Groomer smoking question

[purrpaws]

I love the groomer that Prego goes to. I can tell he likes her too because they are always buddy-buddy when I come to pick Prego up. She does a very nice job with him, and he never seems stressed out. But last time I took him there, he came back all smelling like smoke. (The shop smelled like smoke when I picked him up.) I think it was probably the shop owner, and not my groomer, smoking.

Anyway, I don't want Prego exposed to cigarrette smoke. It made him sneeze and he stunk for a few days. Usually he smells pretty when he comes home. I need to take him in again, so I want to know, what is the nicest, most polite way to ask that no one smokes while Prego is there? Or should I simply find another groomer? It's not an unreasonable request, right? There aren't many around here that do cats and besides, she's really good with him.

 

[cflynt]

Wow. This could be a toughie, given how some smoker/non-smoker
debates can heat up.

Basically, the worst that can happen if you ask is that the smoker
(owner or groomer) says "no." Then you need to decide whether
to accept the situation or change groomers. It would seem to me
that as a customer, you are always right to make a polite request.
The owner may not realize it's a problem and be willing to accommodate
a customer. You just have to remember that it is the owner's
property, and if smoking is legal in the jurisdiction, the owner
is not in the wrong, so keep it polite.

Of course, I am a non-smoker and I am very militant about not
being around smoke. I am extremely sensitive, and can literally
end up hospitalized if over-exposed to second-hand smoke. So
I would ask and, if refused, stop going to this business. Not
out of hard feelings, but because it would be a necessity for my
own health.

And, not least, let us not forget your cat's health. Second-hand
smoke is also dangerous for pets.

Good luck. Let's us know what you decide and how it goes.

Carol

 

[xocats]

Prego's sweet lungs should never be exposed to second hand smoke.

Discuss the smoking issue with your groomer.
If this cannot be resolved...find another groomer.

Bottom line....NO MORE SMOKE.

 

[sammie5]

Aside from the second hand smoke issues, why should you pay for grooming, and then have a cat that stinks of cigarette smoke. They may not be aware that is a problem. I'd point it out, and just say you expect your money's worth, and if they can't guarantee it, you will have to go elsewhere.

 

[kitytize]

I think you should tell the groomer exactly what you told us. Start out with the positives and then go into your concern about your cat smelling like smoke last time. I would not say anything about going to a different groomer until you give this groomer a chance.

 

[goldenkitty45]

When you take a dog/cat to the groomer you expect them to come home CLEAN. Smelling like smoke is NOT clean.

I would go to the groomer and ask about what happened because your cat is highly allergic to smoke and if someone is smoking then you cannot bring your cat there any more.

Just curious, why are you not grooming your own cat?

 

[gardenandcats]

I need to take him in again, so I want to know, what is the nicest, most polite way to ask that no one smokes while Prego is there? Or should I simply find another groomer? It's not an unreasonable request, right? There aren't many around here that do cats and besides, she's really good with him.


I would just come and say I do not want my cats exposed to smoke of any kind! I could not imagine a grooming shop smoking around the pets. Its the same as taking your kids to day care and having them exposed to smoke.

 

[purrpaws]

Mainly because I don't know how to get mats out of him without hurting him, so I leave it to a professional. Of course, it would be more convenient to simply do it myself, but I don't want to upset Prego by pulling and tugging on his hair and hurting him.

 

[katachtig]

Originally Posted by kitytize

\tI think you should tell the groomer exactly what you told us. Start out with the positives and then go into your concern about your cat smelling like smoke last time. I would not say anything about going to a different groomer until you give this groomer a chance.

The way you have presented the problem to us is in a polite way. You are stating the request in a polite manner. Flatter your groomer with how much you do like her services. But also state that you do not want to expose your cat to second-hand smoke. It might help you to ask her for buy-in such as "Can we work together to find a way to make this happen?"

If you get a "take-it-or-leave-it" or "I can't control the situation", then you may need to find another groomer.

Good luck.

 

[vampirecat]

How about just going in as usual and just say that Prego smelt smoky when he came home. Has anyone been smoking around him? And take it from there depending on the reply.

If you say it in a non agressive way, just as a question i cannot see that the groomer will see his/her arse over it.

If they value your custom i am sure it can be sorted out.

 

[zak&rocky]

I would do what vampire cat says, but I would also mentioned that it made him sneezy and your vet said that the cat shouldn't be around smoke.(Even if your vet didn't say it, I'm sure the vet would agree) Hubby just quit smoking, and I smoke occ (like 10 cigs a week) and we don't smoke around our kitties. Rocky is specifically not supposed to be around smoke b/c of his asthma. Also I hate the way it makes a place smell.

