IMMEDIATELY stop when this happens | Cat Grooming

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[@Dr.gobshite]

how does a black cat have so much white hair

[@GirlWithTheDogs]

Undercoat is generally white or very light on every animal, the guard hairs are what gives them colour and that does not come out with a brush.

[@leorospigg4520]

Oreo cat

[@Jen39x]

My brown tiger sheds soft black undercoat any place he sleeps if I don’t brush

[@belindawallace5203]

My older tabby and white cat (RIP Marley) had a ginger undercoat while my younger kitty who is black like Merlin has a dark grey undercoat, but I wonder if it’ll turn whiter as he gets older…? 🤔

[@tamaradelsohn5493]

@@NatGeoGacha Actually, fun fact! I don't know about other cat colors, but for black cats, they don't go grey with age necessarily - they go brown. You can see it with Merlin at the right angles (like at the end of his groom).

[@ericstefko4852]

he was a good boy being as stressed as he was. Beautiful guy

[@EliTheGleason]

Doin he best

[@b.b.2684]

I'm so glad she was responsive and sweet to him :)

[@dragonsember]

The cat drying box was a little too much for the old man

[@CiaranMaxwell]

@@scottcheg9 Sounds like she got really hot when playing. Were she human, she'd've been covered in sweat and panting.

[@emilyk5003]

Probably because he’s so stressed. One of my cats freezes when she’s scared so you can do whatever you want to her. It’s great for vet visits

[@TheCheaPet]

I have a cat with severe anxiety and asthma. I'm so happy that you mentioned that panting in a cat is not normal. Most people think it's cute or funny when in fact it's a sign of distress.

[@NoOne-bp2jw]

I had a cat that would not only pant when stressed, but foamed at the mouth. The first time it happened was on a ten minute ride home from the vet's office. I pulled over and called my vet. Now that I know it's just stress I know how to deal with it.

[@tmntgirl4life]

My brother in law’s cat foams at the mouth but doesn’t pant under stress. I try to help her as much as I can but is easily stress. A four minute car ride will have her in a giant mess. Luckily we don’t give her that many car rides like once a year for her yearly grooming and the rarest moment of moving to a new place.

[@doomeddragon76]

Too much exercise will do it too. I've got a boy who me and my sister had running around the house for a while when he was around a year old, the little nut didn't want to take any breaks and ended up panting, we didn't let him continue past that point that day. He certainly still looked like he wanted to continue chasing though lol

[@haleyzorn8745]

@@doomeddragon76 My girl cat got to that point as well. She LOVES the laser pointer and once was chasing after it so fast she laid down after a moment and started to pant. I immediately put the pointer away and observed her until she stopped so I could make sure she was okay. Never let her get to that point since.

[@AdorkableArtist92]

My parents' cat used to pant when he got really angry. His nose would get very red and wet too. We took him to the vet and when they tried to listen to his heart to see if that could be causing the issue, he purred too loudly for them to hear anything. As he got older, he stopped panting when he got mad. He's still a grumpy old man, but I'm glad whatever made him pant seems to have worked itself out.

[@06hatter]

What a gentleman, scared out of his wits but never gets anywhere near violence. Pure class

[@Amr_D]

that's a good cat right there

[@jessjin8793]

Such a gentle and kind heart heart he has! He probably also knows he’s about to get a lot more comfortable after this spa treatment ☺️

[@genkureshima9834]

No wonder his name is Merlin

[@rebelrock]

Thank you for taking such good care of my Merlin!! He smelled so good when he got home, I couldn't stop sniffing him ❤️❤️❤️

[@SadisticSenpai61]

He's a very handsome kitty! I hope my wee babby Merlin grows up to be as handsome! 💜

[@Em1ly949]

Such pretty, big golden eyes

[@nevadag606]

Your fur baby is so precious 🥺❤️ I love him with all my heart

[@LizzyRebecca]

I love his name. What inspired it?

[@evelynneufeld7610]

He's such a darling boy ❤️

[@LordNodim]

As a veterinarian, and in the name of all veterinarians, thank you, you amazing human being, for actually caring about the animals you handle and for having the knowledge to properly care for them. You are a gift upon this earth.

[@wombat4191]

And she's sharing that knowledge the best she can!

[@MelisJoy]

I hope she sees this comment ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Superibis.]

I first read "veterinarian" as "vegetarian" and I was so confused

[@exnozgaming5657]

@@Superibis. Same here 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LordNodim]

@@Superibis. if I were a vegetarian, would I be a vegetarinarian?

[@makoeyes]

It's good to see a mostly-dog groomer be understanding of cats' behaviors and needs, too. Merlin looked super soft when he was all done!

[@gideonTeli]

He really did look super soft after grooming.

[@Omnihilo]

@claireice Why are you mad that someone understands their limits and decides it’s better not to push themselves at the expense of potentially hurting the cat? I would rather someone who doesn’t like cats, or at the very least doesn’t like to groom them, not force themselves to handle them.

[@decatylen4559]

@claireice If she specializes in dogs, why must she drop everything to learn how to groom cats? She’s not going to start grooming cats at her shop. It’s your own problem if you don’t like her.

[@decatylen4559]

@claireice In that video she was offered to try grooming a cat, she was hesitant, she didn’t do well and she stopped. There’s nothing wrong with her attitude, she’s not obligated to do anything else about her cat skills, she’s a dog groomer. It really sounds like you don’t like her and you have a very toxic attitude talking badly about her on other groomer’s channel.

[@jadecoolness101]

@claireice you're on a dog groomers youtube channel. Dog people aren't known for having any semblance of empathy for cats. Not surprised people are jumping down your throat.

[@davidp2888]

It's amazing to me how relatively calm the cat stays even though it's clear he doesn't like what's going on.

[@katel1849]

yesterday I took my sassy cat for annual vaccination and it was a murder battle, I can still see the horror on people's faces when we went out of the room, she's fine with a bath but I can't imagine giving her to a stranger to groom - I'll be on the black list forever

[@n646n]

They just paralyze the cat with the hood.

