Do people have their cats groomed?

OK, so my Isaac is such a handsome guy, but his hair just keeps getting longer & fuller. He's 11 months old tomorrow, & I believe he's got some main coon in him because when he came to me he was a pathetic looking thing. He had some long hairs, but by far most of it was short. Now he's super handsome & has the start of a beautiful mane going, that gets thicker all the time. His toes are so hairy I laugh every time I see them (it's soooo cute). He's not one to be brushed, or combed I've tried just about every kind there is. He does a pretty good job of keeping himself clean (no small feet I imagine as his tail is as long as his body is) but there is one area that gets dirty. His rump, when he uses the litter box, it gets in his hair (not his fault he's just super hairy) I love my little man (his nickname though he's not little any more) but frankly find the dirty bum a bit gross. So I've got 2 questions one is it OK to trim a cats hair around that area, or will it cause them too much distress and two are there groomers around that groom cats like they do dogs? (not that I can afford it I'm just curious) Also, any additional grooming tips would be appreciated I didn't really anticipate this type of thing when I took home the cute little 3lb baby boy. He's just such a good looking cat & I want to keep his coat as clean & free from mats as possible.

I was wondering the same exact thing just the other day and stopped by Petsmart (they have a grooming place in the one nearby me) to see if they groomed cats and if so how much would it cost ... My Tonka (stud boy) gets the classic testosterone response - oily, greasy tail with blackheads - otherwise known as Stud Tail.

He is a very large, muscular cat and it is extremely difficult at best and impossible at worst for me to even THINK of trying to bathe him myself.

When I checked at my local Petsmart, yes, they do groom cats and it costs $30 which includes claw clipping. But they won't groom Tonka since he is intact. When I asked why, the young lady explained to me that their policy is "pro-spay/neuter" and she wouldn't agree to do anything for a whole male because of it. *sigh* They suggested that I take him to my vet, which is, of course, twice the cost.

Hope you have better luck,

~gf~

Hi there,
We always trim the fur around one of ours cats behind. Without the trim I'll be constantly cleaning up her bum. We use electric hair trimmer/clippers and it works just fine! Although she complains about it being done, she does appreciate it because when she does have a cling on she's totally stressed out and embarassed.
As far as the grooming is concerned, the above mentioned cat and our other one which is long haired go off to groomer once a year for a lion cut. Very cool!. The groomer shaves all the fur except for the head and neck like a lions mane and a puff of fur at the end of tail. This cut costs around 30 dollars and can be done be any groomer whether your cat is intact or not.
Hope this helps.

I take my Zoey for name clipping to Petco

My parents take their/my(it was mine until I moved out then my Dad wouldn't let me take her. He's very attached to her and she was so old that we were all worried that she wouldn't survive the stress of a move) cat to the vet. They bathe her and clip her claws.

The nurses at the vets were always great with my persian and maine coon boys and would do a quick run around bum and trousers with electric clippers when they started to get too long - took literally thirty seconds to do, and didn't bother the cats at all, I think it ended up far less traumatic all around than the frequent baths! The nurses didn't usually charge me for that either, since it was such a quick and minor thing.

Regarding Petsmart not grooming your cat...that sounds rather rude. They can certainly disagree but since when do stores start not giving a service just because you don't agree? Doesn't sound right to me.
Anyway, regarding the original question, your cat sounds just like mine....Wallace is a total Maine Coone look-alike, massive amounts of fluffy long hair and we most definitely give him the butt trims. I'm not very good so it is choppy but it does the job. The first time I did it, if you can picture me chasing him all round trying get get at his behind...there were "cling-ons" too, quite a sight I may add. But the trim helps tremendously. He's due for one now....maybe I will just do that today. Although my cat has massive hair he is not prone to matting for which I am most thankful. I have had to clip a few under the armpits, which I do when he is asleep. I do try to brush, although is is quite wiggly, he has more important things to do all the time. I do keep an eye on things quite regularly so I can get to the matts before they become a problem.

Many people have their cats groomed. Mostly the long haired cats like yours. I groom my own and have step by step instructions on my website at www.purrfectpurrsians.net if you're interested. I have to trim one of my cat's fur trimmed around her butt. It really helps her to keep herself clean. But any groomer would do it too. Just tell them you want a sanitary trim.

Isabella my 3 yr old overweight long hair gets her bum shaved every 2 months for $12 at the vet. She comes home happy, tail up, loves to show her bum off. Kinda of funny tho, she looks like she has a monkey's bum, but her long hair all around hides it. Except when she is showing it off.

My one-year-old-as-of-yesterday (Happy Birthday) cat (not kitten) has gone twice for grooming. He is a tabby but his hair is very thick. They did the "furminator" on him to help with his thick undercoat.

My other cat (oops, still a kitten) went in once for a grooming and she really didn't need it, but I thought why not.

I'm going to have them go in every few months, maybe every 4 months or so, just for a good bath and all.

Go for it, it is amazing how soft and snuggly they are afterwards. And yes, my hairier cat got a trim around the backside and also his underbelly.

We do all our grooming here ourselves and mzjazz tips are wonderfull! none of mine will allow the blow drying..


Gayef thats interesting about petsmart. I am going to have to see about that at my petsmart. I dont see how they could refuse service just because the animal is intact..

Originally Posted by Lucius&Cissa

My one-year-old-as-of-yesterday (Happy Birthday) cat (not kitten) has gone twice for grooming. He is a tabby but his hair is very thick. They did the "furminator" on him to help with his thick undercoat.

My other cat (oops, still a kitten) went in once for a grooming and she really didn't need it, but I thought why not.

I'm going to have them go in every few months, maybe every 4 months or so, just for a good bath and all.

Go for it, it is amazing how soft and snuggly they are afterwards. And yes, my hairier cat got a trim around the backside and also his underbelly.

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I love those names!

I groom my own kitties at home so far - baths (no small feat), nails, combing and nails. I haven't yet have to have them shaved. Only once so far I have had to take Luvbug in for a groomer at Petco to be done due to him getting into some tree sap (she did a wonderful job with him).

AS for trimming him there, I'd ask your vet or a groomer first before you try it. They may be able to show you how to do it safely.

I groom my own too but I have show cats.