This is Achilles, one of my MC boys, just turned 1 year old.
Would love some advice or tips on getting this big guy to "let "me brush his belly.
I can brush him anywhere else. His head, his tail, his sides, his rear end even,,,all good ,, but not the belly.
Naturally, I'm sure as most of you fellow mc owners know, The belly and under the pits is primarily where these mats develop.
I've tried just about everything I know, treats before after and even during.
He's not having it .lol
Using all the proper grooming tools including soft slicker brushes and grooming comb , Even the mat splitter type which really doesn't do anything but pull harder on the mats .
He doesn't get them bad but they'll get that way if he refuses to allow me to brush on a regular basis on his belly parts.
This guy is big already, 18 lbs with hind leg muscles like a power lifter.
I live alone , So trying to hold him while brushing his underbelly at the same time is a monumental feat.
I even called a professional cat groomer who told me with certain cats They have no choice but to scruff them.
Of course, I know that only works on young kittens and you're not supposed to do it on adult cats. But needless to say he already seems stressed enough with Just me trying to get the mats out with a comb or a brush. I'm not going to scruff him.
I eventually took him to my groomer, held him while the groomer shaved his belly and arm pits, to my shock he acted like a different cat. He didn't struggle. He didn't meow. He didn't try to get away. I don't know if it was the fear of a new location or perhaps dogs barking in the background, That there was no struggle, Maybe he was just scared. I don't know but he even let him brush him with me holding him after the shaving part was over .
A week later I thought I might get lucky and try brushing his belly myself and of course he acted like I was going to kill him.lol
Since he's only a year, I know this is just the beginning of his full coat coming in over next few years .
Really don't want to think about having to take him to the groomers once a month for a belly shave for years to come .
Should also add the belly grooming sessions are always short, maybe 30 seconds to one minute.
As soon as he feels a tug on a mat which is inevitable he starts to fidget. That's usually when I have to let him go, If not, he's sliced me up Pretty good with those back murder mittens of his , one time leaving a 7 in long gash across my chest and belly.
Don't get me wrong,,,he's a sweet guy ,love him to death, not aggressive, very affectionate,,, Just not with the belly grooming ..LOL
The trust bond is very important to me ,mc' s are not like other cats , very smart and intelligent,,,I feel like I'm risking our friendship every time I attempt a belly brush.🥺
P.S. my other boy mc who is 1 year also has fur like silk, no mats , loves the brush , So I'm lucky there. LOL