What Happens During a Professional Cat Groom?

Every Cat Is Different

Unlike many dog grooming appointments, professional cat grooming is highly individualized.

Cats vary widely in:

• Coat type

• Grooming tolerance

• Age

• Health status

• Mobility

• Behavioral needs

• Medical conditions

For that reason, no two grooming appointments are exactly alike.

At Cats in the City, grooming begins with assessment and observation rather than immediately beginning a procedure.

Learn more about our approach:

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https://catsinthecity.com/tandem-cat-grooming/

Step 1: Intake and Assessment

Every appointment begins with an evaluation of the cat's current condition.

This may include assessment of:

• Coat condition

• Matting

• Shedding

• Skin health

• Nail condition

• Mobility

• Grooming tolerance

• Behavioral presentation

During this process, we may identify concerns such as:

• Matting

• Undercoat retention

• Embedded claws

• Greasy coats

• Hygiene issues

• Mobility limitations

Learn more:

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Step 2: Coat Assessment

The coat is evaluated to determine the most appropriate grooming plan.

We assess for:

• Shedding

• Coat density

• Undercoat retention

• Coat compression

• Matting

• Pelting

• Skin visibility

Many coat issues begin long before severe mats become visible.

Learn more:

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Step 3: Nail Assessment

Nails are evaluated for:

• Length

• Thickness

• Retained sheaths

• Overgrowth

• Embedded claws

Senior cats and medically complex cats are particularly prone to claw problems.

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Step 4: Grooming Plan Development

Once the assessment is complete, an individualized grooming plan is developed.

Depending on the cat's needs, this may include:

• Deshedding

• Coat decompression

• Sanitary trim

• Nail trimming

• Bathing

• Drying

• Haircut services

• Total Reset services

Learn more:

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Step 5: Grooming Procedures

The specific procedures vary based on the condition of the cat.

Services may include:

Deshedding

Removal of loose undercoat and retained coat.

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Mat Removal

When matting is present, coat restoration techniques may be necessary.

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Haircuts

Some cats benefit from haircut services designed to restore comfort and maintainability.

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Nail Care

Routine trimming and embedded claw management may be performed.

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Step 6: Bathing and Coat Restoration

Many professional grooming appointments include bathing.

Bathing can help:

• Remove oils

• Remove debris

• Loosen retained coat

• Improve coat texture

• Improve skin cleanliness

Following the bath, cats are carefully dried using feline-specific techniques and equipment.

Learn more:

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Step 7: Trauma-Informed Handling Throughout the Process

At Cats in the City, grooming is performed using the TANDEM Cat® model.

This approach emphasizes:

• Team-based support

• Natural body positioning

• Trauma-informed care

• Somatic observation

• Non-sedated grooming whenever possible

Our goal is not simply to complete a groom.

Our goal is to provide care while preserving comfort, safety, and emotional wellbeing.

Learn more:

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Step 8: Post-Groom Evaluation

Before the appointment concludes, the team evaluates:

• Coat condition

• Skin visibility

• Nail status

• Hygiene areas

• Mobility observations

• Follow-up recommendations

If concerns are identified, guardians may be advised to seek veterinary evaluation.

What Happens After Grooming?

Many guardians report improvements in:

• Comfort

• Mobility

• Grooming behavior

• Coat quality

• Activity level

• General wellbeing

Every cat responds differently, but removing accumulated coat, claw, and hygiene burdens often results in noticeable improvements.

See examples:

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The Goal of Professional Cat Grooming

Professional cat grooming is about much more than appearance.

The goal is to support:

• Comfort

• Coat health

• Skin health

• Nail health

• Mobility

• Hygiene

• Quality of life

When performed thoughtfully, grooming can become an important part of a cat's overall care plan.

Ready to Schedule?

Learn more about our grooming services:

https://catsinthecity.com/cat-grooming-services/

Book an appointment:

https://catsinthecity.com/grooming-booking/