[@katel1849]

@@n646n the cone of shame? doesn't work for mine, happy hoodie? yeah, come try to put it on, it will be a blood bath, only medication helps but to give it to her is also a trial

[@spankinhotdudes437]

@@katel1849 you say it was a horrific experience? JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN

[@clnetrooper]

Well, cats respond differently from stress. My two cats for example don't move much and are paralyzed. When they start to feel a little less scared they'll run for a dark corner where they can hide but never they'll try to bite or scratch at people. They're sweethearts once they trust you though.

[@sk-qg8jv]

"If Merlin spent a little more time licking and a little less time napping..." Well damn, you didn't have to go so hard on poor Merlin 😂😪

[@jam-if2ej]

@@pliktl Buyin themselves a pumpkin spice catte every day, no wonder Merlin can't afford a house

[@Summit2012]

Given his age, it may be uncomfortable for him to reach back there anymore. Cats get arthritis and joint pain as they age, just like people.

[@CallieMasters5000]

He spends all his day on TikTok and ordering DoorDash food.

[@yve5659]

And smoking catnip 😂

[@DivaViews]

This thread is sending me!😂

[@_Jay_Maker_]

Aww. Merlin's "Ow" when pulling out his matting was adorable. He was such a good boy, so polite and well behaved. Vanessa, you are wonderful.

[@plutototoh]

Notice as soon as the blow dryer is turned off and she sits with him he stops panting IMMEDIATELY. He trusts her so much ❤ and I’m glad he is okay

[@neosunrider]

Some might try to keep going after noticing he stopped panting to 'get the job done'. I'm very glad she does not.

[@nbrowser]

And this folks is why people trust Vanessa to groom their pets...she is highly educated on animal behaviour and shares that knowledge here. Simply put...she cares more about the pet's comfort than some other groomers do.

[@Angel-vb7bb]

We need more Vanessa’s

[@hopelessequestrian1227]

I hate groomer bashing. There are millions of caring groomers JUST like her. They just don't post on social media (great way to make money groomers!) - but most groomers are Vanessas, some, are Baby Vanessas and starting their career. Good Groomers support Good groomers.

[@luvvxkal986]

@@hopelessequestrian1227 I don’t think they were groomer bashing, they didnt even speak bad on every groomer. They are right she understands pets very well and some groomers just don’t care. It’s not bashing if some don’t especially if they arent speaking in general

[@someonewithacomputer8057]

Yes because no other groomer cares 🙄 you are a nightmare client I'm sure.

[@DavidEdwards9801]

Seems to me that she knows more about animal behavior than some owners.

[@michelleb7525]

As a groomer myself its so rewarding to actually see ther groomers truly care about the animals safety ❤

[@jeanettewilson3195]

This is very true. It makes me happy to. I think that's why most of us ( groomers) have gone Private / solo .

[@buggiebuild1]

It’s essential a job as a veterinarian, I’ve heard so many nightmare stories from friends, And they’re poor pets,good luck to you as I’m sure you do a job well done✌🏻

[@KaffiRawr]

I myself as a fellow groomer does not see the reward in caring about animal safety. As longs as its fur looks good, I'm happy.

[@lexa2310]

​@@KaffiRawr I know who stole your monstertruck at the supermarket.

[@judyricco6635]

Thank you for educating cat owners! Not everyone knows about panting cats! Last year I was returning home from a trip and lost the AC in my van in the southern states. I was really hot, but my poor Ruby, 9 year old long haired domestic, was panting. Everyone finds it amusing that I stopped and got a hotel room for my cat to cool down, knowing I would have continued driving if I was alone! Gotta take care of my baby! ❤️😺

[@victoriousastrologytarot]

I love how you respect the cat's feelings!!💗 That's how you gain their trust. I feel like they're more sensitive than dogs.

[@Liam3072]

She's not just respecting the cat's feeling, she's protecting the cat's health. Like, continuing despite the cat panting could mean risking the cat actually having a heart attack. It's super important to stop in such a situation.

[@alexgrae8226]

As a furparent of a dog since I was a kid, I can confirm this. Ever since we got cats the difference especially when it comes to their behaviors and feelings. Cats are really sensitive and could easily lose their trust towards you.

[@alvamind5286]

@@alexgrae8226 not gonna lie, I've only owned dogs so I'm used to how forgiving they are. I think I'd be really worried about breaking my cat's trust by mistake. That would just break my heart, NGL.

[@hiimluna2069]

@@sose6255 they didn’t say they did lose their cats trust tho, just that cats are overall more sensitive creatures are are more likely to lose their trust in you for something unlike a dog.

[@jessjin8793]

@@alvamind5286 No need to worry! It is true that my cat will kind of hold “grudges” against me for like 3 days after I accidentally stepped on his tail at night going to the bathroom. But he forgives me as well and still scratches the door and wait outside when I’m in there😅 It is just not instant forgiveness like dogs

[@WYD28]

The moment when you noticed the panting (1:55) and immediately stopping is so nice to see! He's lucky to have you as his groomer!! Poor thing! Extra cuddles and love for Merlin

[@ianmontgomery7534]

He may not have liked the sound of the blower which would likely be at a frequency we can't hear.

[@RaDeus87]

I've only ever seen a cat pant once, and it was after my cat decided to follow my mother+dog on a run (a few km). She (the cat, not my mom) basically found a nice cold rock to lay down on and started panting. She didn't quite understand that ambush predators shouldn't go running with the persistence hunters 😅

[@krissimons1339]

LOL! My current kitty is sometimes too active in the Florida summertime chasing lizards, snakes, butterflies and such and starts panting. If let inside she will zoom to the tile kitchen floor and spread out on it to cool off! She's a short haired kitty but she has a very dense undercoat.

