Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Cat care query
He hates being picked up and brushed. He was probably semi-feral when he moved in and won't tolerate anything except the briefest of strokes to the head and back. When he has his annual MOT at the vets they actually have to sedate him before they can even touch him!
Which leave us with the problem of his increasing matted coat. Anyone have any tips about how we can help him?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by tulips on
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Well done for giving him a home all those years ago!
In respect of the arthritis, I know you're treating him for this - but to just to mention that two of my elderly cats with arthritis have a daily Onsior pill prescribed by our vet - which they eat like a sweet. It's great for relieving pain and discomfort and makes them much more mobile, which in turns helps them groom themselves. Also they can now jump again whereas before they had mobility problems. Of course, your vet will advise best.
I presume your vet has checked that he doesn't need dental work, as a sore mouth means a cat can't groom himself well.
Assuming any pain problems are dealt with, if his fur is matted, it's best if your vet clips out all the mats under sedation and gets his coat perfect.
Then for regular grooming at home, a Furminator is good. Start off by stroking him/grooming him for very short periods, to get him used to it. A Yeoww catnip banana is very useful for getting your cat in a good mood. A Snugglesafe heat pad put under his blanket where he sleeps will be soothing and cosy as well. It's easier if you can get him used to being stroked so that you can then get him used to being groomed.
One of our semi feral cats is tricky to groom and sometimes it takes two of us, one holding him gently at his front shoulders, and the other grooming the tricky areas - probably different to your situation, as our one gets over excited and likes to nip, but he's happy being stroked.
I recommend Vicky www.happydogsandcats.co.uk as she is very good at solving problems and would be able to help you get him gradually get used to being groomed.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Many thanks Justine. He's having supplements which have really helped with his mobility but he has real problems bending far enough to get at his back legs and chest, which is where the matting is worst. He had a tooth out in January and the rest seem ok so we're pretty sure it's not that (as well as the arthritis).
He is a catnip fanatic but we've tried the distraction technique with him. He may be an old chap but he knows a plot when he sees it!
I'll look into the other ideas you suggest and also maybe at a professional groomer who might have techniques we don't possess.
Finally, I realise I've made him sound a bit of a monster. He's a playful and happy lad, but on his own terms!
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Permalink Reply by Rachel W on
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Aah, poor old chap. I like his style though - just seeing somewhere he liked and moving in.
I was going to recommend a furminator, as Justine has, and also perhaps some Feliway to chill him out beforehand.
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Thanks Justine. Our house is like an advert for Feliway - plug ins and sprays everywhere.
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Permalink Reply by vaneska on
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Hi Michael
I recently tried the nutritional supplement route for my older cat's arthritis and didn't find it helpful. Now she is on a daily dose of Meloxidyl which is an NSAID which the vet recommends for long-term use (with annual urine/blood checks) and after only a short period her mobility and general well-being is noticeably on the up. The Meloxidyl is in liquid form and you just squirt it from a measuring pipette onto the food. I use Hill's in Park Road.
v
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Thanks Vaneska. He has an occasional liquid pain killer (which is eye wateringly expensive) if the pain get too bad but not a regular regime so that will be something we will talk to our vet about when he has his visit in April. I think though, as he is an elderly chap, part of the problem is simply a loss of flexibility that allows him to get around to the parts where his fur is clumping. I really feel for him as he has always been fastidious about keeping himself clean.
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And from what you posted first, little chance of snipping away the matted fur bit by bit over several days while he's standing, as much as he will tolerate, I guess?
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He'd have your arm off Gordon. He sits around looking a sweet as anything, but a tiger lurks beneath.
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Ah, like a past semi-feral visiting-for-food cat of ours. Tiny, but sedation essential. Even at the vet's once sedated "Are you sure?" Snarl.....
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When mne goes to the surgery it's the vet who needs sedation
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fyi The Meloxidyl was prescribed as a cheaper alternative to Metacam, which is the usual painkiller cats get post-op etc. I don't remember what I paid for the bottle but it didn't make me wince and was certainly relatively cheaper than those extortionate Nutracalm (sp?) supplements. My cat, by the way, is 16. Her predecessor lived to 20 so I still think of her as a spring chicken.
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Yes, it's Metacam we have at the moment. Pure gold is less expensive. Thanks for the tip about the Meloxidyl
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