Safe Gentle Pet Grooming at The Velvet Tail Pet Grooming LLC

We groom both dogs and cats at Velvet Tail Pet Grooming LLC — and we take cat grooming just as seriously as dog grooming. Master Groomer Briana Tafoya has over 30 years of professional experience with cats of all breeds, coat types, and temperaments. Cat grooming requires a completely different skill set, a different handling approach, and a different environment than dog grooming — and we provide all three. If you have struggled to find a groomer who truly understands cats, you have found one.

📍 Serving Louisville, Boulder, Superior, Lafayette & Broomfield CO · (720) 404-0271 · thevelvettailgrooming.com

Always — no exceptions. At Velvet Tail, cats are kept completely separate from dogs at every point during their visit. Cats arrive in a secure carrier and are brought into a dog-free check-in area or through a separate entrance. All dogs in the facility are secured before a cat is removed from their carrier. Cat-only kennel areas are fully separated from dog kennels. Your cat will never see, smell, or hear a dog during their appointment if we can prevent it. Reducing cross-species stress is fundamental to how we operate — because a stressed cat cannot be groomed safely or comfortably.

Many of our cat clients have a history of being labeled "difficult" — and in most cases, the real issue is environment and handling, not the cat. At Velvet Tail, Briana Tafoya assesses your cat's temperament before beginning: calm, nervous, or fractious. We adjust our approach for each cat individually. We do not rush, restrain excessively, or force a groom past what the cat can tolerate safely. If your cat requires a service stop or a modified groom, we will tell you honestly and discuss what is possible. We would rather do less safely than push through unsafely.

At Velvet Tail Pet Grooming LLC, our cat grooming services include full baths with coat-matched shampoo and conditioner, professional drying, thorough brushing and dematting, full body trims and lion cuts, sanitary trims, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. We also offer deshedding treatments for heavy-shedding breeds like Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Persians. Every service is performed one-on-one by Master Groomer Briana Tafoya — no other pets in the room, no rushing. Services are customized to your cat's coat condition, temperament, and your preferences. Ask about add-ons when you book.

Yes — and long-haired breeds are among our most requested cat services. Briana Tafoya is experienced with the full grooming needs of Persian, Himalayan, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Siberian, and other long-coated breeds. These cats require coat-specific shampoos, thorough rinse and drying, careful dematting, and detailed scissor or clipper work to manage their coat without causing pain or skin irritation. We assess the coat condition at check-in and discuss realistic outcomes with you before we begin — especially if matting is present. Every long-haired cat groom gets the time and attention it actually requires.

Yes — dematting is one of the most common reasons cat owners come to us. Briana Tafoya assesses the severity of the matting at check-in. Minor mats can often be worked through with the right tools, patience, and a proper bath. Severe or pelted matting — where the coat has formed a solid layer against the skin — typically requires a close clip or lion cut to remove safely without causing pain. We do not force dematting that would hurt your cat. We will explain exactly what we find, what the safest options are, and get your approval before proceeding. Before photos are taken when needed.

Yes. The lion cut — where the body coat is clipped short while leaving the mane, paws, and tail tip — is one of the most popular services for long-haired cats and cats prone to matting. At Velvet Tail, lion cuts are performed by Master Groomer Briana Tafoya with the care and precision this style demands. We assess your cat's coat condition, skin health, and temperament before beginning, and we use appropriate blade lengths to protect the skin. This is not a cut for every cat — Briana will be honest with you if your cat's stress level or coat condition makes a full lion cut inadvisable.

Cats are required to have a current Rabies vaccination on file before their appointment. This record is verified at check-in and kept in your cat's MoeGo profile. If your cat's Rabies vaccination has lapsed, please schedule an update with your veterinarian before booking. This requirement exists to protect your cat and every other animal in our care. If you have questions about which records are needed, call us at (720) 404-0271 before your appointment and we will walk you through it.

Yes — senior cats and medically fragile cats are welcome at Velvet Tail. Older cats often have thinner skin, arthritic joints, reduced tolerance for handling, and coat changes that require adjusted grooming techniques. Briana Tafoya takes a slower, gentler pace with senior cats and monitors them closely throughout the appointment. If your cat has a known health condition, current medications, or mobility limitations, please disclose this when you book — we document everything in MoeGo and plan the session accordingly. If a full groom is not safe for your senior cat, we will discuss what partial services are appropriate.

A few things help make your cat's first visit to Velvet Tail go smoothly. Bring your cat in a secure, hard-sided or well-ventilated soft carrier — never on a leash. Have your cat's current Rabies vaccination record ready. Let us know in advance if your cat has a bite history, known health conditions, or previous negative grooming experiences — this is not a dealbreaker, it is information we need to prepare the right approach. At check-in, we will do a full physical and temperament assessment before we begin anything. The more you tell us, the better we can take care of your cat.

📍 Book: thevelvettailgrooming.com · (720) 404-0271