[@EmmaJohnsonShenanigans]

i went on a long walk one time and my cat followed me sprinting and resting, but on the way back she was panting like a maniac and i was so worried about her. my brother and my friend told me that she was fine but i was not about to make her suffer the whole trip back and risk her injuring herself, so i picked her up and sprinted back to the house to get her a drink and to get her to lay on the cool tile floor. my friend and brother probably didn’t think much of it but she most likely would’ve been in danger if we left her alone

[@helenanilsson5666]

My previous cat once followed me out on interval training and she was so disappointed when she realised I was just going back and forth on the tractor road instead of actually exploring/hunting something cool. I kept the pace slow to she could keep up so she never started panting that time. What would make her pant like crazy was long car rides, which was scary as all hell. I'm guessing it was mostly motion sickness and anxiety that made her pant but it's not as if I could really do much to help and I always felt wretched about it. My current cat also hates car rides but this time I got her a much larger carrier so at least she can stretch out her limbs properly.

[@Aimela136]

For me, it was when my cat was still a kitten and she would play until she wore herself out, to which point she'd be panting from exhaustion.

[@sarahackermann2399]

I used to have a cat with feline asthma and in really bad attacks before he got diagnosed his nose would go white and he'd be panting. I finally got it on video and showed it to the vet which got him diagnosed because before that the vet was insistent that I was just a nervous owner and he had hairballs (despite the fact that I'd owned cats over 10 years and knew what hairballs looks like and this was NOT hairballs). I feel bad that it took me 6months to get him properly diagnosed. :(

[@hezaroseli]

What a lovely boy! Thank you for being so attentive and aware of cat needs. I had a scare last week when transporting my cats in their crates as one began to make very loud meows and panting. Luckily it wasn't anything serious. The poor girl just had to use the bathroom. XD

[@MsLadyDarkside]

I can't blame her! I start getting weird when I have to go and can't too! Glad she just needed to have a pit stop and it was nothing serious

[@misseselise3864]

my cat pants when he plays too hard. does not stop him from playing too hard

[@hezaroseli]

@@misseselise3864 Silly boy XD

[@RoyalPandora]

@@misseselise3864 Does he have a heart condition?

[@nym2717]

"waIT MOOM I GOTTA GO POTTY WAIT-"

[@vicroc4]

In spite of what some other examples on this channel would have you believe, cats do tend to be a lot less obvious about things when they're stressed or hurt than dogs are. Good on you for not only knowing about their warning signs, but for paying enough attention that you caught it as soon as it started.

[@lexa2310]

Most cats really like to mask their injuries, especially in invironments or in front of people that are less known to them.

[@chickenstrippa]

0:48 lol he said ow

[@lizk2378]

I got lucky with my old man black cat (he's 16 now) with grooming. He LOVES to be brushed, like it's his treat. He has a severe salmon allergy, so no edible treats for him. He will rub against the Equigroomer and furminator, and I use them as a reward every day. He has an autoimmune disease and severe allergies, so he is on immunosuppressors. The brushing decreases his stress, which helps keep him happy.

[@Strix1213]

Your cat sounds adorable, definitely got lucky with yours. My black cat however, enjoys destroying $300 printers and suffocating sisters in his spare time.

[@RoyalPandora]

The glorious dichotomy of Cat.

[@WolfDreamer101]

My cat has an allergy, most likely to something in his food. How did you figure out exactly what protein your cat is allergic to?

[@renataravensong]

@@WolfDreamer101 I found out what my Noodle was allergic to through years of trial and error. It took ages for me to learn she's allergic to grain. I thought it was chicken and grain.

[@lexa2310]

​@@renataravensong God, me too. She would constantly get sick and we tried hundreds of different catfoods. In the end it was something contained in the "plant byproduct" in most foods, but I still have no idea what exactly it is.

[@chubbydinosaur9148]

Makes me appreciate the luxury I had when teaching my senior kitty that bathing is better than being greasy and smelly. I have a big italian shower with glass doors. I'd take him in there and slowly turn up the water while holding the shower head to the floor. So whenever it got too much for him, I'd stop and let him pace around the shower until he gathered himself. He loved being towel dried, then I did the same thing with the hairdryer. I'd set it on the lowest setting and whenever he'd get too stressed I'd let him walk around the bathroom until he was better and would come back to me, at some point he was so used to the hairdryer that he'd roll over so I could dry his belly and legs 😂

[@chaos-slug]

i'd absolutely love to use a tactic like this if i get a cat, it sounds lovely! props to you

[@lexa2310]

Damn, good to know. I missed the opportunity to introduce my cat to water in her kittenhood so I'm currently working on that. I started leaving the bathroom door open whenever I bathed and at first she would come in and scream at me to get out of the tub, then leave. Now she is at the point where she dozes on the bathtub rim while I bathe. I'm gonna start trying to introduce her to the concept of intentionally getting wet the way you described. Hopefully it works.

[@celeste8389]

You stopped and waited for Merlin to calm down... you're so good with all the fur babies. I love watching it

[@rmmm6725]

That’s probably the most well behaved cat I’ve ever seen

[@klingonartdealer]

I’m so glad you sat with him after stopping the blow dry. He looked so relieved!

[@kristathompson6186]

Poor guy. That meow after you pet him broke my heart. He’s a sweetie!❤️ Edit: 1k likes?! MOOOM, I’M FAMOUS! Thanks y’all!

[@jeanettewilson3195]

He was just saying thank you for turning off the dragon that blows warm air at me.

[@MajesticalHonky]

@@jeanettewilson3195 Yeah but it showed the extreme stress he was feeling. It hurt my heart as well.

[@sylverscale]

He seemed a bit startled but relaxed right away after she started petting him to calm him down. Poor guy, the blow dryer was really stressful it seems.

[@tawnybees9973]

shes very rough when she brushes them

[@snarkymoosesshack8793]

He seems like a good bean.

