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03 Aug 03 - 10:23 AM (#995907) Subject: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* Hi all! Inspired by all the helpful advice on another thread about catching young pussy, I'm starting this one in the hopes that someone will be able to help me out ... My twelve-year old cat Roo and I have always been best buds, except for one thing. She's black and has a very thick undercoat of grey fuzzy fur which she sheds year-round at what seems like the rate of about a lb. a day. She absolutely HATES to be combed or brushed -- two strokes and she's hissing and biting at me. After a few minutes of chasing her around armed with a comb, I just give up. I've still got the scratch marks on my ankles from the last time I tried. You can't even pat her without bringing up handfuls of this gray stuff, which is really a drag because her coat is so soft and nice to the touch. I have to vacuum nearly every day -- the floor and the furniture, or they'd disappear in short order under the layers of grey fuzz. No kidding. Lately I've been wondering if the comb just hurts her becuase that undercoat is so very fine and thick. I've had her since she was four weeks old, so I know she was never viciously attacked by a comb! I decided long ago to just accept her "complex" about being combed and resigned myself to the daily vacuuming instead, rather than Roo-ining my relationship with the Roo! I've told her many times that she'd feel SO much better if she'd just tolerate my combing attempts -- she wouldn't be horking up so many hairballs either. No go. If anyone has any advice, short of knocking her out a couple times a week for a grooming session (I've considered that, believe me!) I'd really appreciate it! daylia |
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03 Aug 03 - 10:38 AM (#995912) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: GUEST I've used a vacuum cleaner with one of those brush things that is supposed to be for uphlstery but no-one ever uses. Be careful around her face though! Mines a white longhaired persian and there usually a lot of hair around. Another tip that we've used is to rub fish oil into her coat (the oil that comes in a tin of sardines or kippers - this will encourage the cat to do more grooming of its own Bob |
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03 Aug 03 - 10:54 AM (#995917) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* Thanks Bob -- those sound like great ideas! I've considered vacuuming her before, but she's terrified of the sound of my big machine I think. She runs for cover every time I turn it on. Maybe I'll borrow my Dad's little hand-held "dust-buster" this afternoon and see if she'd tolerate that better. If she does, I'd happily fork out the money for one of my own! I think she'd really love that fish-oil tactic! And I betcha I could distract her from attacking both me and the comb if I spread it on one half of her body while I combed the other. Hmmmmmm ... Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes .... daylia |
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03 Aug 03 - 10:59 AM (#995918) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Jeri Aren't there some sort of grooming mits you can buy? To the cat, it would feel like you're simply petting them, but the mits pick up the hair. Also, maybe there's a brush with softer (rubber or hair) bristle thingies. The hardness of the comb may be what she objects to. |
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03 Aug 03 - 11:19 AM (#995929) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie A damp Chamois Leather, just stroke your pussy with it, and all the loose hair will stick to it. Giok |
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03 Aug 03 - 11:23 AM (#995930) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: wysiwyg Vagisil? ~S~ |
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03 Aug 03 - 11:26 AM (#995933) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk I know that cat. She's a difficult one. My suggestion is to drop her in a barrel full of neet hair remover. This will give you a relatively hair-free cat for a few weeks. I think you will find that she flees from any powered instrument, even a small one, but I may be wrong. You could try a flamethrower too, but the cat might get injured by that, so maybe not. - LH |
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03 Aug 03 - 11:58 AM (#995949) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk Here's another idea. Get one of those umbrellas that has a button you press which causes the umbrella to burst open suddenly. Take the Roo outside the house. Point the closed umbrella toward her. When she looks at it curiously, press the button. She will be so shocked that all her loose hair will fly off in all directions. Be sure to wear a face mask when you do this or you may be smothered in the cloud of tatty hair. Wait five minutes for things to settle, so you can find your way back to the house, then brush yourself off, and, voila! Problem solved for at least a week or two. - LH |
