This article is by Danele German, founder of NCGIA, in 1/17/2011 edition of NCGIA Magazine titled, “SAY NO TO DRUGS”. (parts edited to condense the post)
Say ‘NO’ to Drugs
Should a cat be given a sedative before it is groomed?
- In my experience, many of the cats that are believed to be so aggressive that they need drugs to be handled, are truly not as bad as everyone thinks.
- I learned very quickly to assess a cat’s temperament as soon as it arrived.
- Of the thousands of cats I have groomed over the past 12 years, I can count less than 10 that I think truly need some form of “happy pill” prior to being treated to a day at the spa.
- One example is a gentleman shows up with his white DLH, Charlie, in tow and hands me a bottle of pills. I assessed Charlie and he didn’t need anything but a bit of confidence and deft handling skills on the part of his groomer.
- He definitely needs a degreasing bath and some serious de-matting work.
- In about an hour and a half, Charlie emerged from the groom clean, thoroughly de-matted and sporting a nice, tight sanitary clip and full belly shave. His hair is fluffed and full, his ears are cleaned, his nails are trimmed, and he’s basking in the spot of sunlight coming through the window and reflecting off the stainless steel grooming table.