Cat grooming, something that not many people are familiar with, is a service we offer here at Puff & Fluff. It is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when you see a pet grooming salon, and it is hit or miss whether or not they accept cats. Why is this? Why is it that cat grooms are only available in one or two lengths? How do you even bathe it? Why does it cost so much more?
Let’s begin with the first question, why do only certain salons offer cat grooming? Cat grooming is not common practice among groomers simply because of the risks involved. Those who do groom cats are VERY good at what they do and this is also why cat grooming typically costs more than dog grooming. Cats are not as forgiving as dogs, they can cause a lot of damage quickly, and they are much harder to manipulate. One severe cat bite to the hand can end a career in grooming, and this one reason is the most popular as to why not all groomers work with cats. See, a canine’s tooth is meant to pierce the skin but certainly is not as sharp as a cat’s. With those needle-like teeth and a mouthful of nasty bacteria, a cat bite is like an injection of those bacteria. Instead of leaving an open wound, this type of puncture closes itself quickly, leaving the nasties to seep deeper and grow.
So, you have found a cat groomer you feel comfortable with who seems confident. Now it’s time to pick your haircut. But why so short? Why can dogs have so many different lengths to choose from, but only one or two lengths for kitties? The answer is simple: Cats have paper thin skin. The #10 blade is the shortest and also the safest of the blades, with the least likelihood of snagging the skin and pulling it up into the cutting part. This is the same blade used on heavily matted dogs, for the same reason. Felines also have baggier skin, which is what allows them to twist midair to land on their feet. The looser the skin, the riskier it is.
Okay, so, a short lion cut is fine. You bathe it, too, right? Of course! How do we bathe one? Quickly. Cats tend to get progressively worse as the grooming process goes on, so the quicker the bath, the calmer the kitty. Here at Puff & Fluff we typically have two people work on a quick cat bath and then allow them to dry under the fan. On occasion, if the cat allows, we may use the same dryer used on the dogs (certainly not at full force) which hurries the process along. Most kitties do not enjoy the dryer, so having a break in a kennel under a fan works well for most. The goal at Puff & Fluff is to get the job done with the minimal amount of stress!
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call or even text us. Check out our facebook page for cat grooming pictures!