Lesson 4 - Temperament and Handling

Lesson Outline
Theory
  • Temperament and Handling 

Practical
  • Holding Scissors
  • Finger Exercise
  • Scissors Practice in Square

Models
  • 2 students: 1 meowdel


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Slide 1: Slide
Cat BreedsCoat Colours and TypesVocational Education

This lesson contains 33 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 240 min

Items in this lesson

Lesson Outline
Theory
  • Temperament and Handling 

Practical
  • Holding Scissors
  • Finger Exercise
  • Scissors Practice in Square

Models
  • 2 students: 1 meowdel


Slide 1 - Slide

Lesson 4
Temperament and Handling

Presented by:

Slide 2 - Slide

Feline Temperaments
Shy
Compliant
Aggressive
1
2
3

Slide 3 - Slide

Behaviour of a Shy Cat
Signs to look out for:
  • Nervous
  • Anxious
  • Withdrawn
  • Hiding it's head

Shy cats are not necessarily aggressive

What they may not like: Showers

Goal: To gain their trust

Slide 4 - Slide

Handling a Shy Cat
Cover the cat's head - Towel, air muzzle

Hold them close to your body
  • Let them lean against your body during grooming
  • Let them hide their head under your arms

Goal: Make them feel safe and protected as they can 
          lash out from fear

Slide 5 - Slide

Behaviour of a Compliant Cat
Signs to look out for:
  •  Relaxed 
  • Front of carrier
  • Trust from the beginning

Compliant cats mostly enjoy grooming and are 
tolerant of the process

Goal: Do not frighten or hurt them

Slide 6 - Slide

Behaviour of an Aggressive Cat
Signs to look out for:
  •  Hissing 
  • Growling
  • Alert
  • Feels threatened

Aggressive cats might do better in the bath

What they may not like: Shaving or being touched

Goal: SAFETY and manage the stress level of the cat and groomer 

Slide 7 - Slide

Handling an Aggressive Cat 
Neutralise their weapons by: 
  • Using a Towel
  • Using a Muzzle
  • Using a Bite Glove
  • Cutting their nails 

Move quickly and methodically as possible

Keep stress to a minimum

Prevent any injuries to cat and groomer 

Slide 8 - Slide

Handling an Aggressive Cat 
Start with a sanitary trim to determine an aggressive cat's tolerance of the clipper

Never use any noose/neck restraint on an aggressive cat
  • They can break their neck or strangle themselves

Grooming on the floor
  • More space, distance and control 

 

Slide 9 - Slide

5 things to determine during an assessment 
  • How much can the cat be handled? 

  • Is the coat matted?

  • What condition is the skin & coat in?

  • Does the cat have parasites - mites/fleas/ringworms?

  • Does the cat have other obvious signs of health or skin issues? 

Slide 10 - Slide

5 things to determine during an assessment 
Step 1
Place the carrier on the floor or table (lower than waist level)
Step 2
Place your hand near the door of the carrier and speak calmly to the cat
Step 3
Open the carrier door (do not let the cat dart out)

Slide 11 - Slide

5 things to determine during an assessment 
Step 4
Get cat to focus its attention elsewhere to get a quick scruff to get him out 
Step 5
While scruffing, feel the cat's back, rear & belly for mats and bumps, etc. 
Note:
If you have trouble getting the cat, ask the owner or pour the cat out of the carrier 

Slide 12 - Slide

5 things to determine during an assessment 
Step 6
Express front claws, check ears, and discuss options with owner 
Step 7
Put cat back into carrier
Note:
If you have trouble getting the cat, ask the owner or pour the cat out of the carrier 

Slide 13 - Slide

Common Signs of Stress
Panting
Repeated 
urination
Repeated 
defection
Not normal behaviour for cats
Due to health conditions
Overweight 
Handling around the genitals can cause the area to be stimulated 
You should be concerned if stool is loose, changes colour, mucousy or has blood 

Slide 14 - Slide

Common Signs of Stress
Ears back
Hair standing 
up
Pupils 
expanding
Not normal behaviour for cats
Not normal behaviour for cats
A cat's pupils may also dilate during playtime

Slide 15 - Slide

Common Signs of Stress
Meowing excessively
Tries to 
hide/escape
Aggression
Constantly meowing, crying
Scratching on carrier doors, drying cabins, frantically trying to find a place to hide 
Such as growling, hissing, spitting, or trying to scratch or bite

