Mama don't brush me!

katinksz

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We have a slicker brush (I believe it is a "slicka" brush. I mean the brand is called SLICKA
) that we use to brush him but he doesnt let us brush him. He will sit quietly for about two minutes and after that, it is as if a bomb went off
and he just hisses and swats his paws at us. We really want to minimize his shedding but he doesnt like being brushed!
Are there any good techniques on how to get him to like brushing and ALSO
are there any effective grooming tools that you have used that will also be kind on my wallet? Thank you in advance
 

pami

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I had to look that brush up. I tried that with my cats and they did not like it.

I use several things. I use a comb, a boar briste brush and The Furminator. The Furminator gets an insane amount of hair. The comb and the brush are more just for 'brushing'.
Because everything in a cats world is about them
I would try things the cat will associate as pleasant with being brushed. You might have to build up to brushing for any length of time. Like giving him a treat after brushing a few brush strokes. Or playing with him with a favorite toy right after a few brushe strokes and just build up from there.
 

ut0pia

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I used the furminator with Jake and he is the same way. He sits for 2 minutes, he even purrs during those 2 minutes and then goes crazy. What I do is I get two people to help me- one person to pet him and soothe him and distract his attention and one person to help me get the hair out of the way as quickly as possible so that the job gets done quick. It works pretty well but he still hisses
 

karenjet

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I have a Furminator but don't like it, I find it too bulky to work with. The best thing I've found for my cats is a grooming mitt. I know a lot of people don't like them but mine enjoy being groomed with it and it's flexible so I can do their back and sides in one stroke. An amazing amount of hair comes out with this too! I'm sure they must be as cheap in America as they are here.
 
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katinksz

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Thank you all for the responses! I have decided that I would start off small and build from there.
I'm going to brush him a bit -treat- brush him -treat- and then after brushing (I'm hoping to get in a good 10 minutes in the long run
) we're gonna play or go for a walk. Depending on how tired I am


Thank YOU!!

ps. I have read many reviews about the furminator but honestly, I don't see why it is so expensive!
 

hosman

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My cat is not a huge fan of being groomed;tolerating it rather than enjoying it.I bribe her with kitty treats and lots of sweet talk.It helps.
 

trillcat

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Originally Posted by Katinksz

Thank you all for the responses! I have decided that I would start off small and build from there.
I'm going to brush him a bit -treat- brush him -treat- and then after brushing (I'm hoping to get in a good 10 minutes in the long run
) we're gonna play or go for a walk. Depending on how tired I am


Thank YOU!!

ps. I have read many reviews about the furminator but honestly, I don't see why it is so expensive!
Not cat, but I had a dog, Magic, a Samoyed, big 70lb mass of long white fluffy hair, (beautiful dog and smart as all get out, gosh I miss her) daily grooming necessary. I found the treat, brush, treat method to work. Otherwise it was a fight to the death with her growling and snapping and me growling and snapping back, lol. It took a good 2 hours to brush her when calm, when in a mood, oh dear.
I say snacks are your friends, though other people will disagree.
 

stephanietx

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I started out brushing my little girl for about 2 minutes, then giving her a treat as a reward. Gradually, I built it up so that now she'll tolerate about 5 minutes of brushing. When she 'balks', it's from overstimulation, so I stop.
 

gingersmom

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It took my Ferris almost 2 1/2 YEARS to get to the point where he enjoyed being groomed. At first I could only do his back, then only a little with a comb that has long and short teeth on it until he had enough.

Now he lets me do his belly and even comes and ASKS me to comb him!


I went through about 1/2 dozen types of combs and brushes before I found the one that he likes best, and all my cats like different types. Penny likes a "baby" brush made with soft bristles, but likes me to use it hard on her (LOL) and Bonnie prefers that I use a flea comb.

Ginger used to like the comb I use on Ferris but now she's decides she doesn't want to be groomed at all,
and Maxwell runs when he sees me pick up a brush or a comb - not like he actually NEEDS it!
 

ut0pia

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About the furminator and price: I completely agree. I was at walmart the other day buying a bitter apple spray so Jake stops chewing furniture..and I saw something identical to the furminator and it was only $13. The only difference was the color. If I had known about this, I would have gotten it!
 
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