A Spa For Kitty
Just about everyone enjoys spa visits and treatments. We think of spas as a luxury for people, but now there's a spa for that special cat in your life. If you're thinking of going to your favorite spa for a few days, why not think about sending your cat to a place where she can receive all-day pampering, too? You'll earn your kitty's undying gratitude for giving her a few days at the Smitten Cat Resort and Spa.
Since 2003, the Smitten Kitten has been offering something that is a cut above the usual grooming and boarding services. Owner Susan Barr offers both suites and condos for finicky felines along with top-notch facilities for grooming, playtime with kitty peers in the Pet & Play Room, and personal attention from Barr herself.
The establishment owner is a graduate of the New York School of Dog Grooming (1982), and worked as a veterinary technician for the North Shore Animal League in Long Island. She was granted Certified Pet Care Technicion (CPCT) certification by the Pet Care Services Association. Susan Barr also holds membership in the American Boarding Kennel Association (ABKA), the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, and the Professional Cat Groomers Association of America.
Cat Condos
Among the top-of-the-line amenities are the 8' x 2' x 2' five-level cat condominiums. The condos are outfitted with every possible kitty want or need including private litter box, dining areas, toys, beds, and a mock-up of a flat panel television screen that shows an ever-running film of swimming fish.
But the 8' x 3' x 6' suites are exquisite, too. Each one has a custom-built multilevel climbing feature, carpeting (!), toys, litter box, and food bowls.
Both condos and suites are cleaned each day and the litter boxes are replaced with fresh boxes and new litter on a daily basis. A thorough cleaning is performed between each occupant and all toys, food containers, and shelf covers are cleaned, then sterilized, while any carpets that cannot be taken up and cleaned are steam-cleaned in place.
Grooming Benefits
Ms. Barr says that proper grooming has benefits for both owner and pet, "Cat hair is porous, keeping allergies in. Trimming the coat helps keep allergies in the home to a minimum."
Fashionable Felines
During her time at the Smitten Kitten, your cat will get a good scrubbing and even a flea bath if necessary, after which her fur will be allowed to air-dry. Next, kitty's nails will be clipped, her ears cleaned, and she'll be dabbed with a bit of cologne and her head topped with a fashionable bandana. Barr says the cats undergo an amazing transformation after this treatment and seem to know they've been gussied up. She says they go all out and really, "strut their stuff."
Even if you can't afford to give your cat a spa vacation at the Smitten Kitten, Barr says regular grooming at home or by a professional is crucial for cats. Susan says that originally, there were only short-haired cats and only much later; cats were bred to have longer coats. Barr says that cats are hot and uncomfortable with all that fur and that grooming gives them relief.