“This is Teddy,” says the pet groomer in the introduction to this video of a tiny orange cat getting dolled up, “and he is so real.”
The viewer’s possible skepticism is understandable, as Teddy looks less like an actual live animal and more like a cartoon figure—specifically, like the adorable orange cat with the impossibly large eyes and swashbuckling Spanish flair made famous in the Shrek and Puss in Boots movie franchises. But Teddy is very much a real kitty—a British longhaired cat. And he’s in a real mess, too.
Teddy seems nervous in the groomer’s sterile environment, but luckily, she has all the tools to make him comfortable. She starts out by giving him liquid treats out of a tube to put him at ease and make him realize that this space is a safe, happy one—with delicious goodies.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
@girlwithedogs Will the real Puss In Boots please stand up #kitten #cat #britishlonghair #cute #catsoftiktok #groomer #petgroomer #catgroomer #viral ♬ original sound – Girl With The Dogs
Next, she shaves off some of the mats that have collected in his fluffy fur, and clips his nails. Poor Teddy doesn’t love this activity, but he’s remarkably chill about it (my vocal cats would definitely be expressing their disapproval and probably even hissing at me at this point).
The groomer says that Teddy has a lot of litter stuck in his paws, and even smells like urine, so he has not been taking care of his toilette, the way most cats do.
Next, she puts him in the bath and scrubs him down. Though he tries to hide from her, the groomer is a pro, and patiently and calmly coaxes him back so she can finish the job.
Finally, she places a protective covering over his ears and blow dries him into a sweet orange fluff ball. A bit of combing and some final shaving to keep him from getting messy on his backside again, and Teddy is good to go.
“Most cats clean themselves,” the groomer admits, before saying that Teddy must be “lazy” and is probably fated to visit many groomers throughout his life.