Anitra's Natural Cat

Most pet groomers treat cats like small dogs. Anitra's Natural Cat doesn’t. The Upper West Side has no shortage of places to bathe a terrier, but feline grooming requires a different rhythm—quieter hands, patience for hiding paws, and a tolerance for the occasional protest yowl. This is the rare spot that specializes in the species, not just the service.

Clippers hum behind the door at 309 W 99th St # 5D, where the menu includes nail trims, sanitary clips, and full brush-outs for long-haired breeds. Matted fur is teased apart rather than shaved, and herbal rinses replace synthetic fragrances. The elevator in the pre-war building groans like an old tabby, so plan a few extra minutes if your cat already associates carriers with betrayal.

Questions about flea treatments or shedding seasons can be answered at (212) 663-0122. The phone is staffed during business hours, though messages left after closing may take a day to return—cats, after all, keep their own schedule. No appointment is ever rushed, which means the waiting list can stretch longer than a Siamese tail.

Directions are straightforward: map here. The block between West End and Riverside feels more residential than commercial, so don’t expect neon signs or sidewalk barkers. Just a buzzer, a slow elevator, and the faint scent of lavender drifting down the hall.