FAQ's & Myths

I understand that your cat(s) may have a sweet, calm and docile disposition but please keep in mind that they are in their home environment where they feel safe, secure and on their own territory.  Cats are not used to going places except to the vet, they don't go for walks, car rides, cat parks to play nor do they meet other people outside of their home.  So, when you bring your cat to get groomed you are taking them out of their home environment, introducing them to someone they have never seen and a place that is foreign to them; this is very stressful for your cat and can create a different personality than what you see at home. If your cat is having issues during the grooming session, I will always communicate this to you; this is not saying at all that your cat is a bad cat at all.  Please bear in mind the difference's your cat is facing between security at home and foreign land here!

​Do cats need to be groomed on a regular basis?

​Yes, absolutely! It is a common misconception that cats do not need a bath because they groom themselves. Cats are unable to manage all of their grooming needs on their own. Cats groom by licking their fur, licking does not produce soap and water. When they do this they cover their body with saliva and dander; these are the two factors that create human allergies, it is not the fur. This does nothing to combat tangles, mats, fleas, dandruff, skin conditions, and unsanitary things hanging from its hindquarters.   Cats are no different from a person or a dog.  All need to be regularly bathed/cleaned.  No bathing will increase more grease, more filth, more hairballs, more mats and unsanitary conditions overall for both the cat and your home.  

Aren't cats supposed to “groom the​mselves”? ​

​Well, no. Not all cats have the ideal hair, weight, and overall health to make self-care a breeze.  When cats are not maintaining themselves, the problem (grease, mats, hairballs, dingleberries stuck to their hindquarters, etc.) is usually painful or uncomfortable. Tugging on a cat really hurts and is offensive.   Regular grooming keeps shedding and hairballs at a minimal as well as keeping mats under control.  Regular hands-on professional grooming will offer you with a  maintained, healthy, clean coat, as well as, create a pleasurable bonding time.  Feline grooms must stay on a maximum 6-month schedule due to the extra time it takes with yearly work.  High maintenance breeds for example Persians and Maine Coons are encouraged to be on a 4-6 week schedule to keep them grease and tangle free. 

​What are the benefits to having my cat professionally groomed?

Reduce Shedding......Reduce Allergies.....No More Hairballs.....Less Expense.....No More Matting.....Less Stress...... Super Soft Touchable Fur

How often should my cat be groomed?

​For full coat grooming sessions, we suggest scheduling appointments every 3 months. Cats with cottony dilute coats will need groomed more frequently than those with coarser coats. The soft cotton like fur has a tendency to become tangled more quickly than coarse fur. Shy or fearful cats may benefit from more frequent grooming sessions until they become accustomed to the process.

​Do short haired cats need to be groomed?

​Yes, even short haired cats can benefit from regular grooming! Short haired cats often times shed more than long haired cats and can also become matted. Keeping your cat’s on a regular grooming schedule will reduce the amount of hair on your furniture and clothes while also reducing the number of messes you clean up for gross hairballs.

​Don't cats hate water?

​It is a common misconception that cats hate water. Most cats show little to no stress during their bath. The warm water and gentle massage can even be very relaxing. It may take a couple sessions for your cat to become accustomed to bathing and the grooming process but soon they will understand there is nothing to fear.

Do you use sedation?

​I do not sedate cats, nor will I groom a completely sedated cat; that can only be performed by a veterinarian where your cat can be monitored under anesthesia. If I think the cat is just a little over stressed that a mild sedative may allow for the cat to be calm during the grooming process, I will refer you to your veterinarian to talk about your options.  For a more holistic man-made approach, I do offer CBD dosed treats that you can give your cat 24 or 48 hours before their grooming appointment to help maintain normal emotional balance and promote relaxation.  Cannabis has long been studied for its anti-anxiety effects. Scientists have found that CBD has a particularly calming effect – both on animals and in humans. It’s useful for bouts of anxiety as well as generalized anxiety; however, CBD doesn’t cause extreme sedation the way many other anti-anxiety and sleep prescription medications that you will get at your vet can. 

Will this help my allergies from my cat?

100% YES!!  People who have allergies to cats have them twice as often as dog allergies.  Contrary to what you might think, it's not the fur or hair that's the real problem, it's the proteins (Fel D 1) that are found in the cat's saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin).  If you let your cat outside they can also bring in different allergens on their fur such as pollen, mold, and other substances. When cats lick themselves, they spread this protein onto their fur and when they shed or dander falls off them the allergen is deposited into the home and environment. By getting your cat professionally groomed, your groomer is washing away this protein as well as the dirt and grease that is causing more dander.  Especially when your cat is matted it is just holding that allergen and dead/dry skin in those tight mats, as the skin has no way to breathe to remove it.  Cats don't groom themselves, they lick themselves!! 

how long will my appointment take?

We typically allow 2 hours for your appointment if you have only one cat. If you bring in two or more, or the cat is severely pelted or matted, the groom time may take longer. Once we see your cat/cats in person, we will be able to give you an approximate timeframe, however, we will text you when your pet is ready to be picked up. We believe cats are better served by not being away from their normal home environment any longer than possible, and therefore strive to complete each groom in an efficient and timely manner.

Is every cat a candidate for grooming?

Not all cats are candidates grooming and/or for all services.  Some cats are not good candidates for clipper work based on skin/body condition and personality.   An assessment will be done on your cat upon entering the shop for its scheduled appointment, from there I will go through with you the best options.  The goal is to build a trusting relationship with your cat by keeping them comfortable while solving the problem for the visit!  Do not get discouraged if I am unable to give your cat what you want, keep in mind not all dogs are candidates for grooming and/or certain services either; grooming is about the health, safety and well-being for your cat.  

CAN I STAY WITH MY CAT?

​We do let owners stay with their pets during the grooming.  Owners can see everything in my salon as it is an open floor plan and all windows, I realize you may like to see how your pet is treated and how thorough the grooming process is; so, you are welcome to stay. However, please be aware that a full groom can take 1-2 hours from start to finish.  If you would like to hold, be close or pet your cat while they are being groomed and you get injured, you will be response for any expenses that you may incur.  Kitty Cuts Grooming, LLC is not responsible for any medical, mental or financial cost that a client may incur due to an injury from their own cat. 

WHAT IF MY CAT HAS FLEAS? 

If you know/suspect your cat has fleas, please pick up Capstar (can be purchased at a vet, pet stores, Amazon, etc) and administer it to your pet 30 minutes prior to coming in. Capstar is an oral treatment that starts to kill adult fleas within 30 minutes and continues to kill them for up to 12 hours. However, keep in mind that this medicine only kills adult fleas, there are still eggs, larvae and pupae that are present in your home so additional treatments need to be taken by a veterinarian prescribed drug. By giving your cat Capstar and me providing a flea bath will not kill the fleas that are present in your home, greater measures need to be taken to rid the environment of fleas.
Should I find live fleas on your cat I will administer a Capstar and provide a flea bath, however, there will be an additional fee of $35 added onto the groom price!!!
If live fleas are found, depending on the severity of the infestation your cat may not get groomed that day. I can provide you with a Capstar to administer to start treatment and once your cat is flea-free you may reschedule their grooming. You will still be responsible for the cost of what grooming has been done, plus an additional $15 per Capstar pill. 

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

47073 Gratiot
Chesterfield, MI 48051
586-569-9131
TEXT PREFERRED
info@kittycutsgrooming.com