Question for dealing with a scardy cat (Monster)

[Monster's Mom]

Like most diabetic cats, Monster is overweight, chubby, well fed, etc. I recently discovered her back end needs cleaning. I noticed her wiping it herself on the rug because she can't reach to groom herself. Her belly is just too big. I have pet wipes, waterwipes, brush, clippers and anything else I need but when I brought out the clippers to try to trim it up for her, and turned them on she FREAKED OUT. She won't let me brush back there, runs if I try to use a wipe and I can only imagine how she would rip me to pieces if I came near her with water. How do I clean her booty? It's getting to be a little stinky too.

While trying out the clippers, I thought to myself what am I going to do if/when we do get the Libre and she won't let me shave her to put it on her. Is there a less stressful way to do either of these things? Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[Brianna & Xander]

I can absolutely relate to having a very fearful kitty who doesn't tolerate many of the things that most cats here do! It can be really hard.

Can't really speak on the wipes because I'm currently dealing with the exact same thing, but in regards to the trimmer: while he doesn't love it, we got one that's comparatively very quiet and he minds it a lot less. It was this one!

 

[eddis]

I was just talking to a friend about this concern! Her cat isn't diabetic, but she gets big mats sometimes that need a trimmer. Her cat was super sensitive about the noise, and they went through several before landing on this one, which her cat tolerates.

 

[Monster's Mom]

I can absolutely relate to having a very fearful kitty who doesn't tolerate many of the things that most cats here do! It can be really hard.

Can't really speak on the wipes because I'm currently dealing with the exact same thing, but in regards to the trimmer: while he doesn't love it, we got one that's comparatively very quiet and he minds it a lot less. It was this one!

Thanks, I'll try that one. It's fairly inexpensive too.

 

[Monster's Mom]

I was just talking to a friend about this concern! Her cat isn't diabetic, but she gets big mats sometimes that need a trimmer. Her cat was super sensitive about the noise, and they went through several before landing on this one, which her cat tolerates.

Well I might have to try this one too, lol
Thanks

 

[Lauren & Esse]

The other thing you can try is getting your trimmer of choice and just run it, like, nearby her. Don't even act like you're gonna bring them to her, just turn it on and hold it nearby (or even across the room), totally ignoring her, until she no longer seems to be reacting. Then turn them off and give her a little treat. Maybe let her smell them while turned off. Then repeat the process but slightly closer. Then maybe try touching her body with them while they're turned off, etc. Small steps to desensitize her.

We shave Esse and apply his Libre while he's eating his #1 favorite highest value treat-meal, which is also helpful. We use the same trimmer as Brianna.

 

[Albert & Xander]

I can vouch for that clipper as well! My cats don't seem to mind it at all, it is pretty quiet and doesn't vibrate much.

Maybe you can try some freeze dried treats such as the Pure Bites chicken to convince him to let you wipe him? My nondiabetic cat Flare is overweight and sometimes needs a wiping. He is very apprehensive of me doing anything to him without my fiance holding him, but I found that I can get a few quick wipes in if I distract him with food.

 

[Monster's Mom]

The other thing you can try is getting your trimmer of choice and just run it, like, nearby her. Don't even act like you're gonna bring them to her, just turn it on and hold it nearby (or even across the room), totally ignoring her, until she no longer seems to be reacting. Then turn them off and give her a little treat. Maybe let her smell them while turned off. Then repeat the process but slightly closer. Then maybe try touching her body with them while they're turned off, etc. Small steps to desensitize her.

We shave Esse and apply his Libre while he's eating his #1 favorite highest value treat-meal, which is also helpful. We use the same trimmer as Brianna.

I tried this at first. Turned them on, and set it on the floor and both of my babies were even eating treats right next to it. They both smelled it and somewhere in there Monster decided she didn't like it and started swatting it. After that she was startled but the smallest movement. So she was put on edge so I decided to just put them away. I did something wrong somewhere, and now of course, she gets her way. She is very food motivated but she draws the line on things she's not familiar with. I hope I can eventually get the Libre and at least try it on her. But first her dirty booty.

 

[Lauren & Esse]

I get that for sure. Early on in our FD journey I watched a video a vet's office made about desensitizing cats to syringes for giving injections. My main thought was, "wow, I went way too fast, no wonder he didn't like it." They broke it down into a million tiny steps. I had no idea!

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Thanks, I'll try that one. It's fairly inexpensive too.

It is, and it works really well for us!