Hello please help I have a little demon cat who refuses all kinds of care

Strawbubb

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Hi.

So I have a cat that might be a demon. Anyways.

I just adopted her a month ago, vet said she might still be a kitten even though I knew I could only handle a chill adult cat (She was mis-aged before I got her). She had an ear infection, so I had to administer ear drops and clean her ears with swabs. I was unable to do so gently. Tried everything, treats galore. Nothing online works. She CANNOT be burrito-ed. I've tried so, so much. She's slim and tiny even though I tried to fatten her up with lots of protein-rich foods, and somehow just ZIPS AWAY even though she's in a burrito. I don't want to hurt her so of course I'm not squishing hard. But generally she does not like to be squished. So even a tiny squish and she'll zip away. I managed to get the drops in her by once approaching her when she was sleepy, but after that once now she'll immediately zip away as soon as I approach, and she sees I have "THE DROPS", because she has demon-like senses. Eventually I had to basically hold her by the scruff twice a day to get the drops in because her ears were getting bad. And I had to do it for almost 2 weeks because I could only get 1 drop in (when it was prescribed 3-5), and I couldn't even clean the ears before I did so because she's so scary and fussy. Now it's looking like the infection is mostly cleared but I still have to clean to get the residual gunk. Cannot do this because I have to kinda scrub in there and she hates this more than the drops. I don't understand how anyone burritoes, or how anyone can manage to get their cat to stay still long enough to do so, or prevent them not from running away even with tons of treats and pets etcetc.

So... now I had to trim her nails. And of course, if I try to burrito, she gets like PTSD or something (from uncomfortable ear drops - it doesn't hurt at all omg so fussy). I also tried to wait until she's sleepy, but she fought every time I touched a nail clipper to a nail, or sometimes jerked her paw away as soon as I touched it even if she was sleepy. For like 2 days I basically stayed by her for 10 hours trying to get them darn nails clipped, waiting until she was sleepy. I got 4 nails by the end of this. She needs them trimmed. So bad. Sigh. What. Do I do. I gave a lot of treats as always.

I'm so tired I think this was probably unclear but basically... HOW DO I GET ANY KINDS OF CARE TO HER. I can't even think about brushing her teeth - I can already see plaque building up. And brushing I try for a few seconds but can only do this while she's eating, and only a few seconds. I can go to a groomer's but sooner or later I'd like to do this myself because I would want to brush her teeth daily for her health, I wouldn't want to go every 2 weeks because that seems a little long. I know I sound so pissed.... but only because I am. She's adorable though and she always sleeps by my head :)

II'm so tired I doubt I
 

amethyst

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Since you are having so much trouble with burrito wrapping, and I assume you don't have anyone to help? Maybe you could try a cat bag like this

Amazon.com : ASOCEA Cat Grooming Bag Biting & Scratching Resisted for Bathing Injecting Examining Nail Trimming : Pet Supplies
or
Amazon.com : Downtown Pet Supply Cat Grooming Bag - Medium, cat Restraint Bag + Cat Muzzle Included : Pet Care Products : Pet Supplies

I've never tried them myself so I can't vouch for them specifically (just linking as examples).
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi. I would kind of relax about all of her maintenance needs until you can get past the ear treatments. I would ask the vet about how to clean her ears, because you use the word "scrubbing" and that sounds kind of harsh and would certainly not be something a cat would enjoy. Also, do not use Q-tips as it is too easy to apply too much pressure and go too far down in the ear canal. Some recommend using a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger and going no further into the canal than your finger will allow. I don't know what you are using to clean her ears with, but whatever it is, it should be ever so slightly warmed so there is no coolness to it - also another aspect a cat would hate. The cleaning solution is applied to the ear with a dropper that doesn't need to touch the ear or canal at all. Then gently massage the base of the outer ear for a few seconds to ensure the solution stays in the ear for a bit. Normally, a cat will then shake their head and any excess liquid will leave the canal. At that point is when you can use the gauze to finish the cleaning process.

