The publish Cat Grooming Challenges: Olga’s Battle With the Brush by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over total articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You is probably not conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we respect that you simply just like the article and would find it irresistible should you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to be taught extra about me and my foolish Russian Blue cat, Olga.
Brushing your cat’s coat retains it wholesome, reduces shedding, redistributes the pure oil, and typically means that you can follow first-aid expertise. Veterinarians and behavioral specialists advocate introducing grooming to cats after they’re kittens, and whereas I agree with their recommendation, Olga’s early experiences had been extra violent than helpful.
Youthful Aggression
As a kitten, her outsized head and potbelly gave her a comical look, however beneath the lovable exterior lay the soul of a psychopath. I let her study the comb and left it on the sofa for a couple of hours earlier than making an attempt a grooming session, however my efforts had been in useless. After sniffing it and hitting it a couple of occasions, she ignored it, which appeared promising since she didn’t think about it a risk.
However, after I tried to brush her, she curled right into a ball and attacked my hand along with her sharp tooth and claws. I made a number of makes an attempt, however grooming a cat is difficult when she doesn’t assist you to contact her again, aspect, or stomach. She solely allowed petting on her neck and head, so I gave up making an attempt to brush her till she turned an grownup and calmed down.
This is my particular place the place I am going to get away from Christopher and his grooming brush.
Early Days of Grooming
She stored her coat clear as a kitten and by no means developed mats or tangles. After she was round a yr previous, I purchased a softer brush that was gentler on her mild coat. She didn’t assault me however stored making an attempt to eat the comb. Then, I attempted bribing her, a optimistic reinforcement traditional, when she behaved after a grooming session.
I gave her a deal with when she sat nonetheless for quite a lot of seconds, and it appeared to work. Subsequent periods had been extra productive; ultimately, I might brush 2/3rds of her coat with out getting injured or pissed off.
This brush has an beautiful aroma; it smells like me!
Present-Day Grooming
Sometimes, I feel rewarding for good conduct labored too effectively. When I brush her fur or trim her nails, she purrs, strikes round, and tries to rub her head on my neck. I do know purring sounds extra interesting than scratching and biting, however not less than when she attacked me, she typically stayed in a single place.
She’s not as food-motivated as she was when she was youthful, however she will get excited and extra affectionate earlier than her feeding occasions. I don’t give her treats after grooming or nail-trimming periods, however she nonetheless expects them and continues to make use of manipulative like to persuade me she’s malnourished.
Luckily, Olga’s skinny coat doesn’t require frequent brushing, and her sound-barrier-breaking tongue handles a lot of the every day upkeep. She solely resorts to violence after I trim her entrance claws and transfer on to the rear ones. I often trim one and two earlier than she screams and tries to hit me within the face. I thought of shopping for a hockey masks and Kevlar sleeves to guard myself, however hydrogen peroxide and bandages are extra inexpensive. Besides, she’s too relaxed typically, and I like seeing my miniature panther in assault mode. It takes me again to the times of her violent youth.
You’re proper, Christopher. My coat seems smoother and shinier after you sweep it.
This article is part of Christopher and Olga’s collection.
- Read his earlier article: Is Disciplining a Cat Useful or Effective? Olga Says No!
The publish Cat Grooming Challenges: Olga’s Battle With the Brush by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over total articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You is probably not conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we respect that you simply just like the article and would find it irresistible should you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
