Most people probably already know that cats can bathe themselves by using their tongues to lick their fur clean, but sometimes this type of cleaning just isn't sufficient to work out the mats and tangles that can get into cats' hair. This is especially true for long hair cats, even for those cats that are brushed every single day by their owners. Groomers aren't only for cats that are entered into cat shows. Many cat owners send their cats to the groomers once in a while in order to get a bath and to get their fur conditioned to keep it in its best shape it can be.

You will spend a bit of money when you send your cat to the groomer. Make sure the groomer is experienced with cats, and have a gentle manner. Look over what services the groomer is offering. Besides bathing, some offer fur trims, and others will even do fancy cuts like the lion cut.

Plenty of cat owners send their cats to the groomer in order to get their claws trimmed, and in some cases there are cat owners who send their cats to the groomers with the express intent of getting the cats gussied up with nail polish on the claws and bows in the fur.

As you can imagine, your cat may not be very cooperative during this process. Some cats will react with fear, others with aggression, while some will even like the feeling of the warm water.

Finding a groomer that has extensive experience with cats is important. Grooming a cat is very different from grooming a dog. A groomer inexperienced with cats can make the visit into a disaster. Groomers used to cats will have the right temperament and be gentle with the cat, while at the same time knowing how to safely restrain kitty while she is being shampooed and getting her manicure.

When your cat comes home from the groomers - especially if this was its first experience with a groomer - it may hide out for a while. You might be disappointed because perhaps you want to show off your shiny, groomed cat, but you need to be patient with your cat because going to the groomers can be a traumatic experience for a cat.

While it is nice to get your cat groomed once in awhile, the fact is that most cats spend a whole lifetime without ever getting a bath. They are very efficient at keeping their "do" looking and smelling beautiful. If you have decided to take your cat to a groomer, expect to pay a bit of money and to pay restitution to your kitty when she comes home.