jpthequilter

Best way to catch or cage a cat CATNIP !
If you give them one or two teaspoon fulls of dry catnip to eat, after a little while for it to take effect, they will get drunk and lay around. Then brush them, they won't care!
Even the shyest or most ill-tempered cats get real relaxed after a little of it. Put it in the center of a cage or carrier, they can't resist going in to get at it. Takes only a few minutes too.

Katia

I guess I will be the oddball here and say that I would not take him to the vet to be shaved. If he is already nervous and scared you will have a mess on your hands when you get him home. I hate the look of a lion cut on any cat, sorry. just do. I think they do too. Every cat I have ever seen that have been shaved looked incredibly embarrassed.

I have a little Persian, (in my avatar) and a big Maine Coon. Scamp, the Maine has twice the coat that Priscilla does. So I am having to brush and comb them both quite a bit. I used to be a groomer so I have the equipment to do it right. What I use mostly is a wide tooth metal comb and a mat splitter. Never, ever, ever use scissors. A mat splitter is a strange looking tool, but it is safe if you are careful.

http://purfectcatsupply.com/p-984-ma...-splitter.aspx

The very first thing I do is give them some love, and then clip their nails. Well, I do with Priscilla, Scamp is mellow, he doesn't care.
I usually rub them all over and get ideas of where the mats are and start with the splitter. Always work away from the body, and take it slow. Sometimes you can just gently pull out that mat at that point. Remember you are not cutting against the body,or across the body, you are spitting the mat and pulling it away from their body. A lot of time I just use my fingers and spread the mats in order to get the comb in under the coat.
The trick to doing this is patience. I only work on them till they have lost patience with me, or I with them. I also usually put a towel over my self to keep some of the hair off and to have to wrap the cat if they get upset. I don't try to set them on a table, I do it all in my lap.
After I get the mats out I go over them with a wire brush. I also do this slowly, more like petting then brushing. The whole things should not be a battle.
My sister used to have a Persian that she sorely neglected. The poor thing was matted to the skin and infested with fleas the first time I saw him. It took me nearly a week to get him under control, fleas, coat and personality. But when he was done he was a changed little guy. A little thin on coat, but he felt so much better and didn't hate me.

angelwatcher

For nervous cats and dogs you can purchase "Rescue Remedy for Pets" by Bach Flowers at your local health food store. Put some drops in their water bowl or on their paws. Really helps to calm them down for whatever reason they may be upset. They have a human version too, great for any stressful time in your life. Check it out at http://www.rescueremedy.com/pets/ I gave it to my dog and myself when he broke his shoulder and we were both calmer for the trip into town to the vet. Our cat was calmer in the car after a dropperful by mouth for his trip to the vet. Should have put it in his water beforehand. I met a lady who uses it for her skittish mare. Good stuff!!

Katia

I used to use that too, great stuff. My German Shepherd started having seizures when he got old and that stuff really helped him. I used to put a dropper on his tongue or gums when he started to getting them, and the seizures were shorter and less violent.

nrt211

What a beautiful baby!!!