Dandy Lions Cat Salon

12/12/2024

Jaffa had just been rehomed, and his coat was a little bedraggled from his past living conditions. He'd been preferring his own company while adjusting to his new life, so I took things slow. First up was to drape a fluffy towel over him to follow classic cat logic: if they can’t see you, you can't see them, right?

Despite his shyness, he let me gently hold each paw and feel his toe beans. When he curled up slightly against me, I knew he would be okay. To help him retain that hidden feeling in the bath, I swapped the towel for the number one accessory, the cone - its opacity gives that same sense of security. Luckily I was able to massage his cheeks and extend his neck with chin scritches to get his head through it!

After a few minutes in the bath, he had relaxed to the point he rolled onto his side for belly rubs. He quickly turned into a full-blown purr machine, soaking up the pampering, and showing off spots and stripes that had been hidden under the scruff.

I hope all this TLC shows Jaffa that new touch isn't scary! With a little more time, I'm sure he'll let his full personality come through, and I just know it's going to be all cuddle monster vibes. 🧡🌸

09/12/2024

When Lucy’s owners bring out a comb, he doesn't just take them on a guilt trip; he knows the scenic route! Knowing they were fighting a losing battle, they decided to call in reinforcements before his coat became matted. I had zero problem with taking on the role of antagonist. 😉

From the moment he arrived, Lucy kept up a steady stream of chatter, his little chirrups making it feel like I had a furry co-worker. Whether he was sharing secrets or offering unsolicited tax advice, I'll never know, but he sped up every time I responded so it felt like a proper conversation!

After a quick Dreamies break, Lucy relaxed into a towel purrito. He leaned into my hand as I cleaned his eyes, practically demanding extra attention, so I spent a little longer while he got his fill. All that was missing were cucumber slices.

We moved on to drying, and Lucy handled the sound and sensation like a pro, walking over occasionally for head scritches. He wasn't entirely sure about the dryer around his back legs though, so I worked a little at a time, switching between areas to keep him comfortable. We'll adjust the order next time to make things even smoother.

I discovered that Lucy was much more relaxed when curled up on my lap and handled from the side. Since kitty skin is so stretchy, this position was perfectly fine for trimming parts of his belly and armpits, which will make it easier to maintain between visits.

His owners were rightfully proud of how brave Lucy had been for his first visit. Now all they have to do is focus on giving him all the fuss he deserves until next time, and together we'll keep his coat in full bloom! 🌸

05/12/2024

When Bebe and Teddy stopped by, their owner and I decided Bebe would go first. It was thought she might be the more timid of the two, especially as she'd only recently been rehomed. Turns out, we underestimated her completely. 🤎

Though I proceeded slowly with desensitisation in mind, for her first ever groom at just 8 months, she wasn't at all bothered! Running water? No big deal. Belly rubs? Sure, why not. Having her back legs held up like she's a contestant in the fuzzy little wheelbarrow race? Just another day at the office.

Now, being beyond compliant or freezing up can mean a cat is scared, but I really didn't believe this was such a case. Bebe's pupils are larger here due to dimmer lighting, but she was alert and curious (check her little ears) and extended her neck for fuss at every opportunity. Good thing really, because who can resist fawning over those adorable cheeks!

While I worked with her brother from another mother (and father, though that doesn't flow as well), I popped Bebe into a warm, quiet drying space to finish up. The only complaint I got from her was when I took her out of it.

Bebe's quiet confidence really made an impression, and I was so pleased to give her hopefully a positive start to her grooming life. Teddy deserves his own spotlight, so stay tuned! 🌸

02/12/2024

Little Beryl is growing out her super soft kitten fluff, so came in to help prevent tangles as her winter coat starts to come in as well. 🤍🩷

She had no issues with the sound of water coming from the nozzle, and she was very curious about the water swirling! It was all good until her tiny toes touched the bottom of the tub, and that’s when she looked for some reassurance. Her comfort zone was her paws resting on the edge of the bath, so I would only move her away in short bursts as needed. When she needed extra comfort, she clung to my top like a little koala, and I was more than happy to let her hold on for as long as she needed.