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03 Aug 03 - 12:16 PM (#995955) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Deckman Hi Daylia, A few years ago I picked up a wonderful device from my vet for this. It's hard to describe, but I'll try. It's a small block of pumice stone, about the size of a deck of cards. It's very lightweight. All of our cats LOVE to be rubbed with it. And the gobs of cat hair that cling to it are amazing. I don't remember the name of it, but perhaps if you call around to the vets and pet stores you can find one. I think it cost 3 bucks. Good luck, Bob |
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03 Aug 03 - 01:19 PM (#995974) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: NicoleC Pumice can be bought anywhere where cleaning supplies are sold or foot care products -- it's handy, versatile stuff. (Gets those mineral deposits off toilets, too.) Daylia, does your cat insist on watching you get ready in the morning? If so, she sees you brush yourself every day with no ill consequences. You might try a regular hair brush, and work up to the full body brushing. My kitty will only tolerate a "human" brush, and has gone from disliking being brushed (with a pet brush) to standing on the counter meowing and trying to get me to brush her hair too! She's shedding like crazy and I gotta brush her every day and she's still hacking up hairballs every now and then. Meanwhile, the hand mitt is probably a good bet. I suspect that grooming combs hurt and yank out the hair. Dogs mostly tolerate them, but most cats are more finicky. |
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03 Aug 03 - 01:43 PM (#995979) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: leprechaun Have you tried licking her fur? She might be more comfortable with that. |
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03 Aug 03 - 02:35 PM (#996001) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie Don't be silly you can't lick your own pussy. Giok |
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03 Aug 03 - 02:46 PM (#996005) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Raedwulf *sigh* I suppose I've got to do this in the current idiom, just don't make out it's *my* fault. What your pussy wants is to be stroked. At considerable length. Up & down, round & round, just don't stop. Set aside a time each day to spend 20 mins or longer to do just this. It's very therapeutic, not only for your pussy, but for you! Just remember to keep a bin within arm's length to dump the spare hair into... ;) |
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03 Aug 03 - 07:48 PM (#996129) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Bill D avoiding all the single entendré euphemisms..*grin*....I wonder if anyone has tried something as simple as wrapping your hand with a bit of 2" wide masking tape, wrapped sticky side out...and just gently patting...no noise, no comb or brush pulling...just the loose hairs clinging. |
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03 Aug 03 - 08:06 PM (#996138) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Rapparee Maybe one of those cylindrical sticky-paper things used for getting hair and stuff off of people clothes? When the paper won't hold any more you tear off the top sheet to expose a new sticky surface. |
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03 Aug 03 - 08:09 PM (#996140) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Bill D exactly...I was just avoiding the commercial type! |
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03 Aug 03 - 10:01 PM (#996180) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk Bill, you have no idea. This cat has very little patience, believe me. She doesn't mind a brief bit of entirely respectful petting (if she's in the mood, which is about half the time), but that's where it ends. The thought of removing her hair with sticky tape is laughable. You could use 1,000 yards of the stuff and still not be 1/10 of the way to your objective, and anyway she wouldn't let you. I have known the Roo casually for over 10 years, and she hasn't changed. She was testy then, and she's testy now. I say sedate the little fiend and vacuum her thoroughly once a week. - LH |
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03 Aug 03 - 10:18 PM (#996186) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Bill D oh, sure!..just ask yer local vet..."say,Doc...how can I knock out my cat once a week? Does Valium work on kitties, or shall I resort to choloroform?" *grin* Hey! I know...put the masking tape on all the surfaces she walks by! And it may even rid you of a few flies, too! |
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03 Aug 03 - 10:40 PM (#996192) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Chip2447 maybe dry cleaning would do the trick? |
