The boys and I just finished a group grooming session.

[Siwsan]

Madoc groomed me while Gryff groomed Madoc and I groomed Gryff. Just to be clear, I used a comb. Apparently the whole process was exhausting for them.

[SheltieLover]

1. Glad you used a comb

Such sweet boys! Ty for sharing them with us.

[iscooterliberally]

2. This reminds me of an old Steve Martin quote.

“I gave my cat a bath the other day...they love it. He sat there, he enjoyed it, it was fun for me. The fur would stick to my tongue, but other than that...”

― Steve Martin

[Polly Hennessey]

3. Grooming and being groomed is exhausting.

[ShazzieB]

4. I'm convinced that everything about being a cat must be exhausting.

It obviously wears them out! And nobody sleeps with more gusto and utter abandon than a cat!

Just look at this picture of Willow after putting in a long, hard day of being a kitteh:

It's exhausting, I tell you.

[wnylib]

5. I am envious of people who can

groom their cats. Ember loves being petted on the top of her head and behind her ears, up to her shoulders. She even lets me rub her chest, with my hands. But touching her beyond that is hazardous.

She has been like that since she was a tiny kitten. Combs and brushes get slapped right out of my hand while her tail thumps and her throat growls.

On a good day, I can get in a couple strokes with a comb on her back and a quick swipe of her tail before she goes feral on me.

[Siwsan]

6. Gryff was very resistant, at first

I think he watched Madoc, who doesn't mind being combed, at all. I started combing him when I first brought him in.

Gryff has become tolerant. When he's had enough, he just gets up and hops off of my lap.

[wnylib]

7. Ember is 6 years old.

I don't think her attitude about being brushed or combed is going to change, unfortunately. I have even tried giving her treats as a reward. She's not a heavy shedder, but she does shed. She looks so sleek and shiny after a combing when I can manage it that it's a shame that she is so difficult about it. She also does not allow her claws to be cut. The vet has to sedate her first. She insists on doing ALL her own grooming herself.

[Siwsan]

8. I've trimmed Madoc's claws and I'm working on introducing the process to Gryff

Slowly but surely.

[wnylib]

9. I've clipped dogs' claws in the past,

a border collie and a beagle/bassett mix.

I would not try to clip Ember's claws unless I wore a full suit of body armor and she was immobilized in a vise. Since I would not put her or myself through that, she will never get claws clipped at home or at a groomer's.

When she was only 4 months old, I watched 2 vet assistants and the vet struggle valiantly to complete a clipping. When she was older, I sat in the waiting room listening to her howls from behind closed doors down the hall until they resorted to anesthesia.

I do not bother to get them clipped any more. It is too traumatic for her and for me. She has 3 scratching posts at home to do her own trimmings.

[Siwsan]

10. I've got lots of scratching posts throughout the house

Claw trimming is definitely not a priority, but if I can accomplish it, I will.

My Sophie Stinky Toes was a feisty little cat but she didn't mind the trimming. Boudicca, who was about as subdued as a cat can be, fought it like a wild cat.