FAQ

At Kitten Capoodle we like to let the dogs run around in the salon when they are not being worked on & we have a few spaces to separate dogs that do not get along. We only kennel for dogs that are dog aggressive, dogs that mark (pee multiple times) or un-neutered males (un-neutered males are often markers or can cause aggression in other dogs).

Service prices are not listed because prices vary depending on factors such as:

• coat type & length
• condition of coat
• type of haircut
• behavior
• special handling

Reserve your appointment as soon as possible in order to get the day & time that is best for you. We typically book 2-8 weeks in advance, but may have cancellations sooner. Weekends & Holiday months fill up quickly.

We require rabies vaccination records as required by state law, and our client form completed which we can give you or you can print it from our website & fill out in advance.

Dogs

• baths typically take 1-2 hrs, express appointments typically take 1 hr
• with a trim typically it takes 1-3 hrs, express appointments typically take 1-2 hrs
• full haircuts typically take 1.5-4 hrs, express appointments typically take 1.5 – 2.5 hrs

Cats

• baths typically take 1-3 hrs
• with mat removal/haircut typically takes 2-4 hrs

Most dogs are allowed to hang out in the salon when not being worked on. However un-neutered males, dogs that mark frequently, and dogs that don’t get along with others will be kept separate or in kennels. Pets are cared for in our stainless steel kennels with a blanket for comfort. We try to keep kennel time to a minimum & check on your pet frequently.

Muzzling does not harm your pet and protects both your pet and the groomer. In some cases, muzzling may even calm a stressed pet, allowing the grooming process to continue. We do not muzzle unless your pet gives us reason to. Other methods are used to calm your pet, muzzling is a last resort. We prefer to use elizabethan collars(Cones) before resorting to using a muzzle.

We do not allow pet parents to stay during the groom because it can be very distracting for your pet and other pets in the salon & make grooming much more difficult.

Please feel free to ask us any questions on how to maintain your pet, also you can learn more about the different tools and products and what they do on our Products page.

We recommend your pet at the least have a bath with nail trim & brush out every 4 to 8 weeks. We offer frequent grooming discounts when you come within 6 weeks!

When you come in within 6 weeks of your pet’s last groom you get 5% off your pet’s groom excluding added services.

Matting is a very serious problem for pets. Mats left in a pet’s coat only grow tighter, and can damage the pets skin, or even tear it open. Matting is very uncomfortable and even painful. Mats are often deceptive, hiding in areas that don’t get much visual attention from owners such as the belly, under the tail, in the armpit area, and behind the ears. If you are not on a regular combing regimen with your pet, you may be unaware of the secret mats. These mats can trap moisture, urine, and fecal matter tightly against your pet’s skin, allowing mold, fungus, or bacteria to grow, causing skin irritations that can be very uncomfortable for your pet.

Matting is caused by a number of things.

1. Improper brushing. There is a right way and a wrong way to brush certain types of coats, as well as the correct tools to use. Try the internet or a breed specific book for starters, or your Groomer or stylist will be happy to show you how to brush and the proper tools to use on your pet.

2. Bathing: If you bathe your pet at home, no matter what product you use, if the hair is not COMPLETELY COMBED OUT before and after bathing, any mats or tangles can be worsened by the wet/dry process.

3. Shedding: “Nonshedding” breeds such as poodles and shitzus really do shed (just much less), however, the dead hair gets tangled up with the live coat, and if not brushed out regularly, it will eventually form mats.

If you want a longer hair style you have to comb your pet at least once every day or every other day. Just imagine not brushing your own hair for 1-3 months – your pet’s hair is not different.

It depends on the severity of the matting. Minor mats can sometimes be worked out, but many times shaving down is necessary. Your groomer will try to leave the coat as long as possible, but if the mats are very tight, shaving may be the only option. Remember, it grows back, and your pet will feel better!

Severe mats can cause skin irritations and hide other conditions such as hot spots, dermatitis, sebborrhea, cuts, scrapes, sores, and redness. It is not unusual to encounter these problems when the coat is shaved from a badly matted pet and it is definitely in your pets best interest to address them.

Pets with matted coats need extra time and attention during grooming. We use extreme care when removing a badly matted coat, but there are risks involved. Some of those risks include nicks, cuts, or abrasions due to warts, moles, and skin trapped in the mats. After effects of mat removal can include itchiness, skin redness, self-inflicted irritation, and failure of the hair to regrow in double-coated breeds. Shaved pets are also more at risk of sunburn and should be protected from the sun until the hair has grown sufficiently to protect the skin. In some cases, brief behavioral changes may be seen, but the vast majority of matted pets show immense relief and happiness after removal of a matted coat.

Prevention is by far the best defense against matting by scheduling regular grooming appointments, and combing your pet at home. We are always happy to demonstrate proper combing techniques for at home as well.

Grooming procedures can sometimes be stressful, especially to a senior pet or a pet with a health condition.  Grooming can expose hidden medical conditions or aggravate existing ones.  Because these pets have a greater chance of injury, they will be groomed for cleanliness and comfort, in styles that will not add to their stress.

We do not offer styled cuts for cats. We only do mat removal haircuts for cats because cats need their coat for protection and cats have very thin, stretchy skin which greatly increases their risk of injury during shaving. Also we feel the grooming process is already a stressful one for cats & it is unfair to put them through anything more than is necessary. Cats can be very unpredictable when it comes to stressful situations such as grooming which can be dangerous if they become very aggressive which is why in these cases we must send them home  without finishing their service (we will only charge for the services we were able to do) & recommend they see a vet for their services where they can be sedated & monitored for safety.

Flea repellent products labelled as ‘natural’ may still be toxic to your pet. The chemical d’Limonene, derived from citrus peels and found in many natural anti-flea products, can be highly toxic to cats. Flea sprays and dips which contain “all natural Pyrethrin” can be toxic to some pets, and Pyrethroids , synthetic derivatives of pyrethrins, expose your pet to more chemicals.

Flea control formulations which use essential oils can be particularly hazardous to cats. Essential oils are absorbed rapidly into their skin and enter the bloodstream, and because cats do not efficiently metabolize essential oils, exposure can build to toxic levels. And while there may be no initial adverse reaction, the effects of essential oils can be cumulative and manifest themselves at a later date. Other natural ingredients known to cause allergic reactions or have toxic effects in some animals include Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and Pennyroyal oil.

However we can allow our regular cat-safe pet shampoo to sit for extra time on your cat to smother the fleas & sell Frontline drops that can be applied to your cat to kill & prevent fleas.

Because whether or not your cat is an indoor cat or not they still require their nails to climb, catch prey, and defend themselves.