Frequently Asked Questions
Cat Grooming 101
No, this is a misconception. Cats do lick themselves, but that is only adding saliva to their coat, it is not getting them clean. They naturally produce excess oils in their skin, so oils plus saliva means they need baths with shampoo for them to be clean. Groomers use degreasing shampoo plus a blow dry and comb out to get them truly clean and to remove excess coat.
Absolutely! Cats produce an excess of oil in their skin and need degreasing baths to get fully clean. All of my bath or groom packages include a bath and getting dried with a high velocity dryer.
Waterless baths and wipes do not clean the coat, they only add more products to an already greasy coat. I only recommend these for emergency situations for pet parents, I avoid them during the grooming process.
I use a high velocity dryer to get the cat dry, and have a portable cat drying tent to help them feel comfortable and safe while using the dryer. I also use Happy Hoodies, which are compression hoods to go over their ears to muffle the sound of the dryer. Most cats tolerate the dryer once they’re used to the process. If a cat is not tolerating the dryer or is getting too stressed, I will towel dry them as best as I can.
Most cats enjoy the warm water and massage part of the bath, so I always want to attempt a bath on your cat to make sure they’re as clean as possible. If your cat is starting showing signs of stress, I will stop the bath if needed.
Absolutely! I have trained in handling techniques to help get nails done on cats who don’t like being restrained. I will use my favorite tool, a towel, to let the cats hide or to help restrain, and I also have different bite prevention tools such as a hard e-collar, Happy Hoodies, and an air muzzle for the cat, plus bite and scratch proof gloves if needed.
Nail caps are like fake nails on humans, but they encapsulate the nail and make them thicker so they can’t scratch skin or penetrate fabric or furniture. They come with cat safe nail glue and the nail caps come in lots of different colors! They do fall off and need to be reapplied every 4 to 6 weeks depending on your cat. I use them on my personal cat who has destroyed 3 couches and swear by them!
The Lion Cut is a short all over haircut using a clipper and a short blade. This is the most common all over haircut for cats, and it leaves the remaining hair approximately 1/16 ” long. Lion cuts are often necessary especially when a cat is matted. Comb cuts use a clipper, a comb attachment, and a clipper vacuum system to pull the hair up as the clipper cuts it. The lengths of comb cuts can vary, and that would need to be a discussion prior to your groom. Comb cuts require that your cat can be fully bathed, dried, and deshed before attempting the comb cut.
Yes, I can trim your dog’s nails at the same time as your cat’s appointment. Dogs must have proof of rabies on file. Since I will not have a table or help to hold, please let me know on the intake form if they are difficult for nails so we can discuss further.
Depending on the severity of the mats, we may have to shave out the matting. If the mats are tight to the skin, it is often more humane to shave them out than to try to brush or comb them out. Text me to discuss further, and I will request photos to try and give you an idea of next steps. Once I can feel your cat’s condition during the initial assessment, we can come up with a plan.
Have additional questions about your cat’s grooming needs?
Text us at 240-385-6407 or email at ashley@thetailoredtabby.com!
How Does In Home Grooming Work?
I will drive to your home with my equipment. Upon arrival, I will do a quick assessment of your cat, chat with you about the plan, and then set up a spot to groom your cat.
EVERY CAT must be caught, in a carrier, and/or contained in a room BEFORE MY ARRIVAL. If your cat takes longer than 15 minutes to catch when I arrive, I will consider the appointment a no show and your card on file will be charged the full appointment fee. I will let you know an arrival window and will send updates the day of the visit on an updated ETA.
What do I need from you at your home on the day of the visit?
For nail trim only visits:
- A clean/flat surface to trim your pet’s nails. Usually a kitchen counter or table, but if your cat is anxious, a bathroom may be better.
- One adult sized fluffy towel. This means they have towels that smell like their own home, not someone else’s laundry detergent.
For bath & haircut grooming visits, I will need the following:
- Access to a kitchen sink, utility sink, or a deep bathroom sink. A sprayer or detachable shower head is ideal, but not required. If you only have access to a bathtub, or if you have low water pressure, please let me know ahead of time so I can bring additional equipment.
- A quiet contained place in your home, usually a bathroom, to dry your pet.
- Access to an electrical outlet
- Two adult sized fluffy towels to help dry your cat. This means they have towels that smell like their own home, not someone else’s laundry detergent.
- If possible a clean/flat surface to groom your pet in a quiet area of the home. Usually a kitchen counter or table. If this isn’t possible, let me know ahead of time so I can bring additional equipment.
My Ground Rules for coming into your home:
1. Due to health concerns, if you smoke inside the home or have very strong smells (cigarettes, marijuana, incense, any other strong smells), I will not be able to perform any services in your home. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. The legal adult (18+) who booked the appointment must be present inside the home for the full duration of the appointment. Minors must not be left in my care at any time during the appointment
3. Anyone who is rude, threatening, inappropriate or unfavorable in any way at the appointment will result in the immediate ending of the appointment. The card on file will be charged the full appointment fee, and you will be blocked from all future services.
4. Every animal I come in contact with must be rabies vaccinated, and I will require a photo or scan of the paperwork or verification via phone with your vet. NO EXCEPTIONS.
How do full bath/haircut groom appointments work?
Upon arrival, I will do an assessment of your cat. Once set up, I will usually start with nails, do any pre-bath haircuts, and then bathe and dry your cat. After the cat is dry, I will clean their eyes and ears, and then do any finishing haircut and/or will do a full comb out.
Can I stay to watch you during the visit?
You can absolutely stay and watch me while I work, but if your cat is anxious, trying to escape, or if they are distracted, I may ask to take them into a quieter spot or bathroom, especially for the drying portion.