[@SirBarth]

I would have hugged the stuffing out of you for sending my cat home damp, with the explanation: "He was getting too stressed out." Thank you! ❤❤❤❤

[@quasismiles]

I've been in the pet care industry for about three years now and I never knew this. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@jeanettewilson3195]

Did you go to or have any classes before you got into the industry? I am only asking because I have discovered a lot of big box stores in my area are hiring people with out schooling to be groomers. I am talking hair cuts and all. I am getting lots of calls to come train new people at the box stores that have been already hired. This scares me.

[@karenno]

@@jeanettewilson3195 Seriously. Identifying alarm signs should be basic.

[@tokichvideos]

@@jeanettewilson3195 It depends on position, but usually not much is taught when it comes to cats and reading their signs. When you are taught cat behavior it is often lumped in with dogs, which leads to a lot of folks believing they behave very similarly in various situations. The only main differences you're taught are how to hold a cat by the scruff and what a "spicy" cat means. But I've noticed that only vets, vet techs, vet assistants, and people who work in cat only places are the ones who are actually taught cat specific behaviors and signs. As for grooming, the certifications to groom are a lot different than what it takes to be an assistant, which is different than a tech, which is (surprising to many) different than what it takes to be a full on vet. So those different certifications mean some stuff is required, some is highly recommended but optional, and others are purely optional. Like cat specific behavior is technically optional (in America) for a groomer since most folks don't get their cats groomed.

[@mike4617]

@@jeanettewilson3195 'pet care' does not necessarily overlap with (cat) groom knowledge

[@werebilbyj4449]

I get abused and told "you must be fun at parties" when explaining facts like these on "clout" chasing viral videos. What people see as cute, funny, I see as distress or possibly dangerous behaviour. It truly goes to show what a great groomer you are. Love your videos.

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

I bet the “abuse” has more to do with how you approach the topic, than the actual information you’re trying to spread. 9/10 times that’s what goes awry in this type of internet discourse, even when you’re simply offering important information/advice. Most people instantly shut down and become agitated if they feel like someone is coming across as overly dramatic/sanctimonious/haughty/nagging/talking down to them/etc. (especially if/when they’re just trying to unwind by watching a silly animal video). Although feeling repelled by someone coming on too strong is a typical human reaction- the internet definitely has not helped anyone learn how to handle those feelings in a mature manner…which is why so many feel “brave” enough to respond with outright aggression. (Sadly.) I genuinely hope you don’t take their cruelty to heart and don’t allow it to bother you (or stop you from talking about important issues). ❤

[@daphneglasurus7886]

LOL I do the same thing. Worked in vet clinics and animal care for years and I just can’t stop myself from commenting on “cute” videos when I see something dangerous going on. But I’ve gotten positive replies too where ppl thank me for the knowledge so idc I’ll keep doing it.

[@BrightElk]

You need to learn to read the room. If you're coming off as holier than thou then yeah you're probably not going to be well received. It's why so many forum communities have no PSA rules because it's annoying and presumptuous. You are not the only intelligent person in the room.

[@werebilbyj4449]

@@glorygloryholeallelujahnope. I tend to just state facts based on information readily available. It's usually on fb or the videos from tik tok etc. I don't watch tik tok for that actual reason they just filter through to fb or youtube. I don't comment much anymore because there's no point, people aren't interested in learning anything just in it for their 5 second serotonin boost and not interested in whether an animal was being injured or harmed for their entertainment. but hey, it's all good.

[@luceatlux7087]

Yeah... If you're dispersing facts and creating intelligent discourse, KZbin comment section audience usually isn't going to be receptive. If it's genuinely not valuable or less appealing for any valid reason, intelligent proplr either ignore or brainstorm on the issue WITH you, such as Gloryglory did (despite the name)... ANYTHING in some kind of interesting or positive direction rly. True morons (or simply emotionally confused immature minds (usually youths)) tend to waste time expounding on their negative or angry (mis)interpretation of your expression or the character of it. If it's a topic that's being discussed and debated, that's one thing. But morons always turn the criticism personal in order to derail any semblance of a stable medium of communication in which they feel inferior. This is usually sparked by some sense of inadequacy within them... They are basically fishing for any semi-valid criticism to invalidate your worth and ellicit idiot-mob social acclaim. They're misinterpretation outliners and argue for the negative routes... often exercised to simply say that you suck because they think you're someone that (extremely usually) you're absolutely not; a crusade against an imagined enemy they've superimposed on you. They ignorantly form a vision of you in their minds' eyes that they vehemently hate. True morons tend to waste time; responding based on some angry personal issues within them you have triggered and offering nothing of value. Their prerogative is appealing to popular acclaim via immature emotional interpretation (which is a common enough emotional modality to always get a decent deal of likes from children and the low iq). Sometimes, now, a smart person will get roped into moronic discourse. But usually only morons will INITIATE the negative judgmental grossly-overgeneralized presumptive and unnuanced assessments. One red flag indicator is their common use of nauseatingly overused colloquialisms or expressions you've heard at least 300 times before while babysitting you're 8 yr old cousin and hearing him play his video games, such as, "you must be fun at parties." or, "cringe," etc. ^ Designed to make you feel good about yourself and your benevolent spreading of info (ie, that was my impetus). But it's all nonetheless valid. "Know budy gunnuh reed all that! I bet know won ever did!" yeah, i know pal. selective marketing i suppose.

[@QueenofSnarks]

I don’t know why but I was so happy when you didn’t leave him once you saw he was in distress, and that you didn’t try to continue after he calmed down. Finding a good groomer is hard, I hope all your clients know how lucky they are to have you.

[@cassr7826]

I work at an animal hospital and we do the same: as soon they pant, we stop until they calm down or reschedule the appt for another day to continue where we left off. Depending on the severity of the case, we would prescribe anti anxiety meds but that’s rare. At least the kitty is in good hands with you ❤ it’s great that you’re informing others of this

[@rekkariley652]

That reminds me, I need to ask my cat’s vet about some short-acting anti-anxiety meds. He’s fine once we actually get to the vet’s office and he’s out of his carrier; in fact, he’s actually a bit distracting because he’s almost too friendly. But during the car ride there…he has quite literally shit himself. Several times.

