Frequently Asked Questions

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 I am based in Formby Merseyside, but as I am a mobile groomer, I travel to surrounding areas, including Hightown, Ainsdale, Birkdale, Southport, Thornton & Crosby. 

It’s a question we hear often at Furry Purry Formby — and while cats do spend a lot of time licking themselves, it’s not quite the same as proper grooming.

Licking helps remove a bit of loose fur and surface dirt, but it also means your cat swallows a lot of hair (leading to hairballs) and still ends up with dander on their coat, which can trigger allergies in people. Despite their best efforts, a cat’s tongue can’t deal with tangles, prevent matting, reduce shedding, clean ears, or trim nails.

That’s where we come in. We offer gentle, professional grooming that goes far beyond a cat’s self-care routine. From keeping coats soft and knot-free to looking after nails and ears, we make sure your feline feels (and looks) their absolute best — without the stress.

Because every cat deserves a bit of pampering… even the independent ones.

We tailor our grooming advice to each individual cat, as every feline is a little different. How often your cat should be groomed depends on a few things — such as their coat type, how much grooming you're able to manage at home, their breed, and the kind of grooming services you usually go for.

That said, as a general guide, we recommend most cats are groomed every 8 to 12 weeks to keep their coat in good condition and avoid any issues like matting or excess shedding.

If you’re unsure what’s best for your cat, just get in touch — we’re always happy to chat through what would suit them best.

Every cat is different, so the time it takes can vary depending on their coat condition, temperament, and the type of groom they’re having. On average, most grooms take between 1 to 2 hours.

We always work at your cat’s pace, keeping the experience as calm and stress-free as possible — no rushing, no unnecessary handling. Some cats may need a little extra time and patience, and that’s absolutely fine with us.

If you’re booked in and want a more specific estimate for your cat, just give us a ring — we’re happy to advise.

Not at all — in fact, regular grooming is essential for your cat’s health and comfort. When cats aren’t groomed often enough, they can develop painful mats, skin issues, ingrown nails, and other problems that can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

At Furry Purry Formby, we’re incredibly gentle and always put your cat’s wellbeing first. 

Regular grooming every 8-12 weeks can prevent health issues before they start, and it also gives us the chance to spot any early signs of problems — meaning your cat gets the care they need, when they need it.

We are certainly fine with you being there for the groom. If you feel comfortable doing so, we may even ask you to lend a hand with reassuring your cat or holding them for the hard to reach areas! However, in some cases, we find that cats are calmer and more cooperative when their owner isn’t in the room so if you would prefer not to stay, that's also fine with us. Cats are highly sensitive to their humans’ emotions, and even the most relaxed owner can unintentionally pass on worry or tension. By stepping out, you’re actually helping us create a calm, focused environment where we can work safely and gently.

Rest assured, your cat is in kind and experienced hands. We treat every feline like our own, using gentle handling, a quiet space, and a calm approach to keep stress to a minimum. If your cat has special needs or anxiety, we’re happy to chat about how we can make the experience as smooth as possible — just get in touch.

No — we do not sedate cats, as we are not veterinary professionals and sedation must only be carried out by a qualified vet.

If your cat is particularly anxious or reactive, we may recommend speaking with your vet about a calming medication such as Gabapentin, which is commonly prescribed to help reduce stress during grooming. However, we cannot prescribe or administer any medication ourselves.

At Furry Purry Formby, we’re experienced in working with nervous cats and always aim to create a calm, gentle environment. We’ll do everything we can to make the session as stress-free as possible — and we’re happy to talk through options if your cat needs a bit of extra support.

Yes — at Furry Purry Formby, we always do our best to work with nervous or reactive cats. Our approach is calm, gentle, and tailored to each individual cat’s needs. That said, safety and wellbeing come first, for both your cat and our groomers.

If we feel your cat is too stressed or aggressive to be groomed safely, we may pause the session and recommend speaking to your vet about a calming medication, such as Gabapentin, before trying again. This can make a big difference for some cats and help them feel more at ease.

Every cat is different, and we’re always happy to chat in more detail about your cat’s temperament and what might work best for them — just get in touch and we’ll talk it through with you.

The time it takes for your cat’s coat to grow back after shaving can vary quite a bit depending on factors like their overall health, diet, and how well you’re caring for their coat at home.

For short-haired cats, regrowth usually takes around 2 to 3 months, while long-haired cats can take 4 to 6 months to see a full return of their coat. Interestingly, the hair on a cat’s tail tends to grow back the slowest — sometimes taking up to a year to fully regrow.

Even if your cat’s coat looks short as it grows back, it’s important to keep up regular combing and grooming to prevent mats from forming again. This will help keep their coat healthy and comfortable during the regrowth process.