Kitty Royal1 Groom

Everything in the Executive Treatment — brush, bath, blow dry and nails — plus a full shave, which for a long-haired cat is often the only kind answer once matting has set in.

Mats aren't just untidy. They tighten against the skin, pull with every movement, and can hide sores underneath. Past a certain point they genuinely cannot be brushed out without hurting her, and no amount of patience changes that. Clipping the coat down and letting it grow back properly is kinder than an hour of tugging.

It's also the practical choice for an older or arthritic cat who has stopped grooming her own back end — the first place you'll notice it is a matted patch just in front of the tail, where she can no longer reach.

And for a heavy-coated cat going into a Paarl summer, taking the coat down before December is a favour rather than a fashion choice.

R450 for any size cat.

Before we come

Keep her indoors and findable for an hour or so before we arrive. The single most common reason a cat grooming appointment doesn't happen is that the cat saw the van and went out. A shaved cat looks startling for the first day or two, and the coat takes a few months to come back. That's normal. If she's an indoor cat, keep her out of direct sun through a window while the coat is short, and expect her to feel the cold a little more for a few weeks. Tell us honestly how she is about being handled. A cat who bites when she's had enough is not unusual and not a problem, but we need to know before we start. If she has ever needed sedation at a vet or groomer, say so when you book — some cats genuinely need a vet rather than a groomer for a full shave, and we would rather tell you that up front. Let us know about anything your vet has flagged — arthritis, skin trouble, a healing wound, or her age if she's elderly. Older cats tire faster and we'll work shorter and gentler.