He'll stop biting if I stop trying to brush him, I hope. Holden has a couple of spots of badly-matted fur and (because I'm not as clever as I think) I have made four attempts to sneak up on them with a special cat-detangler brush. None have ended well for me.
He's not having any of it. Brush the nice, untangled fur along his spine? He's generally okay with it. Veer even a little to one side with the brush? As I have written earlier, he'll seize the nearest hand in his teeth. He's not out to hurt, but he means for me to stop and right now. He's not going to be lulled into accepting it, not even a little.
Yesterday, I asked our vet about his matted fur and their advice is to wait until he's in shape to be lightly sedated, at which point they'll give him a trim. The result may be something of an affront to his dignity, but it's the best way to take care of the problem. In the meantime, I won't try to brush him at all; once he's had his haircut, Tam and I can start over with a different brush, when it won't be painful for the poor guy. If it all works out, he'll have his thick coat back before autumn and we'll be able to keep him brushed.
He's still due for a neuter right? Ask them to clip him while he's under. Then you can start from easy after he's recovered.
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows that cat bathing is a martial art.
ReplyDeleteFew realize that cat brushing can be, as well.
Frequent remark to the dearly departed Gibbs, aka Fangboy-"DON'T BITE ME!!!"
ReplyDeleteMy wife's Maine Coon mix also hates to be brushed. Maybe it's a breed thing.
ReplyDelete"How to give a cat a pill"...
ReplyDeleteBtw, his name finally penetrated the fog: The Expanse?