Tips on getting my cat more tolerant to brushing?

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cmshap

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Yes, I usually find I need to sweep it off Daisy’s back with my hand, as in the video I posted. Worth it though, for me. I tried grooming gloves and found them effective but a hassle to use, and she prefers the Zoom Groom.
I actually used one of those grooming gloves briefly. But it was a cheap knockoff (I believe) and fell apart fast.

Just a tip for anyone reading... I vacuumed the hair off of it after finishing grooming using a small dust-buster vacuum. Was SO much easier than removing hair manually.

Just in case anyone is wondering, I made sure to do that only after Willy had left my lap, gone to lay down or play, and I'd do the vacuuming in another room. Also he never got scared by the mini-vacuum, so that's probably not a reason for brushing-intolerance.
 

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I was wondering if he’d been brushed too long and thus overstimulated by a previous owner, but then I saw you found him as a kitten, so that can’t be it. I bet the soft brushes tabbytom tabbytom suggested and maybe the Kong if he gets to like those would be more appealing for him.
 
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cmshap

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I was wondering if he’d been brushed too long and thus overstimulated by a previous owner, but then I saw you found him as a kitten, so that can’t be it. I bet the soft brushes tabbytom tabbytom suggested and maybe the Kong if he gets to like those would be more appealing for him.
Yeah, but he was just under a year old (estimated) when found, so he was kind of between kitten and cat.

And no idea what happened to him before. But he clearly came from other human(s) before me. He had been declawed, he was litter trained, and he sought out humans by coming up to our house and staring inside through a glass door, and no matter how close we got to the door, he wasn't fazed. Then after taking him in (after taking him to the vet first) he was all over our laps and kneading.
 

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Sometimes I use a sticky roller and roll over him especially when he's having his nap and sometimes I want it quick, I sticky roller him first before he starts to groom himself. So I use both methods, brush and sticky roller a few times a day.
 

catloverfromwayback

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Yeah, but he was just under a year old (estimated) when found, so he was kind of between kitten and cat.

And no idea what happened to him before. But he clearly came from other human(s) before me. He had been declawed, he was litter trained, and he sought out humans by coming up to our house and staring inside through a glass door, and no matter how close we got to the door, he wasn't fazed. Then after taking him in (after taking him to the vet first) he was all over our laps and kneading.
Declawed, the poor boy!
 
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cmshap

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Declawed, the poor boy!
Yeah. I hope AT LEAST that he wasn't just dumped outside after being declawed, and that somebody legitimately lost him instead. Still irresponsible, but that's my hope.

He was very loving of all humans from the start.

I have another thread about his waning interest in play, and hadn't known before that declawed cats can get arthritis more easily.

Specific toys/enrichment for an aging, declawed cat?
 

catloverfromwayback

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Yeah. I hope AT LEAST that he wasn't just dumped outside after being declawed, and that somebody legitimately lost him instead. Still irresponsible, but that's my hope.

He was very loving of all humans from the start.

I have another thread about his waning interest in play, and hadn't known before that declawed cats can get arthritis more easily.

Specific toys/enrichment for an aging, declawed cat?
I saw that, I think. I knew declawing left them in permanent pain but not about the arthritis. I’m so glad it’s illegal here.
 
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I saw that, I think. I knew declawing left them in permanent pain but not about the arthritis. I’m so glad it’s illegal here.
Well, he never showed signs of pain in his life, and it was something I discussed with the vet since the early days.

He never hesitated to fly off of high surfaces onto the floor, slamming down on his front feet. Always preferred little toy mice that he'd pounce on. Etc.

Arthritis may be one explanation for the declining play, but also may just be age. Or maybe both. Will be an upcoming vet discussion.
 

