{"id":1496,"date":"2022-07-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.daysmart.com\/pet\/blog\/cat-groomer\/"},"modified":"2024-12-25T12:00:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-25T12:00:47","slug":"cat-groomer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysmart.com\/pet\/blog\/cat-groomer\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect When Taking Your Cat to a Cat Groomer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019re like a lot of people, you\u2019ve never thought about taking your cat to a groomer. You probably think since they spend hours a day grooming themselves, they must be clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, the growing number of cat groomers says otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitney Bullock of The Charleston Cat Groomer<\/a> in Charleston, SC says, \u201c When they lick themselves, they\u2019re just licking. They\u2019re not cleaning themselves but they are ingesting fur.\u201d Check out Whitney\u2019s talent in these cat grooming before and after photos below!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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All that fur ingestion often leads to coughing up hairballs as you know. Though it can also build up inside and cause dangerous blockages<\/a> that require surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bullock says a regular grooming schedule reduces such risks and keeps cats clean right down to their skin. Plus, their fur is free of mats. \u201cCats do like to be clean. They\u2019re much happier. Imagine if you never took a shower or brushed your hair. That\u2019s what an ungroomed cat feels like. They turn into a much more social creature when they\u2019re clean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, many cat enthusiasts are surprised at the idea of cat grooming. They often have imaginative ideas of indignant felines with outstretched claws ready to take a swipe at anyone foolish enough to suggest a bath. That is until they speak with a Certified Feline Master Groomer like Whitney. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She says, \u201cI want it to be pleasant for them. If the cat is introduced to the grooming process calmly, many of them come to enjoy a day of pampering at the salon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy animals have a shiny, smooth coat with clear skin underneath. Cat grooming can address the underlying health issues that often show up with dry, brittle fur and flaky skin. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nancy Howard of The Whole Cat & Kaboodle<\/a> in Redmond, Washington says her mission is to help people \u201csee and understand the world from the cat\u2019s perspective.\u201d Says few people recognize the connection between diet and health which shows up in the coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below we cover a few health reasons for grooming your feline as well as what you can expect when you take your kitty in for an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Why Should I Take My Cat To A Groomer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cats benefit from grooming just like dogs. Regular grooming removes loose fur and dirt. It also smooths out mats and tangles and redistributes the natural oils. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Preventing Problems <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cats can have 130,000 hairs covering their body<\/a> so it\u2019s not surprising they could use a little help keeping them healthy. If you have a long-haired cat like a Persian or Maine Coon, you know they require regular brushing to prevent matted fur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitney Bullock says, \u201cGrooming prevents problems. I once saw a cat that was matted so much that the fur adhered to the skin. I\u2019ve seen a cat with such mats they couldn\u2019t move their legs. It also prevents problems like ingrown toenails.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

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Fighting Inflammation <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nancy Howard says, \u201c90% of the grooms we do are therapeutic. We see burn scars from topical flea treatments. We see cats with matted fur. Many of the cats we see are inflamed which means they\u2019re on a dry diet.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation in cats<\/a> can cause gut issues as well as skin problems. Inflammation is the body\u2019s natural response to fighting invaders. Those invaders can be virus-causing germs or bacteria entering the body through a cut. Foods high in carbohydrates (like dry food) can also cause inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a groomer, you\u2019ll inspect a kitty for parasites and any odd lumps or bumps. This can help catch potential issues before they turn into serious problems.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Client Education <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you know, a big part of a groomer\u2019s job is client education. That often means answering grooming-related questions as well as overall health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When people know more about healthy ways to care for their pets, they\u2019re more likely to make sure they get the ongoing care they need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is just a handful of reasons why it makes sense to take your cat to the groomer on top of their regular grooming habits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What to Expect When You Take Your Cat to a Groomer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cat groomers<\/a> always look out for what\u2019s the best for your pet and what goal you\u2019re trying to achieve for your kitty. Here\u2019s how groomers usually conduct the process:<\/p>\n\n\n

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A Cats-only Environment <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, many catteries are just that, a cattery. Many trained cat groomers only focus on cats, not dogs. As a result, the salon is quieter than a dog grooming salon. Many of these places also offer cat boarding<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a cats-only environment helps put the kitties at ease. That\u2019s the first step in a successful grooming process.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nancy Howard says, \u201cFrom the cat\u2019s perspective when they\u2019re taken into a new environment, they don\u2019t know if there are predators there. As a result, they go into a fight, flight, or freeze mode.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which of the three it is, depends on how she handles the kitty as she has different techniques. She also says, \u201cWe do a two-person groom which is unusual. We have a handler and a groomer. We want to go as safe and as fast as we can.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

