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Brushing a grumpy cat

post #1 of 15
9/17/10 at 9:46am
Thread Starter 
Google is long haired and it seems like he blows his coat twice a year. He HATES being brushed! He never has liked it very much, but at least when he was a kitten we could manage a little, now he is a 14lbs monster... (Also have you noticed he is my problem child?)
During the low-shedding seasons we will just give him a few quick swipes with a slicker brush while he is eating and he doesnt seem to mind as much. But now he is getting rather scruffy looking and I really want to ferminate the monster. How can we keep our skin but have a brushed kitty? Joey LOVES the furminater and gets grumpy when you stop! Which is good because he sheds like crazy year round!
Right now we have a routine of clipping his nails every other week (we have to keep them short or we pay the price!!) but during this process he is purrito'ed (wraped in his favorite blanket with lots of petting) but he still growls like you are trying to kill him. This has been going on for 2 years... we have never clipped too low, or caused him any pain with the clippers, he just does not like his feet being touched in general. He always gets extra play time and treats after.
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post #2 of 15
9/17/10 at 11:18am
I have one that hates being brushed. I've tried begging, different brushes, treats, pettings, etc. He still hates it. With him I just have to try to hold him down or have DH help hold him so I can get his back end. I wish I could leave him be but it's either a quick but thorough brushing session or the side effects of bad hairballs (which can even cause death).
He's not a biter, though, and the worst he does is try to kick.

All I can think of is having someone help you or get him clipped.

And just to make things amusing, Sherman seems to rather enjoy having his teeth brushed - he responds perfectly to the treats after.
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post #3 of 15
9/17/10 at 11:19am
Two words Zoom Groom you can order this online
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post #4 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hissy View Post
Two words Zoom Groom you can order this online
I had one of those and gave it away. I bought it based on recommendations from people here on TCS but neither of the boys would let me touch them with it. They would attack it and chew it but not let me stroke them with it.

Hopefully it works for Jordi better than it did for me!
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post #5 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:09pm
^That's usually one of the better tolerated ones, but it can build up quite a bit of static and a cat can get zapped. Siri is fine with it except for in the winter months. Everyone else (but Sherman) loves it. I can toss the Zoom Groom on the floor and Tomas will brush himself.
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post #6 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
I have one that hates being brushed. I've tried begging, different brushes, treats, pettings, etc. He still hates it. With him I just have to try to hold him down or have DH help hold him so I can get his back end. I wish I could leave him be but it's either a quick but thorough brushing session or the side effects of bad hairballs (which can even cause death).
He's not a biter, though, and the worst he does is try to kick.

All I can think of is having someone help you or get him clipped.

And just to make things amusing, Sherman seems to rather enjoy having his teeth brushed - he responds perfectly to the treats after.
Google is a biter! Badly. He draws just as much blood with teeth as he does with claws. And what sucks is he can strike like a cobra...you never see if coming until its too late! I may have to just get Gary to help me hold him and try to get the bad spots! I really dont want to get him clipped! He has a very pretty coat and I love his pantaloons!

Quote:
Originally Posted by hissy View Post
Two words Zoom Groom you can order this online
I have seen those for dogs but never tried one. I may go by the petstore and see if they have one. But I highly doubt it will work! Google isnt even a big fan of being petted on. He is rather evil....

Quote:
Originally Posted by CruiserMaiden View Post
I had one of those and gave it away. I bought it based on recommendations from people here on TCS but neither of the boys would let me touch them with it. They would attack it and chew it but not let me stroke them with it.

Hopefully it works for Jordi better than it did for me!
I hope so too! If not I may be seeing if you want to come help tame a beast! LOL!
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post #7 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:32pm
Since Google was already coming up and biting you, I don't suggested forced brushing. It may frustrate him to the point that he comes back after and takes it out on you. That or he'll start avoiding you. It only works with Sherman because he's non aggressive and has the memory of a goldfish...

