Cat Grooming
‘‘My cat has never been groomed before.’’
Less-Stress options such as Pawdicures and Brush Outs are a great options to introduce cats to grooming. This also allows us to see how your cat responds to certain exposures and assess if they might benefit from further grooming services such as bathing or haircuts.
If your cat is experiencing matting of their fur, depending on severity, an ‘Extra Matting’ add-on can be added to a Brush Out to spot shave or comb-out smaller mats, or a Lion Cut without Bath is often the best for a fresh start.
‘‘My cat is feisty, I don't think they'll behave for grooming.’’
Cats communicate a lot of their emotions and intentions through body language, and learning to recognize their signals is an important part of my approach to grooming. By paying attention to signs of stress, discomfort and fear, I can adjust my handling and grooming techniques to work with your cat’s natural instincts rather than against them.
While many cats I groom are friendly and cooperative, I never expect every cat to be perfectly comfortable with the process. Defensive behaviour is often a natural response to feeling frightened or overwhelmed, and there is absolutely no shame in having a cat who struggles with grooming.
Some cats need a little extra time, a modified approach, or multiple shorter appointments to safely complete their grooming needs.
For cats who experience significant stress, prescription calming medication recommended by your veterinarian can also be a valuable option. While some cats may benefit from CBD or other natural calming products, these tend to have limited or inconsistent effects when a pet is experiencing acute stress and displaying defensive or aggressive behaviour.
My priority is to work within your cat’s individual limits, prioritize their safety and well-being, and find the most compassionate and practical approach for them.