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03 Aug 03 - 11:38 PM (#996209) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Helen I sometimes get a damp cloth and just pat the cat with it so that it thinks its mother is giving it a nice wash. The hairs stick to the cloth and it is minimal discomfort for the cat. I assume that the mits are similar and the chamois leather would be perfect, maybe even purr-fect. Whatever you do, do it gently and make it part of your normal petting process. The little rotters can read minds, you know, so even if you just *think* of the brush Roo will get antsy. Helen |
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04 Aug 03 - 12:02 AM (#996220) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* ROFLMHO! You people are just wonderful! I'm just sorry I got sidetracked today and haven't had the chance to check in till now! Jeri I like the idea of the grooming mitts, and Bob that pumice stone idea sounds great. Thanks! I am going to check with the vet and at the pet shoppes to see what's available. I've never seen anything like what you're describing though. Rapaire, Bill -- the sticky tape or roller sounds good too. I've got one of those cylindrical lint removers somewhere around here too -- thanks so much for the idea! Nicole she does like to watch me dry my hair and brush it. I think you're right, and Jeri too, about her objecting to the hardness of the comb. I was told by a vet many years ago that cats like combs better than brushes -- that's why I bought a couple special cat combs. SHe hates them as much as she hated the pet brush I had. Maybe a hairbrush with soft rubber bristles and rounded ends, not like the round ones I use with the hairdryer. She freaked out with the dust-buster too, GUEST Bob, so that won't work. I think every last one of her 2 zillion hairs KNOWS what's in store when I turn on a vacuum! And I decided to use the fish-oil thing only as a last resort. Don't want us BOTH smelling like pussy (sorry, couldn't resist ...) Little Hawk, that umbrella thing is absolutely hilarious~! I like it MUCH better than a bald cat (via Neet) or a flamethrower! I won't tell her you said ANY of that though, for your own safety next time you visit ... Chip, I only wish ... leprechaun, I'd lick her fur in a flash, but my toad would get jealous! (Have YOU licked your toad today???) ;>) Giok, with a little yoga anything is possible, even desirable ... just as long as it's Vagisil - free! Raedwulf, even reading your post was so stimulating and therapeutic I just HAFTA repeat it ... What your pussy wants is to be stroked. At considerable length. Up & down, round & round, just don't stop. Set aside a time each day to spend 20 mins or longer to do just this. It's very therapeutic, not only for your pussy, but for you! Think I'll copy this out in big gold letters and hang it over my bed (only to remind me of how to groom the Roo, of course!) Thanks!! LOL everyone -- I love y'all! But the Roo's been lookin pretty suspicious for the last half-hour or so ... she's getting a glower on even THINKING I'm thinking about these tactics ... daylia |
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04 Aug 03 - 01:07 AM (#996235) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: rangeroger It seems to me if you groom old pussy properly,you won't have to worry about catching young pussy. rr |
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04 Aug 03 - 02:56 AM (#996256) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Kaleea Daylia, One cannot be too careful with the elderly! This may be somewhat wordy & too much for some, but kitty lovers, do try to persevere as I believe I have some good things to relate on the subject. Anesthetics & tranquilizers usually are too risky to use on old pets, except for emergencies. I too have an old longhaired pussycat who abhors, loathes & despises being groomed with any implement. She is, as of a couple of weeks ago, 20 years old as--yes actual human years of the calendar. I believe that this is due mostly to her stubborn desire to be with me & keeping her as an indoor spayed kitty & much love & consideration for her well being, & also, somewhat because of Kitten chow for a year, good old Friskies (now the canned stuff, the hard stuff hurts her to chew), & having had a nutritional mineral oil based product in a tube amost every day of her life--except about 3 yrs ago when she refused it no matter what. Her beautiful, shiny, silky long fur became dull & ratty, untill it was completely matted down to her skin! In earlier years, while her short-haired sister (God rest her little soul!) of exact same coloring loved being brushed, my long-haired pussycat would begrudgingly allow me to brush her, but, an old boyfriend teased her so with it when I was not looking that she wouldn't let me brush her anymore--running at the sight of the thing. (The boyfriend went by the wayside with the brush--possibly with a couple of bruises from it.) Then after