What is it?
Grooming is important to both physical and mental health --- for humans and felines alike!
Why fight with or repel your cat
when you can help your cat see extra
grooming as a wonderful perk of
living with you.
Regular brushing
helps your cat to shed an old coat
into a brush instead of onto your
furniture or in a hairball that's
vomited on your rug or worse.
Body
massage not only teaches the
cat that hands are good
things,
it also teaches the cat to
allow people to take charge
and control any part of his
or
her
body during routine
grooming, exams, treatments,
lifting or moving the cat |
How to do it
Think strategically.
How can you make grooming an
experience that your cat will love
and crave as part of your quality
time together?
What would it take to
have your feline friend want a luxurious day at the spa! Remember
the expression, "Flattery will get
you everywhere?" Think, "Bribery
will get you everywhere," when it
comes to making grooming an
enjoyable experience.
First, introduce
grooming at home slowly. Introduce
brushes in ways that feel good to
your cat and calm suspicions about
this strange new human activity.
Start with a hungry, calm cat to
stack the deck in the favor of the
grooming experience.
Make your goal a
happy, cooperative cat, NOT getting
the job done. You want to be able to
do this job for a lifetime of
enjoyment so don't rush or push the
point initially.
Tips for successful grooming
introductions
Remember, you don't
get a second chance to make a first
good impression.
Make grooming a positive bonding
experience for you and your cat.
Ideally, you have already
accomplished gentling exercises with
pinache and this is just the next
natural step in the life with your
cat.
Groomers do not appreciate a cat that nips at their hands and tries to eat the brush. If
your cat wants to bite on the brush, stop brushing. Count
to 5 and begin again more slowly or
resume when your cat is more relaxed
and hungry. Offer food treats if
your cat will accept even one stroke
of the brush. Praise all cooperative
behavior.
Any new
activity will be accepted easier if
introduced slowly and when
considering the best timing. Grooming and bathing are no exception. If at any time during the process
your cat ever begins to panic,
STOP! Avoid
trauma and promote positive
impressions. Begin more slowly next
time.
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