Cat grooming is a part of ownership for many breeds. Even standard shorthair cats might need occasional grooming care outside of your house. You can stick with DIY grooming as long as your cat allows you to brush them and trim their nails, as well as clean their ears occasionally. Beyond that, cats are generally low-maintenance in the grooming department.
If you have a long-haired cat or specialty breed, you may have different grooming requirements. Some cats need to be trimmed or cut regularly to keep their look or even help them move around more easily. Regular grooming for long-haired cats can also help prevent naps and mats from forming, which can be painful and pull on the skin if left unattended for too long.
Regardless of the case for grooming your cat, you aren’t going to spend as much as you might think. In fact, according to research, the average cost of cat grooming is around $50 per visit, with most people spending between $30 and $70 for bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and brushing services.
Private Grooming
You can take your cat to a private grooming salon or hire someone to come to your home. This may be the more expensive option because of the dedicated attention, but it will give you everything you need. Private groomers and salons will usually have a website where their services and rates are posted. They see average rates around $60-$70 per visit, but they will give your cat the dedicated time and attention they deserve.
You often don’t get that kind of attention at a clinic, pet store, or with a busy mobile grooming salon that’s always on the go. If you want a more dedicated experience for your cat, this may be the way to go. When hiring private groomers, make sure to verify their skills and experience and read reviews to see what their service is like. You can’t just take their word for it, after all.
Pet Stores and Grooming Clinics
This is another way to get your cat groomed. It’s convenient and affordable, giving you the chance to often kill two birds with one stone. Stores like Petco and PetSmart have their own grooming services in-house, allowing you to come stock up on food and supplies and get your cat groomed at the same time. These clinics usually require rabies shots for any pets that they groom, but you’ll want to check with them for the exact requirements before making an appointment.
Pet stores and grooming clinics are the best choices for cheap services. Even though they might not offer as much dedicated attention, they still take good care of your cat and will charge between $35 and $45 for a grooming service, which is significantly less than private grooming.
Mobile Grooming
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, and even before that due to sheer convenience, many cat owners chose mobile grooming for their pets. Mobile grooming salons will come to you, which is often better for cats, who aren’t usually fans of taking trips. These services may cost more or less than private or pet store services, depending on where you live and how readily available they are.
In bigger cities, mobile grooming is highly competitive, so finding cheap rates should be easy. In more rural areas, you might be hard-pressed to find mobile groomers at all. On average, though, you will spend around $45-$55 on mobile grooming services for a domestic cat, for basic grooming maintenance and care.
How Often to Groom Your Cat
Cats are generally good at taking care of themselves in terms of hygiene and grooming. Unlike dogs who frequently need baths, cats can keep themselves clean and in good condition, but they may occasionally need a little help. Not only that, but they will need things like nail trims, ear cleanings, and other services from time to time. How do you know how often is enough?
The standard housecat shouldn’t need much in the way of grooming outside of the occasional brushing at home. However, they may need to visit a groomer a few times a year for nail trimmings or if you want to have them bathed. Trust that it’s always better to have a professional handle bathing when it comes to cats. Aside from the select few that enjoy the water, most make it a nightmare that’s well-worth paying someone else to handle.
What Does Grooming Include?
As mentioned above, grooming could be anything from brushing and trimming their nails to baths, ear cleaning, and other routine maintenance and care services. Every salon and grooming service has a different list of available grooming options for cats and dogs, and they may not all be the same. Some of the most common services you’ll find include:
- Baths
- Brushing
- Nail trims
- Blow-dry
- Haircuts and shaves
- Shedding treatment
- Skincare treatments
- Teeth and oral care
- Nail polish and accessorizing
What to Do Next
The best thing that you can do is contact a groomer or choose the grooming service that you want to use and make an appointment. Then, you will be able to talk to them about the available services as well as what your cat might need. Bear in mind that grooming prices may also vary by the breed and size of your cat, but that will be less of an issue than it is for dogs.
If you’re ready to give your cat the care and pampering that he or she deserves, start finding the best groomers in your area now. Your cat will thank you, and you’ll know they’re looking and feeling their best, which will make you feel good as their owner. You can do a lot of this at home, if you’d like, and save the expense of grooming, but sometimes, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Resources:
https://www.petsgroomingprices.com/petsmart-grooming-prices/