[Hayls]

I was wondering what everyone uses to groom their cats, I have a fine pinned small brush for Diesel but with moulting season in process I can groom him all day and still seem to get no where, it just doesn't seem big enough, 4 strokes and its full, i got 1/3 of a plastic bag out of him the other day ended up covered myself and still i felt that i needed to get more but i had taken long enough to do that much, he was getting restless..... I also noticed a little bit of dandruff stuff coming through is that from grooming him..... Bobby on the other hand, I brush him but don't even get a full brush over his whole body, but he leaves clumps of fur everywhere, really strange (I guess that's a birman thing), or gorgeous moggies used to moult of course and leave fur everywhere, but Bobby and Diesel's coats are different, I'm guessing they were perhaps more likened to Ragdoll moulting.....

Any tips!!!! We were also told not to wash Diesel as you can't dry his fur, as we were wondering whether that would be a more gentle way of keeping his coat

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[maigrey]

I use a soft bristle body brush (its really a horse brush) I use the same type of brush on the Gh as well. I also have a soft zoom groom but hardly ever use it mainly I use it on one of my devons that has a big wooly coat. A wet washer also does wonders on the devons. Epi otic for their ears on cotton wool balls and a nail trim and thats about it.

[carmel]

I use a greyhound comb on my persians for day to day grooming, but if I'm stripping them to help with the moulting, then I use a stripping comb. If the fur is getting a bit too much for you, give them a bath and dry them with a hand held dryer and comb that should get rid of the bulk of the fur, but at this time of the year its everywhere. The pin brush (slicker) is useless on a persian coat, I generally only use it for fluffing at the show ring, so don't know about a Birman. Why did the breeder tell you that you couldn't get his fur dry?

[Hayls]

Oh the Brit is the one that we were told not to bathe, not really sure why, I thought that a hair dryer would eventually dry him, but I could be wrong, I don't mind the grooming, I knew they shed lots before we got him, I am not wanting to upset him by taking longer due to the smaller brush filling up so quickly, I guess I thought there might be a you beaut grooming brush on the market designed for the double coat, I will have a better look at the dog shedding combs....

Oh I just remember we have a (mainly) dog grooming business (in shop) that has loads and loads of animals supplies (mainly dog things) but they have cat litter and fantastic local made scratch posts so I'm guessing they would have a wide selection of grooming tools might go there tomorrow and ask them as I believe they would also groom cats on occasion.... When I asked at Petstock the other day the gentleman that served me didn't know much about cat breeds.....

This post has been edited by Hayls: 29 September 2009 - 07:04 PM

[carmel]

Hayls, I don't see why you were told not to bath the Brit, if you are preparing a Brit for the show ring, you bath!! A hair dryer will dry him, you just have to keep him still long enough to make sure that you get him dry, but with the better weather you could prbably get him 3/4 dry with the dryer and leave him to do the rest (and he will help you as well), but they do get used to it.

I've had lots of brushes and you beaut stuff over the years and find that the comb is the best to get into the double layer (example of my gullablity is I paid $100 for a brush that sits in the grooming tray and doesn't get used at all. I was told that it is the be all and end all for persians (LOL).

The cat grooming tools are usually dog ones that we picked up on and use, years ago there wasn't anything at all for cats, just dogs. Petstock are pretty much hit and miss with their staff, some shops have good people and not so good ones (cat knowlegable).

[Hayls]

Thanks for your reponse Carmel, I'm not sure why she told us that, he was a show cat too, i went to the dog grooming place and she suggested a moulting comb - the one they use, and came home and tried it, it didn't get the volume that the slicker its only a small one (I now remember the name) but I have brushed him daily, so i think i'm probably starting to get on top of it (haha probably famous last words), they had medium and large slickers (great to know) other then that the moulting comb (in various sizes) was the only other one available....

