Smokey is just over 13 years old and doesn't groom like she used to. She just doesn't reach the back 1/3 of her body.

I started giving her cosequin 3 years ago which helped for a while but now as she'd gotten older we are back to square one.

She has never been a big fan of being brushed but as she's gotten older she has really gotten bad. I try to cut out any knots or matted hair and brush her but it's really hard, she just freaks out. It doesn't matter how incredibly gentle I am she just flipps out. Same when I trim her nails.

She has a clean bill of health from the vet so it seems to be a behavioral thing. I'm not sure what to do to calm her down so I can brush her without it being a major trauma. Any suggestions?

Might be worth bringing her to the groomers once in a while and have her fur taken down thereby making the daily brushing more comfortable.

As try and get a ZOOM GROOM - have not met a cat that dosen't like it - you can get at most Pet stores - they make them for cats and dogs - different shapes but the same thing.

Is a Zoom Groom a brush of some kind?

here is the link to Petsmart for the Zoom Groom - give it a look

http://shop.petsmart.com/product-123/2534374302025565/2534374302023690/845524441779168.htm