My Messy Life - Journal

[Baymule]

It’s nice that you approached the young mom and made her feel included. I myself know a lot of what I know because older women mentored me and taught me. I’m always delighted to teach anyone wanting to learn. You yourself have knowledge and experience that is valuable to others. Don’t be afraid to share.

 

[SteepedInSheep]

Does anyone have an idea on how I can restrain a cat to brush him?
Something like a cat burrito won't work since I need to reach his fur.
He's always been prone to getting over stimulated and swatting so I've never been able to brush him for more than a few strokes before he tries to scratch.
He's semi long haired and 9 yrs old now. He doesn't groom himself very often, either.
What I've done up to this point is distracted him with wet food and sneaking in the brush strokes while he's eating. He growls and tried to scratch the whole time.
The other thing I've done if I'm desperate because he has a mat forming is to hold him by the scruff and gently work on it until it's out. Understandably, he hates that as well.
I simply cut any mats that form that are going to be too distressing for him for me to get out, but I'd love to avoid that.

 

[Mini Horses]

I have no suggestions. Maybe call a vet or groomer for a solution. They must deal with "everything"

 

[Baymule]

How would you muzzle a cat? Not only his face, but 4 feet with CLAWS!

 

[SteepedInSheep]

Glad you reached out to her, the older women are supposed to do that. It's scriptural, too.

It is! And a good thing to do. I need to normalize the fact in my head that I'm the one who is going to have to initiate things.

A church I went to 20 years ago had a widow's group, it might be nice. Then again, the older ladies at church come across as knitting types, not chicken/dog/cat people. Oops.

Idk, knitting lady and cat lady is practically synonymous to me.

 

[SteepedInSheep]

I have no suggestions. Maybe call a vet or groomer for a solution. They must deal with "everything"

Good idea.

How would you muzzle a cat? Not only his face, but 4 feet with CLAWS!

I couldn't think of a practical way but figured I would ask. Worst someone says is, "can't be done, stupid!"

 

[SteepedInSheep]

It’s nice that you approached the young mom and made her feel included. I myself know a lot of what I know because older women mentored me and taught me. I’m always delighted to teach anyone wanting to learn. You yourself have knowledge and experience that is valuable to others. Don’t be afraid to share.

Thank you! I've wondered what the balance is of trying to share experiences and teaching other people vs waiting til they ask. Some people are looking for information and other people don't care. But sometimes the people that are looking information don't necessarily ask. I guess that's their problem.

 

[Baymule]

How to bathe a cat. Drop in toilet and quickly shut lid. Flush to get the cat wet. Carefully raise the lid a crack and squirt shampoo in. Flush again. Cat will make a lot of motions in the toilet bowl, this is good. It works the shampoo into a lather. You DO want a clean cat don’t you? Flush several times to rinse. Don’t worry about noises the cat makes, the cat is enjoying getting all cleaned up. Close the bathroom door or you will have a wet cat running through the house. Open the toilet lid and let the cat out. He will be so happy to be clean that he will probably make laps around the bathroom, showing his gratitude. You can leave him in the bathroom to air dry, or throw a towel over him and scrub vigorously. Don’t mind his howling, he’s just excited. When he is dry, you can let him out of the bathroom.

Hint; don’t let him outside for several weeks, it will spoil his clean fur…… and he’d be so ashamed that, he may never come back.