[@Mii4210]

@@rekkariley652 poor kitty. I hope you find something that works 👍🏾

[@rekkariley652]

@@Mii4210 Me too! He’s actually used his carrier as a nap spot, so I thought he had gotten over his issues…then I closed the door and he freaked out again.

[@mayapiece]

My question is, what should you do when your cat is panting when you have to take it to the vet? For example, I have a cat that gets super stressed when in car, but we have to take her to a specialist for a check up... I mean she is fine before the car ride and all, but gets super stressed in a car?

[@rekkariley652]

@@mayapiece First, you’d need to pinpoint what exactly is causing the stress. Is it the motion of the car? The unfamiliar environment? Being stuck inside the carrier? For my cat, the carrier was the issue. He was okay as long as the door wasn’t closed, or if he was on his harness and allowed to look outside the window. If it’s the unfamiliar environment, you can try just taking them out to car just to hang out for a bit. No driving, no leaving the driveway, just…sitting there. Give them treats if they’ll accept them, or just let them explore the vehicle (with supervision, obviously), cuddle, etc. Practice multiple times per week, daily if you can manage it. Eventually you can work up to turning the car on without driving, then backing out of the driveway before pulling it back in, then maybe one short trip around the block with lots of treats and cuddles after, etc. It gets a bit trickier when the source of the stress is the actual destination, or something like claustrophobia or motion sickness. If it’s the vet, then ask them if it’s possible to arrange an appointment where all you do is just relax. No needles, no strange people, no poking and prodding. Just treats and cuddles, then right back home. The goal there would be to show the cat that the vet is not always scary and painful, and that car rides don’t always mean inevitable doom. For claustrophobia and motion sickness, though, you might need to talk to your vet about medication. Keep a close eye on your cat to see if they show any signs of an upset stomach, drooling (often a precursor to vomiting), being very stiff or very wobbly like they’re either trying to stand as still as they can because moving makes them sick or not being able to keep their balance at all, or inappropriate elimination. There’s much you can do outside of asking the vet for anti-nausea medication to give your cat before putting them into the car. Same with claustrophobia, which is not just “cat does not like being in carrier.” Claustrophobia would be like what one of my cats behaves like in his carrier: as soon as you close the door, he panics. He yowls, flings his body around, tries to chew through the door to the point of hurting himself, quite literally shits all over himself from sheer terror, etc. You might be able to train him to accept being on a harness and leash, but most likely you’ll end up having to ask the vet for an anti-anxiety medication to give the cat before taking them to the vet.

[@Jen39x]

Please short hair cat owner’s with older cats: buy that Equi groomer. Even if your cat has never been brushed before there’s a very good chance it will tolerate this brush. Older cats do get lazy and less flexible so helping them shed fur has to help them be more comfortable

[@Sienisota]

Yes. Many cats hate some specific brushes: Especially if you accidentally pull on a tangle/matted fur with one, they will likely hate anything that looks similar. As frustrating as it seems, getting a lot of different types of brushes is the best way to find one that the cat not just tolerates, but actually likes. I thought one cat just didn't like brushing. Then we got a new type of brush, and found out the cat actually liked being brushed: He simply hadn't liked the same brushes our other cats had. I think it might've had something to do with how easily his fur attracted static electricity, and the new brush was better at not causing it?

[@seraphina985]

@@Sienisota It can also depend on how much variety in handling with different brushes etc they were socialised with during the critical period as kittens. Ideally you want to be as varied as possible with handling when socialising them as kittens so they can develop comfortable and positive associations while they are learning what human cat interactions might be like in the future. This is also why it is a good idea to include a few vet visits during this period even if the kitten seems entirely healthy too, you want them to learn the normal things vets do so they feel safe when they need to go to the vet later. Otherwise the sudden introduction of unfamiliar handling later is confusing and stressful.

[@Zuraneve]

This made me unexpectedly tear up. He just reminded me so much of MY Merlin, who was also a black domestic shorthair. He passed over the rainbow bridge several years ago at the age of 18 and I still miss him horribly.

[@EscargoTouChaud]

I feel for you, as I know how it hurts to lose a loved pet. However, it is always nice to know that people love and miss their pets. He probably had a lovely life with you, and that's the most important. So many animals are being neglected or abused, so dead or alive: happy pets make me reassured.

[@alinac5512]

I also have a black domestic shorthair named Merlin, he's currently sleeping on my sofa next to me, he's only 5 so I hope I still have some happy years with him ahead of me.

[@kiyokumabear]

Jesus Christ 18 is really old. You took damn good care of him--well done!

[@SpecialMoth9897]

Thank you! My parents didn’t believe me when I said that I stopped giving our kittens a bath because they were panting due to stress! So glad this was explained properly

[@imzadi83fanvids7]

My cat actually has a heart murmur that only shows up when she's stressed. Luckily she's pretty good at grooming herself, but I brush her daily to lower the amount of hair she ingests. Fur flies, lol. She's my first cat and I was so surprised at how much she sheds on a regular basis. Or about stress shedding, scared me the first time.

[@lexa2310]

Yeah, depending on the type of fur it can be quite a lot. 😅

[@mintwidow883]

Fun fact: My cats are currently attempting to break into my closet and rob my cello

[@kaudsiz]

Do you keep your tommy gun there?

[@eieiolsen]

If someone used my guts as instrument strings, I would too!

[@297banu]

You should not discourage their artistic aspirations.

[@jasminesoliman4499]

My kittens are planning how to help eachother take off their collar

[@Mo_Thecat]

@@eieiolsen ah, someone that recognizes the history of string instruments

[@catlover8034]

What an exemplary cat, despite not really liking the treatment, he stays neatly seated / lying down.👌🏻❤😻

[@catlover8034]

Thank you Vanessa, that's very nice. I'm very honoured, but I live in the Netherlands, so do someone else a favor and give my giveaway prize to someone from your own region. That in connection with the shipping costs Canada-Netherlands. Sweet greeting from "girl" with three black cats.❤😻😻😻

[@rhov233]

With that much noise and things happening around him, I wouldn't blame him for fighting back. I'd say that would be a healthy response.

