Cat Groomers

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Groomer for long haired cat?

June 2011

I have a long-haired Maine Coone cat that is need of some serious grooming. I recently had a baby and have not had the time or energy to keep up on grooming and combing my cat, so consequently she sheds all over and has developed huge knots all over. Is there such a thing as a groomer for cats? Any recommendations? Thanks! Deborah

After I had a baby and our long-hair Persian mix developed some matting from lack of regular grooming, we took her to Dog's Best Friend & The Cat's Meow on San Pablo Ave. She had a bath, nail trim, and a lion cut done --- cost around $80 or so. We'll probably take her again for another cut once the weather warms up. http://www.dogsbestfriendcatsmeow.com/ long haired cat mama

Many vets will do grooming, especially shaving mats- I think VCA which has an office in Oakland and in Albany offers those services, but they can be expensive. I would also check out Broadway Grooming Clinic, 1004 Jefferson St. Oakland, 94607, Alfonso is brilliant with my fussy Chihuahua. Never took a cat to him. He gets rave reviews on yelp too. Lisa

The best cat and dog groomer in the world is Seiji Morikawa in Alameda. He is a combination of Dr. Doolittle, James Herriot and the 'Pet Whisperer'. My partner and I have often stated that he should have his own TV show. I had an elderly Maine Coone and a new baby, and went to him in desperation many times. My cat would get matted when she was stressed, so I know how it is! He will make your cat's coat look like a million bucks, and with little trauma. He is gentle, sweet, mindful, and a professional, to say the least. He also volunteers a lot of his time to groom feral and abused animals that have a hard time with human contact. He gets booked up quickly, people see him from all over the baby area, so you have to make an appointment ahead of time. If he is not available, there a groomer named Paul at the Broadway Pet Hospital in Oakland who helped me in a bind when Seiji was totally booked. I don't know his last name, but he is great, too. Seiji Morikawa-Certified Groomer 647 Central Ave (between Mckay Ave & Webster St) Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 523-3224 T. Ojala

I recommend 'Dog's Best Friend and the Cat's Meow', 525 San Pablo Avenue in Albany. Phone is (510) 526-7762. A few years ago we inherited a badly neglected cat with a seriously matted coat. The folks at Dog's Best Friend (where we'd taken our Australian Shepherd for years for grooming) worked wonders on him. Of course they had to cut out the mats, so Shiloh looked a little ridiculous for awhile, but it eventually grew out and he was gorgeous. They do an excellent job. Berkeley cat person

Groomer for two matted Maine Coons

April 2010

We adopted 2 handsome, adult brother cats this past year. They must have Maine Coon genes in them, because they weigh 18 & 22 pounds respectively & they have BIG fur - even between their toes. I've never had long haired cats before, but I've tried to use the brush that came with them as much as possible. NOW this past month their coats have developed these snarls and clumps that seem to be multiplying daily (spring shedding?) I've tried to brush and cut them out with safety scissors, but the cats don't like it & are starting to hide when they see me coming. Can anyone recommend a reliable professional service to deal with their fur? I'd rather pay someone else to terrorize them. Please include advice on what to ask for - shave them? trim them? a blow out? - Befuddled by FUR

PLEASE don't try to cut those fur clumps off by yourself! After I retired from the business world I went back to school and became a State licensed veterinary technician (essentially a multi species nurse.) During my training a classmate convinced me to restrain her cat while she cut some similar clumped fur off of it. That was the day I learned how really thin and delicate a cat's skin is. And how easy it is to cut that skin. The supervising Vet was not at all pleased when he had to come in and sew up the wound she'd made. And we both got quite a lecture on the subject. I'd suggest you call your vet and ask for their recommendation for a groomer. Our cats have all been short hairs so I've never had to find a groomer. I do use a wire brush on them a lot. Especially this time of year. And the ones in the dog section of Petsmart are cheaper than in the cat section. Plus you have a greater selection. Jenny

I've never owned a long-haired cat, but we once adopted a HUGE shorthair Siamese mix named Shiloh who was so fat he couldn't clean himself properly, so the fur above his tail was horribly matted. We took him to the place that grooms our Australian Shepherd: ''Dog's Best Friend and the Cat's Meow'' on San Pablo in El Cerrito. They did a great job removing the mats (sadly, they had to clip them out, so he looked a bit strange for a few weeks) and Shiloh was only very minimally traumatized. He seemed to realize they were trying to help. (PS: a new diet helped him to trim down nicely, so the problem did not recur...) Judy (3-cat household)

May 2009

Can anyone recommend a good cat groomer? We typically do it ourselves but are finding the hair to be overwhelming this year. We're thinking of lion cuts for the summer, and are hoping to find someone affordable since we have two cats... Hair, hair, everywhere

We bring our persian cat to A Dog's Best Friend & The Cat's Meow in Berkeley every year for his lion cut. Here is their website: http://www.dogsbestfriendcatsmeow.com/ Address is: 525 San Pablo Ave (between Brighton Ave & Clay St) Albany, CA 94706 (510) 526-7762 They do a great job and most importantly my cat does not seem to mind going there and getting his hair cut. The people who work there are really nice. We have been to several other places and this is my favorite, I won't go anywhere else. Their prices seem competitive compared to the other groomers around. Natalie

I just had my long haired cat bathed, groomed and he got the Lion Cut---all this for 66 bucks! At VCA pet hospital at 4501 Shattuck Ave Oakland, CA 94609 (510) 654-8375 My cat looks wonderful and he is feeling great. I recommend them highly. all for cat grooming

Oct 2006

We have a 22 lb long haired cat who is matted on his stomach where he won't let us touch him. Does anyone know of a place that will bathe and groom cats. We have tried Dog's Best Friend, but they did not want to bathe him and just tidied up his ''hygenic area'' at great expense. The Solano Pet shop did a great job, but they are no longer in business. Thank you. jmz

Try Cuts for Mutz, The owner is a bit wacky (See ''Best in Show'') but he does a nice job and will bathe the cat. I have a Persian and I just have him shaved every 4 to 6 months. It makes him very happy and me too. Good luck Keley

I just took a cat of mine to VCA on Shattuck for bathing. They did a great job, for $35.00, and clip the nails as well. I think they charge a little extra for matting. You drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the late afternoon. cat lady

Oct 2003

Can anyone recommend a local cat groomer? We have an elderly long-haired cat who is in desperate need of help. We used to be able to keep his fur unmatted simply by regularly brushing and combing him. Not anymore...he's a tangled mess, poor baby. We took the kitty to a groomer last year when we had this same problem but we won't take him back there again: the cat's rear legs & hips were physically traumatized by the experience -- he could barely make it up/down the stairs or jump on the couch for several days after. Help!

We take our Maine Coon Cat, whose long hair tends to get tangled over time, to the Solano Pet Shop in Berkeley. I started taking him there after being disenchanted with another place. They had to shave him extensively the first time (he was really tangled), but since then we've been able to keep him tangle free. I don't know the name of the groomer, but she does a good job. Their address is 1575 Solano and their phone number is 525-4190. Roger