Brushing an elderly cat - any tips

[Millys Mum]

Gooey gets tufty as he doesnt groom out of principal  so every so often out come the tough gloves and the comb and he is groomed despite his annoyance. He wont be messed around with regularly so spaced out sessions it is, its enough for me as well 
I keep threatening him with the groomers but i dont think it would be fair on them 

[Mark]

Before I fell out with them, one of the vets next door showed me how he gets rid of clumps. He said there is no need to cut them out. He just carefully separated the hairs without pulling on them and all the loose hair comes out. I'm concerned that if there are clumps, apart from skin irritation etc, they can't bend their back properly without stretching the skin so it must be uncomfortable.

[Janeyk]

I have used mainly a wide-toothed comb for all my oldies Christine who usually flinch round their back ends due to stiffness.  I have lots of different brushes but find that the comb gets the most hair out the quickest so if they aren't keen about being brushed it's over with fairly quickly and so long as it's done gently they usually enjoy it.

[Christine (Blip)]

Blip is the same and was, just yesterday, diagnosed with spondylitis following x-rays.

To answer your question, though, I agree with trying to groom a little bit at a time while Bunty is relaxed.  And have you tried a wide-toothed comb rather than - or as well as - a brush?

Edited for spelling - again  !

[Dawn F]

star has been matting a lot lately - do you think it could be to do with her age - I've no idea how old she is????

[MrsR]

Mark thats just what Bunty is like

[Mark]

I have the same problem with Alice. I even took her to the vet thinking she was arthritic or something. The vet pulled her around and doesn't think so but said there must be some tenderness. I wait until she is eating and separate the clumps with my fingers. Still not ideal as she has fur sticking up above her tail. She isn't at all agressive but in certain areas, what you would call her hips I suppose, it must be sore as I get a warning bat - she puts her claws out and bats my hand just enough to give me pin pricks.

[Janeyk]

I just do those areas very gently and as Rosella says slowly xx

[Rosella moggy]

Obvious perhaps but very slowly does it and when you are feeling calm and relaxed.

[MrsR]

Bunty likes being brushed but now as she has only 4 teeth left and is thin from her hyperthyroidism there are parts of her that she hates having brushed but I obviously need to get to them as she will matt and has started too - any tips?