[@EdieBird]

Merlin is a MASSIVE hunk of kitty! My black cat, Ninja Bear, is a tiny little 4-pound wisp of a cat. She has a crazy thick coat, nearly on par with a Rex rabbit. She likes combing since it's basically petting with accessories. LOL She doesn't shed nearly as much as I'd expect her to with such a plush coat.

[@RoyalPandora]

"Petting with accessories" is just a brilliant turn of phrase. 😄

[@bunnicula38]

This is about Merlin, not your cat.

[@northstarjakobs]

Maybe she doesn't shed as much because you groom her regularly?

[@aquabluerose7734]

@@bunnicula38 people can share their own cat stories and comparisons if they want to.

[@lorirogers9304]

@@bunnicula38 we had a tortilla named Mary. She didn’t shed at all 😀

[@classiclife7204]

Surprisingly well-behaved, on the whole. He was all, "My bad, too lazy to groom, could you take care of this for me? Thanks a bunch." "NOT THE DRYER THO"

[@MaineCoonMama18]

I just lost my black cat named Merlin 3 months ago, so it was very special to see this Merlin. 🖤

[@A4Blue-m7n]

Poor sweet Merlin. Thanks for being such a responsible groomer 😊

[@Interrogame]

That's so awesome that you put his comfort and safety first. The mark of a genuine professional!

[@calhoun4938]

Honestly I came for the makeovers, but I stay for your empathy, humor, and knowledge.

[@Zamkat013]

Poor Merlin. Glad your always alert for any problems. You always take great care of them! ❤️👍

[@chuckdawg2799]

Merlin is like "I'm too old for this shit"

[@svt4001]

What a beautiful boy! Thank you for being knowledgeable and observant of Merlin's stress, and thank you for helping to educate people about a very misunderstood feline trait!!!

[@conejita]

Aw poor merlin. But love that you knew when to stop. What a beautiful cat!

[@hannaha4631]

Panting furchildren always make me nervous...so glad you were keeping a close enough eye on him to realize that it was panting instead of a prolonged hiss or yowling! Especially since the most obvious indicator would have been drowned out by the dryer.

[@MaddoBatto]

You've taught me some things today that'll really help me and my cat, as he tends to get matting on his backside and I can't afford a groomer: - Small mats can totally be brushed out with a metal comb! That's fantastic news, since I was shaving off all of them before. - It's okay to just get in there and get the job done. I feel bad for how much discomfort my cat must be in when I groom him, so I try to take it slowly and gently. I guess to really reduce his stress you just have to hurry up and rip the bandage off, so to speak. - While he's never panted before, now I know what all it could mean if he ever does.

[@LieutenantSheep]

Thank you for being so mindful of his language. My cats pant when they go to the vet bc they’re so stressed out by the whole experience. I’m glad this kitty was calm long enough for the majority of the groom to be done.

[@ButacuPpucatuB]

Merlin was a good boy! Thank you so much for being understanding and supportive when he got a bit stressed out. I hope he’ll come back for another visit.

[@broadwayace]

The panting thing is why i always have myself and my dad take my little noodle kitty to the vet. She hates cars and gets stressed very easily in them, even worse if shes in a carrier, so i always sit with her and pet her and calm her down as best as i can.

[@dodgeman777]

Thank you so much for this! So many ignorant facebook videos etc post cats panting saying things like "Look she thinks she's a dog! How cute!" and it's so reassuring that content like yours which is educational and informative is out there to improve the welfare of animals

[@jsuarez1099]

Bit of my dog’s story. He is called Napi, he’s a 12 year old miniature Schnauzer and he had bits of his back’s discs disintegrate and the material went onto his marrowbone. He couldn’t lay down, walk or bend to eat so all of it I had to do. He slept for 4 months sitting and resting all of his body against me for 5 or 6 hours at a time. He was wonderfully intervened in a 3 hour surgery by a master neurologist that decided to try and help my poor bean. His job was so good, taking a dying dog, that now Napi can jump onto the sofa and run and dance around as if nothing had happened to him. His life may be shortened, but he will not suffer and he is happy and with us for longer and I cannot be more grateful

[@Passion535]

OH! I did, I did enjoy the video along with my little black cat, who enjoyed it too! Thanks!

[@Turbip]

Thank you for mentioning the issue of panting in cats. So many people think it's the same as how dogs do, and their pets can end up in horrible situations. Mentioning things like this can save animals from harm ❤ Great video, and he's such a good boy

[@asmileywanderer]

Thank you for mentioning this. Our 1yr old British shorthair had been panting frequently this summer due to the heat wave and we were so panicked we had a stethoscope in hand to check on her because we simply couldn’t be certain that it was just overheating. Thankfully the vet reassured us and the heat wave passed…

[@Serena-or7sl]

If it happens again wet your hands and pet him (or use a wet towel if you prefer). You want just the outer fur to be damp / wet. Evaporation helps them, even if just a tiny bit

[@leese.23]

Merlin is a wizard at being a very good kitty! I've seen cats pant when they're really, really upset about something too. I just lost my black Kitty Lizzy and it was very nice to watch such a sweet pumpkin.

[@heartcatchprecure]

im sorry for your loss :((

[@leese.23]

@@heartcatchprecure Thank you it's so devastating but you always remember the good times.

[@l.baughman1445]

Kitties!!! I like that you pay such close attention to how the cats are reacting. Well done! I've said this before, but my Mr. Kitt LOVES his Equigroomer! Merlin is an awesome kitty. Smart kitty parents to get him professionally groomed when he was not able to deal with all of it himself.

[@chim-chimney]

I love his little "hey!" at 0:48

[@nemaele]

Meanwhile one of our cats will chase after the toys when we play, until she starts panting. And she doesn't wanna stop when we try to give her some time to rest, and we focus a bit more on her sister, who is not nearly as energetic. Basically one cat will run laps around the other, who doesn't wanna move while playing.

