An annual cat grooming conference is coming up. Here’s the video from last year in Portland

Your cats probably spend lots of time grooming themselves, but sometimes they need a little extra help. That’s where cat groomers come in. They are trained to wash, brush and care for Fluffy regardless of her temperament.

If you’re interested in learning more about being a holistic cat groomer, or want to meet people in your field, The Cat Grooming Symposium is coming up soon. The annual gathering is taking place Aug. 15-16 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Last year, the event was held in Portland. If you watch the video of that year’s conference above, you can get a sense of what the instructors talk about — everything from proper safety precautions when grooming, to eye care.

The symposium’s blog goes into more detail about why it’s important to never use restraints or force to “calm” a cat when grooming:

“There are many techniques the groomer may utilize to calm & reassure the cat, thereby enabling a safe grooming experience for cat & groomer. Techniques that do nothing to quell a cat’s fear are scruffing, force, tethering, muzzling, and taping or the psychological feeling of being trapped. These techniques can also traumatize the cat psychologically & sometimes physically,” reads the blog post, written by Sheryl Woods of Wet Whisker Cat Grooming in Illinois.

The blog also has an informative post about how to give cat facials — and photos of clean, content, adorable cats.

Want to learn a little on your own about grooming? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has these tips for brushing your cat’s fur:

Regular sessions with a brush or comb will help keep your pet’s hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading natural oils throughout her coat, preventing tangles and keeping her skin clean and irritant-free.

If your cat has short hair, you only need to brush once a week:

– First, use a metal comb and work through her fur from head to tail.
– Next, use a bristle or rubber brush to remove dead and loose hair.
– Be extra-gentle near her chest and belly.

If your cat has long hair, you will need to brush every day:

– Start by combing her belly and legs; be sure to untangle any knots.
– Next, brush her fur in an upward motion with a bristle or rubber brush.
– To brush her tail, make a part down the middle and brush the fur out on either side.