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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1061.0. "HELP!! Making frooming fun..." by 30752::WILDE (Imagine all the people..) Mon Jan 25 1988 14:51

Okay, here's the deal.  Every Sunday, I and my roomie find each cat and
groom thoroughly, combing with flea comb, brushing to smooth hair, clipping
toenails as necessary, and feeding weekly dose of petromalt (fur ball
preventer).  Now, no kitty runs to us for this treatment, but with a little
searching we find each and groom....however, Hannah has a royal hissy when
I try combing her, spitting, hissing, biting, etc.  This cat is a terror,
and she doesn't weigh much more than 2 pounds.  We get it done each week,
but she makes it a trial for all three of us.

I've tried playing with her and brushing as we play - which she allows.
But with 4 cats in the house, as well as two dogs, I firmly believe we
need a weekly flea combing to keep the little critters in check.

Any suggestions on calming my spit-fire down a little????
I'll tolerate her hassling when I trim her toenails, as it doesn't have
to happen each week, but the combing has got to get easier than this...
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1061.1CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, Holly; in Calif.Mon Jan 25 1988 15:114
    How about doing Hannah on a different day than the other cats? 
    Then you'll have more time and be more relaxed and maybe she'll
    respond to that in time.
    
1061.2try a fireCHEFS::TUDORKSat Mar 26 1988 09:3511
    I find my cats more tolerant when we groom in front of a fire. 
    I get them settled in the warmth, lots of stroking until they stretch
    out and close their eyes and then sneakily bring the comb into play
    to replace the stroking motion.
    
    If Tarot objects he tries to bite the comb.  The solution is to
    give him the comb to bite and use another one to groom him.  He
    continues to take it out on the comb I have given him since that
    of course is the one that is annoying him by combing his coat.
    
    I don't think he is too bright but this works in my favour!
1061.3GREAT IDEAVIDEO::FROSTFri Apr 22 1988 10:495
    NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT, LETTING THE CATS CHEW ON A COMB WHILE
    COMBING THEM WITH ANOTHER.  GREAT IDEA.
    
    THANKS
    
1061.4Different strokes...STAR::BARTHFri Apr 22 1988 18:1420
    I gently comb Tenzing and follow up with my hand, speaking quietly 
    all the while.  So she is in effect getting petted in two ways at
    the same time.  She wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but
    I keep it calm and now she starts purring when she sees the comb
    come out.  The nails are done in a similar manner.  I try to start
    the session when she's sitting in my lap.  If she gets over excited
    and starts biting the comb I let her have it, stroke her gently
    and continue after she's calmed down.
    
    With Tristan it's best to groom him when he's asleep.  He's an
    exceptionally clean cat, and we've never needed to comb him, but
    we do his nails.  I find that he wakes up slowly and by the time
    he's coherent I'm done.  I occasionally run the comb through him
    just to see how he reacts and he typically wants to play with it.
    If he ever needs it I'll probably also do it when he's sleepy. 
    I pet him all the while too, and if he seems to be upset by the
    proceedings I stop and play with him for awhile.  I don't try again
    until later (usually another day because his memory is LLOOOONNNNGGG)
    
    Karen