Hello, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to study extra about me and my foolish Russian Blue cat, Olga.
Brushing your cat’s coat retains it wholesome, reduces shedding, redistributes the pure oil, and generally permits you to observe first-aid expertise. Veterinarians and behavioral specialists suggest introducing grooming to cats once they’re kittens, and whereas I agree with their recommendation, Olga’s early experiences had been extra violent than useful.
Youthful Aggression
As a kitten, her outsized head and potbelly gave her a comical look, however beneath the lovable exterior lay the soul of a psychopath. I let her study the comb and left it on the sofa for a couple of hours earlier than making an attempt a grooming session, however my efforts had been in useless. After sniffing it and hitting it a couple of instances, she ignored it, which appeared promising since she didn’t take into account it a risk.
Nevertheless, after I tried to brush her, she curled right into a ball and attacked my hand together with her sharp enamel and claws. I made a number of makes an attempt, however grooming a cat is difficult when she doesn’t let you contact her again, facet, or stomach. She solely allowed petting on her neck and head, so I gave up attempting to brush her till she grew to become an grownup and calmed down.
Early Days of Grooming
She stored her coat clear as a kitten and by no means developed mats or tangles. After she was round a yr outdated, I purchased a softer brush that was gentler on her mild coat. She didn’t assault me however stored attempting to eat the comb. Then, I attempted bribing her, a optimistic reinforcement traditional, when she behaved after a grooming session.
I gave her a deal with when she sat nonetheless for quite a lot of seconds, and it appeared to work. Subsequent periods had been extra productive; finally, I may brush 2/3rds of her coat with out getting injured or pissed off.
Current-Day Grooming
Generally, I feel rewarding for good habits labored too effectively. Once I brush her fur or trim her nails, she purrs, strikes round, and tries to rub her head on my neck. I do know purring sounds extra interesting than scratching and biting, however at the very least when she attacked me, she typically stayed in a single place.
She’s not as food-motivated as she was when she was youthful, however she will get excited and extra affectionate earlier than her feeding instances. I don’t give her treats after grooming or nail-trimming periods, however she nonetheless expects them and continues to make use of manipulative like to persuade me she’s malnourished.
Fortunately, Olga’s skinny coat doesn’t require frequent brushing, and her sound-barrier-breaking tongue handles many of the day by day upkeep. She solely resorts to violence after I trim her entrance claws and transfer on to the rear ones. I normally trim one and two earlier than she screams and tries to hit me within the face. I thought-about shopping for a hockey masks and Kevlar sleeves to guard myself, however hydrogen peroxide and bandages are extra inexpensive. In addition to, she’s too relaxed generally, and I like seeing my miniature panther in assault mode. It takes me again to the times of her violent youth.
This text is part of Christopher and Olga’s collection.
