Tricks to Help You Brush a Cat that Hates it

Are you trying to brush a cat that hates it? If so, it can be quite a challenge to keep up on your feline friend’s grooming. Fortunately, there are a few tricks and tips that can help you make the process easier and less stressful for both you and your kitty! You can learn how to brush your cat effectively and get them used to being groomed. Read on for some helpful tips on brushing you a cat that hates it.

Why Does Your Cat Hate Being Groomed?

Sometimes there’s an easy answer to that question and sometimes there isn’t. But thinking about the reasons your furbaby hates grooming may help you find potential solutions.

• Did Kitty have a traumatic experience being groomed in the past? 
• Is Kitty’s coat matted? Does she have arthritis? Is grooming always a painful experience for her?
• Are we approaching her in a scary way? If we come in towering over her head that can be intimidating to cats, as this is how they often become prey in the wild.
• Is it the intense handling grooming requires? If she hates being picked up or held then grooming is going to be a struggle. 
• Is your cat easily overstimulated? 

Find a Brush That Kitty Doesn’t Hate – or at Least Doesn’t Hate as Much

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Brushing your cat can be a much more pleasant experience for both of you when the correct tools are used. For short-haired cats, try using a grooming glove or silicone curry brush as they usually imitate petting. If your kitty has long fur, there isn’t a replacement for a greyhound comb; however, if your cat does not hate it, then you could begin with a pin brush.

Related Posts:
Best Grooming Tools for Shorthaired Cats
Best Grooming Tools for Longhaired Cats

Picking the Right Time and Space is Important When You Brush a Cat That Hates it. 

The environment in which you choose to brush your cat is just as important as the tool itself. Consider brushing her in her favorite sport when she’s calm and relaxed. After a meal is often a good time because a cat’s natural rhythm is hunt-eat-groom-sleep. Cats love routine and brushing her after she eats fits with natural routines of her day.

Whatever space you choose, make sure it’s quiet and comfortable. When brushing a cat that hates it, keep things low-key, light, and positive. Don’t yell at Kitty or handle her forcefully. If she is ready to be done after a minute, that’s okay. That’s a minute she didn’t give you last week. Just keep working on it. Make sure that there are plenty of treats available to reward her for any cooperation she gives you.

Start Small and Master One Step at a Time.

Don’t expect to brush your cat that hates it all at once. Instead, approach it one step at a time. Start small and get your cat comfortable with the brushing process. For example, start by just petting your cat first and then progressing to gently brushing her back. This is one of the easiest areas to get to on your cat. Try and gradually move onto her legs, belly, and head. Don’t restrain Kitty. If she gets agitated, stop brushing. Let her know she’s in charge. Remember to praise and reward your cat when she allows you to brush.

Use the Power of Praise and Positive Reinforcement.

Use praise and rewards, such as treats or toys, to help build trust between yourself and Kitty. This will help her associate being brushed with something pleasant rather than a negative experience. Calming treats beforehand can be a help as well.

Related Post: Keeping Kitty Calm

Lickimats with Churu treats or Beechnut meat baby food spread on it can give Kitty something more fun to think about than the brushing you are doing. A helper and a Churu tube works for cats like my Treeno who hasn’t any use for Lickimats.

Consult with a Professional 

Ask your groomer or veterinarian for tips on how to make grooming less stressful for your cat that hates it. A fear-free professional will be able to show you handling tips that won’t upset or overstimulate your cat. I know I’m always open to working myself out of a job by helping my clients learn to brush their furbaby. If you’re dealing with a matted, longhaired, cat, have Kitty shaved by a professional and use these tips as her coat grows back in. 

Conclusion

Overall, brushing a cat that hates it can be difficult, but with the right approach and patience, it can be done. Spend some time getting Kitty used to being touched and handled. Reward her for good behavior and provide plenty of treats. Make sure to use appropriate tools such as brushes or combs made for cats so that your furbaby won’t get hurt. With these tips in mind, you’ll soon have a happy and well-groomed kitty that if she doesn’t enjoy the process at least no longer hates it.