For now, take her in to the vet for a nail trimming. Most vet techs can trim nails and many vets do not require an appointment for this, and most won't even charge for it. You would have to call your vet to find out their set up. In the meantime, you can start by simply touching her paws to get her used to that part. Don't do it for long at first; you can build up the length of time gradually.

The plaque build up on her teeth is another thing to discuss with your vet. It really shouldn't be accumulating this quickly on such a young cat.

For brushing her coat, you could try those petting gloves rather than an actual brush to start off with. Just the number of strokes that she will allow at first, and over time she should begin to adapt to it.

I wouldn't try to do all of these things at once either. Play and cuddle time in between any attempts to gain her trust regarding maintenance is essential. If you try a grooming bag, for now, just use it for the eat treatments, and don't dive right into the other maintenance items just yet.
 
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Strawbubb

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Hi. I would kind of relax about all of her maintenance needs until you can get past the ear treatments. I would ask the vet about how to clean her ears, because you use the word "scrubbing" and that sounds kind of harsh and would certainly not be something a cat would enjoy. Also, do not use Q-tips as it is too easy to apply too much pressure and go too far down in the ear canal. Some recommend using a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger and going no further into the canal than your finger will allow. I don't know what you are using to clean her ears with, but whatever it is, it should be ever so slightly warmed so there is no coolness to it - also another aspect a cat would hate. The cleaning solution is applied to the ear with a dropper that doesn't need to touch the ear or canal at all. Then gently massage the base of the outer ear for a few seconds to ensure the solution stays in the ear for a bit. Normally, a cat will then shake their head and any excess liquid will leave the canal. At that point is when you can use the gauze to finish the cleaning process.

For now, take her in to the vet for a nail trimming. Most vet techs can trim nails and many vets do not require an appointment for this, and most won't even charge for it. You would have to call your vet to find out their set up. In the meantime, you can start by simply touching her paws to get her used to that part. Don't do it for long at first; you can build up the length of time gradually.

The plaque build up on her teeth is another thing to discuss with your vet. It really shouldn't be accumulating this quickly on such a young cat.

For brushing her coat, you could try those petting gloves rather than an actual brush to start off with. Just the number of strokes that she will allow at first, and over time she should begin to adapt to it.

I wouldn't try to do all of these things at once either. Play and cuddle time in between any attempts to gain her trust regarding maintenance is essential. If you try a grooming bag, for now, just use it for the eat treatments, and don't dive right into the other maintenance items just yet.
Thank you for the in depth information! Will definitely try to get her to the vet for nail trimmings. But when I was there the first time my vet didn't want to do it. Will have to keep looking.
The vet had cleaned and then applied the solution the first time, she required and assistant to do this and it took nearly 20 minutes because cat be feisty. Her ear just flattens every time you get near and that thing can turn in what seems like 360 degrees to avoid anything. I use a cloth to try and wipe the ear, because I have to be quick I try to do what's more likely a swipe of the most outer ear canal where I can see residue. The solution should also be dropped in the canal after cleanup and I wasn't able to massage any part of her ear or touch after that, she'd bolt away, so I just aimed in there and then she'd run and shake but after 2 weeks she's not shaking as much so I'm really hoping the actual infection is gone by now and I just have to clean up residue when I can get her.
 

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There really is no need to trim a cats nails, they dont get overgrown and cause problems like dogs. They just slough off when they are scratching a post. Just make sure she has a scratching post and thats one less thing you have to do that she hates!!
 
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Strawbubb

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There really is no need to trim a cats nails, they dont get overgrown and cause problems like dogs. They just slough off when they are scratching a post. Just make sure she has a scratching post and thats one less thing you have to do that she hates!!
I've heard that they may get ingrown because they're indoor cats? And even though I play with her a lot and she has a scratching post and other scratching rugs and things, they still are getting steadily longer. It's only been a month and because I play with her SO much, she runs around hardwood floors, they haven't grown as long. But she seems to need to scratch and claw more now that they are growing which is difficult, as she loves to catch invisible prey on my bedsheets these days :/
 

felinelover2

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Agree with GreyLady, don't worry about maintenance stuff like nail trimming and teeth brushing (unless vet said it was necessary).

