how to comb my cat....

My cat has sharp claws and hates to be touched. Can someone explain how im suposed to comb her without getting my arms/hands sliced up? Im doing it gently, like barely touching her too, she just hates being touched. Im suposed to comb her once a week my vet says. Any advice?

 

can you wait until she's sleeping? Start out gently trying to not wake her (if possible) till she gets more accepting. Have you tried a Zoom Groom? I use one of those and cats are supposed to really like them (mine don't care for a brushing either)

 

I know that must be really hard. My cat hates to be brushed too, but at least I can touch him. I also suggest waiting until he's asleep. Also, using a big brush rather than a comb has worked a bit better for me.

Zoom Groom, Mary? Gonna have to look that up.

 

not familiar with the zoom groom either. my suggestion though (and maybe this is a zoom groom!) is to get a grooming glove -- little glove you slip on that has rubber tips on the palm side. then you can just pet your cat and brush him at the same time. the downside to this is that they don't work as well on mats if your cat is prone to them. it's a better alternative to not grooming though.

 

Hi. When was the last time your kitty went to see the vet for a full exam? In my opinion it's not natural for a cat to never like to be touched/pet, unless the cat has a medical problem that is causing them pain/irritability or the cat is feral or the cat is just scared of people trying to pet it for various reasons. Does your cat like to be pet by anyone in your home?

 

its not natural unless your pepe lol!

 

Kyles, I know Pepe doesn't like to be brushed, but please tell me he does like to be pet now and again (on his terms of course).

 

My cat popcorn, went to the vet couple weekends ago. I thought she would kill the vet when he pulled her out of the crate. She didn't... Just growled at him cause of the temp and the two shots. He checked her down good, told me to comb her, and brush her teeth? He's crazy... She hates to be touched. I didn't get time to explain it to him, to see what he says. I was too busy listening to him about other stuff. He said she was healthy.

I adopted her from my ex girlfriend, cause she couldn't take her to florida with her. She came from a home with a crazy little sister, and a father that used to "chuck the cat" from that I have heard... Most of the time, when she is pet, she flinches. I think thats what you call it. Sometimes she doesn't. I wanted a affectionate cat... She is far from it. She used to be loving when she was a kitten. I don't understand what happened to her. Other than that, shes fine.

Although she seems to be taking sides with my uncle instead of me for some reason. She always meows when he comes home from work. Never does that with me. Unless im giving her can food. :|

BTW where is this brush thing online? I might have to order one. Thanks

 

nope no scratches, rubs, massages. he just wants to play all the time. as soon as you go to pat him he grabs your hands and rolls around. im sure he will grow out of it though. when hes very tired he will let you pat him.

 

Well that explains why she doesn't like to be pet. She doesn't trust people and is scared someone may hurt her. Give her time. If you are patient and gentle with her she may grow to be a more affectionate cat. There is always the chance that she was treated too badly to overcome her fears. Poor kitty. I'm glad she's in good health physically though and that she has a new home with you and not the crazy sister. Have you tried catnip? I put catnip on Handsome's scratching posts and that always makes him pretty happy (goofy too). You may also try a product called Feliway to calm her down a bit. As for her liking your uncle cats sometimes like people that ignore them. Do you have any pics of her?

Kyles: Lol. Well, he is still a kitten. Maybe in five years he'll enjoy being pet (kidding). :mrgreen:

 

I don't think she will ever be a normal cat like I wanted. Its just the way she is. I had her for a good year now. Although, shes acting a little nicer now after going to the vet. I think she might have thought we were getting rid of her or something.

Oh yeah here is a picture of my cat... Looks pissed like always http://img46.photobucket.com/albums/v140/IceBeNot/?action=view&current=DSCF0022.jpg

 

She is a very pretty girl.

 

I agree. She's very pretty. :y_the_best: She also looks soft and fluffy and well groomed. It looks like she has been brushed in that pic. Give the ComfortZone with Feliway a try. Here is a link below that tells all about it. It may help her calm down and be less grumpy. It's worth a try.

http://www.feliway.com/#comfortzone

 

do you think feliway would help pepe with his grooming?

 

Beautiful cat. I too suggest you give her time to come around. My Moe didn't like to be pet or touched when we got her. She was 2 years old and from the humane society. I'm pretty sure she was abused in her past life. After about a year she come around and became a very affectionate cat. She still doesn't like to be picked up, but she sits on my lap every evening and loves to receive rub downs and bum scratches (that sounds bad...).

Your kitty is probably confused and overwhelmed by being moved around. Good luck with her!

 

i just rang my vets about felifriend and we are going to order some in. if it works we are going to condiser buying the dog version to help kumas sepration anxiety. i really want to wean her off her tablets but everytime we try she goes backwards. maybe this will help

 

Hi Kyles. I'm glad you called your vet and asked them their opinion. The thing with Pepe is he is just a kitten. However, it's compounded with him because he's such a big boy. Most kittens will play and swat with their paws and generally it's not too rough, but with Pepe being so big for his age it's like dealing with a super kitty swatting and playing (meaning he can get pretty rough without knowing it). Also he may be a bit more grumpy, due to his allergie(s) which can take some time to clear up once the culprit has been eliminated. The ComfortZone with Feliway may help, but then you also have to consider that your other fur animals will be affected by it. Also it sounds like Pepe is just a rambunctious kitty. He will probably grow out of it and mellow out over time. There is also a product called Rescue Remedy that calms cats down. Ask your vet about it. Perhaps you could give it to him only when you want to groom him. If Pepe was my kitty I would ask a behaviorist to come over and see why he's so bent on not getting groomed and any other issues you think he has. Here is a link below on Rescue Remedy.

http://www.critterchat.net/bach.htm