Cat who needs to be groomed but doesn't like it.

[ginnyinWI]

Zelda is a black long haired cat--looks just like the Turkish Angora in the book--but doesn't like to hold still to be groomed. When I try to brush her she runs away. I hate to have to hold her down and make it into an ordeal for both of us.

It's not that her hair gets matted or anything. It's very silky and fine and just falls out--right onto my floors where it makes little black dust bunnies everywhere. I just got through sweeping them all up and need to find a way to get her to like being brushed. She is five years old--I got her a year ago when my son moved and couldn't keep her. I've tried a metal comb, a bristle brush and a plastic bristle brush, but I think because her hair is so fine, she feels them too much directly on her skin. Advice?

[Why Syzygy]

1. I'm thinking of some kind of

mit you can put on your hand and just rub her. A softer brush might also work.

[virgdem]

2. Try the Zoom Groom...

it is a soft rubber brush in the shape of a cat. It's great for pulling out dead hair and will not bother her skin at all. I've used this brush and other variations on a theme with my guys and they seem to tolerate it well. Good luck!!!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I have one of those.

I suspect the real issue isn't that the brush is uncomfortable; she just doesn't like to be messed with. I have a small, cute, good-natured kitty with soft, silky fur that unfortunately tends to mat. And she HATES being brushed or combed, no matter what I use. She hates it because she doesn't like being restrained or fussed with in any way. She got some mats that I couldn't do anything about because she tried to take my hand off whenever I got near them. I finally had to take her to a groomer. And THAT was an adventure.

[japple]

4. What kind of brush are you using? I have a fat, short-haired

cat that doesn't like to be restrained, so I kinda just follow him around with a wire slicker brush. He has, over time, gotten to where he almost likes it. Maybe a Furminator would work better.

[ginnyinWI]

6. I've tried all different kinds.

It's like the poster above said--she doesn't like to be messed with. If she comes over to sleep on my lap, it must be her idea. She's not the kind of cat to follow you around unless she's after being fed or something. Very independent. So--it's a matter of getting her to tolerate a little more contact. I have two other cats who love the attention though.

[CountAllVotes]

5. my almost 9 year old cat is a sourpuss

if you try he'll swipe you good too and he doesn't hesitate either (he has massive claws)! He has never liked being combed or brushed and he weighs close to 20 lbs. now (a huge cat) and he is from a no-kill shelter and got off to a very bad start in life. They clipped a notch on his ear to mark him as being from this rescue and I think he remembers it, hence the reason he hates being combed/brushed and touched most of the time.

Luckily, he is a short haired cat and doesn't really need it much. However, during shedding seasons he really could use a good combing and he occasionally gets mats from the sap of a lilac tree that he lays under outside that must be cut off (what a job this is! ... eek).

My other 2 cats love being combed and brushed and fight over the comb/brush when they see it.

I call the old guy that hates being combed/brushed a sourpuss. He heard me calling him this the other night and let out a moan.

He knows and so do I. Hands off or else!

So, I guess I have no advice for you really. Just know that you aren't alone with a sourpuss like this. ;)

[Warpy]

8. Get a Love Glove

I've used one for years on cats I adopted as adults and who were never brushed. The cat thinks s/he is being petted and the rubber nubs supposedly feel a lot like self grooming.

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-1083

[CountAllVotes]

9. I have one of those; sourpuss hated it

he did not like that one bit either as it requires being "touched" by something. Doesn't matter if it is a glove or a hand or a brush.

He is a sourpuss plain and simple. I worry that he will get sick and I'll need to get him to the vet. If this happens, I don't know how I'll fit him in the cat carrier! He is a Siamese cat and I never knew that they can keep growing for several years which has been his case.

