I have a deep and profound respect for all pet professionals whether they are veterinarians, technicians, trainers, boarding facilities, or groomers. When it comes to animal husbandry, professionals specialize with specific knowledge that supports them in their chosen focus-but having the humility and professionalism to stay in your own lane, is critical.

One important distinction that I need to draw attention to is that each speciality requires a different level of handling, interaction, time, and expectations.

For example, the level of handling, interaction, and time frame that a groomer experiences is going to be wildly different from a vet tech checking vitals at a 15 minute appointment. Should a rash present itself, the vet tech has more to speak on than a groomer would which is why a good groomer would refer to veterinary care.

Cooperative care refers to the type of positive conditioning (training) utilized by the handler to encourage an animal to be more active and willful during interactions. At the zoo you might see a handler getting an orangutan to lift up his arms and "do tricks" for a treat--when really it is a method of cooperative care so that they can perform a physical examination. As pet professionals, we utilize similar techniques when it comes to working with animals whether it's a lick mat, teaser toy, or tricks to encourage the animal to position or maintain themselves in certain ways.

When it comes to cats and cooperative care, the main method the pet professional is going to utilize is knowledge. First and foremost, the mistake I see most frequently with individuals trying to work with cats is applying canine concepts to felines or following incorrect advice from self-proclaimed feline experts.

Understanding feline behavior and being able to assess their temperament is the first vital step in assessing how you're going to approach them, or how you will modify your handling techniques to fit their needs. As a feline exclusive groomer, I once had a woman get very angry with me for "not taking the time to sweet talk and pet her cat", when the cat was extremely aggressive, reactive, and pelted. I knew from experience as well as my education with The National Cat Grooming Institute (NCGI) that with the cat's specific temperament I needed to get in, get it done, and leave them alone.

Now, what makes my education and experience 'more valid' than other individuals? How do we assess which individual 'knows what they're talking about' more than the other?

Credibility.

The NCGI is a program established by Danelle German, who was a cat exclusive groomer that then started an organization teaching other individuals how to do it. This is a population of professionals that work exclusively, successfully, and frequently with cats. Students of the NCGI have reaped the benefit of decades worth of trial and error when it comes to handling and grooming execution by the best of the best. This knowledge is the foundation of what allows us to effectively and positively condition cats--which is again, cooperative care.

There is no bargaining with cats. You can't "un-piss" a cat off. Cats are deeply feeling creatures that absolutely hold a grudge and unlike their canine counterparts, respect is earned not gifted.

I once had a woman get very angry with me for not "taking the time to sweet talk and pet her cat" before grooming them. I knew from my initial assessment that the cat was aggressive, pelted, and reactive. No amount of coaxing, petting, sweet talking, crystals, bribes, or stroking was going to calm the cat down. It's going to make them angrier. Cooperative care in this sense, means accomplishing the groom thoroughly and efficiently without making them any more angry or upset. For a cat of this temperament--a positive association with their groom doesn't mean it was relaxing, fun, and pleasant. They're not the cat that's going to get extra snuggles and a massage. This cat, a positive association is, "she did it, she did it fast, and I didn't die."

Cooperative care for cats in grooming means acknowledging that certain tasks need to be done and completing them in such a way that it does not cause undue stress to them. You're not overhanding, combing ineffectively, or taking forever or improperly drying. There's a component of choice we take into consideration when working cooperatively with animals, but it is not the same concept of choice that may think of as adults. Choice, in animal care might mean positioning or sequence of tasks. For example, getting your nails cut is not a choice. But you may choose to have a preference if it is done in a lap, wrapped in a towel, after the bath, or with your head covered. Cooperative care is, how can I help you, help yourself.

The Fear Free Certification program is an excellent program to help individuals prioritize the mental health and well being of the animals in our care. There are lot of excellent resources available for modification and prevention for dogs, but as a feline specialist, I find that program to still lack in regards to feline handling.

Many individuals are saying "cats hate this" or "cats can't handle that", when the fact is that cats are incredibly resultant and trusting if you approach tithe right way. Recognizing when a cat is under stress versus complaining is imperative and it does both the cat and the owner a disservice, essentially perpetuating this concept that cat's just can't.

Most cats are not people-pleasing, social extroverts. The way a cat shows affection is not always the same way a dog will. If you extend your hand it is much more likely that a dog will come up to smell and a cat might stare at you from across the room. Willingness, is not going to look like the same for cats as it does for dogs. With most cats, you're actually working on counter conditioning a lot of their learned triggers and traumas. Cooperative Care, is not the same as complaint care. Cooperation comes first, compliancy is the goal.

Cooperative Cat Care Checklist

The world needs more individuals educated and willing to work with cats.

• Recognize cat stress vs. cat irritation
• Ability to assess and identify cat temperament
• Has a 'tool box' of modification holds
• Can complete necessary tasks before cat reaches their threshold/capacity of interaction
• Understands when a groom should not be completed rather than can't be completed
• Approach is positive not punitive