[@EXROBOWIDOW]

Our Rocket will run himself ragged when chasing a toy. Never mind rhat the other cats want a turn.

[@Johnny-tt8zc]

I know how he feels about the gray hair. Steve French is going to be bigger than a lot of the dogs that come in for grooming. Stay safe 🌲

[@Surai00]

A fully soaked cat is one of those sights that just never gets old.

[@deawinter]

This is very valuable info!! We groom our pets at home, and one in particular is a drama Queen who cries like he’s dying during every part of the process. It’s really helpful to know a warning sign that he’s getting seriously stressed and not just complaining

[@fuggetaboutit5153]

I love how popular your channel has gotten over time, you're already almost at 2 million subscribers. Keep supplying us with our clean kitty needs 🙏

[@inanimatecarbongod]

I don't think I knew that cats *did* pant. Learned something new! Also impressed by how much white hair you pulled from him. I know Merlin's an older gentleman but he doesn't look like he has that much white hair in him...

[@softsounds8453]

Yup! They'll also pant after having kittens

[@rebeccaNdraws]

Such a pretty boy, and you did such a good job with him ❤

[@tamaradelsohn5493]

I have a similarly-browning void, though thankfully she's still grooming herself. We do need to keep her ears clean (one in particular is susceptible to icky stuff, and they both get sensitive if they aren't cleaned every couple weeks) and we trim the murder mittens periodically because otherwise she's velcro on anything cloth-like, but other than that she's been able to keep herself as clean as she did when we got her as a young adult.

[@suitov]

What a good little void! If she stops grooming, it can be a sign of pain and stiffness, so be on the lookout because arthritic pain can be managed. My girl also developed thyroid problems as she aged (very common in female kitties). Her treatment regimen got expensive but she was worth every penny. 💙 Cats are so good.

[@1953childstar]

A tip for ear cleaning… Use allergy tested, fragrance free ( bi-phase.. you shake ) eye makeup remover to clean the ears. I use a flat round cotton pad and wrap it around a small finger, then gently "twirl" . For "check-ups", I use a plastic "Bionix" ear cleaner to pluck out "chunks"..

[@tamaradelsohn5493]

My mom and I use a special pet ear cleaning liquid and a Q-Tip (we restrain her to make sure she can't move her head, to prevent damage). That ear's a problem area because a hematoma a few years ago caused swelling that collapsed just right to block the ear canal, so now something as thick as a finger can't get into it (the ear product's thin nozzle can barely get in).

[@reesecordova5106]

Super considerate! Especially for an old guy. I'm glad you stopped when he was showing those signs ❤

[@claudiadebernardi]

It is so amazing how you are at the same time professional, meticulous, but delicate and receptive to your furry client needs ❤️

[@Pe-S]

Thank you sweet girl for respecting Merlin's signals! Yes, when cats pant like that, they're extremely stressed out or otherwise in a bad shape. Thank you.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I love that the pet of the day has two names, lol. I initially read it as "French Maine Coon", instead of the cat being named Steve French. Now I'm curious as to if he's named after someone 😂 He was a cutie, either way. As for Merlin, that's an adorable name! It sort of makes me think of how my family named a black lab Black Magic (or just Magic for short).

[@infin1ty850]

Steve French is a reference to Trailer Park Boys

[@petramarishko]

I own a cat, who have a name, a paternal name (although I do not know who his father is) and even a surname :). That's because he is very respectable cat

[@RoyalPandora]

@@petramarishko Our parentage does not define us (think: Hamilton). Your description of what I am sure is a very respectable gentleman cat pleases me greatly. 🥰

[@starja4477]

@@petramarishko This is great! My partner and I are getting a cat in a couple of weeks and I intend to give the cat my partner's patronymic and surname, so she will be Olga Nikitchna Shupletsova. I hope she will be a very respectable cat too :)

[@petramarishko]

@@starja4477 :) And mine is Mamai Kawaii Pate-zade (Мамай Каваевич Паштет-заде), the greatest pate conqueror :)

[@Tori_TLCR]

You're such a good groomer the way you treat animals with respect and are in tune with their needs. Thank you for all that you do.

[@desertsinger72]

Merlin reminds me of a gorgeous black short hair cat I had years ago. He was so beautiful and sweet and mellow. We called ours Mozart. So many wonderful memories with that cat.

[@pmgn8444]

At 2:12, that's a complaint to the management!

[@Becca_H85]

It's great to see, that you can handle cats as well as dogs. ♥️ My little black girl starts panting when she's at the vet. And is loosing tons of hair due to the stress at the vet. She is being a nice girl and let the vet do everything, but you can tell, she is under a lot of stress.

[@aarong9817]

I love black cats mine had a stroke and passed away it broke my heart he was moms cat she gave him to me before she passed away I mis them both every day

[@amalizard]

If you haven't already talked with your vet about it, you may want to see if they will prescribe something like gabapentin to use for vet visits. My boy has a prescription that I pick up a day or two before any scheduled exam. It's two pills, one give the night before the visit, and a second is two to three hours before we get into the car.

[@Becca_H85]

@@amalizard If she wasn't an absolute demon, when it comes to medicine, this would be a great idea. But she does absolutely not take any pill, that's why the vet said, that is not an option. Luckily she is almost never sick.

[@KazeMemaryu]

Today I learned something new. Might come in handy someday, though I'd prefer to never find a cat under enough stress to start panting...

[@20thcenturyrelic]

I also learned something new. I'm not a cat person, so I was ignorant of this. And even though I'm an experienced dog servant, once in a while they still surprise me.