And Diesel is loving the grooming, Bobby was so cute last night, he jumped down and rolled around for his groom, (although he doesn't require it) was funny

[Heather Sharada]

http://www.mollycodd..._groom_for_cats

This is the tool you need for the Brit ---- Brits have a tremendously thick coat and will loose hair for longer and in more quantity than just about any other breed. The Zoom Groom and a steel toothed comb should get most of it out but it will take a while...I'm sure one of the Brit Breeders/Owners will be along and give more advice soon.

The correct Birman coat does exactly what Bobby's coat is doing - having no undercoat it will come out in silky clumps and there will be minimum matting - watch under the elbow, between the legs and difficult places. A steel comb through and a bit of Zoom Grooming will be enjoyed....not at all surprised he is asking for a grooming - Birmans are pretty pleased when you brush them generally speaking.

Just a bit of caution with the Zoom Groom - don't over use it only on their backs or you will end up with very thin hair there...

[Hayls]

Thanks for all your tips I am keeping all information in hand about overbrushing with the amount I removed just on Sunday I was concerned that I might be taking too much.....

I discussed a bath for Diesel with OH he laughed and said good luck with that one, I have to take both of them to the vets for worming because its just too hard (even with an applicator thingy), it breaks our hearts when they seem upset at all (which is what happened when we tried to worm Bobby, didn't with Diesel as he is soooo strong)

Anyways thanks again, shall keep it all in mind....

[Heather Sharada]

Overbrushing is not a problem unless you use the Zom Groom - it removes THAT much hair. The others will only take it out moderately.

If I was you I would get Zoom Groom - don't wait.....lol

[carmel]

Hayls, if your Brit was bathed for shows, he'll know the drill and whilt he may not like it he will cope with it. Unfortunately zoom grooms are useless on perisan coats, but my girlfriends blue heeler loved it.

I think that they all do the dying swan act when it comes to worming tablet or paste and hate you for ever, but eventually you get good at it and it is all over before they realise what has happened. Giving them a treat when it is all over will get them to associate maybe a not so good experience with a reward. I know Hobbie when I groom him screams like he is having his throat slit, but as soon as his feet touch the ground, he's turned around so fast cause he knows that he gets his Greenies treat.

[burgie]

I use a brush on Flynn. But also the Furminator which is what the groomer uses when I take him in for his wash, blow dry and brazilian. I need practice with the furminator though.

[striped]

I use a shedding blade for my two (domestic long hair and short hair), and its the only thing I have used that cuts down on the matting and clumps of fur all over the house. Occassionally use a soft comb on the long hair as well. Never heard of a zoom groom, but the reviews on amazon look really good. May have to try it

[CoralD]

I have tried any number of things on the Burmillas. Didn't like the furminator or a couple of other gadgety ones....and they don't like a steel bristle pet brushor a comb

What we ALL love is a rubber brush...quite flexible that is actually shaped like a cat. It massages as it brushes the loose fur out and collects all of it in the rubber prongs. The cats go into euphoria at the massaging and the harder I do it - the more they love it and the more fur it removes - but then they are short to medium haired. There's nothing to harm them and you can throw it into the washing machine along with their rugs or bedding. It cost about $4 and I am desperate to get another one. PLus I only have to get it out to have three kitties lined up miaowing "me first"

Coral

[Janene]

I have a Zoom Groom and a Furminator (2)

The zoom groom is easier for the cats to tolerate, as they just love it and will happily roll from side to size. The furminator not so much, they get figity easily...but the furminator works much better in removing hair - i can easily get a plastic shopping bag full out of my two raggies - takes about an hour and a half to do both.

[Shadowmum]

Just wondering if anyone has a suggestion/comment on the 'dandruff' element of the original post?

Just wondering this because our Shadow appears to have 'dandruff' which I believe might be some type of fungal infection. Truth here is that Shadow's had it for years, but my OH had chronic eczema and always had flaky skin (so we blamed him and said how revolting it was ). It's only been recently that for some reason or other OH's eczema has cleared up for the first time in 20 years but Shadow's 'dandruff' hasn't

This post has been edited by Shadowmum: 13 October 2009 - 01:39 PM