I'm having a real bit of trouble with my Persian cat. As he's a long-haired breed, I have to keep on top of his coat and get him clipped because he gets mats in his fur.
The problem is he won't let me anywhere near him with the clippers. He panics as soon as he hears the noise and feels the vibrations. He becomes aggressive, tries to bolt, and starts scratching and biting.
Recently, I took him to the groomer for a full clip, but she couldn't finish the job. She only managed to do his back end.
Even though I was there helping to hold him, he was struggling so much that he managed to get away.
My cat isn't usually aggressive, but I think he's just terrified—it's a total panic reaction to the clippers and the vibrations on his skin.
Maybe he was traumatised by that kind of device or noise when he was a kitten. My nephew rescued him from the street when he was about a year old, we think (he's six and a half now).
He hasn't been neutered, but he is sterile (he only has one testicle).
He goes out at night and he's quite a hunter.
He’s not particularly playful or cuddly.
I’m at my wit's end. Does he need to be sedated? Restrained?
Could I try using manual clippers? But even then, it would be a nightmare as he won't let anyone touch him for any kind of grooming (like brushing, for example). Plus, if I hold him for too long, his purring gets so loud that he starts choking, to the point where he's panting and struggling for breath... so I have to let him go. What are you supposed to do? This problem is apparently specific to his breed, as he's a Persian cross.
Anyway, thanks in advance for your replies.
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Katycat wrote:
You're completely off-topic! This has nothing to do with the thread, and I honestly don't see why you're interested in my children's ages, my age, or any other details about my life?
I've left this forum before because of this kind of nonsense from people who call themselves "cat lovers" but, instead of sticking to the actual conversation, seem to love nothing more than trying to catch people out.
I’m not some nutcase making up a life for myself!
Yes, I’ve had a Persian, and yes, there is a cat currently crashing at my place. Are those two things somehow incompatible??
This forum is full of people who judge without knowing the facts. Sorry, but your claims are completely baseless.
Please stop derailing the topics and keep your "insinuations" to yourself.
Katycat, let me explain. I have other interests besides cats. For instance, I'm interested in everything to do with mysteries, the paranormal, etc.
I’m a member of a site dedicated to that sort of thing. The problem is, a lot of fantasists go there to spin these tall tales. They do it to have a laugh at the expense of gullible people and to discredit the site.
It’s easy to catch them out (for me at least), because their stories are always full of contradictions and inconsistencies (and there’s often one other thing too).
But if I’m in any doubt...
My tactic, my strategy to try and get an idea of their sincerity (just in case...) is to ask obvious, relevant, logical, and specific questions that can be answered and verified...
But that’s exactly it—these people either ignore the questions, can't answer them, dodge the point, or contradict themselves... Once they realise they’ve been rumbled, you never see them again...
Now, your stories are very much in the same vein as those people. Then again, it could just be that you’ve forgotten things or made mistakes. I’m not making any accusations.
But it doesn't matter. I didn't come here to play cat and mouse (lol!). I simply expect a story to be consistent and clear. End of story.
Health and prosperity to you.
I adopted Theo when he was eighteen months old; he was very thin, had been mistreated, and had never been brushed.
His fur was so matted that it was like a shell. The vet had no choice but to put him under to give him a proper shave and treat his damaged skin—he needed three months of treatment for it.
Now he has a gorgeous coat. He’s very gentle and lets me brush and comb him without moving; he’s a real sweetheart.
As for the neutering, yes, do ask your vet. They’ll confirm that he isn’t sterile with just one testicle, but also that if you don't have him operated on to remove the undescended one, he’ll end up getting cancer.
Here’s a photo of Theo now; I’ve had him for a year.
[quote=Janchat]
Have you been lying to us?
I’m noticing a few contradictions in your story. You don’t mention any matting in the coat, only brushing. You only really clip a long-haired cat if they’re badly matted...
Then you mention a first time and a second time... What exactly does that mean? Did you shave her once and then, a few months later after it had grown back thick, do it again simply because she wouldn't let you brush her?
In your other thread, "Can a cat have two owners?", you don't mention this cat at all. Why? It would have made sense to. And you say a cat has been visiting you for several years... So your Persian, if she even existed, would have died long before that?
You say you're 44 and have "two calm children". Could you tell us their ages, please? Just to try and clear things up because it’s all a bit murky right now. Are we talking young children, teens or young adults?
You’ve returned to this site after being away for about a year and two months. That’s a long time. Were you banned, and if so, for what reason? Or did you just go off the site? Back then, it seems you had some rather sharp exchanges with other members, but those messages are no longer accessible.
Look, I have my doubts about how sincere you're being, but I hope I’m wrong. I’m well-acquainted with attention seekers as I deal with them regularly on other forums and sites. I came here for the love of my cat and for animals in general. Nothing else. Trolls on here can cause real harm to animals by giving out fake advice, bizarre tips or false information.
Anyway, I don’t know what you are. I’m not making any claims. I’m just looking for the truth... in everything (it’s hard work... lol!).
That being said, I won’t make a whole thing out of it. There are much more important things in life. Health and prosperity!
***
Your message is completely off-topic! It has nothing to do with the subject and I don't see at all why the age of my children, my own age or any other questions about my life would interest you?