a while, I could use a small black comb--the wide teeth, not the small--, such as many men carry in their back pockets. This really did very well, & then came the day when she informed me quite strongly that she was not amused. I used the rubbery mitt, but she only allowed me to rub her head, cheeks, & back. The sides, however, were subject to her mood! She has never in her life allowed me to pet or groom her belly. Since she had surgery on her tushy once, she never allows anybody to touch that region, which must be trimmed occasionally for necessity. About a year ago on a whim, I found & bought a tube of the Felovite II (kitty vitamins in a tube) which she used to love so that she licked it directly from the tube. She now insists loudly about getting that stuff each morning! Her coat is now beginning to look better, but @ 4-5 months ago after months of the games of trying to cut the horrid mats out of her fur, I got one of those pet grooming shavers--which came with a hand held battery powered device which one might palm! I lowered the ironing board, covered it with a large towel, got all the implements I might possibly need within easy reach, pulled up a chair with adequate support for my back & laid her out & we struggled for over 2 hours, after which time, I had removed a large amount of her coat, but the shaver would not cut directly through the mats. I had to work my way down through the full inch or more of matted furr, one lump at a time! I was going as gently as possibly, knowing that her bones must be brittle & her old body easily pained. After I let her go from the torture chamber, and when she finally decided to be my "lap kitty" again, I began to use the mitt thing when she was sleepy, carefully rubbing along on the still matted spots. I then worked into rubbing with a small, soft brush, following with the other hand so as she could not see the brush. I highly reccommend this method the best, especially if your kitty has thick short hair, sometimes brushing a little diagonal upward to get to some of the undercoat. One coud use the mitt like this, too. But please go gently on the old soul, & give it a try with the nutritional supplements as this will help curtail hair loss & assist in furballs moving through pussycat more easily. Nothing like an upchucking kitty waking you in the wee hours, then upon arising & having forgotten, stepping in the same spot! Let this be a lesson to us that whenever we decide to make the commitment of bring a new feline or canine family member into our homes, we must establish good grooming habits quite early on, so as to have the critters quite accustomed to such things as brushing & combing & any such needed grooming, brushing of teeth--now they say we should floss!--& whatever other things must be done. I certainly never thought a cute & fuzzy little 6 week old furball would be with me 20 years later! |
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04 Aug 03 - 08:28 AM (#996363) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Rapparee Carefully hold the cat, petting her to lull her, pitch her into the dryer, and...no, that's probably not a good idea. The lint filter might not catch all the hair and your clothes would suffer for weeks afterwards. |
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04 Aug 03 - 09:33 AM (#996404) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie Yoga doesn't work, believe me, and yoghurt is only useful if your pussy catches a bird, but both the pussy and the yoghurt must be live. Just thought I'd bring a bit of culture into this discussion... Giok |
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04 Aug 03 - 10:22 AM (#996444) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: NicoleC Daylia, I think kitties like to watch us grooming ourselves. I know mine often likes to be sure that I'm watching her groom -- usually by sitting in my lap when she does it. If you want to try the hair brush, you might try using yours and get a new one for yourself. Yours will be familiar and smell okay. On my kitty, I use a brush that has the wide spaced soft plastic teeth with the little rubber tips, but also has bristles that are about half as high. The rubber teeth feel good, I think, but the bristles catch the surface hair. I don't think I'd recommend the fish oil, and it only means more hairballs! |
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04 Aug 03 - 10:24 AM (#996447) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: GUEST,I wish " with a little yoga anything is possible" "Yoga doesn't work, believe me" There is, however, an adult group on Yahoo (with pictures) devoted to the art of trying. Now back to your regularly scheduled cat grooming discussion. |
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04 Aug 03 - 11:51 AM (#996513) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: GUEST,Blind DRunk in Blind River Okay I've like got a question eh? How old is this pussy yer talkin' about? Just kinda wonderin eh? - BDiBR |