[@duchessofst.andrew7210]

Once again you're such a first class groomer. You continue to be aware and keenly observe each and every client. Congratulations 🤩 for keeping up the excellent standards. 🙋🏻‍♀️😉👏🏼👏🏼🥇

[@danielmorris6523]

This was very helpful for me. My 13 year old British shorthair (called Paloma; she's very sweet) has in her recent years stopped grooming. I've had her checked by a vet and they also said it is very common as they age. Basically they said to me "she's lazy" (which I already knew LOL). I groom her daily now and she has come to like the experience. She just lays there like a ball of fluff as I spend five minutes grooming her. She used to have the softest and most beautiful smooth coat but hey, she's an old girl now. I mean I'm 36 years old but most days I can't be bothered with much so I understand her dilemma haha.🤣

[@lavenderpetals64214]

13 is 68 in cat years. Yeah so I get that

[@Tser]

A lot of people don't know how serious it is for a cat to pant -- I've even had people sharing gifs of panting cats with me as "cute". This is a very important message. If they are panting (without an obvious stressor like this one) it's so important to take them to the vet as something could be seriously wrong. I've had cats for more than four decades, and over a dozen cats (not counting fosters!). I can count on one hand the number of times one of my cats has panted -- it was always in this kind of situation, at the vet, or another extremely stressful situation. Thank you for putting out this video.

[@sherylclements2846]

I didn’t know panting was anything other than heat related! I’ve owned up to 7 cats at once in the past, none at present as I lost my one remaining cat (18-1/2 years old) this past year. I may adopt again, always for life. Thanks for the info!!

[@darcyjeanske821]

I'm terribly allergic to cats. As I watched this video I could feel my nose getting stuffy, my throat tightening, and my face itching from all that hair!!😂 Thanks for helping Merlin. He was such a good boy!!

[@calamarimatahari1008]

There is just something so satisfying watching you de-shed the sweet pups & cats.❤

[@Fainche2]

Thank you so much for highlighting this coat condition. 🙂. At his age, there is a good possibility that puss finds it a chore to groom his lower back. He is much more comfortable now! To explain: the most common reasons elderly cats become less fastidious in their grooming are obesity and arthritis. A European study in 2013 revealed that 85% of cats over the age of 8 not only had arthritis, but they were also showing skeletal changes secondary to the condition. The most common locations for arthritis in cats are their backs and their feet. If it hurts to groom certain areas (or if you just plain can’t reach because you’ve become a beach ball!), then those patches of compacted hair will appear. Regular brushing helps, of course. But, there are also many treatments available now to help control pain in arthritic cats. Again, thank you for posting this. Your channel is well done and very informative.

[@lindacarruthers3423]

For some reason , heaven knows why , the sound of the equigroomer scrape scape scraping over the cat is a sound I really like . It was the same with videos of that Nordic mountain recently pouring lava . The slightly hollow sound of the sort of crackling lava was so pleasing .

[@markh9675]

It's called ASMR, "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response." There are tons of videos on youtube about it. It's like you go into a light trance (body and mind).

[@starfire1916]

i love you for looking out for all kinds of pets. as a cat owner myself, i feel safer and happier with you in this earth

[@DKTeddyBear]

That cat is SO well-behaved, even when stressed / really warm let her pet him from the front...

[@leefu.6176]

Omg how frantically calm she looked when she noticed he was panting!! I love your videos so much and how much you care about the animals well being!

[@elijahantony4300]

frantically calm?

[@Blabobl]

@@elijahantony4300 Those were my exact words when I read this. Similar to "chaotically peaceful". Maybe they meant how quickly she took action while staying calm? idk

[@Itsjustme-Justme]

What a lovely personality he is. Even though he wasn't feeling well, he never got aggressive.

[@mrs.foster3303]

I absolutely LOVE your compassion and empathy for each individual animal !! Thank you.. I am sure you hear it from the clients but for a animal lover that is unable to physically manage the daily routine and maintenance of pets due to a medical condition / incurable brain disorder, even after 2 brain surgeries … I am super appreciative for you and how you deal with each pet separately!! 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 (Oklahoma USA) ❤ 😇

[@kallisto9166]

It's worth bearing in mind that when a cat is reluctant to groom themselves, especially where they have to reach, it may be because it causes them pain. It can be a sign of things like arthritis and is worth mentioning to your vet.

[@icucingme]

Very true. Also hiding is another sign that something is wrong in a cat that is normally social and safe at home. I have had 3 cats and all three would hide when sick. But please keep in mind, this was very different from their normal behavior.

[@mingming925]

He's so beautiful huhu

[@ihavesevereibs]

0:49 old cat meow

[@BeautifulEnigma83]

Omg he is gorgeous.

[@giggle_snort]

One of the best things about your videos is hearing the awesome names people come up with for their pets. Merlin is an awesome name for an awesome cat. LOVE!!

[@akantiia]

I love how dedicated Vanessa is to the welfare of the animals she grooms!

[@Sarafara7]

I love and appreciate that you pay attention to the stress levels of your clients and not just push through the groom. I refuse to take my cat to a groomer because I’ve heard horror stories of pets dying due to treatment. I cannot and will never risk it. Plus, many groomers here don’t seem to groom cats which makes finding even a decent one difficult. I wish more people who handle animals are like you.

[@MuraCasardis]

It's clear that you put the animal's health and safety above all else, even the grooming itself. Thank you for the educational video again

[@angelagak399]

Thank you so much for teaching everyone that it's NOT normal for cats to pant. Thanks for explaining the reasons why. I find that many people are unaware of this. People tend to treat cats as if they're dogs, and they are SO different.

[@yaboicolleen]

The first time I saw my kitty panting, she was sitting in her carrier in the passenger seat while I was driving back home (we'd had to do a short-term evac due to some unrest in the city). It was around 90°F so I thought she was getting overheated. I immediately got off the highway and pulled into a parking lot. I didn't have a dish or a cup available, so I took the large lid off my water bottle and tried to get her to drink. She refused and continued to pant. I pulled out my phone and googled what could cause panting in a cat and the results said "extreme heat or STRESS." So I was like, 'You little turd, we could've gotten home twenty minutes sooner if you stayed calm!' Fortunately she did calm down once we got home. Unfortunately, she often pants when she's in the car :/ So I try not to take her many places.