Cat Grooming
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a C.F.M.G.?
A. C.F.M.G. stands for Certified Feline Master Groomer, and is a title designating excellence, knowledge and skill in the art of cat grooming. Not every groomer can groom cats, and not every cat groomer can groom cats well. CFMG's have gone out of their way to study and pass both written and practical exams focusing on health, safety, behavior, breed standards, proper handling techniques, clipper techniques and customer service. This title designates that we have met the exceptional standards established by the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, the leading authority in the cat grooming industry, and are dedicated to our craft. It takes a special person to earn this title, and I wear this title with pride. There are less than 250 of us in the entire world, and our work speaks for itself. When you go CFMG, you'll see! ;)
Q. How often should my cat be groomed?
A. Every cat is different, but in general, short haired cats should be groomed every 6-8 weeks, long haired cats every 4-6 weeks, and cats with teddy bear or lion cuts every 8-10 weeks.
Q. What can I expect after I bring my cat home?
A. Cats typically behave in one of several ways after they return home. Some may want to hide for a little while, especially if they are fearful and/or do not leave the house very often. If you have other cats at home, some may not recognize the freshly groomed kitty because they smell different, so we recommend rubbing their cheeks and paws with a sock, or a blanket that they (or the other cat) have slept on prior to the groom and rubbing their coat with it to make them smell familiar again. Some cats may feel stiff, especially if they are elderly. However, most cats will experience a surge in confidence and will be prone to strutting their stuff all over the house. Shaved cats may also be more demanding of your attention because touching their new haircut feels AH-MAZING to them.
Q. Can you just give my cat a bath without drying it?
A. Not unless medically necessary, for several reasons. First, leaving a cat with a wet coat makes it very susceptible to matting and tangling, especially for long haired cats. Cats also have a normal body temperature that is higher than our own, ranging from 100-102 degrees. Leaving a cat wet makes them very cold, which makes them susceptible for catching an upper respiratory infection and makes them feel very uncomfortable. Drying a cat is not as traumatic as you might imagine, especially when introduced to it slowly and properly by a skilled groomer. Most cats will even sigh and relax into the groomer's arms once they get used to it. All cats are dried wearing a "happy hoodie" over their face and ears to decrease the noise from the dryer as well.
Q. Can you just shave my cat without bathing it?
A. There may be special circumstances where the bath may not be an option, as is the case for cats who have had recent surgery who cannot get their surgical sites wet, but for healthy cats who are not restricted due to medical reasons, the bath will not be excluded. The bath is a necessary part of the grooming experience, as it cleanses away dirt, urine and fecal matter, grease, litter box dust, saliva and other contaminants from the cat's coat, and soothes and moisturizes the skin, leaving the cat feeling wonderful. Also, every cat that gets groomed by me carries my name on it, and I will not lower my standards by leaving you with a cat that is dirty and smelly. You deserve a clean cat, and your cat deserves to feel its absolute best.
A. C.F.M.G. stands for Certified Feline Master Groomer, and is a title designating excellence, knowledge and skill in the art of cat grooming. Not every groomer can groom cats, and not every cat groomer can groom cats well. CFMG's have gone out of their way to study and pass both written and practical exams focusing on health, safety, behavior, breed standards, proper handling techniques, clipper techniques and customer service. This title designates that we have met the exceptional standards established by the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, the leading authority in the cat grooming industry, and are dedicated to our craft. It takes a special person to earn this title, and I wear this title with pride. There are less than 250 of us in the entire world, and our work speaks for itself. When you go CFMG, you'll see! ;)
Q. How often should my cat be groomed?
A. Every cat is different, but in general, short haired cats should be groomed every 6-8 weeks, long haired cats every 4-6 weeks, and cats with teddy bear or lion cuts every 8-10 weeks.
Q. What can I expect after I bring my cat home?
A. Cats typically behave in one of several ways after they return home. Some may want to hide for a little while, especially if they are fearful and/or do not leave the house very often. If you have other cats at home, some may not recognize the freshly groomed kitty because they smell different, so we recommend rubbing their cheeks and paws with a sock, or a blanket that they (or the other cat) have slept on prior to the groom and rubbing their coat with it to make them smell familiar again. Some cats may feel stiff, especially if they are elderly. However, most cats will experience a surge in confidence and will be prone to strutting their stuff all over the house. Shaved cats may also be more demanding of your attention because touching their new haircut feels AH-MAZING to them.
Q. Can you just give my cat a bath without drying it?
A. Not unless medically necessary, for several reasons. First, leaving a cat with a wet coat makes it very susceptible to matting and tangling, especially for long haired cats. Cats also have a normal body temperature that is higher than our own, ranging from 100-102 degrees. Leaving a cat wet makes them very cold, which makes them susceptible for catching an upper respiratory infection and makes them feel very uncomfortable. Drying a cat is not as traumatic as you might imagine, especially when introduced to it slowly and properly by a skilled groomer. Most cats will even sigh and relax into the groomer's arms once they get used to it. All cats are dried wearing a "happy hoodie" over their face and ears to decrease the noise from the dryer as well.
Q. Can you just shave my cat without bathing it?
A. There may be special circumstances where the bath may not be an option, as is the case for cats who have had recent surgery who cannot get their surgical sites wet, but for healthy cats who are not restricted due to medical reasons, the bath will not be excluded. The bath is a necessary part of the grooming experience, as it cleanses away dirt, urine and fecal matter, grease, litter box dust, saliva and other contaminants from the cat's coat, and soothes and moisturizes the skin, leaving the cat feeling wonderful. Also, every cat that gets groomed by me carries my name on it, and I will not lower my standards by leaving you with a cat that is dirty and smelly. You deserve a clean cat, and your cat deserves to feel its absolute best.