Get through the ear stuff first, as that is medically necessary. After that, work on building a bond with the cat. A cat that doesn't trust you will not let you get near them. We have had our two for 7 months now, and Whiskey we can pet and brush (she enjoys both) but we can't pick her up, or touch her paws. Scotchie will tolerate brief petting and brushing but does not enjoy it, so we make it quick. He also won't let us pick him up or trim nails yet. We will keep working on getting them comfortable/trusting with us handling them more but won't 'force' anything on them (unless medically necessary).

Give it time and work on bonding with consistent play, feeding and treats first. When your cat starts to ask for pets and touching, you can start challenging kitty a bit by touching paws, etc. and see how they react.
 

GreyLady

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I mean there are definately some people that trim their cats nails. I knew one person who did it thinking it would protect her furniture. But personally I have never trimmed my cats nails, Grey is 12 and has never had his nails trimmed or ever had issues, same with my parent's cats & cats of others. I know there are others on this site who do not trim their cats nails either. He does go outside but I have another 2 cats, 1 who barely ever goes out and another who never does and their nails are fine too. They are sharp but IMO they are supposed to be and they never use them to scratch me on purpose so it doesnt matter.

Regarding the drops Its hard to medicate cats. Some more than others. Grey and Noodle I can just firmly hold with one hand under their front legs and another on their head while my SO gives the drop to give eye and ear drops (they do struggle a bit, but I sit so they are between me legs so when they back up they cant go anywhere.) Had to do this last night actually, his eye was fine in the morning but when I came home it was very watery but not red at all, looked like he got something stuck in it so I gave him some antimicrobial eye drops in the eye to flush it out and make sure it didnt turn into anything. (Great stuff to have on hand to prevent infection when you first start noticing an eye might be irritated.)

My third cat Bonnie is another story. I have to blind side her basically, if Im petting her I have to just scruff her and gently push down so she is in a loaf on the floor while I put in an eye or ear drop, then let her go. She naturally just freezes when scruffed. Alot of cats have this as a reflex. From going limp when their moms scruff them.

Ive also done a variation where I put a towel down. Then get her to come on the towel. Scruff her so she is sitting on the towel then wrap her in it. But I find the towel isnt nessecary now. I also havent had to do this in awhile.

edit: How To Scruff Your Cat

this site mentions using scruffing for discipline which I would not recommend but has good info about what scruffing is, the reflex, ect, and has a video.
 
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FeebysOwner

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mean there are definately some people that trim their cats nails. I knew one person who did it thinking it would protect her furniture. But personally I have never trimmed my cats nails, Grey is 12 and has never had his nails trimmed or ever had issues, same with my parent's cats & cats of others. I know there are others on this site who do not trim their cats nails either. He does go outside but I have another 2 cats, 1 who barely ever goes out and another who never does and their nails are fine too. They are sharp but IMO they are supposed to be and they never use them to scratch me on purpose so it doesnt matter.
I wonder what the difference is. All 3 of my cats had to have their nails trimmed, otherwise they would grow long enough that they would unintentionally scratch things (like skin) - with their claws retracted. I always trimmed their nails pretty regularly, but if I would go a bit past a month or so, I could actually see exposed nail.
 

klunick

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I had a cat with a messed up nail that when not cut would grow thick and curl back into his pad. When we'd cut it, it would literally splinter in several pieces.
 

GreyLady

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I had a cat with a messed up nail that when not cut would grow thick and curl back into his pad. When we'd cut it, it would literally splinter in several pieces.
Eek that sounds painful for kitty. Im guessing if that cat was feral it would probably get an infected paw eventually or at least be in a lot of pain.

Feebysmom there are little tiny nibs that stick out but it hasnt been a problem for me/them, I think they are just naturally like that when they are resting and not using them.
 
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