Local cat grooming?

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

I just moved in with my boyfriend and his cat to a new apartment in East Somerville. Turns out I am much more allergic to his longhaired cat than I thought I would be.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a groomer that will shave & bathe a cat? Bonus points for Saturday morning or weekday evening appointments. I do have a car and am willing to drive just about anywhere if it means I can breathe somewhat normally again...

Comments

[inahandbasket]

sadly you're most likely allergic to the dander, not the actual hair.

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

Yes, I realize that. That's why I'm hoping for a bathing, too. The shave is mostly to keep the hair from getting *everywhere* in the apartment, as the cat refuses to be brushed.

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

This is true. I had a cat for many years that didn't really bother me, but I recently took in a new cat that has me sick all the time. it depends entirely on the breed and genetic makeup for how much dander they'll produce.

There are specific dry shampoos that you can use that will cut down on the dander. I also highly recommend getting a hepa air filter for the apartment.

[403.livejournal.com]

HEPA filters are wonderful. I <3 mine.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Absolutely this. I test allergic to cats, but I have 4 with no problems. Dander is dried saliva, saliva is mostly protein, and DNA = protein, so certain breeds cause less of a reaction than others. Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinians and Maine Coons don't bother me, Persians and American Shorthairs do.

That being said, Stinky's Kittens and Doggies Too (http://www.stinkyskittens-doggiestoo.com/) bathe and clip cats (the shop is actually named after a longhaired cat (http://www.ms-stinky.com/)). Also, try Allerpet-C (http://www.demite.com/allerpet/products/cats-allerpetctm/) on your cat; it works wonders. You rub it onto the cat's fur once a week and it really neutralises the dander.

[spatch]

Stinky's in Ball Square does cat grooming and is open on Saturdays. Probably your closest and best bet.

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

Despite the name, Stinky's is really great. http://stinkyskittens-doggiestoo.com/

Yelp claims they're closed, though, so you may want to call the number on their site to confirm.

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

They are open! They don't have any openings for cat grooming for quite some time, though. :(

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

inahandbasket is probably correct. However reducing the amount of fur will help some...I took my cat to Pet Spa, at the corner of Elm St. and Somerville Ave. No weekends, but they're open until 7pm and groom cats on Tuesday and Thursday. You can drop the cat off in the morning and they'll hold it all day for you if necessary.

Also, definitely a good time to wash all linens, including curtains, in hot water and get the rugs shampooed if you can. If there are rugs.

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

Can you keep the cat out of your bedroom? That'll help.

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

Cat is not allowed in the bedroom, bathroom, or second bedroom that functions as my study. Weirdly, I only had a very mild reaction to him when he lived at my boyfriend's old apartment, but since moving in last Sunday I have been rather miserable. :(

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

I only had a very mild reaction to him when he lived at my boyfriend's old apartment, but since moving in last Sunday I have been rather miserable.

Hmmm...this makes me wonder if it's something about the new apartment and not the cat?

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

I had wondered that too. The previous tenants had a small short-haired cat, and the apartment has central air. I've been trying to unscrew and clean all the grates to clean out the air circulation system.

On the other hand, I also never stayed more than two days in a row at his old apartment. This is the longest I've ever lived with any cat.

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

Since you have central air, you might also consider a better furnace filter (http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/compare-furnace-filters.html).

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

I did not know there was such a thing! Thank you, I will check those out.

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

Do you have carpets? Steam clean them, if you can. It helps a LOT.

If you don't have carpets, don't put any in. They are dander collectors.

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

We have a couple of area rugs that were all brand-new when we moved in. We'll definitely be vacuuming regularly, and I'll make a point to steam clean them semi-regularly, too.

[intuition-ist.livejournal.com]

consider a vent cleaning as well -- one of the dangers of central air is that the vents collect dust and mold and other stuff that you don't want to breathe.

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

It may go back down to mild after the dust settles. You probably kicked up a lot of dander, moving in.

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

That is true, and very hopeful. We're going to set up an aggressive vaccuuming/dusting schedule tonight. I'll keep my fingeres crossed. In the meantime, it would be nice to still not have to pick black cat hair out of everything, so off to a groomer's he goes!

[arinamay.livejournal.com]

I don't have any recommendations for a groomer, but as an allergy sufferer I do have some other tips that may be helpful (although you likely already know all of this!).

Some people's allergic reactions can be cumulative over all allergens and will come out when all allergens cross a certain threshold. So, if you are also allergic to dust and pollen, reducing those exposures may also help with the cat reaction. I find my reactions to cats are much worse in times of a lot of pollen, because pollen + cat together tip me over the threshold, but cat or pollen alone won't always.

HEPA filters can dramatically reduce the amount of dander in the air. These can be pricey upfront, but I find good deals on CL or Ebay. I usually get "permanent" filters that you just vacuum out periodically; these last for years whereas some HEPA filters require a new filter every year. You can also buy vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter.

I think the cat allergen can also be present in urine, so keeping that to a minimum can help a lot. Keeping the cat out of where you sleep can be really helpful. There are some lotions and shampoos for dogs that reduce dander; maybe they have these for cat's as well?