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04 Aug 03 - 04:34 PM (#996646) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Bill D oldest one I ever met was 23...*grin* |
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04 Aug 03 - 08:12 PM (#996746) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: SharonA Hi. Daylia: My 15-year-old kitty Arthur is also a black longhair with grey underfur that's prone to matting on his belly and on the backs of his hind legs (I understand that the fur there on the hind legs is properly called "pantaloons" by the cat-show folks). Artie HATES being combed but is fond of his double-sided brush: it has regular plastic bristles on one side and metal bristles in a rubber base on the other side. The metal bristles (which have rounded tips) take care of most of the matting, and most underfur that's loosened in brushing him with the metal bristles will be picked up by the plastic bristles on the flip side of the brush. Such brushes are commonly found in pet stores and pet-care sections of discount stores like the dreaded Wal-Mart. Of course, I still have to clean up the rest of the brushed-out fur with a grooming glove, and there's the occasional mat that won't yield to anything but a pair of scissors, but my first line of defense is that brush. I only use my cat-comb to comb the fur from the plastic bristles of the brush! Good luck, SharonA |
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04 Aug 03 - 10:20 PM (#996802) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Ely What about one of those brush things that attaches to a wall corner and lets the cat rub on it? Rub some catnip on it and maybe she'll groom herself. If you do try the fish-oil tactic, have a tube of cat laxative handy. You don't want to give her hairballs (you can vacuum hair but you can't vacuum barf . . . ). |
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04 Aug 03 - 11:10 PM (#996828) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: MAG My 17 year old Mama Cat is also a black longhair with grey underfur. She won't let me use the official scratchy fur brush but will tolerate the flea comb, which I use in small swipes. I have to get her brushed or she forms mats. I only use scissors on the mats; those official mat cutters look like torture implements to me. She still gets a mess of hairballs; my futon in a mess. I'm gonna take the rug shampooer to it. Wish me luck. MA, procrastinating on tractice, as usual. |
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04 Aug 03 - 11:36 PM (#996835) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* Kaleea thank you so much for your wonderful post! Lots of useful insights into the kitty psyche there ... Nicole, Sharon, Ely -- thanks for the suggestions about brushes and alternatives to brushing. Tommorrow I'm going to hit the pet stores and see what's available. Then I'll "hit" the Roo and her 2 zillion hairs with a whole new gentler and more effective approach, hopefully ... thank you all for sharing your And for all laughs too! :>) Good luck with your futon, MAG. And you're right -- scissors do work just great on those mats. Roo's only had one in her life, but it was a big one. I looked at it woefully for weeks, tried to take it off with a comb and Vaseline etc, earning myself quite a few hisses and scratches in the process, before I got up the nerve and do what my son suggested "Quit beatin around and cut the d*** thing off!" And he was right -- it did grow back in no time. And she did forgive me! daylia |
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04 Aug 03 - 11:41 PM (#996838) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk Another technique is to roll the cat in tiny iron filings until they are all through her hair...then pass the cat over or under a powerful electromagnet! Zap! All those loose hairs come out along with the iron filings. This method is very quick, once you've got the iron filings worked in properly, and the cat won't have a clue what you're up to either. I think in Roo's case you may have trouble even locating the electromagnet afterward, but I think it's worth a try. It'll be somewhere within the giant ball of hair. Take it outside and turn off the power. If there's a wind blowing, your problem will become your neighbours' problem instead. Try mixing the iron filings first with powdered catnip, and Roo will even do the rolling part for you. - LH |
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05 Aug 03 - 12:05 AM (#996853) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: GUEST Old pussy seldom cums when called
So throw away the comb and brush. |
