worlds, Artero is now present in over 72 countries all over the world.

W: www.artero.co.uk/dog-grooming

Facebook: artero.grooming.uk

Instagram: @artero.grooming.uk

Petcetera

Petcetera have been supplying the nation’s professional dog people with new and innovative products for over 50 years! We pride ourselves on being a one-stopshop for all your pet, showing, grooming & breeding requirements. Request your FREE catalogue today!

T: 01948 668100

E: info@petcetera.co.uk

W: www.petcetera.co.uk

Facebook: petceteraetc

Instagram: @petcetera_etc

Industry Services

Pet Industry Federation

Open to all pet businesses in the UK, PIF is the membership association for the pet industry with a wide range of member benefits to support business growth and development.

T: 01234 273933

E: info@petfederation.co.uk

W: www.petfederation.co.uk

Facebook: petindustryfederation

Twitter: @PetFedUK

Instagram:@petindustryfederation

LinkedIn: Pet Industry Federation (PIF)

Natural Pet Treats

Monty’s Natural Treats & Wholesale

Looking for extra income? Give our Natural Treats, Foods & Supplements a New Brand. Wholesale Products at low prices & Free White Label Services.

5% OFF your first order with Code:

TGM23

T: 0203 797 6308

E: trade@montysnaturaltreats.co.uk

W: www.montystreats.co.uk

Pet Food

Burns Pet Nutrition

Founded by veterinary surgeon John Burns in 1993, pioneering pet food brand Burns specialises in using simple, healthy and wholesome ingredients to create award-winning recipes that pets love.

T: 0800 0181890

E: sales@burnspet.co.uk

W: www.burnspet.co.uk

Facebook: burnspet

Instagram: @burnset

Twitter: @burnspetfood

Raw Feeding

Natural Instinct

At Natural Instinct, we are all passionate about pets. We believe raw food is the best natural option, feeding as nature intended, free from artificial additives, colours, preservatives and fillers.

T: 01276 608500

W: www.naturalinstinct.com

Facebook: NIPetfoods

Twitter: @NIrawpetfoods

Instagram: @naturalinstinctfood

Shampoo

For All Dogkind

Award-winning grooming and wellbeing range for all skin & coat types. Delivering natural, healthy and healing products that are ethically sourced and luxuriously kind to hounds & humans. (Trade discounts available)

T:. 020 7148 0316

E: info@foralldogkind.co.uk

W: www.foralldogkind.co.uk

Secret Weapon UK

Our unrivalled range of top quality dematting products, shampoos and conditioners are suitable for all coat and skin types. Organic and hypoallergenic our ethically sourced products make grooming easier, kinder and faster. Award winning and successfully selling worldwide for 8 years.

T: 07923 368137

W: www.secretweaponuk.com

Facebook: Secret Weapon UK

Instagram: @secretweaponuk

Sharpening

Barras Blades

Innovation in sharpening. Mail order sharpening services for all your scissor and clipper blades with fast turnaround and tracked returns. Home of the groomers blade push to ease blade cleaning and for the groomers blade push you can go here to see it www.barras-blades.com/groomersblade-push

T: 07879408714

E: Paul@barras-blades.com

W: www.barras-blades.com

Facebook: Barras.Blades

Instagram: @barras_blades

Teeth Cleaning

The Dog Tooth Fairy

The Dog Tooth Fairy offers Emmi-pet equipment, online training courses and support for dog groomers. Helping businesses thrive and increase their salon revenue with Emmi-pet ultrasonic teeth cleaning, achieving great results with guaranteed client satisfaction.

T: 07583689366

E: thedogtoothfairy@gmail.com

Facebook: @thedogtoothfairy

Instagram: @thedogtoothfairy

Training and Education

Capel Manor College Train to become a qualified dog groomer; choose from full and part-time courses with free tuition for 16 to 18 year olds.

T: 0303 003 1234

E: study@capel.ac.uk

W: www.capel.ac.uk

Facebook: capelmanorcollege

Twitter: @capelmanor

Instagram: @capelmanor

Four Paws Groom School

Dog and Cat Grooming Training Courses and regulated Qualifications. Our friendly and knowledgeable Tutors will support you every step of the way. Locations in Cheshire, Kent, Herefordshire and Greater Manchester.

T: 01606 333765

E: info@fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk

W: www.fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk

Facebook: fourpawsgroomschool

Instagram:@fourpawsgroomschool

Haddon Training

Established in 1997, Haddon Training are an award-winning training provider specialising in dog grooming, animal care and equine. We offer qualifications which are all supported by our team of expert Trainer-Coaches.

T: 01672 519977

E: enquiries@haddontraining.co.uk

W: www.haddontraining.co.uk

Facebook: HaddonTrainingLtd

Instagram: @haddontraining iPET Network International Awarding Organisation, creating regulated qualifications for the Animal Care and Veterinary Science sector. We aim to improve animal welfare through education, successfully winning awards for our Dog and Cat Grooming qualifications.

T: 0800 433 4700

E: info@ipetnetwork.co.uk

W: www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

Facebook: @ipetnetwork

Instagram: @ipetnetwork

KD Grooming Studio

KD Grooming Studio, a multi-awardwinning pet grooming Studio, delivers flexible C&G/National Pet College & vocational courses. Train with Britain’s Best Groomer, Kelly Davis (BBC) and her highly skilled team. Enrol year round.

T: 01963 34110

E: info@kdgroomingstudio.co.uk

W: www.kdgroomingstudio.co.uk

W: www.kellydavis.uk

Facebook: KdGroomingStudio

Instagram: @kdgroomingstudio

National Pet College

Offering City & Guilds dog grooming qualifications via our approved training centres around the UK. Also, Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming, teacher training and short courses including canine first aid.

T: 01234 984450

E: info@nationalpetcollege.co.uk

W www.nationalpetcollege.co.uk

Facebook: nationalpetcollege

Instagram: @nationalpetcollege

Pet Passion to Profit

Pet Passion to Profit is a business training company. We enable grooming businesses to grow their businesses giving greater income, confidence and satisfaction.

T: 07969 990086

E: info@petpassiontoprofit.com

W: www.petpassiontoprofit.com

Facebook: Petpassiontoprofit

Instagram: @pet_passion_to_profit1

YouTube: www.youtube.com/ channel/UC5qrF8sc0XQSlgmwzqFBn-g

Rob Fellows Reiki

Help calm the dogs in your salon and make your job easier too.

Easy to learn and simple to do Reiki training courses especially for groomers. Home Learning or Live Training and Qualification Day.

E: rob@RobFellowsReiki.com

W: RobFellowsReiki.com/reiki-fordog-groomers

Facebook: RobFellowsReiki

FB group: Reiki for Dog Groomers

Instagram: @reikirobfellows

Summit Groomer Training Group

Summit works with dog grooming training centres delivering quality tuition and City & Guilds qualifications. With centres across the UK there is one near you.

See our website for details.

T: 01535 661776

E: enquiries@summitgroomer traininggroup.co.uk

W: www.summitgroomer traininggroup.co.uk