I'm posting this here instead of other places because it pertains to a specific breed and I know that there are breeders who are frequent posters at this area of the site. You are my audience and who I need advice from.
Our Maine Coon kitten, Luna, is really awful as far as grooming is concerned. This has become worse as she's gotten older as now she's the size of a toddler and very difficult to control. I have yet to find a tool which she will tolerate being touched with. Aside from the fact that she battles all of them, it's almost like she can't even stand having them touch her at all. She seems to get over stimulated by the process, hyper and becomes combative.
The only way I can manage to get to the areas which need attention lately, is by holding her down firmly, and scruffing her neck. Her belly fur is starting to get dense, and it's kind of curly and now starting to form mats. I managed to work them out about a month or so ago when at the vet because she tends to get a bit shut down there and I can take advantage of that state but since then, a few have cropped up again under her "pits" and I can not get to them. To make matters worse, yesterday I came home and omg she stunk of poo. Found a couple of pieces tangled in her britches, thankfully was able to cut those out with the help of my husband holding her up and then cleaned her up with pet wipes. Also, trimmed the area with a small scissor.
Anyway...this led me to start looking for a professional groomer in my area but there are NONE for cats. Or none that look trustworthy. The only one I found that seemed ok I called but got a weird vibe off of and then looked at the Google reviews and was like, umm pass.
So, it seems I may have to learn to do this myself. I'm pretty good at this with my other cats. Cocoabean has been a dream about being groomed, never had any problems with her at all, even with mat removal. And our old boy Casper, short hair, also didn't have any issues with the process either. But my oh my, I do not know how to get around this kitten. Is it just her age or is there really maybe some other issue going on with her? Can anyone direct me to some websites that have information on how to groom properly? Correct tools? Methods on calming the cat? I've tried everything I've found thus far and nothing has worked - not even treats and she's really food motivated. My husband isn't much help either, any time I ask for help it turns into an argument with him claiming he's helping best as he can (he isn't) which only stressed the cat out more.
So professional breeders and those who may know how to groom properly, please do help! Thanks!
Our Maine Coon kitten, Luna, is really awful as far as grooming is concerned. This has become worse as she's gotten older as now she's the size of a toddler and very difficult to control. I have yet to find a tool which she will tolerate being touched with. Aside from the fact that she battles all of them, it's almost like she can't even stand having them touch her at all. She seems to get over stimulated by the process, hyper and becomes combative.
The only way I can manage to get to the areas which need attention lately, is by holding her down firmly, and scruffing her neck. Her belly fur is starting to get dense, and it's kind of curly and now starting to form mats. I managed to work them out about a month or so ago when at the vet because she tends to get a bit shut down there and I can take advantage of that state but since then, a few have cropped up again under her "pits" and I can not get to them. To make matters worse, yesterday I came home and omg she stunk of poo. Found a couple of pieces tangled in her britches, thankfully was able to cut those out with the help of my husband holding her up and then cleaned her up with pet wipes. Also, trimmed the area with a small scissor.
Anyway...this led me to start looking for a professional groomer in my area but there are NONE for cats. Or none that look trustworthy. The only one I found that seemed ok I called but got a weird vibe off of and then looked at the Google reviews and was like, umm pass.
So, it seems I may have to learn to do this myself. I'm pretty good at this with my other cats. Cocoabean has been a dream about being groomed, never had any problems with her at all, even with mat removal. And our old boy Casper, short hair, also didn't have any issues with the process either. But my oh my, I do not know how to get around this kitten. Is it just her age or is there really maybe some other issue going on with her? Can anyone direct me to some websites that have information on how to groom properly? Correct tools? Methods on calming the cat? I've tried everything I've found thus far and nothing has worked - not even treats and she's really food motivated. My husband isn't much help either, any time I ask for help it turns into an argument with him claiming he's helping best as he can (he isn't) which only stressed the cat out more.
So professional breeders and those who may know how to groom properly, please do help! Thanks!