Thanks for the tip anyway. My other cats like that glove ok btw. :shrug:

[badgerpup]

10. This is convoluted but there may be an idea in here...somewhere.

Esme (my 11-yr-old female cat) has an issue with shedding- though she's a shorthair, she really SHEDS...lots and frequently. :banghead:
Fortunately for both of us, she absolutely LOVES to be brushed. :loveya:

She loves it so much that brushing is not only part of her usual care; it's a reward/incentive for her (she doesn't really go for kitty treats). She still sheds, however, and though she enjoys being brushed, she can only tolerate it for about 15-20 minutes at a time.
I'm thinking that the increased circulation gets her skin (stimulated? sensitized? tenderized?) to the point where the sensation no longer feels good to her but is irritating or even uncomfortable.*
Time to give it a rest... but she's still shedding and fur flies up into the air when you pet her. :banghead:

*I'm going by her reactions here, 'K? :shrug:

BUT:
I've noticed that her shedding is WAY down this summer. I've also noticed that she's been rolling on the rougher patches of the cement ramp that leads to the front porch a LOT. Figure this feels good to her, judging by the squirming and the 'meh-eh-eh-eh' chattery sound she makes while doing so (one of her happy/pleasure sounds).

I've seen things sort of like standing or archway-shaped brushes that the cat rubs up or arches against.
:think:
I've also discovered that dampening the boar's bristle brush I use for my monsters (they like that brush best) seems to pick up more hair than using it dry (also that running the palm of a wet hand across upholstery with lots of fur will pick up the fur as well as the best lint brush...for a lot cheaper!).

Maybe this will help point y'all's lovely brilliant creative genius sides in a direction? :hi:

[ginnyinWI]

11. I'll try a wet brush--good idea.

Also if I approach her in the evening when she's more wound down, she tolerates it better. She's the kind of high strung cat who bolts into the basement when the doorbell rings! Among the cats in our household she's the dominant one, but still a fraidy cat when it comes to strangers in the house. She comes out after a few hours, tentatively, and says hi.

My daughter has a cat that sheds constantly; you can't pet her or put her on your lap without getting full of fur. She's a calico. No matter what we do, how we change her diet--nothing helps.

[CountAllVotes]

12. thanks for that idea

I might try it on him. If you don't see me post again, you'll know I had to go to the ER and get stitched up. :sarcasm:

I've noted he rolls around a lot in the backyard leaving a lot of fur behind. Maybe this is how he "brushes" himself - that and the lilac tree (he rubs himself all over that tree).

Let's hope for the best! :D

:dem:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Kidley gets combed every day, but he still sheds

When I got him, he was all matted, but I have gradually combed all the mats out, except on his chest, which he will not let me comb.

However, I have found that he tolerates combing slightly better if I approach him from behind. Still, his tolerance is limited.

Otherwise, he loves being combed. He'll lie on one side and then flip himself over when he thinks he's "done" and ready for the other side.

[david13]

13. My cat won't let me touch him with a brush or comb. So he has

huge lumps on him at one time every year. But also he sheds like crazy. Every six inches a clump of fur all over.
It's the nature of the beast, I guess.
Hey, look at all those depictions of cavemen (and women) you see. None of them have combed or brushed hair.
The cat just has not evolved so far, yet. At least mine hasn't.
He has very sensitive skin, real soft, under the fur. I think that is it.
dc

[spooky3]

14. I have a part Turkish Angora (white) and here is what works for us

TAs do not like to be picked up or held, generally, so that is part of the problem. However, mine will let you follow him around with a soft bristle brush or a mitt (like the Love Glove mentioned in another post) stroking him - just don't make him stay in one place. Neither of these is as effective as a comb but that's the best we can do. He also loves to go outside, especially if you go with him, and will tolerate MUCH more grooming outside. His predecessor, who died last year, was exactly the same with respect to these preferences. So I am hopeful they will work for you too.

My part ragdoll who LOVES grooming of any type likes all of the following, so you might try any of these, but my part TA doesn't like them, so I am not optimistic they will work for you: A slightly moist paper towel or even a very wet (warm) washcloth, followed by a bath towel, a sticky roller (lint brush), a hand held vacuum. He will try to trip you if he sees you with any of these so that you will groom him.