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05 Aug 03 - 07:59 AM (#997002) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Liz the Squeak I have a puss that would run a mile usually vertically, to get away from a comb - she hated them. I then acquired two new cats who came with a rubber brush, affectionately known as the fetish brush. It's made of that slightly slimy feeling rubber, with 'bristles' each about 2 inches long and conical, the base of the cone being about 1/2 inch across. The slightly slimy rubber attracts the hairs, to such an extent, you wonder why the cat doesn't go bald and the bristles are not at all pointy or sharp but flexible and quite squidgy. The new pussies loved this brush and greeted it with such delight when I got it out, that the old one decided to get in on the act. The old pussy now rolls around in paroxysms of delight when you brush her with the fetish brush. I can wholeheartedly recommend them. LTS |
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05 Aug 03 - 08:13 AM (#997012) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* The old pussy now rolls around in paroxysms of delight when you brush her with the fetish brush. Wow Liz that sounds like a dream-cum-Roo! I will certainly keep my eyes peeled for a fetish brush when I hit the pet shops today! Thank you! daylia |
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05 Aug 03 - 12:18 PM (#997183) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk I'm trying hard to think of another bizarre solution that involves expensive and hard-to-find equipment, daylia, so stay tuned. We really should get Wolfgang in on this for the scientific approach. - LH |
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05 Aug 03 - 06:28 PM (#997457) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* The second pet shop I tried had 3 different kinds of grooming mitts -- I bought the best-looking one (little rubber knobbies on one side, a chamois on the other), brought it home, and distracted the Roo from the rather large strange-looking thing on my hand with a bit of cat-nip. THen I very gently and gingerly tried Raedwulf's 20 strokes round and round up and down thing on her most hospitable areas (NOT her belly or her tush) and VOILA! She actually LIKED it! (Either that or she just hasn't caught on yet) What a relief! She must have lost a lb of hair in 10 minutes, and didn't even notice! I'm so pleased -- we'll work up to the belly and tush by Christmas maybe. Thank you SO much to everyone, especially Jeri for recommending the mitt. I only wish I'd noticed the things in the pet shop before. Big letters on the box "AS ADVERTISED ON TV". Well, that's what I get for never watching TV I guess .... Between my quitting smoking and this belated-for-12-years VICTORY over the 2 zillion hairs on the Roo, I'll sure be breathing easier around here! Uh-oh, all this happiness is stirring up the poet in me ... Just take a big mitt to your pussy, with care, What pleasures await you beneath all that hair! (So THERE!) With much gratitude to you wunnerful Cats from myself AND the Roo, daylia PS But PLEASE, Little Hawk, don't let this stop you from coming up with more zany wild methods of groomin ole pussy! :>) |
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05 Aug 03 - 06:37 PM (#997462) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: NicoleC Hooray! Before you know it, you'll be posting a thread about how to deal with a cat that's constantly crying to be brushed! :) |
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05 Aug 03 - 06:56 PM (#997470) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* Oh Nicole, that'll be the day! But how do you deal with it -- keep a little folding brush in your pocket? daylia |
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05 Aug 03 - 07:00 PM (#997472) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: NicoleC Yeah, well, my place is not so big that I can't get up and get the thing :) Actually, my kitty usually cries when she sees me brush my hair -- she knows what it's for! And I think SHE thinks I'm brushing my hair for the joy of it instead of trying to get ready for work. Nonetheless, I'm a sucker when she gets on the bath counter and stands up on her hind legs reaching for the brush. It works, ergo she keeps doing it! |
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05 Aug 03 - 07:08 PM (#997479) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* :>) Ahh, that sounds so cute! And you're right Nicole, the size of the house does have a lot to do with how annoying a kitty can be. My last house was HUGE -- 8 bedrooms, 3 livingrooms, 2 kitchens -- hardly even noticed the hair then. But now, I'm sharing this little 1-bedroom cottage with her, and the hair per square inch was getting just ridiculous ... thanks again everyone! Purrrrrr --- daylia |
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05 Aug 03 - 09:27 PM (#997562) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk Dead right. In a castle with 500+ rooms one does not worry much about one cat. In a 2 room shack it's a different matter. Not that I'm suggesting you live in one! Your place is lovely. Just rambling on. But...DANG! I was really hoping you'd try the iron filings idea. Darn it all! Oh, well. Here's another notion. Go to your local military base (Base Borden?) and see if they will put the cat into a wind tunnel. They use 'em for testing airfoils and such. I figure an 800 knot wind would probably clear off most of the loose hair from the Roo... But expect a hefty fee for the service. After all, those military contractors buy $5,000 toilet seats and stuff like that regularly without blinking an eye, so I hear. - LH |
