Experience at the Groomers

My long-haired cats keep getting mats around their butts. I work on these mats with a dematting comb, but they really hate me messing with their butt fur and we never can get through a whole mat. I am considering taking them to a groomer so we can just start over with no mats and use daily combing so the mats dont develop in the first place (I was new to owning long haired cats so I didnt know that the butt mats were developing until it was too late) and I am also considering a sanitary cut. Was wondering about what is normal at the groomers. Like do they typically use sedatives with cats? (can I refuse to let them use sedatives?) Do the cats have to stay there all day without the owner? Can they just go for a quick procedure (e.g., sanitary shave) or do they need to also stay for a bath, combing, etc?

Groomers don't normally use sedatives to groom a cat. If they do, then find a different groomer. However, a severely matted cat that goes to a vet to be completely shaved will sometimes need to be sedated.

Whether or not they have to stay all day is dependent on the groomer and their schedule. A sanitary shave shouldn't take that long if you have an appointment. So when you make the appointment, ask. If they tell you that you can wait then when you take the cat in remind them you will be waiting. If you were getting a full bath, blow dry and comb out, then you would more then likely have to leave your cat.

Originally Posted by novemberflowers

My long-haired cats keep getting mats around their butts. I work on these mats with a dematting comb, but they really hate me messing with their butt fur and we never can get through a whole mat. I am considering taking them to a groomer so we can just start over with no mats and use daily combing so the mats dont develop in the first place (I was new to owning long haired cats so I didnt know that the butt mats were developing until it was too late) and I am also considering a sanitary cut. Was wondering about what is normal at the groomers. Like do they typically use sedatives with cats? (can I refuse to let them use sedatives?) Do the cats have to stay there all day without the owner? Can they just go for a quick procedure (e.g., sanitary shave) or do they need to also stay for a bath, combing, etc?

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A groomer cannot legally administer a sedative; so do not allow one to talk you into giving one to your cat, unless you are bringing your cat to a groomer who works in a Veterinary clinic, because the Doctor can administer the med properly, and legally IF the cat needs it. 99.9% of the time a cat will not need any medication.

Most groomers will keep the cat between 2-4 hours...I usually kept them only 1 hour if I didn't have any other dogs during that time frame that had to be done...less stress to the cat that way; he can be in and out!

When I groomed, I pretty much made it 'manditory' for the cat to stay for a bath; mainly because cats tend to be too greasy to get a proper clip...even just a sanitary clip. But...I was pretty picky about how the animal looked when it left...I wanted it to look like it had been groomed! Some groomers will just let you hold the cat, or leave the cat long enough to do your sanitary clip, and charge a minimal fee.

Thanks for the info. I feel better about calling around now..my sister took her cat to a groomer and had to sign a paper saying that they could sedate her cat if necessary (I think the groomer was at a vet's office and that is why..though they didn't end up sedating her) and the cat ended up being there for 8 hours (because she needed to dry after a bath) and was generally traumatized for a day afterwards. I just wouldn't have bothered with a groomer if it was the norm to sedate them and keep them all day (I'd want to stay in the same building with the kitty if possible).

There should be no reason, ever, either, for your pet to stay at a place 8 hours either...if they tell you that, either on the phone, or when you get there, even if you do have an appointment, RUN FAR AWAY!!! No wonder why her cat was traumatized!!!! I don't think I have EVER spent more than 45 minutes to an 1 and a 1\\2 on ANY cat...the longer time is for fussy cats. Even when I use a kennel dryer, cats can be dried in a 20 minute span...it's just their belly that will have to be dryed on the table, and that takes just a few minutes. So bath...5-10 minutes...Dry 25 minutes...Finish (shave, or comb out)15 minutes...so 45-50 minutes for the 'typical cat'. I don't do any prep work they go right in the tub.There is never any reason for a groomer to keep an animal for 8 hours. IMHO even 4 hours is pushing it...but then I really like getting animals in and out, because it is just better for them to get done, and be able to go home right away.

My groomer works in my vet's office. I like that just in case there are any weird medical problems that suddenly come up during a grooming session. Or, for those animals that do require a full shave due to heavy matting, sedation may be required - and you need the vet for that.

When I took Dharma in for a spa day (bath, grooming, anal gland expression), I did leave her for 6 hours to make sure she was fully dry (it was late fall). She wasn't traumatized, and she's generally shy cat away from home.

But, you should be able to go in for a little interview session with the groomer before you bring your cat in - see if you like the place, how sanitary and organized it all seems, and if you're comfortable with the groomer.

Yeah, it doesn't take me 8 hours to bath, blow dry, comb out and trim my cats. I wouldn't see any reason to keep them that long. But I know some do.