Cat grooming: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cat grooming is

A groomer brushes out mats, trims hair, clips nails and gives a bath to cats, using gentle handling and slow, careful work. Cat grooming is often needed for long-haired cats, senior cats and cats that cannot groom themselves well.

Signs you need it

  • Your long-haired cat has mats near the belly, legs or behind the ears
  • Your cat's coat is greasy, dull or hard to keep clean at home
  • Your cat's claws are long or grow into the pads and need a trim
  • Your senior cat can no longer groom itself and its coat is suffering
  • Your cat needs a bath for a skin condition that your veterinarian has asked you to manage

What the pro does

  • Asks about your cat's coat, its temperament, its health and any past grooming experience
  • Checks the coat, skin, ears, nails and any signs of pain or sensitivity
  • Uses slow, gentle handling and a quiet space to keep the cat calm
  • Removes mats with a brush, a comb or a clipper, working slowly around the skin
  • Trims the nails and cleans the ears as part of the service
  • Dries the cat with low heat and shows the owner the coat before pickup

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The coat length and how much matting needs to be removed
  • Whether a full bath, a lion cut or a simple brush-out is needed
  • The cat's temperament and whether it needs extra time for gentle handling
  • Whether nail trims, ear cleaning or teeth brushing is included
  • Whether the cat is a senior or has health issues that need slower handling
  • Whether the groomer picks up and drops off the cat

What a written quote should spell out

  • The service type, such as a brush-out, a bath or a full cut
  • Whether matting removal, nail trims and ear cleaning are included
  • Whether a bath and dry are included, and the approximate time
  • Whether a lion cut or breed-specific trim is included
  • The cancellation terms and any change in the plan if the cat cannot be handled

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you handle a cat that is fearful or aggressive during grooming?
  • Will you remove mats, and how do you avoid hurting the skin?
  • Do you use a bath, and how do you keep the cat calm during it?
  • What do you do if you find a skin problem, a wound or a lump?
  • How long will the grooming take for a cat like mine?
  • Do you cut the nails, and how do you handle a cat that does not like it?
  • Can I see photos of your work on cats with coats like mine?

Red flags

  • Forces a fearful cat into a crate or a tub with no break
  • Cuts mats tight to the skin with scissors instead of working slowly
  • Uses strong or unlabeled products on a cat's skin
  • Does not check for fleas, wounds or pain before starting
  • Will not tell the owner about a problem they find during the visit

What you can do yourself

You can brush your cat several times a week, use a comb for mats near the belly and legs, and trim the claws if your cat accepts it. Stop if your cat becomes stressed or if the mat is tight to the skin. Hire a cat groomer for deep mats, full baths, lion cuts and cats that cannot be handled safely at home, and call your veterinarian for any sore, lump, wound or skin change you notice.

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for cat grooming, but some states and cities regulate pet grooming. Ask for proof of grooming training, photos of work on cats like yours, and check with your state and local agencies if you are unsure.

Cat grooming questions

Can a cat be groomed without sedation?

Many cats can be groomed without sedation if the groomer works slowly and calmly. Ask the groomer how they handle a stressed cat, and talk with your veterinarian before any sedation is considered.

How often should a long-haired cat be groomed?

It depends on the coat and how quickly it mats. Ask the groomer for a schedule and a brushing routine that fits your cat.

What if my cat has a skin problem?

Tell the groomer before the visit, and call your veterinarian for any sore, wound, rash or lump. Do not use medicated products on your cat without your veterinarian's advice.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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