Cannot Brush

[tryingmybestest]

About two years ago I adopted a rescue cat who had been abused before. Me and her get along great and she's not scared of me. Though she's still terrified of other people, including those that live with me. The biggest problem is that I cannot brush her she freaks out and hides if I try. This wouldn't be a problem if that didn't mean that the entire place is covered in her cat hair.
Picking her up isn't really an option she hates it and it only happens when I need to take her to the vet and apply flea prevention.

Please help everything I own is covered in cat hair and whenever I pet her hair literally floats in the air.

Have you tried one of these? My last cat loved it. My new rescue cat doesn’t and Is very timid but will sit on my knee and I can manage a couple of strokes with a little baby brush. It does collect the hair and is soft enough for her to not bother too much. Does your cat ever sit on your knee or near you? My brush is next to me so I can brush whenever she sits near me.

www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Grooming-Remover-Efficient-Massage/dp/B01KUYM7P6/ref=asc_df_B01KUYM7P6/?hvlocphy=1007422&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=237404336331&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-420246953710&hvrand=4261502789336314339

What brush are you trying to use?

I would say start very small so it's not scary, use a toothbrush to tease her with to get her to pounce on it, then a quick run down her back just once and back to playing, it's not a quick solution but it will show her you won't hurt her and the toothbrush is supposed to mimic the feel of the mother cat when she was a kitten and being groomed.

Then potentially up to 2 brushes to play with and now she has got the idea that it feels nice can maybe change to a pet glove over your hand and a toothbrush to distract/play - treats also help.

I use a pack of 2 toothbrush from Tesco for 25p. They are chewed and loved by the kittens.

The thing she doesn't like seems to be the feel of the brush. I tried a fine tooth comb and as long as she couldn't see it she was okay but it just wasn't getting enough hair out

@NotanotherboxofFrogs
I just tried a tooth brush and it got some hair out but she ran after one stroke

My friend has the same issue. When I saw them after lock down I was shocked by their appearance. So read the riot act and they are booked into a professional groomer!

One of my cat loves the silicone glove and it collects lots of hair

Zoom Groom (cheaper versions are available!) worked on my late boy Harley when he didn't like the brush.

I agree with little and often. Make it a fun and enjoyable experience for both of you. Took Leroy a while, but now asks for brushes these days (strictly on his terms though). I use a Tangle Teaser for him now.

@tryingmybestest the one stroke might be enough for today and maybe 2 stroke tomorrow, she has been hurt and abused so you are starting from scratch and slowly letting her see it doesn't hurt and feels nice and then work up to other tools, give a treat as you try the one or maybe 2 stroke tomorrow as positive association

I found that a slicker brush is also quite good for one of live who doesn't like to be groomed.

@NotanotherboxofFrogs has an excellent plan. That poor cat being abused like that. Their so small & vulnerable.

You could also try a rubber glove ( marigold type ) it wont get all the fur off but it will remove the surface fluff and as PP said even one stroke a day is a start , patience is the key