Supplies

• To be a groomer, you must have the right supplies. You will need a wide-toothed comb, a slicker, brush, blunted scissors, styptic powder, corn starch, grooming clippers with snap-on comb attachments, cat shampoo, tear stain remover if necessary, towels, a breathable open area and perhaps the cooperation of another person to assist. Grooming cats is not always easy, and some cats are more amiable than others.
  
  

Brushing

• To keep your Persian cat's coat in good condition, daily brushings are required.cat image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  Before bathing your cat, comb out its fur. Brush against the direction of the fur. A long-haired cat that has not been brushed regularly may develop mats, which are like tangles. If your cat is matted, use the wide-toothed comb to try and take out the mats. If the mat is very close to the skin and you are causing your cat discomfort, cut it out of the fur or shave it off.
  
  

Bathing

• Bathing your cat can be a pleasant experience.water image by Joshua Peterson from Fotolia.com
  
  Using a cat shampoo or even a tear-free baby shampoo, lather up your cat's fur giving emphasis to its back and under side. Avoid getting shampoo in your cat's eyes and ears because this can cause irritation. You might want to put cotton balls in your cat's ears to avoid the problem. Make sure you rinse the shampoo out completely, and then apply conditioner, if needed. Rinse thoroughly to avoid a dingy, greasy coat.
  
  

Drying

• When drying your cat, use a towel for excess water and a blow dryer to complete the job. Cats are more sensitive to heat than humans, so you are not going to want to use hot air. Use a light cool setting and blow the air against the hair to facilitate drying. Dry completely to keep the hair from curling. Brush in the direction of the hair growth while you dry it to prevent tangles.
  
  

Extras

• If you are planning to cut your cat's nails, do so carefully and avoid cutting the cat's quick, which is the tissue part of the nail. Just cut the tip. If you cause bleeding, apply light pressure to the area and put styptic powder on the quick. Don't forget to clean the ears with a damp cloth. Do so gently and avoid disturbing the cat's ear canal. Clean the cat's eyes with a damp cloth and avoid rubbing too hard.
  
  

Shaving

• The skilled groomer knows how to use clippers.electric razor image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
  
  You will probably never need to shave a short-haired cat. However, you might need to shave your long-haired cat. Using your grooming clippers, you are aiming for uniformity and balance. Depending on the type of cut you are doing, this will determine the comb attachment setting. Remember working with grooming clippers takes practice.