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05 Aug 03 - 09:39 PM (#997569) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Bill D what an idea, Amos!....Fwwwwoooooooooommmmmmm...bald pussy! Purty scary! |
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05 Aug 03 - 09:44 PM (#997571) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk Um...Bill...I am not Amos. |
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06 Aug 03 - 04:20 AM (#997712) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Liz the Squeak Of course, now you need to know what to do with all that loose pussy fur.... There was a book available (in Canada at least, don't know how widespread its publication was) which was entirely devoted to spinning and knitting things with dog hair - labrador I think, which being Canadian, would be logical. With a little Mudcat ingenuity, I'm sure we could adapt the patterns for pussy fur. Another option is to save it in a bag and give it to your local taxidermist for stuffing examples of local wildlife - beaver perhaps.... Or you could roll it round until it becomes matted, tease it out flat and make yourself a pussy-felt fabric for small garments or hats. A pussy cap could be quite useful, don't you think? LTS |
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06 Aug 03 - 04:42 AM (#997724) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie Did you say Chamois on one side Daylia? Smug Smug :-).....Giok |
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06 Aug 03 - 10:33 PM (#998294) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* A beaver stuffed with pussy hair? A pussy cap? Oh Liz, that sounds just purrrr - fectly ingenious! Only on Mudcat can one find such creative inspiration! :>) Actually, I was just thinking about what to do with all this fuzz as I groomed her -- for the second hiss-free time! -- today. (Well, it's not really hiss-free, but that's because you can only ever pat the Roo for a few minutes or so before she starts "playing", mitt or no mitt. As LH said. She grew up with my 3 sons, who tried to turn her into the Teen-age Mutant Ninja Cat or something, and she's never gotten over all that teasing. Fiesty little beast, she is ...) Giok, that chamois IS pretty smug ... :>) Thank you all again! And LH, the wind-tunnels' good, but the umbrella is the best yet ... daylia |
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06 Aug 03 - 10:42 PM (#998299) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk Yes, given what she went through with those boys it's a wonder the cat has any friendly qualities left whatsoever...I tend to forget that. They had better not hope she returns in another life as a full-sized black panther or they will be in deep shit should they venture near her hunting grounds! - LH |
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06 Aug 03 - 11:13 PM (#998311) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* Yes indeed Little Hawk, -- what goes aRoond definitely comes aRoond, even if it takes a lifetime or two ... Kaleea, I just want to tell you again how much I appreciate your post. Reading it through again, I can't believe all the similarities between my kitty-experiences and yours. Thanks for the wonderful tips on how to care for the Roo as she gets older too. I'm going to print this out now. If I ever come back as a cat, I know who I'll be seeking out to "own"! BTW my son just read this and corrected me -- she's not 12, she's only 10! (I knew that ... I must be getting senile in my old age or something!) And re meeting Roo as a black panther, he says "Very good! Bring it on!" Somehow I don't think he's sold on the multi-lives thing ... daylia |
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07 Aug 03 - 12:06 PM (#998364) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie Not like a woman to add a couple of years!! They do say that the best 10 years of a woman's life if between 35 and 36! Giok ¦¬]> |
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07 Aug 03 - 01:12 PM (#998427) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* Ahh, Giok! THAT's why I've been 35 so long now! It just feels like about a decade sometimes .... and here I thought it was a mathematical miracle or something. Must be, cuz my oldest son just turned 26 ..... :>) Not-so-old-after-all-daylia |