To make sure she felt comfortable, we started with the gentlest water pressure, holding it over a towel so she could get used to the sensation. She was so brave, even accepting a cheek fuss with wet hands. Within mere minutes, she was letting me work with normal water pressure and even allowed her feet to touch the water - such a trusting soul.

By the time we moved to the dryer, she seemed to understand that she would be okay and loafed in the corner after a brief wander. To get to her belly and inside the legs, I held her on my lap and was able to find the position she was comfortable in that also let me get her warm without much moving around. She also let me dry most of her head and occasionally stretched out a leg ballerina style!

Afterwards, Beryl enjoyed gently batting at the combs like they were her new favourite toys. It was difficult to not drop everything and want to play with her for the rest of the day, but I managed to resist (somehow).

She is such a lovely girl who I can't wait to see grow, and hopefully she'll remember this experience positively so her next visit will be completely smooth sailing for her 🌸

(A big thank you to her lovely owners for keeping Beryl company and sending over these great photos, used with permission!)

01/12/2024

If anyone would prefer for their cats or other pets to stay in the comfort of their own home, Annarose has some December spots free! She also has experience with exotics and aquariums. Having family or a neighbour feed your fish or other critters can be easy, but do you secretly dread an algae bloom or whether anyone is shedding properly? Finding someone who matches your knowledge can be so difficult, and there's someone in Derby!!

Going away this Christmas? Looking for last minute pet care? 🎅

I have availability throughout December 2024, including spaces for dog walking, pet sitting and check-ins. I will also be available over the Christmas and New year period at no extra cost - this includes Christmas eve, Christmas day, Boxing day, New years eve and New years day ✨️

For any questions or queries please don't hesitate to give me a message via messenger or give me a call through WhatsApp.

01/12/2024

In case anyone has been looking for somewhere to take their cat(s) to have their own holiday while you have yours, get in touch! These folk are normally booked months in advance so reach out quickly!

25/11/2024

25/11/2024

Grooming isn’t just about looking good. As a rescue, Beanie's new family is showing him that life can be full of kindness and care, and I'm so grateful to be part of that. His thick, soft fur hides tangles and traps shedding, so he visits to prevent matting and minimise hairballs. Since he lives with a heart murmur, every session is as calm and predictable as possible (even if cat logic and "predictable" don't really mix).

During his first groom, he corrected my behaviour when I had the audacity to touch his belly; I attributed it to overstimluation. But at his last visit, his only complaint was when I specifically went near his armpits. He wasn't as bothered by me going near them as long as he was on my lap though. (What were we saying about cat logic?) It was time to get creative if a lap hold wasn't possible, and I found that if he could feel a towel acting as a barrier, he was much more relaxed. Hopefully as Beanie's trust increases, this barrier can be eliminated completely🤞

He is a really placid boy in the bath and for drying. He takes stock of his surroundings, feels out a situation, then likes to take it all in. In the bath, I wrapped him in a towel and drizzled the water over that, so he could be reintroduced to the feeling slowly. It was on for only a minute before he shook it off and happily sat there uncovered. Similarly, every cat wears a hoodie to muffle the dryer noise (or any other time if it helps soothe them), but Beanie chooses the rock and roll lifestyle by repeatedly shaking it off after he's used to the situation. He is also happy to be held and watch the clock on the wall, so I reduce other sounds and keep a towel handy for some ear protection for good measure.

Beanie is wonderful reminder that every cat speaks their own language, has their own preferences and their own way of feeling safe. He shows me a little more trust each time, and I can’t wait to watch it grow even more as his confidence does at home! 🌸

18/11/2024

Gilly’s spa day was exactly what he needed after weeks in a cone post-surgery. His owner wanted to give him some well-deserved pampering to help get his coat back on track, and Gilly absolutely embraced it! 🩵🌸

At first, he was curled up as small as possible in the carrier, clearly not feeling his most confident. I totally get it though - doctor visits can take a toll. To help him feel safe, I gently covered him with a towel right after removing the lid to create a cozy, hidden space. It worked like a charm - he started to stretch out and enjoy some relaxing combing while staying snug.