Finally, allergies can sometimes get worse with more exposure. When I was dating someone with rabbits and cats, I was fine at first, but after a couple of months I started having more of a reaction. This doesn't happen to everyone, but it's something to keep in mind - if it seems like your allergies are getting worse, it's likely not just imagined. This is not to say they will get worse (I hope they don't!) but that sometimes they do.

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

I don't have any other environmental allergies at all, luckily. Just the cat; in the past, I've settled down to adjust to various other cats, but I've also never really lived with a cat before.

I will look into getting a HEPA filter...I've seen those referenced a few other places. I'll also nag the boy to clean out the litter box more often (read: ever) in the hopes that that will help.

Fingers crossed that the allergies don't get worse... :(

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

Shaving the cat probably will not help, and might make it worse. (Irritating the skin often makes it produce more dander. Besides, what makes you think a cat who won't put up with being brushed will put up with being shaved?) It might help to trim the cat's hair, turning it into a shorthaired cat for a little while.

Bathing and brushing are your best bets. Many cats can be taught to tolerate brushing--the groomer will probably have some suggestions. Relatively few cats can be taught to tolerate being vacuumed (I think the training has to start when they're kittens), but that can reduce the dander a LOT.

Other things that might make it easier for you to breathe are a HEPA air filter, with good circulation. And keeping the cat out of the bedroom. And frequent cleaning of places where cat hair and dander can accumulate (Vacuuming carpets, vacuuming couches--or covering them with a blanket you can throw in the washing machine.) Using a neti pot might also help, getting the dander out of your nose at the last minute.

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

I should have been more clear, we are aiming for a shorthair trim, and not a full shave. I strongly suspect this cat will learn to tolerate being brushed (he is desperate for attention at all times), but I can't be the one that does it, and the boy has yet to put the effort into it.

We used to vacuum our dog growing up, I bet this cat would have a heart attack. :)

I've seen HEPA filters recommended a few times now, I think I'm going to investigate getting one or two.

[enhf94.livejournal.com]

In a similar situation, I found that reducing overall allergy exposure helped too, by getting one of those anti-dust-mite bags for my mattress and pillows.

Vacuuming, while very helpful in the medium term, can throw dander into the air for a few hours after. Consider getting someone else to do it instead of you.

Good luck!

[enhf94.livejournal.com]

Oh, I forgot to mention that leaving the post title-less makes it much more difficult for RSS readers to click on it and see your post.

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

Get a vacuum with a HEPA filter on it to lessen the dander-throwing problem. I used to sneeze for hours after vacuuming with a standard vacuum, and I have no issue after using a HEPA vacuum.

[yourenotwithme.livejournal.com]

There is a place in Ball Square that will do it as long as you have the rabies certificate.

[justjess.livejournal.com]

If Stinky's is booked and you have a car, we've had good experiences at Precious Pets on Crest Ave. in Winthrop. I've always gotten an appointment right away, there's parking across the street, and the prices are reasonable.

Good luck!

[justjess.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the beach is a 2-minute walk away, so you have something to do while you're waiting for kitty's appointment to finish up. =)

Pet Spa

[mattglet.livejournal.com]

Pet Spa on Somerville Ave., between Porter and Union.

http://www.petspasomerville.com/PetSpa/index.html

Each time our cat has come back from there, she's not fearing for her life... which unfortunately the case when she went to Stinky's.

Re: Pet Spa

[intuition-ist.livejournal.com]

yeah, it's such a small shop that whenever there's a dog in one of the cages, it's like you're putting the cat in a room with a dog, even if the dog is locked up the cat will be stressed.

[howlymcghee.livejournal.com]

I would also recommend PetSpa on Somerville Ave. They are super nice, you don't have to wait forever for appointments (Stinky's has cat-only days, that's why it is so hard to get in there), and they do a really nice job! You do need to have rabies vaccine proof, though. But I bet a bag of cat treats would do the trick in "teaching" your cat to like being brushed. Because shaving will only get rid of the fur around your house, not the dander that you are probably so allergic to.

Open to homeopathic relief?

[witchdogtor.livejournal.com]

To help things on your end, try the homeopathic Solidago. 3 pillules 3 x a day until symptoms are reduced, then 2x a day, then once a day. You can also try Goldenrod herbal tinctur, but it takes a littlle longer for the effect.

Good luck with kitty!

[greyling.livejournal.com]

I'm very allergic and live with two cats. It sounds like you've already taken the major steps (not letting the cat in where you sleep, etc) - here are some other things we do:

- we keep all the upholstered furniture and carpeted/rug-covered areas cat-free. We cover all the couches in sheets or couch-covers so that if the cats do get in, cleaning is simply a matter of vacuuming + laundry. I generally find that a room without rugs or upholstery is a room that doesn't hold onto allergens so much; they're easy to clean.

- The cat's owner tries to wipe the cats down with a damp cloth/towel every few days. They don't really enjoy it, but if they submit to it it takes much less than a minute.

Good luck!