I left this forum because of exactly this kind of stupid talk from people calling themselves "cat lovers" who, instead of focusing on the actual conversation, take a twisted pleasure in trying to catch people out.
I’m not some raving lunatic making up a life for myself!
Yes, I had a Persian, and yes, there is a cat that hangs around my house. Are the two stories not allowed to be true at the same time?
This forum is full of people who judge without knowing the facts. I’m sorry, but your claims are completely baseless.
Please stop derailing the thread and keep your "insinuations" to yourself.
Hi!
I think you've already had the answers to your problem. I completely understand though, as my Persian, who was also a rescue, was in the same boat. She loved a cuddle, but brushing her was IMPOSSIBLE; no matter how much I tried, she fought like mad. Just the sight of the brush made her bolt! She'd obviously never been used to it. Can you imagine me on all fours trying to catch her?! Anyway, I eventually decided the only thing left to do was to shave her! The first time, the groomer and I were scratched to bits, and it was so hard to hold her. Then the second time was easier, until she finally just let us get on with it! She’d realised it wasn't hurting her and that, in the end, she preferred it to the brush. I know Persians aren't really meant to be shaved, but mine handled it better than the brushing in the long run...
Have you been lying to us?
I’m noticing some contradictions in your story. You don’t mention any mats in the fur, just brushing. You only shave a long-haired cat when they're very matted...
Then you talk about a first time and a second time... What do you mean by that? Did you shave her once and then, a few months later after it had all grown back, do it a second time just because she didn't want to be brushed?
In your thread "Can a cat have two owners?", you don't mention this cat. Why? It would have made sense to. And you say a cat has been coming to see you for several years... so your Persian, if she ever existed, must have died long before then?
You say you're 44 and have "two quiet children". Please tell us their ages. Just to try and clear things up because it's all a bit murky right now. Are we talking young children, teens, or young adults?
You’ve come back to this site after being away for about 1 year and 2 months. That’s a long time. Were you banned, and if so, why? Or did you just stop liking the site? At the time, it seems you had some rather sharp exchanges with other members. But we can't see those messages anymore.
Look, I have my doubts about your sincerity, but I hope I’m wrong. I’m well aware of fantasists; I deal with them regularly on other forums and sites. I came here because I love my cat and animals in general. Nothing else. People who make things up here can cause real harm to animals by giving out false or far-fetched advice.
Anyway, I don't know what you are. I'm not making any accusations. I'm just looking for the truth... in everything (it's hard work... lol!).
That being said, I won't make a huge deal out of it. There are much more important things in life.
Health and prosperity!
Blimey, a general anaesthetic, that’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?
But would your cat not cooperate? Could they not clip him normally because he was struggling and fighting back? Because that’s exactly what mine is like. It’s not so much the mats themselves (he’s got one big one left right now, but it’s quite loose, and some small ones, especially on his legs).
You definitely have to brush him every day, which I’ve been neglecting. Plus he goes outdoors. Do you let your cat out?
My cat was originally rescued by my nephew after he turned up in his garden. He was sad and skinny. They took him to a vet, and they were the one who said he was sterile because he was missing a testicle. I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean. Neutered of one testicle? Or an undescended testicle, like you said?
Anyway, it’s best to get to the bottom of it by going to see my vet. If my cat has the same problem yours did, he'll probably suggest the same solution.
When I adopted Theo, my Persian, he had loads of mats, so I had him shaved by my vet under general anaesthetic because there was no other way.
It’s been two years now and he has a gorgeous coat; he never gets mats anymore because I brush and comb him every day.
Also, you mentioned your cat is sterile because he only has one testicle, but just so you know, he isn’t necessarily sterile. Theo also only had one descended testicle and the vet told me he could still breed.
So he neutered him and operated to find the second testicle to remove it, because if you don't, your cat can develop cancer in his lower abdomen.
Yes Katy-cat...
That’s exactly it. My cat won’t let me brush him either. He hates it. Maybe it’s just a trait of Persians? Their fur is sacred to them!
At first, when he was with my nephew (who rescued him), he wasn’t quite so "wild" because he was an indoor cat and didn't go out. He had to be clipped and it was much easier then.
Since I took him in, he’s discovered freedom and the outdoors. He’s become more of a "tough guy", and his refusal to be clipped has only got stronger.
Oh well, I’ll sort it out myself.
But I’m really fed up with some of these so-called "pros" who are incapable of solving a problem. You see a true professional when things get difficult. They actually solve the problem.
Anyway...
Have a good day!
I think you’ve already had the advice you need for your problem.
I completely understand, though, as my Persian — who was also from a rescue — was in the exact same situation.
She loved cuddles, but grooming her was IMPOSSIBLE. Even with the best will in the world, she’d struggle like mad. Just the sight of the brush would make her bolt!! She clearly hadn't been used to it! You can just imagine me on all fours trying to chase after her!! Anyway, I eventually reached the point where the only thing left to do was to have her clipped. The first time, the groomer and I got scratched to bits and it was a real struggle to hold her. then the second time was easier, until she finally just let us get on with it! She’d realised that it didn’t hurt, and in the end, she actually preferred it to being brushed. Of course, a Persian isn't really meant to be clipped, but mine definitely handled it better than the brush in the long run...
