Grooming cat-doesn't like to be handled

My Pierre has beautiful medium length fur. I think he may be part Maine Coon. My problem is that he HATES to be handled. The only times I'm ever able to pet him is when I'm giving him his wet food or at night when he's sleeping on the bed with me. But even then, he's somewhat skittish and runs away the second he thinks I might try to pick him up. I'm concerned his hair will become matted but don't know how to go about combing it if he won't even come within arms reach of me. Any suggestions?

He's about 9 mo old and I've only had him for 2 mo. I'm thinking he still may be adjusting to me and is why he's skittish. But until it comes to the point when he'll let me handle him, if ever, what can I do to keep his fur groomed?

Perhaps take him to a groomer every so often to get a thorough grooming so you don't have to right now...continue slowly building his trust, and eventually you will probably be able to comb him out yourself, but for now, probably just take him to a groomer to prevent matting.

As far as 'trust building' get some interactive kitty toys, toss him kitty treats at random, and put catnip on his favorite scratch posts when he is close enough to watch you do it. Then sit on the floor and watch him enjoy the cat nip. Perhaps even putting him in one room for a couple of weeks, and going in there several times a day, just to pet and love on him may help turn him around. Maybe use your bed room for his 'cat room' since you say he sleeps with you already. If he is indeed part Maine Coon, he should build a strong bond with you eventually.

Originally Posted by mdgirl

My Pierre has beautiful medium length fur. I think he may be part Maine Coon. My problem is that he HATES to be handled. The only times I'm ever able to pet him is when I'm giving him his wet food or at night when he's sleeping on the bed with me. But even then, he's somewhat skittish and runs away the second he thinks I might try to pick him up. I'm concerned his hair will become matted but don't know how to go about combing it if he won't even come within arms reach of me. Any suggestions?

He's about 9 mo old and I've only had him for 2 mo. I'm thinking he still may be adjusting to me and is why he's skittish. But until it comes to the point when he'll let me handle him, if ever, what can I do to keep his fur groomed?

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Click on the left photo above and see my cat's long hair. He loves to be combed. And I use a fine tooth comb that pulls his hair out and I am rough on him and throw him around and he never gets mad. But I started combing him at 7 weeks of age to get him used to the idea and did it every day without exception and finished off with a treat. So he knows nothing else, so how can he complain? The problem is, your cat is already 9 months and set in his ways. Well don't do like I do, be gentle and have the comb ready and the treat ready and show him both before you start. That is the way I trained Persi. I can now call Persi and he will come running up and jump onto the dryer which is where I groom him. I was lucky that I started him so young. But your cat can start being trained. Try the treat bit. And even with Persi, I started his nail clipping very young, he does not like that at all, but I only do one or two at a time so perhaps if you did just a little at a time and always gave him a treat and then gradually increased the time of grooming?

Thanks for your replies. Taking him to a groomer is sort of a last resort option right now only because it's very difficult to catch him. I think the entire experience would stress him too much. Maybe when it's time to take him to the vet I'll have him groomed also.

I had an incident with him a couple weeks ago when he managed to get poop all over his tail and backside and track it around my house. :-( To prevent further tracking I decided I needed to clean him myself. I had to chase him around before finally catching him, then hold him down all the while having him violently protest while I cleaned the poop off him. The scratches on my arms have just healed. :-( And I started crying because I felt so bad. I feel that if I have to catch him again like that he'll never trust me. Why should he?

We do play together and it's definitely helped but he still keeps his distance. Only a few times have I been able to hand feed him treats and he was very hesistant to take them. Usually I have to toss them to him but I'll try this method to comb him. He won't even eat his food with his back towards me. :-/

Sorry for the bit of venting but it's been very frustrating. I really want him to be happy and healthy, and well groomed and he's making it challenging. Lucky for him he's so darn cute. :-)

Taking him to a groomer may be less stressful. You never know until you try. But groomers many times do much better with a difficult cat then the owners do. (Not always... but many times.) Plus, you won't be associated with the grooming (to the cat an unpleasant task.) Years ago I had a cat that reacted similar to yours. After I took her to a groomer a couple of times, she was much more agreeable to at least being combed a little bit. And then one of my current cat's (Peaches) took awhile to warm up. I think it took a good 9 months for her to bond with me. After that she was even willing to let me bathe her. Sometimes it just takes time and patience. Unfortunately, there is no real easy answer for any of us to give you. I wish there was.