One of the most common questions we receive is:
“What information do you need to provide an estimate?”
The answer depends on when the estimate is being provided.
At Cats in the City and TANDEM Cat®, final grooming estimates are generally provided during check-in after a physical assessment of the cat. While photos and descriptions can help us prepare for an appointment, they do not replace an in-person evaluation.
Because feline coats, behavior, mobility, and medical conditions can vary significantly, we believe the most accurate estimate is one based on direct observation.
Many important grooming findings cannot be reliably determined from photographs alone.
Examples include:
A cat may appear relatively straightforward in photos while presenting with significant coat or comfort concerns during hands-on assessment.
For this reason, final recommendations and estimate ranges are typically provided at check-in after a member of our team has physically evaluated the cat.
Prior to the appointment, it is helpful for guardians to share:
This information helps us prepare appropriately and schedule the necessary time and staffing.
However, it does not replace the in-person assessment.
In most cases, the estimate range is provided during the check-in process before grooming services begin.
At that time, our team will:
Once the assessment is complete, we provide the estimated range and recommended course of care.
One important aspect of our process is that we do not typically pause active grooming appointments to seek additional authorization when new findings are discovered.
When a guardian checks in for an appointment and approves care, that approval includes authorization for our team to address conditions identified during the grooming session that are necessary to safely and appropriately care for the cat.
Examples may include:
Stopping an active grooming session to repeatedly obtain additional approvals can increase stress for the cat, disrupt workflow, and interfere with the continuity of care.
Our approach allows the grooming team to address findings as they are discovered while maintaining focus on the cat’s comfort and safety.
Cats generally do best when care is provided efficiently and thoughtfully within a single session.
Pausing work, restarting procedures, or extending appointments unnecessarily can increase stress and prolong handling time.
By establishing expectations before care begins, we are able to:
Most importantly, this allows us to focus on the needs of the cat rather than administrative delays.
While we do not typically stop active appointments for additional approvals, we remain committed to transparency.
Our team will:
Our goal is to ensure guardians understand both the care provided and the reasons behind our recommendations.
At Cats in the City and TANDEM Cat®, grooming estimates are not simply pricing tools.
They are part of a broader assessment process designed to identify what the cat needs and provide that care safely, efficiently, and compassionately.
The most accurate estimate is the one based on the cat in front of us—not assumptions, photographs, or breed stereotypes.
Every estimate begins with a simple question:
What does this individual cat need today?
Every grooming recommendation begins with observation. While photos and intake information help us prepare, the most accurate assessment comes from evaluating the individual cat in person. These resources explain how estimates, evaluations, and recommendations work within the TANDEM Cat® system.
Many important findings cannot be identified reliably through photographs alone. Hands-on evaluation often reveals conditions that directly influence comfort, safety, grooming complexity, and service recommendations.
Physical assessment may identify coat, claw, mobility, or comfort concerns that were not visible before the appointment. Understanding these findings helps explain why recommendations occasionally differ from initial expectations.
The TANDEM Cat® approach is built around the needs of the individual cat rather than assumptions based on breed, appearance, or photographs. Every recommendation is designed to support comfort, safety, coat function, and long-term success.