prevention better than cure

We’re taking so many calls at the moment from Enquirers who are concerned about their cats having recently developed mats.

We are now into Autumn and it’s the ideal time for a good brush out, to help prevent mats developing during the forthcoming colder months.  Prevention is better than cure, as they say –  and a good coat really does boost health and wellbeing.

Get in touch with us.  It’d be lovely to hear from you to discuss your cat’s needs.

friendly finnegan

We were delighted to call again on Finnegan, in Middleton, Manchester.

Finnegan is somewhere around 10 years old, and has a really strong bond with his mum – who he picked about 4 years ago !   Finnegan doesn’t play out very much, and he needed his nails trimming as they were starting to overgrow.

It was obvious that Finnegan remembered the last session.  He is a very nervous boy in general, but he really did settle on the grooming table this time without any fuss to speak off – and he lay patiently whilst we tended to his nails.

A model client, Finnegan !  Well done you handsome chappy !!

lily was missing NOW LILY HAS COME HOME !

Missing  from Blackburn   :   Wednesday 2 October 13

FANTASTIC NEWS – LILLY HAS COME HOME !  :  TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER 13   Thanks everyone for your help, and looking out for Lily.  It seems she is none the worse for wear

Lily went missing on Wednesday night, at around 9pm, on the Fernhurst Farm Estate in Blackburn

Lily is normally a house cat.  She is quite old and she doesn’t wear a collar

If you have seen her or may have kindly taken her in, will you please contact

Andrew or Carol on 01254 668843      OR      07515 526348

Everyone – please be diligent and check your sheds / outhouses and keep an eye out for her.  Lily is a treasured member of the family.  She is much loved and missed, and it’s so important we get her home safely

pretty poppet

Poppet needed some help with removing mats from her coat, that had developed around the back and lower parts of her body.   We think she may be arthritic and therefore can no longer groom as she used to.

Poppet will definitely be feeling more comfy, without those mats – and she proceeded to have a wash straight away, on one of those legs that is now knot free !   It must feel wonderful to her !   She was extremely friendly after the session – rubbing up to us, and almost cat-walking up and down the living room !

The following day, mum Jane from St Helens, Merseyside told us  :

“Poppet is washing herself more, following her groom.  She has been laying on her back in front of the fire with legs splayed, washing her tummy – because she can get to it now that all the knots have gone !”

Fantastic to hear the news, Jane.  Well done Poppet – keep up the good work !

bluebell babe

She’s a real sweetheart, this 17 year old blue and white Persian from Bolton, Greater Manchester.

We worked with Bluebell, to remove mats that had formed on her flanks, back legs and underneath.

The clippers didn’t phase Bluebell one bit – in fact she much preferred them to a vigorous brush.  So rather than a harsh brush out around the tail area which was pretty matted, we decided to take it back to lion style !

We’re sure that Bluebell will feel the benefits of her groom and lighter coat, immediately.

Lovely meeting you Bluebell …. and just look at that pose !  You DO know that you’re gorgeous, don’t you !

she hasn’t lost her mojo

This little lady is 13 years old Mojo.  She was such a star as we worked through her coat, which we took away a large proportion of, due to matting.

Really intuitive and intelligent, she quickly realised we were helping her and licked our fingers during the session, and brushed up against the clippers – even whilst they were running !

After the groom, Mojo quickly discovered her new body, and set about a good washing exercise … reaching those parts that she hadn’t been able to work on for a while.  It was really good to see her instantly feeling the benefits of the session.

Mum Valerie from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire later said :

“Sandra called on my cat Mojo because she was suffering with a matted coat.  She was great with her and put her at ease, as she is quite timid.  By the end Mojo was purring.  Sandra did an excellent job, and I was pleased with the results.”

Really brave, Mojo – well done !  We know you’ll feel so much more comfy with your new coat !

quiet quibbles

Quibbles – a handsome young chap from Bury, Greater Manchester of around 3 years old – called us in, to work through his coat which had become matted down the sides and around the bum area.

Although Quibbles was a little apprehensive about the session he was responsive to reassurance and settled whilst we worked through with the clippers, followed by a good brushing out.  When the session had finished he sat behind the door, waiting to leave the room.  As soon as the door was opened for him, he left – and then within (3 ?) seconds, he was back in the room with us – as he was just too nosey and didn’t want to miss anything !  A typical, contrary, cat !

Good boy Quibbles – you did really well today !

april and macy

Two extremely pretty Maine Coons asked us to call, to have a look at their coats.

Both around 2 years old, April (left) is the larger of the pair by a long way.  The females of this breed can easily reach 15lbs (6.8kg) at maturity (5 years old).  She feels like she’s there already !   Maine Coons are known as ‘gentle giants’ – and although this doesn’t always prove true, it is certainly the case with April.  The breed is said to be cautious around strangers, and April was a little apprehensive with our presence.  However, once into the session she did relax and was very compliant – letting us work on those harder to reach areas.

Macy (right) is smaller in size.  She presents typical Maine Coon traits in that she is a little cheeky, playful but yet so gentle.  Macy gave us a taster of her playing skills as she flipped in the air to try catch her toy, then went to retrieve and fetch it for mum !  She knows what Maine Coons should do to please !  Macy was also keen to check out our bags and equipment, giving them a thorough examination before we set up stall.

Both coats were is good condition, as mum is able to comb the girls.  During the sessions we had a thorough brush out, concentrating on the the tummy, between the back legs and the bum.

April on the left.  Macy on the right.

Later that evening, mum Francesca from Manchester told us :

“I just wanted to thank you for all of your hard work with my two girls today !  They are both looking fabulous !  Macy is like a different cat – she even came and fell asleep on my knee today which is totally out of character !  She is obviously much more comfortable – even if she did moan a little about the process !  Thanks for your patience with my nervous girl April too – she is back to her usual calm self and showing off her new look !  …  Looking forward to next time already!”

Thanks so much for the feedback Francesca – really pleased the girls are happy and comfy  …. and a new more cuddly side to Macy ? Well – she’d be up and zooming around again, if she thought we thought that !

autumn brush out

Do you know that our cats shed hair throughout the year – but particularly during the Spring and the Autumn. Today – Sun 22 Sep 13 – is the first day of Autumn !

During shedding, the hair shaft comes away from the follicle – but does not always fall away from the coat. It is this shed hair that can cause irritation to the skin, and indeed the formation of tangles – which in turn lead to mats and even pelts.

We’ve reached the perfect time of year for your cat to really benefit from a thorough brush out, to prevent problems with the coat later on. Prevention is better than cure ! Don’t forget that grooming really is integral to boosting your cat’s health and wellbeing, as it promotes a healthy skin and coat. Read more about the importance of grooming in our previous health and wellbeing blog.

Don’t delay. Contact us now to discuss our Services and to arrange a session.  All in the comfort of your cat’s own home !

e-mail us at info@essentiallypurrfect.co.uk.    Or, telephone us.    You could use the website contact form on the right.    Or if you prefer, you can private message us on facebook.

Billy’s mum (the handsome boy, above) contacted us, and we’d love to hear from you too !

2nd EssentiallyPurrfect catwalk weekend

Thanks to everyone who joined in with Liking and Posting photos last weekend on our facebook page.  It’s your chance to show off your babes !

To start us off this weekend, here’s our SexyEd – enjoying some 1:1 with the comb.  What a position he’s got himself into.  He loves this attention – but think he fell asleep towards the end !

Does anyone have any cute photos they can share ?  We must have tons of them between us – don’t be shy.  Why don’t you pop over to our facebook page and join us !