Is it normal to get hissed at while brushing their fur?

I've been grooming Callie since she wasTINY and lately I've had to wear my leather rock gloves when I brush her . I lay her on her back and hold her front paws to brush her tummy and nether areas, while she procedes to bite my gloves and hiss at me!

AFterward, she hides here.

Maybe she is having pain.

In one of the articles in this site, it was mentioned that cats often display aggression as a result of petting, or rather, "overpetting". Maybe she gets uncomfortable, or the brush you used could be painful, or new

When she is on her back, she is usually ready to fight or play rough. But it's the only way I can get to her belly fur. If I don't brush her, she'll get matted .

I know cats can get stimulated so this could be the reason?. Maybe be a bit more gentle with her?.

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I know cats can get stimulated so this could be the reason?. Maybe be a bit more gentle with her?.

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I'm afraid if I were any more gentle to her, she wouldn't get brushed.

Emily is the same way. She gets overstimulated very quickly, so I can only brush her a little bit at a time. You might just have to keep taking breaks from it.

Yes, the belly is the part cats like least to have brushed... usually when you touch them there, they understand that to mean that it's time to play or attack.

I wouldn't wait until the cat is lying belly-up, because they're usually in a play mood at that point. Just try to swipe the brush under the cat once or twice when it's grooming time... sometimes if the cat is standing up it works.

Instead of making her lay on her back (most cats hate that if forced), try to make her stand on the back legs and hold up the front and comb the belly.

That's how I groom all my cats - long or short hair.

That's a great idea, standing them up! Thanks! I'll try that later today and see how it works! Maybe I can get her to do it if I take her outside, she's shyer out there and sticks close to mama.

Magic is a long hair and I hold him on my lap to comb his belly. That is if he deigns to allow it at the time.
Sometimes he is very docle allowing me to comb or brush completely and other times he is to anxious to stay put for too long. I don't want him to always run when it's time for grooming so I generally take his mood into consideration which seems to work best for both of us.

I hope combing her while standing works justgreen

I do that to Oscar too, I seldom brush him with belly up, he wouldn't hide, but he'd end up running, a signal to play.

Ok, we had some success yesterday. I stood her up and gently held her front legs with my left hand and made 2 or 3 swipes with the brush on her belly and nether areas, and then I let her sit down and she let me brush on her backside a bit, down near her tail. That's where she usually gets little knots. Thank you so much for the help, we were both beginning to dread the brushing!