My Girls Hate to be Groomed!!

Hello all!
My two girls, Layla and Stevie, do not like to be groomed! Everytime I try to brush them, they run away! I tried to give them a treat prior to brushing, then chasing them, stroking them one time, then giving them another treat.....but, that is not helping! Do I need to just be persistant and continue this routine? Stevie will let me brush her when she jumps on my lap, but that only happens about twice week and she really need to be brushed more frequently. Layla only needs to be brushed once a week.....
Thanks!!

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Stop babying them when you groom. Make it business like. Show them that you are in charge and they have to behave till you are done. I'd just take them and put them on a "grooming table" and hold with one hand, groom (brush and comb) with the other. They can protest all they want, but you should be the one in charge.

If they start to misbehave, then be firm, tell them "NO - SIT STILL" and make them do it. You don't have to be mean - just firm and let them know who's in charge.

I've never had a problem grooming any cat - some have sat there and complained the entire time but I decided when the grooming was over.

They won't hate me for it??? I know that's a ridiculous question, but that is why I avoided this type of approach.

Thanks!

Easier said, than done!!!!

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Stop babying them when you groom. Make it business like. Show them that you are in charge and they have to behave till you are done. I'd just take them and put them on a "grooming table" and hold with one hand, groom (brush and comb) with the other. They can protest all they want, but you should be the one in charge.

If they start to misbehave, then be firm, tell them "NO - SIT STILL" and make them do it. You don't have to be mean - just firm and let them know who's in charge.

I've never had a problem grooming any cat - some have sat there and complained the entire time but I decided when the grooming was over.

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Get a Zoom Groom.... I have a bad touch I guess with grooming , they all run and hide then I got a Zoom groom and all like it

I know easier said then done; but if you make it "in charge" they will not hate you. I've gone to other people's houses and played with their cats. One had really long nails, so I said to kitty "you need to get your nails cut". The owner told me that was impossible as the cat would never hold still. I asked for the nail clippers. Held the cat like I hold mine - went thru 4 feet with in a few mins (some protesting and I just told the cat to "shut up and sit still"). The owner sat in amazment. The cat looked at me with big eyes - never protested any more.

If you use the approach that "I'm in charge and you're not" - most cats will sense they can't get away with it.

OP, you're making too much of a game out of grooming - the cats know it

I have the Zoom Groom and they still run. I am going to try the "in charge" approach tonight. I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks!!!

Mine hate the Zoom Groom, but beg to be combed. When I'm combing one of the boys, Sheba will rush in and try to get that attention. I never brush them any more, but they all get combed regularly.

I know what you mean about a difficult cat to groom, though. I didn't have the faintest idea what I was doing with my first feline, Guard Cat. He was a former stray who behaved like he was near feral. The only way I could brush him was to do so while he was eating. He'd put up with it a short time then; otherwise I was afraid I'd lose an arm. Maybe now that I have a bit more experience with cats, I'd have an easier time, but I'm not so sure.

We've recently introduced our 2 girls to grooming. I initially bought a grooming mitt but they weren't too fussed on that and kept walking away. I got a little brush which looks like a hair brush and they love that! They even roll over onto their tummies when I get the brush out!

Pui Hang, what type of bristles does your brush have?

The control approach was very difficult for me, but I will continue to use it....however, I would love to try and find a brush they may like!