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Assessing the Cat and the Owner\u2019s Goals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whitney Bullock conducts an assessment with each new cat much as a dog groomer might do. Much of her clientele keeps a regular grooming schedule such as every two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She asks questions about the cat owner\u2019s goals and expectations for their kitty. \u201cI ask how they want their cat to look? Do they want a full-coat? Or a trim? And we talk about home grooming. What do they want for their cat\u2019s coat? Some say they want a giant fluffy cat. Some people want a show cat and others just want a pet with easier maintenance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Starting The Grooming Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the expectations are established, Whitney can work her magic. \u201cI introduce the cat calmly to the grooming process. I want it to be a pleasant experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cat groomers offer various grooming services and packages based on the pet\u2019s needs.<\/strong> For example, some include a quick service brush out, nail trim, and de-shedding to cover extensive mats. (Whitney has a \u201chot mess\u201d category for seriously matted felines that take hours to groom.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nancy offers a la carte services and may only shave a matted area and comb the kitty out. \u201cNot every cat needs a bath. We try to meet the need with minimal assault.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are the most common services expect from a groomer.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What Does Grooming For Cats Include?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Cat Groomers Can Safely Give Your Cat a Bath<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have an image in mind of dunking your kitty into a tub of water, that\u2019s not the case. No one would like such an approach, least of all Fluffy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, cat groomers introduce the cat slowly to water if they\u2019re going to bathe them.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitney Bullock says, \u201cI know how to hold them with my hand on their chest in a way that makes them feel secure in the bathtub. Go slow. You don\u2019t just dunk them. You let them get used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also says, \u201c9 out of 10 cats are fine. I have 800 clients and only 10 don\u2019t do well. These are the same 10 who stress out at the vet\u2019s too.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the cat acclimates to the bathing concept, Whitney gives the kitty a good scrubbing. Some groomers may use flea shampoo or other specialty products depending on the cat\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cat Groomers Offer Basic Nail Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keeping your kitty\u2019s nails trimmed is an essential part of cat care. <\/strong>Cat groomers trim up to the quick, which is the pink part of each claw that houses sensitive nerves and blood vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you don\u2019t trim claws often enough, it can lead to a lengthening of the quick. However, with steady claw trimming it will eventually recede. It will require more frequent trimmings the first few weeks before returning to a manageable length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, maintaining short nails is important to prevent it from happening again. Most cat groomers provide this service on every visit, which may be every 4-6 weeks or sooner, depending on your cat\u2019s level of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you know, a cat\u2019s claws are their weapons. But you might not realize they\u2019re also needed for balance. Cats are known as digitigrade<\/a>. This means they walk on their toes and it helps them sneak up on prey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, you don\u2019t want to declaw a cat. However, you also don\u2019t want them sharpening their claws on your furniture. A cat groomer can safely trim a cat\u2019s nails. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Cat Groomers Provide a Thorough Brushing and\/or Trim<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even short-haired cats need regular brushing to get rid of dead hair. Long-haired cats may need daily brushing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cat groomers go above and beyond your regular brushing session. They tackle matted fur and knots and provide a trim to long-haired pets who need more maintenance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, some groomers will shave a cat\u2019s fur to \u00bd length (if that\u2019s what the customer wants.) Some cats appreciate having less fur, especially in the summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some long-haired cats have a tendency to grow fur between their toes. This can aggravate your pet, lead to accumulated litter box debris, or even impact their traction when leaping to your balcony railing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A trained cat groomer can trim up your pet\u2019s coat and brush it out leaving it smooth and silky. Many cat owners don\u2019t realize that their pet actually has whiskers near the back of their legs and near their pads. Groomers will know how to navigate this area without impacting these important tactile hairs. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Nancy Howard says \u201cWhen we do the front boots, we don\u2019t take it down to the paw, we\u2019ll go an inch and a \u00bd to 2 inches so from the shoulder. If you shave off those back whiskers, it\u2019s disorienting. While today\u2019s house cats don\u2019t have the same levels of requirements for fending off prey, these whiskers are meant to alert the cat to potential prey through vibrations. Losing them would be similar to having to read without your glasses. It\u2019s part of their hardwiring.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will also keep an eye out for any signs of skin concerns, such as lumps, bumps, lesions, or missing patches of fur.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cat Groomers Provide Ear Care<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cats aren\u2019t able to maintain their ear care well on their own. A cat groomer will check the inner and outer ear to make sure it\u2019s clean<\/strong> while making note of any:<\/p>\n\n\n

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