 

[goldenkitty45]

I can understand you don't want to hurt combing with mats. But after the cat comes home, then you should be able to maintain the grooming - if the cat mats easily, that means you should be combing every day.

Why have a longhair cat if you don't want to do the maintainance of keeping it groomed without paying someone to groom it for you? Besides if you did your own grooming, you would never have to worry about your cat being exposed to smoke or anything else.

 

[valanhb]

Not to go off topic, but it's really her choice to take the cat to the groomers, and if it doesn't really stress the kitty out I don't see a problem with it. I have a friend with a medium-long haired cat with a propensity for matting who refuses to let her groom him - he bites and claws when she tries, no matter how gently she does it. She takes him to the groomer every few months. At least he's being taken care of, and isn't allowed to get sores because the mats get so bad.

As for the smoking issue, I agree with the others. Talk to your groomer in a non-confrontational way, and express your concerns the same way you did here. If the owner is smoking in the building (which is illegal in most states, to smoke where either employees or clients can be exposed to it, except for restaurants, bars and casinos), your groomer may not like it either, and may give him ammo to discuss the issue with his boss.

 

[karmasmom]

Im surprised that someone was smoking inside. In California its against the law to smoke inside ALL public place(bars included). We only smoke inside once and a while. We did for most of Jan and Feb but we have moved back outside for the kitties sake and to keep our home smoke free. Its bad enough that we smoke, we don't have to live in it too.

 

[purrpaws]

Here in Illinois, there are no laws against it. Whether there should be laws against it or not is up for debate, but the shop owner isn't doing anything illegal as far as I know. Most non-smokers, however, will not want their pet to come home smelling of smoke.

The groomer herself, I believe is a smoker, but before when I've taken Prego in, she has been alone, and he hasn't smelled like smoke. Last time, another guy was there (I assume he's the owner because my groomer is their only employee) and Prego was smoky. So I'm not for sure that it was he smoking, but I think it probably was.

I think I can just tell them nicely next time I bring him in that last time he smelled like smoke and it was making him sneeze. That should be reason enough, but if not I will have to find another groomer.

 

[purrpaws]

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I can understand you don't want to hurt combing with mats. But after the cat comes home, then you should be able to maintain the grooming - if the cat mats easily, that means you should be combing every day.

Why have a longhair cat if you don't want to do the maintainance of keeping it groomed without paying someone to groom it for you? Besides if you did your own grooming, you would never have to worry about your cat being exposed to smoke or anything else.

I try my best to keep him well combed, but he does have overstimulation agression which makes it difficult. I try to brush or comb him everyday, but his belly and chest still get mats. He's been shedding a lot lately too which is contributing to the matting.

 

[goldenkitty45]

Ok, I understand. Sorry if it came across the wrong way. I had a turkish angora that didn't like to be groomed and gave me a hard time sometimes. I was just wondering why you took him to a groomer.

I know people use groomers more for dogs (like poodles, etc.) but not so often for a cat. I guess I'm more of a person that doesn't take "stuff" from a cat

I do take my dog to get her nails trimmed - she's a lab and very cooperative; however, her nails are so tough that I can't squeeze the nail clippers (strenght wise) to cut them clean

 

[ashleyjade]

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I do take my dog to get her nails trimmed - she's a lab and very cooperative; however, her nails are so tough that I can't squeeze the nail clippers (strenght wise) to cut them clean

Sounds like you might need some some nail trimmers that are sharper. My best friend had a Rottie, and I cut her nails all the time. I'd have to get them sharpened every so often because it would get too hard to cut.

As to the smoke issue, just go in and tell us exactlywhat you told us. That you just dont want him to smell like smoke. I am a smoker, and try to be considerate of non smokers, so if someone asked me that, i would totally appologize and stop doing it. Good luck!

-Jade

 

[goldenkitty45]

Any recommendations on nail clippers? I thought the one I had was heavy duty, but didn't work well - open to suggestions. At least she's a yellow lab with white nails. I've had smalle dogs with black nails and those are scary to cut...lol

 

[beckiboo]

DH smokes, and in general is very polite about it. For example, if we visit a non-smokers home, he always smokes outside, even if they don't mind him lighting up. He just doesn't ask for the priviledge of smoking in their home, and if they say its ok, he still goes outside.

So to me, he is a polite smoker. However, I don't think he is aware of how very stinky smoking really is! He mainly smokes in our bedroom, and if clothes or a towel are damp, and dry in there, they hold the smokey smell. It is possible that your kitty picked up more smell because someone happened to light up just as he was drying. (?)

I think you would be doing them a favor to let them know about your concerns. After all, they may have new customers who just won't come back if they get a smokey smelling kitty back!