Cat grooming isn’t as common as dog grooming, owing to the history of a cat’s reaction to a bath.
Still, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends it, claiming that regular grooming can help your cat maintain healthy skin, ears, nails, teeth, and eyes, as well as reduce shedding.
A cat grooming costs around $50 on average. You may expect to pay between $30 and $70 to hire a cat groomer to keep your cat’s hair and skin in good shape.
Some cat grooming establishments charge a flat fee for a grooming package, while others provide a basic “bath” and charge additional fees for add-ons.
Prices will differ depending on whether the service is mobile or fixed and the size of the company.
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How Much Should It Cost To Groom A Cat?
The average cost of cat grooming in the United States is $50, with most pet owners spending between $30 and $70.
Cat grooming is essential for keeping the cat’s skin healthy, clean, and free of parasites. The groomer, the length of the cat’s hair, the cost of living in your location, and the services requested all influence the price of cat grooming.
Because most cats do not adapt well when placed in awkward postures, cat grooming will frequently take more time than a dog grooming session. A cat, unlike a dog, may curl up in a ball while being groomed, making it difficult for the groomer to access particular places.
Aggressive cats may be a pain since they may try to bite or scratch you, worsening the situation. This alone might make it difficult to locate a groomer willing to groom them in your region.
If the groomer doesn’t provide a pricing list or is hesitant to provide a quote, they will most likely charge by the amount of time they need to devote to the work.
Is Getting your Cat Groomed Worth It?
Yes, cat grooming is extremely beneficial for your cat.
Cats, like dogs, benefit from grooming. Grooming eliminates loose hairs and grime regularly. It also removes mats and tangles, as well as redistributes natural oils. Cats have up to 130,000 hairs on their bodies, so, understandably, they may use some help keeping themselves healthy.
Brushing, washing, shaving, and nail trimming are just a few of the benefits of regular grooming, which include encouraging a healthy coat, removing smells and matted fur, and minimising hairballs.
It’s critical to make grooming with your cat as pleasurable as possible to create a good grooming habit.
What Does Cat Grooming Include?
Cat grooming will include a bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, brushing, nail trim, dematting and tail trim.
Keep a close watch on your cat’s grooming habits since too much or too little grooming might indicate a serious health problem.
Because of arthritis or being overweight, she may not reach every part of her body if she doesn’t maintain herself as clean as she used to.
If your cat is licking, biting, or scratching more than normal, it might be a sign of a skin problem or a behavioural issue. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you observe any of these symptoms.
What To Expect When You Take Your Cat To A Cat Groomer?
You can expect a large range of benefits for your cat, including promoting a healthy coat, eliminating odours and matted fur, and reducing hairballs.
It’s necessary to make grooming with your cat as pleasurable as possible to create a good grooming habit. Begin slowly and gradually acclimate your cat to the procedure by gently handling her for as long as she will allow.
Treats and praise should be given after each pleasant encounter, and the process should be repeated until your cat feels at ease.
Brushing your cat’s coat regularly eliminates dead hair, filth, and debris, preventing mats before they become unmanageable and reducing hairballs, which build up in your cat’s digestive tract and eventually wind up on your carpet.
Additionally, you’ll spend less time cleaning cat hair off your furniture and clothes and less time shedding. Brushing is also a good method to engage with and bond with your cat.
How Much Does It Cost To Groom A Cat At PetSmart?
Cat grooming packages at PetSmart, one of the world’s leading pet retailers, range from $50 to $89 per cat.
A wash, nail trim, ear cleaning, brushing, nail trim, dematting, and tail trim are included in a basic package. Teeth brushing, breath freshener, enhanced wash, more scissoring, and a long brushing session are all included in premium trim.
During most grooming services, the groomer will start with a 15-minute brushing session, during which the groomer will use a metal comb to push the fur away from the body, followed by a bristle brush to ensure that all dead hair is removed.
Once all the tangles and matting have been removed, it’s time for a bath, which is normally in a tub the size of a kitchen sink. The cat will be sprayed softly from head to tail as shampoo is worked into the fur while being bathed.
After the shampoo has been administered, the cat will be softly washed and dried with a towel. After the bath, the tips of the nails will be clipped using special cat scissors, and caps will be applied if asked. On the other hand, some groomers may operate on a different timetable.
Depending on what’s being done, how the cat behaves, and the condition of the cat’s fur, most jobs will take one to two hours. Grooming a cat with fleas and behavioural issues, for example, will take significantly longer than grooming a calm cat.
Why Is Cat Grooming Expensive?
Cat grooming is expensive because they require a lot of time and effort.
Cats have more real estate per square inch than a person’s skull but far less than most canines.
Cats have thin hair that takes longer to dry per square inch than a dog or human hair, and they prefer to make it even more difficult by keeping their tails curled up and blocking access to the bottom for drying.
Because of the texture of their skin, cats are also more difficult to groom. Cats have extremely delicate skin that is easily harmed.
Brushing a cat too aggressively might result in skin scratches or tears. The hazard is the second reason that getting your cat groomed might be expensive.
How Often Should I Take My Cat To the Groomer?
Although cats are excellent groomers, it is still necessary to groom them professionally every four to six weeks.
Grooming properly and regularly is an excellent method to stay on top of any potential health issues.
Brushing your cat’s fur many times a week, for example, reduces the likelihood of a hairball passing through its digestive tract, which can cause vomiting or even intestinal obstructions.
Grooming your pet’s fur helps you see whether there are any pimples, rashes, or other skin anomalies that a veterinarian should evaluate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should cats go to groomers?
Cats, like dogs, benefit from grooming. Grooming eliminates loose hairs and grime regularly. It also removes mats and tangles, as well as redistributes natural oils. Since cats have up to 130,000 hairs on their bodies, they may use some help keeping themselves healthy.
How much grooming is too much for a cat?
If you’re not sure if your cat grooms excessively, keep an eye on it to see if it spends more than half of its day grooming, which might indicate that it’s unwell. Also, see whether it spends a lot of time licking its tummy or legs since this might indicate over-grooming.
How do I know if my cat is over-grooming?
You’ll see patches of damaged or scant hair, total hair loss in spots, and occasionally harm the underlying skin if your cat is over-grooming. In severe situations, a cat may gnaw or bite its feet or tail, inflicting injuries that may necessitate partial amputation of the tail.
Final Words
If you have the patience and time, grooming your cat is something you can do yourself. You’ll need to purchase the required equipment, brushes, and shampoos to do the task like an expert. Purchasing all necessary items will undoubtedly be less expensive than hiring a groomer to complete the task.
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