How to Ease Your Cat’s Fear of the Grooming Salon

Does your growl and hiss at the mere mention of the pet grooming salon? If so, your pet’s not alone. Many cats have an inherent fear of the grooming salon, and for good reason. Most salons smell just like the vet’s office. Your cat doesn’t know he or she is about to get a nice bath and fur-cut. Instead, your cat probably thinks he’s going to get a shot or worse. Whether your cat is timid or downright mean when it comes time for a quality cat groom, here is how to alleviate your cat’s fear just in time for your pet’s first Kaimuki cat grooming appointment.

1. Identify the Triggers: As your cat’s owner, you should be aware of the triggers that set your cat off. Is it the carrier or the actual pet grooming salon that has your pet on edge? If it's the carrier, you might try a different one. If it's the salon, bring your pet in early to get used to the grooming environment. Here are some other tricks you can try once you've identified what's making your little one such a scaredy cat.
   
   
2. Carrier Tricks: If your cat is afraid of the pet carrier you use, try acclimating your cat to the carrier gradually over time. A few weeks before your pet's appointment, let your cat wander in and out of the carrier while it remains on your living room floor. To entice your cat to check the carrier out (which your cat probably will anyway out of curiosity), place a food bowl inside for your cat to find. This way your cat will begin to associate the carrier as something good instead of something to run away from.
   
   
3. Bring Your Cat By Anytime: If your cat is fearful of our Honolulu pet grooming salon, we invite you to come by with your cat anytime. For best results, bring your cat in to have a look around and to experience love and treats from our animal-loving staff. The idea is to get your cat to relax so that bringing your pet in for his or her appointment becomes much easier.
   
   
4. How to Bring Your Cat In: When it’s time to come in for your cat’s first spaw day appointment, don’t dangle the pet carrier. Instead, hold it close to your chest to make your pet feel much more secure. For even better results, prime the pet carrier with a feline pheromone spray or wipe. Pheromones can help your pet become much more relaxed, and all that fear and anxiety will melt away.
   
   
5. Make Cat Grooming a Regular Thing: The more you bring your cat in to Live.Love.Pet! Hawaii’s Only ‘Zen’ Grooming Spaw & Boutique, the less fearful your cat will be. Make sure you bring your cat in at least 10 minutes prior to every appointment to give your cat a chance to get used to the surroundings and fully relax just in time for his or her spaw day.
   
   

We love our cat clients and can’t wait to meet yours. Call (808) 734-8282 to schedule a Kaimuki cat grooming appointment or fill out our online pre-groom form and we’ll call you. Mahalo!

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