Slide 16 - Slide

How is Anxiety in Cats Treated? 
Behaviour Modification
Environmental Modification
Medication/ Sedatives
  • Leaving the cat’s carrier out in the home all the time and placing treats inside
  • Cat may come to view their carrier as a fun place rather than a scary place
  • Helping them feel safer and calmer
  • Wrapping them in their own blanket/towel
  • Grooming them in their own carrier
  • Vets will start with natural remedies for how to help a cat feel calmer in their environment
  • Sedation or anxiety-reducing drugs, whether it’s short-term or long-term (requires trial & error period) 

Slide 17 - Slide

Natural Remedies
For Cats with Mild Anxiety
Vets usually recommend starting with these prior to prescribing a sedative or anxiety medication.  
Treatment:
  • Behaviour or Environmental Modification
  • Supplements such as L-theanine, Zylkene (hydrolyzed milk protein) and calming formulations for felines
  • Pheromone products which release calming cat scent signals
  • Herbal Treatments
  • Catnip - post-catnip crash may be ideal for travel, grooming, etc.  

Slide 18 - Slide

Sedatives for Cats
  • You may recommend sedatives for a stressed/ aggressive cat 


  • Only Vets or Owners (under direction of vet) should administer sedatives to their cat, not you
  • Allocate a maximum of 90 minutes to groom a sedated cat




Note:   Two cats may respond differently to the same medication

Slide 19 - Slide

Commonly Used Sedatives
Gabapentin
Used for several purposes, including seizure control, anxiety relief, sedation, and pain management. A common cat sedative for grooming, travel, vet visits, and other short-term events. 
Side Effects:
  • Minimal side effects

Often used in combination with other medications in pets who need a stronger sedative effect.

Slide 20 - Slide

Commonly Used Sedatives
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
An antihistamine that’s commonly used for relieving allergy symptoms. However, sedation is a very common side effect. 
Side Effects:
  • Dry Mouth
  • Increased heart rate
  • Urine retention

Unsuitable for cats with these medical conditions:
  • Glaucoma 
  • High blood pressure
  • Urinary problems 

Slide 21 - Slide

Commonly Used Sedatives
Acepromazine
Causes sedation and some anxiety relief. It may be given as an injection in the veterinary clinic, or as acepromazine pills.
Side Effects:
  • Low blood pressure

Unsuitable for cats with these medical conditions:
  • Heart disease
  • Cats who are ill

Slide 22 - Slide

Commonly Used Sedatives
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Help cats with anxiety during short-term stressful events like fireworks and storms. May also be used for grooming, vet visits, etc. 
Side Effects:
  • Can cause excitement rather than tranquillisation
  • Does not have a strong sedative effect

Often combined with sedatives for anxiety-relieveing boost 

Slide 23 - Slide

Sedation vs. General Anesthesia
Injectable Sedation
General 
Anesthesia
  • Administered by a veterinarian during a checkup, nail clipping, x-rays, or other procedure
  • Required to monitor a pet to ensure their heart rate, breathing, and temperature all remain normal during sedation
  • Usually administered by mouth or via an injection
  • Involves a deeper level of unconsciousness, which is maintained by an inhalant (gas) anesthetic
  • Required for surgeries, although sedation may be appropriate for less invasive procedures

Slide 24 - Slide

Sedation
Other common Side Effects:
  • Vomiting or Diarrhoea
  • Clumsiness or lack of coordination
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Decreased ability to regulate body temperature
  • Occasionally, paradoxical reactions (when medication has the opposite effect, causing excitement, reactivity or aggression instead of sedation) 

Slide 25 - Slide

Practical
  • Pair yourselves up with a partner
  • You will need to complete a basic groom for your meowdel
  • Take turns working on each cat
  • By the end of 3 hours, each pair should have completed a basic groom with either a wet or dry bath for both cats
  • Take pictures of before and after the groom

Slide 26 - Slide

What are the 3 types of behaviours you usually encounter during grooming?

Slide 27 - Open question

How do you identify a shy cat?

Slide 28 - Open question

How do you identify an aggressive cat?

Slide 29 - Open question

What should you do if you have trouble reaching for the cat during check-in?

Slide 30 - Open question

Why are restraints not used for
cat grooming?

Slide 31 - Open question

What should you do if an aggressive cat gets too hard to handle?

Slide 32 - Open question

List at least 5 common signs of stress

Slide 33 - Open question