Does your cat dislike being brushed? If the kitty sees a grooming tool, the kitty may run away. If you have a cat that doesn’t like to be groomed, you’re not alone. When it comes to grooming your cat, whether he spends a lot of time outside or has a long coat, you will need to do it at some point in his life.
Here are some pointers on How to Brush a Cat That Doesn’t Want to Be Brushed?.
Get Rid of an Aggressive Cat? How
As a first step, it can be good to understand why your cat is so opposed to having its hair cut and styled.
The following are some possible determinants:
- Apprehensions about being groomed
- You had a bad experience with grooming in the past and were dreading the prospect of going through it again.
- Having a thick, matted coat that even a gentle comb can inflict pain.
How to Brush a Cat That Doesn’t Want to Be Brushed
First and foremost, do not forget to clip their nails!
Trimming your cat’s sharp claw tips off before grooming will help prevent injuries to you and your cat’s clawing habits from becoming unhealthy. There are a variety of nail trimmers on the market, but most cat owners prefer the scissor style.
Begin Slowly
As a groomer, one of the terrifying aspects of my job was the large number of fearful pets that I encountered at every stage of the procedure.
A simple first step that I usually suggest is letting your pet inspect, sniff, and feel the grooming tools at their own pace, putting them in plain sight. You can proceed to the following phase after the item’s presence has become commonplace.
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Squeeze the bristles of a brush and urge your dog to sniff or rub it. There’s nothing more satisfying for cats than feeling like they’re in complete charge of their grooming process! Encourage any good interest in the brush by rewarding it with a token. Don’t go over the top.
Using a Treat is Never a Bad Idea.
Even if your cat is not as food-driven as a canine counterpart, a few tasty cat treats will go a long way toward making grooming more enjoyable. After I brush them, my kitties only get tuna (which they adore!). Grooming tasks become more acceptable to them because of this.
A sliver of tuna is a terrific incentive to brush or comb your hair a few times. Ending brushing with a more significant bit provides an incentive for peaceful cooperation. The speed at which your cat learns this will surprise you.
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Even canned cat food can be used as an alternative to a few pieces of grilled salmon. However, in the beginning, it’s crucial to use a treat that your cat isn’t used to receiving. It must be unique to be effective as a motivator and reward.
Use The Right Brush
Cats of different breeds have varying hair lengths, depending on their coat type. Long and short-haired breeds necessitate the use of specialized brushes.
WebMD Pets says that for short-haired breeds, “To remove dirt and debris from your cat’s coat, use a metal comb to comb through the fur from head to tail. Brush in the direction the coat grows while working along with the lie of her fur.”
According to petcoach.com, wire-pin brushes are best for cats with thicker coats. You must first and foremost pick a cat brush that is appropriate for your cat’s size and breed. When brushing a long-haired cat, don’t use a short-haired cat brush.
DESENSITIZATION
Cats can become frightened or overstimulated by specific brushes during grooming sessions. Make brushing your cat a joyful experience if it’s a phobia for your pet. Put a few treats in the brush and enable the cat to sniff and play with them around the house. Toss a reward to them if they get close to the brush.
Please pick up the brush, give your cat a treat, and finish the session after your cat is comfortable interacting with it.
Gently stroke the cat’s fur with the brush and reward them with a treat before calling it a day.
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Gradually increase the number of strokes you make through your cat’s fur with the brush, starting with one. If your cat gets terrified at any stage in the process, go back to the previous phase. To help your cat link the brush with pleasant memories, do this.
Spend time to know your cat
If you want these brushing sessions to go smoothly, you must be familiar with your cat. Don’t start by rubbing your cat’s belly if she’s apprehensive about it. Kirk and Spock, two of my cats, have to be in the appropriate frame of mind to allow me to touch their bellies.
When it comes to Scottie, he enjoys belly rubs, so that I can start every brushing session with that. Tails might be a sensitive subject for particular cats, while the head can be liable for others.
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Keep an eye out when you start brushing, and you’ll quickly discover what’s acceptable and what isn’t. Then begin with the most popular areas and work your way down to the least popular ones. Treat yourself in and after the places, you don’t enjoy.
Brushing Alternatives
When brushing your cat is a no-go for your feline, there are a few options you may want to consider. Among them are:
- Using grooming gloves instead of a brush can make your cat feel more comfortable and less like they’re being groomed.
- Brushing isn’t necessary using hairball-preventing shed control cloths (such as those from the Furminator line).
- Grooming spray that works a lot like dry shampoo to get rid of stray hairs (also available from the Furminator range)
- The Furminator’s DeShedding tool
How Do You Groom an Uncooperative Cat?
FAQs – How to Brush a Cat That Doesn’t Want to Be Brushed?
How do you brush a cat’s belly?
Gently place the hand that isn’t holding the brush under your cat’s front legs, right behind the hind legs if you can do it. You can always try again later if the kitty shows signs of discomfort or begins to wiggle. If your cat is comfortable, leave your hand there and congratulate your feline companion verbally.
What is the best way to brush a cat?
Brush in the direction the coat grows while working your way down the lie of her fur. As you work on each part, focus on getting rid of any dead hair and knots that may have formed. For cats with short hair, a rubber brush works particularly well for removing dead hair.
How do I keep my cat calm during grooming?
Your cat’s chest should be wrapped around your arm with your other hand. The brush can be held in your other hand, allowing you to give your pet a thorough cleaning with just one hand. Relax your arm and let your cat roam about a bit to avoid feeling confined. The towel wrap method can be helpful if your cat is particularly prone to twitching or scratching.
Conclusion
I hope you will get complete knowledge on this topic How to Brush a Cat That Doesn’t Want to Be Brushed? When it comes to cats and grooming tools, it’s never a good idea to let them play with or chew on the tools. Because of this, the kitty will believe that the brush is a toy, and the kitty will choose to play with it rather than recline or sit down and have a wonderful calm grooming season.
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