It’s that time of year Andy dreads: Matting Season!
Andy doesn’t shed so much as he mats, thanks to the dual coat, dense nature of Persian fur. He instantly avoids me when he knows I have the brush and if I extend my hand toward him. He runs over to the cactus kitty scratcher, which as you can see in the photo he uses a lot. That helps comfort him to scratch the cactus. He uses it for normal claw maintenance, of course, but he also uses it to tell me to stop tormenting him!
Yes, it’s that time of year. Andy dreads it because he hates being brushed. If he were more compliant, the brushing would be daily, weekly, or on a regular schedule. Now that he doesn’t have a confirmed groomer, his coat’s gone past the stage where matting happens, so Mr. Brush comes out again after lots of hiding.
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I already brushed his tummy and chest today, both big problem areas for his hair. I pulled one mat apart on his chest and one in his left armpit. Or was it the right? Maybe both! I want to get in control of his cute little butt hair before that is a problem. I may try a hygienic cut, though it would be the first time I tried it.
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Andy purrs when I brush him, but I know from the size of his pupils and other signs that he is upset and scared. As soon as he can manage it, he tries to escape! Come to think of it, he’s not hanging out with me this morning, part of the aftermath of brushing sessions.
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Bless his heart! Andy decided to stop by to pose, then hop off the lapboard for important kitty business elsewhere. I bet it is watching for birds out the front door. It’s about that time of morning they stop around.
By afternoon, Andy came around to give me more good poses!
“Yes, thanks for holding that pose, Andrew! Good shot!“
I rewarded the wee rascal with ear rubs, neck scratches, and face rubs.
Wow! Then Andy gave me his glamour pose!
So much hard kitty work deserves some Greenies.
Then Andy hopped onto the kitty lounger for a snooze.
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I thought this was going to be a one-kitty-photo day, given how upset Andy was about being brushed, then he gave me several opportunities to fill this page! You never know with a kitty boy.
The brushing works. He looks gorgeous
Yes, getting loose undercoat brushed out does help make hi a pretty boy!
What a fantastic set of photos!
We had to brush Beba for a few years and we always gave her a manicure first, otherwise my students would inquire if I had been involved in a cat fight. Thankfully, that period has passed, for no apparent reason,
Cats! Andy has a reputation of being a very good boy at the groomer’s and the veterinarian’s, but that’s relative: he’s a cat!
At the vet’s they all behave, but at home it is a different story.
LOL! Dougy used to behave, but he had to explore the examination room first before he returned to the examination table. All of my kitties were good at the veterinarian’s and groomers. Andy’s the only on to get a “very good” instead of just “good” from a groomer or vet.
Mr Andy is a true gemtleman.
I tell him every day that he’s a good boy, the good kitty! LOL! Seriously, I do, because he is so good all the time.
The Grey Menace, Clancy, took revenge for brushing. He’d wait a few hours before attacking, then he’d draw blood. After that it was as thought nothing happened, and if you yelled at him he gave you a dirty look, as though you were totally at fault.
LOL! Fortunately for me, Andy just gets pissy for a short time, then forgives me.
I love the first pose. Reminded me of a Cat Show.
Yes, it does!
Andy’s fur looks great after his brushing. Thank you for the kind words you left on Facebook for the loss of Elvira.
Yes, getting that loose hair in his undercoat brushed out make a difference!
I feel your loss, Ellen. Anyone who has lost a pet understands how there’s this hole in your heart that heals very slowly when they die.
I think sometimes kitties knows things need to be done, and just purr their way through it all. Andy forgave you.
Fortunately! I felt bad that he was having a miserable time while I brushed him, but he looked much better afterwards and, I bet, felt better without mats on his chest and in his armpits.
I too, think they do feel better without the mats.
Too may mats, I know, can impede movement and are uncomfortable on top of it.
Andy is so handsome, and very hairy! Great photos, Doug and thanks, Andy! 😊
That he is! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Doug. 😊
Yes, indeed. Some, for reasons known only to themselves, don’t like being brushed, while others do.
I imagine the sensation is alien, though I use light pressure when I brush.
I have 4 cats. Three love being brushed. I have a cat with hairball issues and she gets brushed every day (although it doesn’t seem to help with the hairballs). As soon as I pull out the zoom groom thingie, the other two come flying. They get another brush that is a big more aggressive because of their fur type. They love it. They all want me to dedicate my life to grooming them. Sigh.
I’ll send Andy over, Kate! LOL! I have several types of brushes that I bought in the hope that one would do the job and be agreeable with my kitty boy. The one in the photo seems to be the best one for Andy so far.
I loved Andy’s poses… and almost I can understand this routine care things, it is not easy, really you did great dear Doug, I can’t do well with my cats. Blessing and Happiness for you both, Thank you, Love, nia
I try to brush him as often as I can without breaking his spirit or making him afraid of me.
Wow, those are fabulous poses, for sure!
Thanks! Andy put on quite a show for the camera!
Well done both of you
Thanks, Derrick!