Cat Groomer Recommendations?

Submitted by k30000 t3_z0ejn8 in washingtondc

I am currently cat sitting for an ill elderly neighbor who owns a long-haired cat. This cat is my neighbor’s baby and she used to spend hours gently brushing the cat as it purred on her lap. As she was getting sicker, she stopped brushing the cat. It now has some pretty terrible, tight mats. I don’t think the cat has ever had a mat before in its life and these mats are clearly painful. I’ve tried to brush her myself but she won’t let me come near her with neither brush nor comb in hand.

I’ve spoken with my neighbor about the mats and she has agreed to let me get the cat professionally groomed. I warned her that the matting is severe enough that the cat might need to be shaved. She loves her cat’s long hair and is adamant that we do everything we can to save her hair. I’ve told her that I will find a groomer who will try their hardest, but the cat might up needing to be shaved anyways.

So now I am looking for recommendations for patient cat groomers who can work with a matted and potentially angry cat. The mats are clearly painful and the cat wants nothing to do with my grooming attempts. I haven’t even managed to get close enough with a brush or comb to see how the cat would react to it. She just jumps off my lap or runs away.

I don’t want this poor cat to have to go through a painful attempt at a brush out so I will approve shaving if the groomer can’t brush out the mats. But I’m looking for someone who will at least give it a shot.

I would be happy to drive to a pet salon for the right groomer but a mobile groomer would be preferred.

The cat and I appreciate any and all recommendations!

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glamopticon t1_ix56b6w wrote

I recommend Bark In Style mobile grooming, if your neighbor is within their service area. Their website gives good info about their experience and technique with cats. The groomer was quick and efficient, kind, and did not stress my little guy out. Although she had to shave a few spots, it didn’t really end up being noticeable and she even recommended some tips and a special kind of comb that has kept him from needing their services since.

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JustHereForCookies17 t1_ix5pi1u wrote

I can't recommend a cat groomer, but I do strongly suggest talking to both your neighbor & her veterinarian about a light sedative for the cat's grooming. It's not a panacea, but I do think it would go a long way in preventing a trauma response in the cat.

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k30000 OP t1_ix5qriy wrote

Replying to JustHereForCookies17 (#595,160)

I am worried about that as well. The cat used to love brushing and these mats are definitely traumatic for her. That’s why I haven’t pushed her at all when trying to brush them out (not that she even lets me close enough to try). She is a very sweet cat but shy and used to being alone with her owner.

I’m hoping to find a patient groomer who can be gentle with her. But having medication on board will definitely take the edge off. I want to try to preserve the hair for my neighbor but I’m thinking a sedated groom at the vet might be the best option. It’d be painless and she’d have no memory of any of it. In my opinion, fur grows back. So an uneven shave isn’t a big deal especially if it’s what’s best for the cat.

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BoysenberryNo4959 t1_ix65v2x wrote

Don’t brush the mats. Cats have very thin skin that can be damaged or tear easily.

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foxy-coxy t1_ix66cr8 wrote

We get our cats groomed at our Vet, City Paws on 14th. If the cat is very matted it would be best to shave the hair down very short and let it grow back.

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k30000 OP t1_ix6gd5c wrote

Replying to BoysenberryNo4959 (#596,183)

I have a Persian cat of my own. I groom him myself to save money. Only baths and brushing. I don’t cut or shave his hair as I don’t have the experience for that and worry about nicking him. I brush him daily but sometimes he’ll still end up with a small mat I brush out.

I’ve never come across a cat with matting like this before so I assumed gently trying to untangle some of the mats with a comb or a brush might help. She won’t let me get near her even with her favorite brush. Hence my decision to take her to be professionally groomed.

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k30000 OP t1_ix6gt29 wrote

Replying to foxy-coxy (#596,206)

Thank you for the recommendation. I agree that a shave down would be best. But the owner doesn’t want that. Although I think that is what is going to have to happen anyways. Out of due diligence to my neighbor, I’d just like to see if it’s at all possible to get the mats out and preserve the fur length. If the groomer says it’s not possible or will be too painful for the cat, I’ll just have her shaved. The poor cat has had her world turned upside down with her owner’s illness and now absence. I want to do what is best for her.

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JustHereForCookies17 t1_ix6hgym wrote

Replying to k30000 (#595,245)

This is, in my opinion, a wise & sane approach.

I'm glad you've already thought about consulting the veterinarian. Involving a professional who is familiar with the dynamic between your client & their cat is the best possible move.

You're a peach, OP. The world needs more folks like you in it. Please let us know how everything pans out!

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LakeLifeTL t1_ix7y47p wrote

If the owner insists that the cat's fur remain long and "de-matted" then good luck finding a groomer willing to torture the animal for the hours it would take to accomplish this goal. The cat will need a shave down and more than likely a new owner.

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hexesforurexes t1_ix85fwp wrote

It would be cruel to the animal to brush out those mats. The neighbor didn’t take care of her fur and now has to deal with the consequences. If the owner can’t continue to take care of her fur, then shaving may be a new regular occurrence.

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k30000 OP t1_ix89tzn wrote

Replying to hexesforurexes (#600,680)

Trust me, I also think that a shave down would be best. Ultimately it is not my cat, it is my neighbors. She is sick, elderly, and might not make it out of the hospital. This cat is her only family and she loves the cat’s long hair.

Out of due diligence to her, I just want to get recommendations for a good groomer to see if it is at all possible to get the mats out and preserve any of the fur length. If the groomer says it’s not possible or will be too painful for the cat, I’ll have her shaved.

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skratchpikl202 t1_ix9i0mr wrote

Depending on your transportation access, I recommend NOVA Cat Clinic in Arlington. It's a vet office, buy they do grooming. The practice's sole focus is cats. It's about 5 minutes up Rt 50/less than 10 from 395 once you cross rhe bridge.

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