And then came the twist: Gilly was LIVING for the bath! Tail up, rubbing his cheeks on the bamboo next to the tub, exploring everything with curiosity and wanting to investigate everything I touched. He didn’t even glance at the floor, let alone try to hop out. He was fully in the moment, soaking up good vibes and even leaning into his ear cleaning. I couldn't have expected it moments before.

To top it all off, he let me dry him while lounging on his back in my lap, which made it so easy to get those tricky spots. His owner couldn’t believe how much Gilly seemed to enjoy himself!

This sweet boy left looking and feeling fantastic, and I’m already counting down to his next visit. 🛁🐾

26/10/2024

I had the pleasure of meeting Ernie, a sweet rescue with fluffy pants that needed some taming. 🧡🌸

Sudden noises would cause him to tense up and look for the source, so I kept things as calm as possible and eased him into each step. Some cats need more time to accept what's happening, but Ernie is quite a smart boy and caught on fast. When we got to the dryer though, it was clear he’d had enough of new experiences for the day.

To keep things positive, I switched to towels and a gentler fan-assisted method, but he still went home a bit damp around his back end. That usually isn’t a problem, but this time a mat formed as he air-dried. His owners were incredibly understanding and brought him back for a quick fix, giving me the chance to ensure his coat looked how I would have liked from the start under perfect conditions.

When Ernie returned, he settled into position and wasn’t startled by sounds, showing how quickly he was adapting. I told you he was smart! If I'd forced him into compliance, I don't know if he would have relaxed so quickly the second time, but it's not something I'm interested in finding out.

Working with animals is unpredictable, but one thing is always certain - the cat's welfare comes first. If a cat shows signs of stress or discomfort, I won’t push, even if it means not getting the perfect groom that day. For Ernie, this meant prioritising a positive experience. As he becomes familiar with the routine, the perfect groom will come.

My sessions are one-on-one, which allows me to set time aside for slower introductions or more challenging behaviors. If I kept cats longer like day boarding or had a team of groomers, it might be different, but I believe this approach helps build trust.

Every session is part of the journey to a calm routine. Thank you to Ernie’s owners (and all my wonderful clients with shyer cats) for being so patient and supportive. My goal is for every cat to eventually handle the whole process calmly, and maybe even enjoy it!

21/10/2024

"You would never be able to bathe MY cat!" 🐈‍⬛

I have the privilege of working with a lot of rescues, some with generally nervous dispositions and those who have been fired from other places due to behaviour. Some have tough histories, and others are seniors in their late teens and early 20s.

Some just want to get everything over with.

Some prefer to be guided and gently encouraged.

And some seem completely fine, until they're suddenly NOT fine AT ALL, thank you very much.

What they have in common is a reaction not to the water itself, but to the SOUND of that first rush from the tap. It's like opening a drink can really - loud, sudden and startling, especially for a cat with super sensitive ears.

So if the need arises but your cat doesn't break the land speed record to reach the sound of a running bath, how can you help them? How do I do it? There's the weird noises, new sensations, an unfamiliar environment and 😱 someone trying to touch their sacred belly! And it's all happening at once.

Here's where the towel method comes in, demonstrated by the very sweet, brave Ted.

The pressure of being swaddled helps soothe and calm, and allows them to get used to the feeling of being wet at their own pace. No sudden movements, no splashing.

They can adjust to the lathering motions, and you can place another towel underneath them to help with their feet.

A cone is another handy tool. It helps reduce the amount of stimulation they're getting, like a set of blinders. Plus you can be more confident nothing is getting in their ears or eyes by accident. From my side, I can still check on their body language and pick up on stress signals before they become too overwhelmed.

Whether it takes 20 seconds or 20 minutes for them to realise they're safe, the goal is always the same: make the experience as calm and positive as possible. I work and study a lot behind the scenes to maintain a space where cats can feel this.

Oh, and don't forget the constant praise. Because everyone thinks their cat is the best, and everyone is right 😊🌸