Grooming Tips

Grooming Tips: Oriental

The Oriental coat as described in the standards should ideally be amongst the lowest grooming maintenance ones in the cat world. Silky, close lying and flat are the identifying traits we breeders encourage. However, we are dealing with both Shorthairs and Longhairs so, where appropriate, tips for the Longhair that are different or enhance the general directions for the Shorthair will be noted.

That said, there are of course variable degrees of each of these traits evident in any cat and some of the peculiarities are even color or pattern related.

The basics of grooming these cats for pet life or the show ring are as follows:

1. Clip all claws. Not only will this make your cat and your household more comfortable, it is a CFA Show Rule and therefore MANDATORY for all cats presented for judging. The mechanics here are simpler than one might imagine. Tuck the cat between the side of your body and your arm (left side if you are right handed). Holding the paw that you are working on in your left hand, press the paw between your fingertips. This will extend the claws from the sheath. Using a standard nail clipper held perpendicular to the ground, vertically clip the sharp tip off the claw. Holding the clipper in this manner keeps the layers of the claw from separating into a frayed edge that can be uncomfortable or even dangerous for your cat.
2. Clean ears with a moist cotton swab -- just as with humans, you want to concentrate on the external parts and stay out of the canal.
3. Brush your cat well. The preferred type of brush for a shorthair Oriental is the solid rubber curry type available from vendors at shows and in most pet stores. Lay the brush in the palm of your hand CURVED side out and use it to firmly "pet " your cat in long sweeping strokes in the direction the hair grows. This side of the brush is designed specifically to remove loose, dead or extra "plush " hair and has the added benefit of giving your cat the massage of his life! For the longhairs, a good steel comb can provide the same effect as the brush, since the longer hairs are more easily split or broken. Sometimes just a damp cloth run over the body is an effective way of gathering the loose hairs. A good brushing or combing is a wonderful way to bond with your cat and most of them look forward to a serious grooming session.
4. Finally, wipe the cat down either with your hands or a natural chamois to remove the hairs loosened by brushing. Again, do this in the direction the hairs grow so that you've laid them smoothly down. The end result if done properly is your cat will have the high-gloss glow of fine satin.

Now for the "show " cat there are a few additional primps that some of us practice. The best way to learn the correct way to do them is by observing a real pro in action but here are a few things to watch for:

1. Bathing -- generally Oriental Shorthairs don't need it as it causes "fluffing" and their coats by nature of not having an undercoat stay pretty clean. Some colors, such as whites and some of the more dilute pointed colors, can discolor and need a bit of touching up. Check paws (especially pink paw pads), faces and genital areas. If necessary, try to shampoo the cat at least 24 hours before the show so as to give the coat a chance to regain it's natural oils and lay down again. DO NOT BLOW DRY. Simply wrap the cat in a towel, keep in a warm place and pet him dry with your hands. If dryness or fluffiness is still a problem on show day, a light application of mink oil wiped on with a chamois will settle the coat. For an Oriental Longhair, DO blow dry the tail if the cat will accept it, if not comb & fluff the tail repeatedly while it is drying. Use a good quality steel comb, NOT a brush or the rubber comb like on the Shorthairs - so as to not split or rip the coat. Most Longhair's do need a show bath, especially to accentuate the tail.
2. Ear Hair -- This one is a matter of personal preference with there being successful exhibitors on both sides. Some people prefer the cats ears presented completely "au natural" in which case please make sure they're spotlessly clean. Others believe a cat in the ring with unclipped ears equal to a Miss America bathing suit contestant with unshaven legs. While a good judge will be able to evaluate the cat's ears set either way, clipping does give a more finished look and seems to be what most exhibitors do. Look at cats presented both ways and ask the exhibitor how they get that look. If you choose to clip there are 2 mandatory tools -- a CURVED scissors and a" Flicker " razor or alternatively a personal trimmer (advertised for ear and nose hair). (Keep in mind that not all cats will tolerate the buzz of the trimmer and a bolt on their part can result in a bald patch.) Sit the cat on your lap facing away. Gently roll the earflap towards the back of the head. This will turn the ear inside out and "fan " the hairs away from the skin. Scissors those (with shear curving AWAY from the skin) to approximately 1/4 inch then follow with the flicker or trimmer. Ear hair trimming is definitely personal preference with the Longhairs, but most people do not. Judges seem to prefer to see the natural furnishings the Longhair's have. Some will trim only the extra hairs leading into the ears & leaving the part inside alone.
3. The last procedure you might see is use of a "stripping comb ". Stop right there, kids, do not try this at home!!! This is the one that unless in the hands of an experienced pro can cause untold damage to the cats coat and effectively destroy his chances in the ring until the hair grows back. While proper use of a stripping comb on a coat that is a little too long or plush can be an asset, you should never use it on a patterned OSH (it will remove the tips of the hair and therefore the agouti bands that make the pattern) or any pointed cat (the body hair will darken and stay that way until shed and replaced). A little judicious stripping can remove " fluff " at the neck/jawbone juncture to show how elegant it really is or flatten the slightly flyaway tummy hairs but used poorly will resulting a moth-eaten effect. This is the one that you need someone with real experience physically show you how to do. For the Longhair, NO stripping combs! Some people will use a straight razor type tool to trim a bit of hair off the neck area, to make the neck appear longer.
4. When getting ready for a show ring, the Oriental Longhair could use a texturizer or anti-stat product to get rid of any static in the coat & help fluff the tail. Put the product on your hands & work into the coat, do not spray directly on the cat. Do this at least 1/2 hr before the ring incase the cat decides you didn't do a proper job & licks & wets the coat. The coat should still lay silky & draped on the body not puffy but the fluffier & fuller the tail appears, the better. Still to have the high gloss glow like the Shorthair's. Whites can often need a bit of powder to hide any imperfections. Then for both the Oriental Shorthair and Longhair, do a final check: eyes, ears, nose and tail are clean and free from any distractions? One last wipe with a chamois, and you are ready. So to recap, clean and / or trim ears, brush coat, clip claws, run your hands over him and off you go. While the aim of all breeders is to need no more than this, remember that you wouldn't display a Rembrandt without a frame, nor should you present your jewel to the judges without the proper setting.

Text: Lisa Greco 7/99

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