[Bettibeetle]

Adopted 2 gorgeous cats (told neglected but discovered from their behaviour they've been abused). One seems to have a bit of brain-damage and formally loved being brushed, would roll over and purr thru the whole experience. Recently he's hated being brushed, attacking the brush first (at first like he was playing) and lately me as well. Both our beautiful boys are long-haired with the anti-brushing-boy having softer hair that this year has started to matt -making brushing a non-optional event.

What can I do to calm him down while brushing him?

BB

PS: The boys are nearly 5, have had them just over 4 years. They can be quite timid but have improved heaps over the last few years.

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[catissi]

hi maybe he doesnt like the brush your useing it could be to harsh on him as hes not a kitten , im no expert good luck .kay

[Bettibeetle]

the brush hasn't changed over the years. I never needed to brush him much as he never knotted before, only a small occasional one - this year he's matting with heaps of knots, mostly near his back end. It's really hard, he seems to be so terrified, so we've stopped for the time being, and just stuck to patting him (he loves being patted, mostly just around his head) and a little gentle combing (also around the head) to see if he'll let me try again later.

PS: I'm not brushing on my own - had my son (who's birthday present our "boys" were) patting his head area to try to calm him - they are just too smart, and can't trick them~!

[Winscar]

Could be the brush and that he is getting a bit more sensitive as well. I have a little rescue girl here who only now after 19 months now lets me lightly run a brush over her .... for about 3 mins but its a start and fortunately she is a medium hair with silky fur.

Maybe get one of those gloves that has a ribbed bit on one side and its just like you are stroking/patting them rather than brushing. And always once they start to not enjoy stop.

Good luck.

[Bettibeetle]

Tried another brush, another comb.

Is there anything that calms them down?

Have tried to contact our vet (new vet since we moved 2 yrs ago) but they're closed until Monday - with work can't contact till late arvo/early evening for advice.

Just want to get the matted knots out - I know (from the cat we had growing up who had similar fur) that if it doesn't get done he'll have to get shaved and I really don't want that for him.

[catissi]

is there anyway you can gently cut the knot off shaving makes the fur grow back dark ,what about one of those combs with a razor in it i use one on my dog .

[Bettibeetle]

Have been bitten several times as well as scratched - he won't let me touch the knots. He's very strong, very fast, and very huge! (although almost 5 - he's grown again recently and is the same size as his brother, HUGE!- have to use both hands to pick up now for both of them).

BTW - We think they've got a bit of Norwegien Forest or Maine Coon - due to some characteristics particularly size and continued growth, but not 100% certain as no-one really knows. I've been told both those breeds stop growing at 4. Is there one that grows larger and longer beyond that?

[Winscar]

If he is really stressing as it sounds he is I would just stop and then maybe a vet visit and grooming under sedation for him to be shaved is really the only option for him. You must do what is best for him regardless whether its what you would prefer to do.

[oriental cats]

I think you may need a vet to tackle the knots and them start the grooming process once the knots are gone, the knots hurt as they pull on the skin

[fleabag]

I'd say the matts are hurting him ..so get a proper groom done ..professionally I mean ..and add some Rescue remedy to his waterbowl and rub a few drops onto his ears..
Once he's dematted you should be able to groom him painlessly so he gets used to it ..poor love.

[Heather Sharada]

Agree with Bronnie.....trying to de-matt a cat can be super painful for them. AND if you need to do it get him shaved this year and practice brushing as the hair grows back.

[Bettibeetle]

Last time he was shaved (due to a skin irritation that got infected) he was very very unhappy about it. He's the moodier one - our other boy Jupiter is the smiling happy boy.

[Bettibeetle]

It's funny - Saturn is really the difficult boy - he's so moody, has really definate likes and dislikes. Loves patting, lies all over me whenever I sit down, loves attention, he'll follow me around all day if I'm home - he's a real baby. But when he's unhappy it's horrible. He gets snappy, jumpy and attacks his brother (who just lets him!). We have had to rescue poor Jupiter from Saturn's bad mood before. Whenever Saturn's unwell, Jupiter will hover over him, he washes him, comforts him, but he takes all this abuse. They obviously are very close (that's why we adopted them both - I couldnt' bare to see them separated after all they'd been through, and the mother and another kitten had already been adopted out). Sometimes I just can't figure them out.

But they are our babies/toddlers, and we've worked so hard to get their trust, look after them and keep them well & happy. totally spoilt (especially by my son!)

[catissi]

sometimes its only natural they will fight they will work it out good luck .kay

[Bettibeetle]

They do work it out - we're lucky that Jupiter is such an easy-going personality & protective regarding his brother. Just hate seeing him getting pick on - Sat can be such a bully! Like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum! LOL