The Problem Isn't the Cat
Feline Myth-Conceptions: The Problem Isn’t the Cat
By Mercedes Schenk, CFMG | Meow Mobile, AZ
Someone commented on a cat grooming post recently and said,
“There are no decent cats in my area to groom.”
That comment hit me hard—because it sums up one of the biggest problems in our industry.
Let’s be clear: “decent cats” is a subjective term. What some call “ungroomable,” I call unfamiliar, misunderstood, or mishandled. The difference? Training. Experience. Technique.
When a Certified Feline Master Groomer handles a cat that someone else couldn’t manage, the immediate assumption seems to be that we must be doing something harmful. That we’re forcing, restraining, or stressing the cat beyond what’s humane.
But here’s the truth:
Just because you can’t groom the cat doesn’t mean the cat can’t be groomed.
It just means you don’t know how—yet.
Cat Grooming Isn’t a Gimmick
I’ll never forget the time I was grooming a severely pelted Persian—sitting on the floor, clipper in hand, carefully working to relieve her from a painful mess of matting. The client’s husband walked by, chuckled, and said,
“Cat grooming. What a gimmick.”
I was literally sitting there with proof in my lap of how not grooming a cat leads to pain, suffering, and skin damage—and still, this was the take.
That’s when I realized: part of my job isn’t just grooming cats.
It’s advocating for them.
It’s 2025. The Receipts Matter Now.
We’re not living in a time where you can make up your own certification, slap the word “master” on your bio, and expect no one to question it. Today’s groomers are educated, curious, and connected. They ask for proof.
I see dog groomers who only groom a cat once in a while trying to dictate best practices to feline-exclusive groomers. I click on their profiles—no photos of cat grooms anywhere. No evidence of feline clients. Just strong opinions and outdated logic.
Let me say this clearly:
- Cats are not dogs.
- And you cannot apply dog grooming methods and expect feline success.
“Ungroomable” Isn’t About the Cat
Far too many cats are denied care because they’re labeled “difficult,” “too sensitive,” or “too stressed.”
What those labels really mean:
The groomer lacked the skills to handle the cat safely and effectively.
That’s not a judgment—it’s a fact. Grooming cats does require a different skillset. But when people who haven’t developed that skillset try to weigh in on what’s “best” for the species, they do a massive disservice to the animals and the professionals who are trained to help them.
Respect the Species
Cats deserve to be:
- Understood for who they are—not compared to dogs
- Groomed with species-specific knowledge
- Seen as individuals, not dismissed by outdated stereotypes
And when someone with feline-exclusive training and years of experience can safely and beautifully groom a cat you can’t even finish… that’s not abuse. That’s skill.
The Bottom Line
If you’re calling cats “ungroomable,” the issue isn’t the cat.
The issue is your lack of training.
Let’s replace ego with education. Let’s stop using outdated myths to justify inaction. And let’s give cats the care, respect, and attention they’ve deserved all along.
About the Author
Mercedes Schenk is a Certified Feline Master Groomer and the owner of Meow Mobile, a feline-exclusive grooming service based in Arizona. She’s fiercely passionate about advocating for cats, elevating standards in the grooming industry, and calling out the myths that keep cats from getting the care they deserve.
Follow Mercedes on Instagram @the_meow_mobile
Visit: www.WhatsTheMews.com
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