February 2nd, 2011
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If you have a kitten, the sooner you start getting her used to being brushed, bathed, and having her nails cut, the easier it will be on both of you down the road.
Once a kitten becomes accustomed to standing for brushing (and the sensation of the brush) and her nails being exposed and clipped, then there is no trauma or drama about it. If you have a grown cat who has not had a good foundation in being groomed, it will be an ongoing effort to get her to relax and maybe even one day enjoy the pampering! Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
and doesn’t stop. She starts meowing and then cuts it off xD
I wish this were always true. I started with my little guy at 8 weeks when I got him. He was fine back then, but now it is a battle every time. I have the scars to prove it.
I wish I had started grooming my kitty early on, but I had plans to take him to the .groomers. He loves to be brushed and combed, but I need help cutting his nails. He is just to big for me to handle. If I ever gert a new kitty I will definitely start grooming very early..
I started with my long haired cat when he was a kitten. It was a terrible struggle ! Now that he is 14, it is a worse struggle than ever ! He is a biter. I do manage to clip his nails even though he hisses at me when I do it.
By the way, what do you do with a biter ? He looks so beautiful and innocent, but I have to tell everyone—he bites—even the vet.
THE CAT BIBLE has some pretty good suggestions on desensitizing the paws for nail clipping – but with biting for brushing, I’d recommend keeping the long-haired cat in a lion cut done by a feline groomer so you don’t have to do maintenance. As for the vet,a feline only vet will probably have handling techniques – and use Feliway sprayed in the exam room – to make things easier. ALso, check out the link to Spirit Essences on my website http://www.TracieHotchner.com and give one of them a try to help sweeten attitudes!