Do you sedate or put the cat to sleep before grooming?
No, we do not use any form of sedation when we groom cats.
Sedation does not immediately shut off a cat’s anxiety, from the moment you put your cat in his carrier, as you drive, as he meets new people he does not know ( us!), new environment, exposure to grooming tools, rigorous procedures, etc.
Sedatives have a long-term effect on the cat’s vital organs ( especially on older cats ).
Can the owner of the cat stay in the salon during grooming?
No. We do not allow this as we do not need the owner’s assistance while we groom
Do you groom unruly cats?
We try our best to groom even the most aggressive cats. However, for our safety as well as for the welfare of the cat, aggressive cats are best suited to be dealt with by Vets.
Should we fail to groom your cat, we have no choice but to surrender the cat back to you free of charge
How long will my cat be groomed?
It depends on two major factors: the work needed and the behaviour of the cat on the table.
Generally, we allocate 2 hours for a groom. If with a bath, on average it takes 3 hours to complete a groom.
What if my cat has never been groomed / bathed before?
We can always try to groom your cat. However, if we cannot carry on this task due to the cat’s aggressive behaviour and our safety is at risk, we will stop.
We can try bathing your cat too. However, you may end up getting a wet cat back should your cat becomes too aggressive to be handled during a bath
What about old cats?
Yes, but expect a not-so-polished cat grooming as older cats become irritable easily.
What other grooming do you do on cats?
We first trim the nails for our safety. We try to clean the outside of the ears too if the cat allows us. We are not vets so if your cat has ear and eye issues, please consult with your vets.
Cat grooming is more about practicality and comfort of your cat. Do not expect the grooming result to be aesthetically pleasing to look at ( unlike a dog’s groom ).
How do you deal with my cat’s mats / knots ?
We do not demat a cat’s matted coat. Dematting adds more pain on the cat’s thin skin. We only shave off the mats.
If the mats are too tight on the skin , we cannot anymore deal with this. Your vet is your best bet for this task.
Do you charge extra fees?
If your cat is difficult to handle, or we need extra time to groom him, or if your cat is too big for one person to handle, obviously we have to add extra
When is the best time to book my cat for a groom?
Ideally, medium -to long- haired cats have at least two major grooming requirements per year. The first is during the start of winter when a cat has started growing enough undercoat as a form of insulation. The second is when summer starts as the cat will shed a lot to cool himself down.
If you regularly brush out your cat, at least once or twice a week, a visit to us may not even be needed.
Do you wash and dry a cat?
Yes, but only if your cat is used to taking baths from a young age.
Most cats have a repulsion to water. They get stressed out in the tub and cat scratch or even bite.
We can offer other solutions to clean your cat’s coat especially when there is oil buildup in the coat.
Do you shave down a cat?
Yes, if there is severe matting of the fur.
Some cats’ mats can still be dematted but in most cases, the best solution is to shave down the coat.
The areas that get matted easily are the underbelly, under the arms and groin, behind the ears, on the chest, and under the throat.
If you feel knots behind your cat’s ears, chances are, there are more knots on other parts of his body
Do you de-mat a cat’s coat?
To a limited extent, yes. However, the skin of a cat is paper-thin and is more sensitive to pain.
We would rather shave a cat’s matted fur than subject a cat to such stress of pulling its skin as we demat.
Besides, a cat has a short, placid moment of about 5 minutes ( based on our experience) and so we have to get rid of the hard-to- remove mats within that window period before the cat becomes restless and starts to wiggle and hiss.
We give a cat some time off in between grooming sessions to allow him to calm down and rest.
Do you trim a cat’s nails?
Yes. This is the first commandment in cat grooming. Getting clawed can be a traumatic experience for a groomer.
Do you sedate a cat prior to grooming?
No. We rely heavily on our experience in cat care and grooming.
What experience or background do you have in terms of cat care and grooming?
I grew up having cats and dogs as pets. I bred and showed persian cats back in my country and i have carried that passion when i emigrated to NZ. I am a member of both NZ Cat Fancy and Catz Inc organizations as a registered breeder / owner and show exhibitor of Persian and exotic shorthair cats.
Why do cats develop mats?
Cats are known to be intense in grooming themselves. However, especially long haired cat breeds, their coat can be extra dense and long and the cat cannot cope with it. Also, other factors can contribute to matting such as if your cat is an older cat, arthritic, or overweight whereby he can have a hard time reaching certain spots of his body. Grass seeds and other gunk can get stuck in your cat’s coat which are very hard to remove, or your cat can sit or rest on wet or moist places which could contribute to fur matting later on.
Do you have some breed style cuts on cats?
Cat breeds are developed to have natural-looking coat.
No cat has a specific grooming look or style written out for them.
Most of our clients would ask for a lion trim which leaves a short mane around the head, leg boots and a shaved tail with a tassle at the end.
What breeds are the most popular for grooming in your salon?
Surprisingly, we get a lot of Maine Coons, Ragdolls, persians, Birmans and domestic medium and long haired cats.
We also get the long haired moggies which are also a delight to groom.
Have you ever been scratched, clawed or bitten while grooming a cat?
Scratched and clawed, yes on certain occasions. That is part of the “ hazards of the trade”. Bitten? Not yet. I don’t think i want to experience that.
We take extra measures to protect us from getting clawed, like wearing an arm guard. However, cats are quick!
