I got my 2 Persians (approximately 2 years old) from the humane society in February. They are female siblings, Lilith and Sophie. They hate being brushed. They bite the brush then take off. I try to do it when they are most relaxed but no go. I have tried multiple types of brushes with the same results. Epic fail. Lily's hair is longer than Sophie's so is she is the one who is more prone to having "litterbox hitchhikers". They were strays when the HS got them and I do not think they have ever been groomed before. They certainly din't look like they had when I got them.
I have been able to bathe them by taking them into the shower. They don't like it but they don't fight me. The only way I have been able to get rid of the litterbox hitchhikers is by taking Lily into the shower and giving her a tushie bath. Having to do that at 1 AM is no fun. Not having any idea what else to do, I called around town to finally find the ONE groomer who does cats. At the very least, I need the sanitary shave done on both. I made an appointment for 8AM today. I bring them and the plan was to give them each a lion cut. It may be April but here in South Florida it's pretty much summer already. I'm not a huge fan of the look but my idea was to get rid of the stray cat fur and it will be cooler for them in the hotter months. I met the groomer, a very nice man and he took them to the back. I stayed in the car thinking it shouldn't take TOO long and their shop was about 20 minutes from home. It was also POURING out. He comes out about 20 minutes later and tells me the bath is NOT happening. They both flipped out as soon as the leash went on. He ended up giving Sophie a dry bath, clipped her nails and was able to give her the sanitary shave but that was it. Lily,on the other hand, would not allow ANYTHING and he was ready to hand her back exactly the way she came in. My problem child. Unfortunately, the whole reason I brought them in was HER. He was able to do the sanitary shave on her but only because another groomer held her while he did it. BTW, even the vet will not groom cats.
Here lies my dilemma. I really doubt they want such unruly cats (especially Lily) coming back. When I mentioned that both of them have been bathed without incident in the shower, he was very surprised. I got the tip about that from this site (THANK YOU ALL for your invaluable advice!) While their tushes are clean now, eventually the hair will grow back and the hitchhikers will return. I honestly think that the only thing I can do is get the equipment and do it myself. I have been working hard to earn their trust which I think is why they have let me wash them in the shower. Aside from some very pitiful meows, they have literally not put up any type of fight at all in the shower. I think they know that I am trying to help them and their dislike of being dirty overrides their dislike of being bathed. They also let me blow dry them with a cool hair dryer so I can get them about 80% dry. Then they let me know they have had enough and I don't push my luck any further. Their hair is fine and silky so I have not seen any mats on them. The groomer didn't find any either so at least I have that.
Considering that I can wash and dry them, my dilemma is the shaving. The last thing I want is to destroy the trust we've built. My plan is to have the equipment ready, taken them into the small bathroom one at a time with a Feliway diffuser and some soft classical music playing to relax them and then slowly try to groom the area. I have the Wahl Home Pro clippers that I used to use to cut my late husband's hair. Could I use these or do I need special ones? Can anyone recommend a brush they won't hate? I have tried a slicker brush and a Furminator. I can tell that Lily is miserable when she has stuff stuck in her fur but I know it's also not good for her to get washed too often. I figure if I can get them to let me clip them, the hitchhikers will no longer be an issue and I can just give them the occasional bath. Wet wipes DO NOT work on them, I use them only to wash their faces. Are there any books anyone can recommend on how to groom a long haired cat without injury to either party? Any advice is appreciated.
I have been able to bathe them by taking them into the shower. They don't like it but they don't fight me. The only way I have been able to get rid of the litterbox hitchhikers is by taking Lily into the shower and giving her a tushie bath. Having to do that at 1 AM is no fun. Not having any idea what else to do, I called around town to finally find the ONE groomer who does cats. At the very least, I need the sanitary shave done on both. I made an appointment for 8AM today. I bring them and the plan was to give them each a lion cut. It may be April but here in South Florida it's pretty much summer already. I'm not a huge fan of the look but my idea was to get rid of the stray cat fur and it will be cooler for them in the hotter months. I met the groomer, a very nice man and he took them to the back. I stayed in the car thinking it shouldn't take TOO long and their shop was about 20 minutes from home. It was also POURING out. He comes out about 20 minutes later and tells me the bath is NOT happening. They both flipped out as soon as the leash went on. He ended up giving Sophie a dry bath, clipped her nails and was able to give her the sanitary shave but that was it. Lily,on the other hand, would not allow ANYTHING and he was ready to hand her back exactly the way she came in. My problem child. Unfortunately, the whole reason I brought them in was HER. He was able to do the sanitary shave on her but only because another groomer held her while he did it. BTW, even the vet will not groom cats.
Here lies my dilemma. I really doubt they want such unruly cats (especially Lily) coming back. When I mentioned that both of them have been bathed without incident in the shower, he was very surprised. I got the tip about that from this site (THANK YOU ALL for your invaluable advice!) While their tushes are clean now, eventually the hair will grow back and the hitchhikers will return. I honestly think that the only thing I can do is get the equipment and do it myself. I have been working hard to earn their trust which I think is why they have let me wash them in the shower. Aside from some very pitiful meows, they have literally not put up any type of fight at all in the shower. I think they know that I am trying to help them and their dislike of being dirty overrides their dislike of being bathed. They also let me blow dry them with a cool hair dryer so I can get them about 80% dry. Then they let me know they have had enough and I don't push my luck any further. Their hair is fine and silky so I have not seen any mats on them. The groomer didn't find any either so at least I have that.
Considering that I can wash and dry them, my dilemma is the shaving. The last thing I want is to destroy the trust we've built. My plan is to have the equipment ready, taken them into the small bathroom one at a time with a Feliway diffuser and some soft classical music playing to relax them and then slowly try to groom the area. I have the Wahl Home Pro clippers that I used to use to cut my late husband's hair. Could I use these or do I need special ones? Can anyone recommend a brush they won't hate? I have tried a slicker brush and a Furminator. I can tell that Lily is miserable when she has stuff stuck in her fur but I know it's also not good for her to get washed too often. I figure if I can get them to let me clip them, the hitchhikers will no longer be an issue and I can just give them the occasional bath. Wet wipes DO NOT work on them, I use them only to wash their faces. Are there any books anyone can recommend on how to groom a long haired cat without injury to either party? Any advice is appreciated.