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07 Aug 03 - 03:16 PM (#998509) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Raedwulf OI! Giok, don't push it! The equipment was just a lucky guess, but technique... That takes experience, skill, knowledge... Who said fluke!!! ;) There's not a pussy in the world that can resist being stroked up & down & round & round, the only difficulty lies in getting close enough to start. Trust me on this... R P.S. Cats are always fascinated by humans that can lick their own eyebrows. Would I lie to you?! |
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07 Aug 03 - 03:26 PM (#998515) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Little Hawk That lad is always looking for excitement, isn't he? :-) - LH |
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07 Aug 03 - 03:27 PM (#998516) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie Daylia, my son is 36, so you've got no grounds for complaint. My what an old bugger I am!! Giok |
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07 Aug 03 - 03:46 PM (#998528) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: GUEST daylia - cat fur can *indeed* be spun. I've seen some lovely yarns made from cat. But you need to find a handspinner who is willing... |
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07 Aug 03 - 03:55 PM (#998534) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: GUEST,MMario see for some comments on spinning cat "wool" and the remark she makes about Samoyed? I can verify from experience! |
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07 Aug 03 - 11:25 PM (#998755) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Helen I bought some spun dog fur once, taken from a collie dog. It was beautifully soft and had lovely variations of colour from the dog's coat. Helen |
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08 Aug 03 - 08:00 AM (#998891) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: *daylia* Oh Giok, between your brave and true confessions about your son's age, and Raedwulf's stimulating and therapeutic insights about :>) Thanks! Very interesting ideas about spinning cat/dog hair into wool, everyone. Who'da thought? MMario, I really enjoyed that link -- how do you find such unique and right-on-topic links? The only thing stopping me from trying to spin the Roo's hair is this part ... "If you have a short-haired cat, or want something that is easier to spin, it was very much recommended to blend the cat fur with sheep wool instead of using pure cat fur." Roo is short-haired, and there's unfortunately no room for a sheep in this little cottage. Too Baaaaad. Hey, maybe I could use my own hair instead! There's a big enough supply in the shower drain, and it's more than long enough ... I really like her closing words ... "It would be a wonderful memorial to still be able the enjoy the touch of Shmogg's fur on my skin long after he passes to Rainbow Bridge." I never imagined that when the Roo's in the Happy Hunting Grounds, I might feel nostalgia for those 2 zillion hairs. Maybe there's a song in this somewhere ... Will I be blue? Tell me, what will I do When I'm free of the 2 zillion hairs on the Roo? Hmmmm ... maybe not .... daylia |
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08 Aug 03 - 08:42 AM (#998904) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: AggieD Hi all, just thought I'd add my ideas. I have 2 long haired cats. The white one has a lovely silky coat which isn't too bad to groom, but the golden has a really ratty coat with a grey undercoat. I find that just by using my hands I can get a lot of the fur out, especially just pulling apart any matts with my fingers. The cats usually accept this, as you don't have anything in your hands & the feeling is more like them being groomed by another cat. If you just get hold of a section of hair & gently pull it out from the root upward, it takes out a lot of the undercoat, matts etc. I may well try to find a mitt & see if they like that. I won't touch them with scissors anymore, after I cut into the skin of one of the cats when she moved the wrong way, & it was an expensive trip to the vet to have stitches. Ooops! Owww! The tummy & tush are seperate problems altogether, & I just have to get my husband in the mood to hold down the pussy while I have a good go :>)! |
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08 Aug 03 - 08:48 AM (#998912) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie As long as it's not titled Ode to a dead Pussy My Pussy's pushing up the Daisies I gave my Catatonic I can't pat my Pussy no more. Since my Pussy was stiffed Ding dong dell, Pussy's gone to ..... I could go on, but I know others will take up the paton. Giok |
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10 Aug 03 - 08:16 AM (#999627) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: John MacKenzie WELL!!! |
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10 Aug 03 - 09:12 PM (#999976) Subject: RE: BS: Advise on grooming old pussy From: Amos I was going to suggest lining a large plastic trashbag with double-sided tape and then carrying the cat around in it for a few days. But it sounds like you have fulfilled your requirements!! A |