"The dog may be wonderful prose, but only the cat is poetry."

French Proverb

• What causes matting?
• How do you dry the cats?
• Will you sedate my cat?
• Will it hurt my cat to be groomed?
• How long will it take for you to groom my cat?
• How often should my cat be groomed?
• Can you groom my cat if he is aggressive?
• Can you groom my cat if I have tried other salons and they have turned him away?
• What are the benefits to having my cat professionally groomed?
• What is the significance of being certified groomers?
• Can you treat for fleas and ticks?
• Do you have a de-skunking treatment?
• Do I have to make an appointment to bring my cat in for grooming?
• Do I get a discount if I have two or more cats?
• What forms of payment to you accept?
• Should I tip the groomer?

What causes matting?

Greasy skin and coat combined with natural shedding causes matting. And once a small tangle or mat forms, it grows very quickly. Regular brushing of your cat will keep away tangles and mats.If your cat is constantly getting mats, he may need bathing and drying done by a professional cat groomer who truly knows what they are doing. Some groomers are not cat groomers and will groom a cat using products and techniques that can cause more problems. Make sure your cat groomer is certified through the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, inc, the only cat grooming association that offers effective, quality training for cat grooming certification. back to top

How do you dry the cats?

We use the Catty Shack Vac patented drying system designed specifically for cats. In fact, we are the only grooming salon in Ottawa that uses the Catty Shack Vac, which means we can offer the most efficient drying process and produce the highest quality groom in the end. The Catty Shack is a large enclosed glass structure that keeps the cat safe and secured while drying. This is much safer than drying a cat on a table where they can escape and jump off. back to top

Will you sedate my cat?

We do not sedate cats. In reality, very few cats truly do need any sort of sedative in order to be groomed. We handle each cat in such a way that the need for drugs of any kind rarely happens. If we do think your cat would best be served by receiving medication, we will refer you to your veterinarian for a mild sedative that can be administered prior to the grooming appointment. back to top

Will it hurt my cat to be groomed?

It can hurt your cat to NOT be groomed. Cats that are not groomed are prone to serious matting problems, skin conditions, painful ingrown nails, and a variety of other problems that, if left unattended, can cause irreversible damage or even death.

A cat that is groomed regularly will not suffer from such problems. Because the groomer is handling the cat on a regular basis and looking over every inch of its body during each visit, health issues that may arise can be found early on, and the likelihood of effective intervention is increased. back to top

How long will it take for you to groom my cat?

We typically allow 1 to 2 hours for your appointment if you have one cat. If you bring in two or more, or the cat is severely pelted or matted, the groom time may take longer. Once we see your cat/cats in person, we will be able to give you a time for pick-up. We believe cats are better served by not being away from their normal home environment any longer than possible, and therefore strive to complete each groom in an efficient and timely manner. back to top

How often should my cat be groomed?

Ideally, most cats need to be professionally groomed every 8 - 12 weeks. back to top

Can you groom my cat if he is aggressive?

Most of the time we can. We can usually tell when we initially see your cat in person whether or not it can be safely handled. We sometimes need multiple staff to handle aggressive cats to ensure safety of all involved - so please let us know when booking an appointment if your cat is aggressive. back to top

Can you groom my cat if I have tried other salons and they have turned him away?

Yes, that is our specialty, we use gentle handling techniques and patience to work with all the animals that come to our salon. back to top

What are the benefits to having my cat professionally groomed?

The main benefit is having a happier, healthier cat that does not suffer from any of the painful and potentially life-threatening problems already mentioned. In addition, you will benefit as regular grooming cuts down on shedding, eliminates hairballs, reduces allergy problems, and helps promote a cleaner environment as well as a cleaner cat. And the best part is, you don’t have to do any of the grooming yourself! Leave that up to us! back to top

What is the significance of being certified groomers?

Like any industries there are good and bad businesses. We are not saying that uncertified groomers are bad, however you would never know since certification is not required to open a shop. Chantal is one of a select few Certified Feline Master Groomer in Canada and is certified through The National Cat Groomers Institute of America. Being certified means we have been tested and evaluated by Professional Certifying Officers and have shown to meet a high quality standard within our industry. back to top   

Can you treat for fleas and ticks?

Yes, we can treat for both. We will physically remove the ticks and we can apply a flea and tick shampoo, ensuring all pests and eggs are eliminated. An additional fee applies. back to top

Do you have a de-skunking treatment?

Yes we have a de-skunking treatment. If your cat is skunked, do not bath him since this often spreads the smell to other areas. Try to get an appointment as soon as possible to have the treatment applied. An additional fee applies. back to top   

Do I have to make an appointment to bring my cat in for grooming?

Yes an appointment is necessary for our grooming services. We recommend calling at least a week in advance, but sometimes you can get in sooner. We also have a cancellation list that your name can be added to by request. back to top

The only exception is Nail Trimming. You do not require an appointment for this, but calling ahead is best. back to top

Do I get a discount if I have two or more cats?

Furry Friends does not offer multiple pet discounts for grooming.  The same amount of work goes into each pet and so they are charged accordingly. back to top

What forms of payment to you accept?

We accept E-Transfer, cash, cheques, debit, Visa and Mastercard.  back to top

Should I tip the groomer?

Similar to hairdressers, we provide a service to you and your pet and do appreciate tips. However, if gratuity is not in your budget than a sincere compliment is always welcome. back to top