Grooming problem

[jmz1978]

My Stevie (a 25 lb 3 1/2 year old cat) is horrible at grooming himself. The problem is, he won't let me do it either. So after getting fed up, I took him to a groomer. She had to sedate him, that's how bad he got. It ended up costing me $125. That was about 4 months ago, and he's starting to need it again. My question to you guys is does anyone know of a SAFE way, either from a Vet or over the counter, to gently sedate a cat so that I can groom him? Has anyone ever gotten a Vet to give them something like this to take home? My vet doesn't seem willing, which I understand, but isn't there something that just makes him really sleepy that's ok to use at home like every 3 or 4 months? I really don't think it's a good idea to have him heavily sedated at the groomer every 4 months.

 

[boxer]

Well there are herbal things such as rescue remedy that are good for relieving stress... That's not the same as sedation, of course, but the simple answer to that is that there is no sedative in existance that isn't a drug with side effects. I wouldn't care to be regualrly sedating an animal either - I'm sure it's not good for them.

How about if you bought one of those rubber backed grooming mits (the ones where you essentially just put it on your hand, then stroke the cat) and tried to do just a little a day with him? That should help to desensitise him to the whole grooming thing, whilst simultaneously keeping the worst of his grooming under control, and hopefully make it easier when you need to do the bigger jobs. I'm presuming that Stevie is a long-haired cat who ends up matted?

 

[jmz1978]

Exactly, a long hair who can't exactly reach his back side well enough to give it a good cleaning everyday. Plus there's some dandruff. He seems to tolerate brushing for a little while, which obviously helps, but he won't let me get those hard to reach areas, like under his back legs.

 

[gmacleod]

Weeell - a little bit of brushing every day will help. It won't be so uncomfortable for him that way, and he's more likely to come around to it. Guess you'll have to settle in the main for taking a quick swipe with the brush every now and again at the rear legs when he's not looking. Do try a mitt - it's much more gentle than a brush.

 

[CondoPup]

What about one of those self-groomers that attach to the wall, or more precisely, to a corner where two walls meet? Not sure if the cat would use it or if it would help but it sure looks like it would feel good for a cat to rub up against one of those. It might not catch the spots that matter though.