What about combs (for now) or using your hair brush? For some reason cats always go crazy if I use my own brush on them, maybe because it smells like me and they like it?
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post #8 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
Since Google was already coming up and biting you, I don't suggested forced brushing. It may frustrate him to the point that he comes back after and takes it out on you. That or he'll start avoiding you. It only works with Sherman because he's non aggressive and has the memory of a goldfish...

What about combs (for now) or using your hair brush? For some reason cats always go crazy if I use my own brush on them, maybe because it smells like me and they like it?
Dunno if my brush would work! But I will definitely try it. And he is just like Sherman.... 3 second memory... esp. if there is food involved.
The Beau and I have a maybe solution he gets very lovey dovey at night because thats when he gets his wet food, so we will brush him a few strokes and then feed him, see if he catches on
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post #9 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:47pm
I hope it works. The reason I have problems is that Sherman came as an adult tom cat who had been in fights before. He's sensitive about his back and you touching his tail - though he let me scratch his tail for him last night when he had a dying flea in his tail fur.

What sort of treats do you use with him? While not high quality (as long as there's no severe allergy) treats like Temptations and the Pounce treats win over most cats.
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post #10 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by capt_jordi View Post
I hope so too! If not I may be seeing if you want to come help tame a beast! LOL!
I'm in! Let me know when you need help. I'll wear armor or something.
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post #11 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
I hope it works. The reason I have problems is that Sherman came as an adult tom cat who had been in fights before. He's sensitive about his back and you touching his tail - though he let me scratch his tail for him last night when he had a dying flea in his tail fur.

What sort of treats do you use with him? While not high quality (as long as there's no severe allergy) treats like Temptations and the Pounce treats win over most cats.
Right now I think its a sort of temptations. We got a sample in a box of litter. We dont treat often, we give special toys and nip for treats. We have to be very careful about having treats in the house because Google can sniff them out and will chew through the bag and eat the entire thing.... He has also done the same with cat nip... that was one high cat!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by CruiserMaiden View Post
I'm in! Let me know when you need help. I'll wear armor or something.
LOL you may need it!
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post #12 of 15
9/17/10 at 12:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by capt_jordi View Post
Right now I think its a sort of temptations. We got a sample in a box of litter. We dont treat often, we give special toys and nip for treats. We have to be very careful about having treats in the house because Google can sniff them out and will chew through the bag and eat the entire thing.... He has also done the same with cat nip... that was one high cat!!
I've had both happen in the past. Currently I have the catnip stashed in the gecko room (no cats allowed), some treats in a tall bathroom cabinet (no cats can reach), and a box stuffed full of Temptations (freebie Mars giveouts) in the credenza. We have to hide those sort of things.

I have to keep the grooming tools put away, too, other wise Tomas will rub on them till they find their way under furniture or chew on the zoom groom. I left the furminator out a couple weeks ago and didn't find it until I moved the couch.
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post #13 of 15
9/17/10 at 1:31pm
my cat is not a fan of being pet or brushed or having his nails clipped either.

I brush my cat when he is eating his food because that is the only time he will let me and then I wipe him down with a wet towel as a bath. He loves food so he barely notices....works well. I wish I could bathe him though he reeks like cat poop, but I could only imagine the absolute horror for both of us if I even dare to try bathing him.

I eventually think I am going to give him get a haircut, the same way I brush him just for sanitary purposes because I know I will never be able to bathe him.

Also, you don't have to have him shaved all the way down you can just get some of the length taken off and then don't have them touch his pretty pantaloons hehe
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post #14 of 15
9/17/10 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by capt_jordi View Post
We have to be very careful about having treats in the house because Google can sniff them out and will chew through the bag and eat the entire thing....
I use the glass jars that boullion cubes come in to hold our treats cause the boys will chew through the bags if I don't! One jar perfectly holds one bag of temptations, and as a plus it makes a distinctive noise when you shake it that the cats have learned to associate with treats and come running! I think I have an extra jar around here I will give it to you.
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post #15 of 15
9/20/10 at 10:33am
Well for what it's worth,I use a small comb,actually its a flea comb but no fleas where i live,i would start by running it lightly down the cats backs,soon they just wanted to be combed.Treats would be good at the same time for a feisty guy like yours as well.
Hope things work out for you.
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