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When he is in your lap and you're brushing him, do you ever feel static on you or your hands? Dry brushing can create a lot of static and obviously they hate it. If you use a comb, try wetting it down a little. For short haired cats, a damp cloth can help with dander and dandruff, as well as random single haired shedding.
I personally do not like the furminator and don't use it on my cats, or any of our cat grooming clients. Overuse can lead to bald spots, and most cats don't like it because it pulls the top coat out along with the undercoat. I get far better results using a steel comb, that is wide toothed on one end and narrow toothed on the other. When the undercoat is out and you're doing maintenance, a flea comb can work beautifully! My short haired male is a very heavy shedder, and this time of year I use an undercoat rake on him (he LOVES to be brushed/combed, so he doesn't mind this at all but YMMV!)
 

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Well, he never showed signs of pain in his life, and it was something I discussed with the vet since the early days.

He never hesitated to fly off of high surfaces onto the floor, slamming down on his front feet. Always preferred little toy mice that he'd pounce on. Etc.

Arthritis may be one explanation for the declining play, but also may just be age. Or maybe both. Will be an upcoming vet discussion.
Very glad to hear he hasn’t had long term pain.
 
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cmshap

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When he is in your lap and you're brushing him, do you ever feel static on you or your hands? Dry brushing can create a lot of static and obviously they hate it.
Yes, definitely. I live in an older apartment building in Wisconsin, where winters get cold and air gets dry. Also have radiator heat that I can't control (but it's included in rent price) and it gets ridiculously hot inside sometimes. Actually have to crack a window in e.g. the middle of January sometimes. Touching light switches on some days in winter shocks me.

Another good point, thank you for the suggestion.

Edit: I use humidifiers but they still don't totally do the job of eliminating the issue.
 
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iPappy

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Yes, definitely. I live in an older apartment building in Wisconsin, where winters get cold and air gets dry. Also have radiator heat that I can't control (but it's included in rent price) and it gets ridiculously hot inside sometimes. Actually have to crack a window in e.g. the middle of January sometimes. Touching light switches on some days in winter shocks me.

Another good point, thank you for the suggestion.

Edit: I use humidifiers but they still don't totally do the job of eliminating the issue.
My guess is the static is doing it. I can literally feel it traveling through my cats into my hands as I'm working, keeping the damp cloth nearby and dampening the comb has been a game changer. :)
 

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My cat likes to pet her when she is eating on her food table, so it's the perfect time to give her a quick brush, and it works perfectly for both of us, plus no hairballs and no hairs all over the place !
 
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This thread was brought up in another post, which reminded me I never posted an update here. Just copying/pasting what I posted on the other thread...

I since bought a soft-bristled brush for Willy, but it is slow-going. I'm still gradually introducing him to it.

He lets me brush for a few minutes, then starts biting/kicking the brush.

But that's progress. He wouldn't let me brush as long with my metal FURminator brush.
 

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This thread was brought up in another post, which reminded me I never posted an update here. Just copying/pasting what I posted on the other thread...

I since bought a soft-bristled brush for Willy, but it is slow-going. I'm still gradually introducing him to it.

He lets me brush for a few minutes, then starts biting/kicking the brush.

But that's progress. He wouldn't let me brush as long with my metal FURminator brush.
Most cats (and a lot of dogs) IME hate the furminator. It cuts and pulls the top coat as well as the undercoat. I'm a professional groomer who sees a lot of heavily shedding dogs and cats, and I don't even own one!
 
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Most cats (and a lot of dogs) IME hate the furminator. It cuts and pulls the top coat as well as the undercoat. I'm a professional groomer who sees a lot of heavily shedding dogs and cats, and I don't even own one!
The FURminator was passed down to me. Willy is my first cat ever, and we took him in when I was temporarily living with my mom.

My mom bought a FURminator and swore by it... she has her own cat now, but was using it on Willy when he was living with us. He seemed to like it, actually.

In my own apartment, after I moved, he stopped tolerating it. In my referenced thread, it was suggested that static discharge may be the reason. That could have made him distrust brushing altogether.
 
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