I'm taking my cat for grooming and I refuse to let the lady drug her?

[Changed by Lithium]

Last time she drugged her even though I told her not to. She said that she was impossible to wash unless drugged, but then she ended up cutting her deep in the hip area. This time I refuse the anestisia and I wanna make sure it's not given during grooming. What do u think I should do to insure this, knowing that the lady refuses I stay inside with her during grooming. Also, I don't want her to cut the hair on zero, but she says it's not possible... what does she mean???

[Chrissy V]

My answer is honest and direct: FIND ANOTHER GROOMER!

I've never had to have any pet----even my friend's crazy half wild cat----drugged for grooming. Cats need a different touch and tons of patience.

And if this lady INJURED a drugged, non-moving pet how do you think it will turn out when your cat decides to wiggle?

[Becca]

So i guess your taking it to a vet that grooms? Only a vet can drug the pet, BY LAW. I'd try another groomer. If the pet is very matted, like to the skin they can only cut one lenght, very short like a zero. The lady might be scared of the cat and drugs without trying. I don't know, it sounds fishy to me. Because if she drugged the cat. The cat couldn't be moving, so how did she cut her???? O.0 I'd look for another groomer. good luck

[SiamSally]

Change your groomer!

Do not go back there.

There are some reasons why certain things are done during grooming:
1. not having the owner present is because cats are actually much more agitated if the owners are there.......
2. ...... some cats do not like the process, and the owner will communicate her feelings of distress to the cat, making thins worse.
3. Zero setting may be the only way to deal with the level of matting - which can be almost impossible to cut through. In some long haired cats (notably Persian and persian derivatives) the outer coat can look just fine, and just a little "bumpy" when stroked. When you examine closely, the underneath hair is a solid mat..... which you have to cut beneath. And that means a very close crop......almost a shave. It would also explain why she has cut in an area - it is sometimes almost impossible to get under a badly matted point because it is so tight to the skin.You can help avoid this by taking the cat much more frequently, and doing some home grooming each day to keep the coat less matted.

So ....... if all these are good reasons why she may be doing what she is doing, why am I saying change - and don't go back?Because she should be explaining all of this and more, to you, the owner. She should be recognising that this is your animal and she has no right whatsoever to treat the cat in a way which you have expressly stated you do not require. You should be deciding on a process together!
If that gives her too much of a problem - then she should not accept your business.
What if your cat had a serious health problem which would cause an adverse reaction to tranquilising drugs?

No groomer has the right to medicate without owners permission, and to do so when she has been told not to is un-professional to say the least.

Let your fingers do the walking ... talk to every groomer in the phone book, in your area, until you find someone who you feel understands the issues and discusses with you sensibly.
And then tell the current groomer that she has lost your business because of her appalling disregard of owners wishes.

Best of luck (and brush that cat :-))

[xxminimurraymintxx]

You should go to a different place. That lady obivously doesnt do her job well if she cut the cat in the deep hip area, and if she doesnt wash the cat with out being drugged, or let you stay there, even though you request it.