(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best cat grooming supplies

Wooooo okay! Here's 1-20, and I will give the bonus ones a go in just a few minutes! fear cuts deeper than swords

1.) Something that is grey. How about a knife set?!

2.) Something reminiscent of rain. Cinema Paradiso! The cover of it is two people in the rain :) (Movies wishlist)

3.) Something food related that is unusual. This Manatea infuser is unusual! (Default wishlist)

4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!) I have a pet wishlist and a wishlist for my best friend! This traveling litter box is the perfect combination--it's so I can take my kitty on trips to my best friend's place! (Kitty wishlist)

5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it! Why have just one book when you could have 3000?! This little usb is loaded with over 3000 classic novels. Yes, almost all of these novels are free on Project Gutenberg, but having them all in one spot ready for you to peruse is amazing. You're almost guaranteed to find a book worth reading that you haven't read yet! (Books wishlist)

6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related! Well, not a physical item, but I have an mp3! (Music wishlist)

7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (keep this SFW, you know who you are...) Kitty nail caps! I have a sphynx, so I have to clip her nails roughly every week (otherwise when she scratches herself, she cuts herself up D:). Nail caps are a cute and more hassle-free way of dealing with her claws! (Kitty wishlist)

8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it. This one is pretty tough for me, actually--I love purposeful items! However, I already have a cheese grater, so this hedgehog shaped one isn't actually something I NEED--it's just so cool!! (Default wishlist)

9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why? Life is Beautiful. It's a sweet, touching, and heartbreaking story of a Jewish father trying to keep the joy in life in a concentration camp. It's laugh-out-loud funny, and so sad you'll cry. Definitely worth watching. (Movies wishlist)

10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain. Packaged, high-cal foods will be really helpful! You have to keep your energy up while you're on the run, and you need a portable snack! These cookies are sure to give you the extra boost you need to escape the zombies. (Default wishlist)

11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals. Hmmm this is a toss-up for me. I need a laptop for life. I have a little chromebook, but when I need to update my resumes and write cover letters, I need to go to the library to use an actual computer to make sure the formatting is right. A laptop would help with the job hunt and (hopefully) help land me a job! (Expensive things wishlist) My other goal, to become healthier, would be helped by wrist weights to wear during my runs! No, it's not a huge amount of weight, but it will make my runs that much more difficult and help tone my arms! It's a small change with a big impact :) (Default wishlist)

12.) One of those pesky Add-On items. Oh gosh, take your pick. Cat snuggie (kitty wishlist), sriracha (who doesn't love hot sauce?! Under $6 wishlist), a pumice stone (Under $6 wishlist), or a kitty laser toy! (kitty wishlist)

13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why? A $500 keyboard. I love playing piano, but I'm a young and flighty thing--I fully expect to be moving around a lot for the next 5-10 years, and I can neither afford an actual piano, nor can I imagine transporting one in and out of various apartments. This keyboard will give me the chance to practice and enjoy playing, but it's a much more compact and liveable way of doing so. (Expensive things wishlist)

14.) Something bigger than a bread box. A relatively cheap and yet still nice vacuum cleaner! Nice, easy to use, and practical :) (Expensive things)

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball. A storm trooper USB! Cute and practical! (Default wishlist)

16.) Something that smells wonderful. Lavender chamomile bubble bath! I don't know about you, but few things smell more relaxing to me than lavender and chamomile, so a combo bubble bath just sounds like bliss to me. (Default wishlist)

17.) A (SFW) toy. Here's a whole bag of toys! And less than $10 too! My kitty would have a field day with all those toys :) (Kitty wishlist!)

18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school. A lunch box! I always brought my lunch to school, so every year I got a cool new lunch box for that year :) These ones are super cute, and insulated! (Default wishlist)

19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be. I've had a life-long Disney obsession! (Movies wishlist) My whole bathroom is Mickey themed (default wishlist), and I'm always looking for cool new Disney items to add to my wishlist! I seriously love Disney.

20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand. You too can own the Sword of Gryffindor! (Expensive things wishlist) Not only do you get to wield the weapon that destroyed three pieces of Voldemort's soul, it's also pretty practical! It's a letter opener that you can proudly display resting in the hands of a lion :) (Expensive things wishlist)

Pretend as if you have adopted a very mobile, active toddler/baby human. Try to look around your home and see any things the cat might get into/eat/destroy and tidy up those things as much as possible. For example, if you have blinds on the window in your room, you might want to tie up the pull-strings so a curious cat can't grab them, and tuck electrical cords away as best you can. If you have any houseplants, google them online to make sure they aren't toxic (a good place to start is https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list ). Cats definitely won't stop themselves from eating toxic plants - my 19-year-old idiot decided the green onions in the backyard looked tasty one day and tried a bite, and my 1-year-old idiot had a go at a poinsettia I had inside (it has since been exiled to the backyard - the plant, not the cat!)


I also personally NEVER leave out any toys that my cats can easily rip up and ingest parts of - this means nothing small and nothing with feathers, string, leather, or straw. Cats can get VERY sick and die if they eat string/"linear foreign bodies".


I only leave out sturdy "interactive" toys that the cats can initiate play with on their own, such as these:


https://www.amazon.com/Petmate-Crazy-Circle-Interactive-Large/dp/B0002AT5AO

https://www.amazon.com/Petstages-317-Tower-Tracks-Chase/dp/B00DT2WL26/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1487151213&sr=1-1&keywords=tower+of+tracks


Putting normal toys away when it isn't "playtime" also helps keep the cat from getting bored with the toys. And cats CAN be curious about the strangest things - they'll want to open cupboards and knock things off tables and investigate every box and bag that comes into the house. So if anyone in your house takes medicines, make sure the bottles are closed very firmly, and put away in a cupboard, things like that. If you have things that you collect (like statues or figurines) or if you have anything breakable, make sure it isn't sitting on a table where a cat can paw it off onto the ground! A cat will paw at/investigate everything. You can't protect them from everything, and no one can put away everything in their lives, but you can take a few precautions.


Another general word of advice I can give, and it's perhaps the most important one, is do not feed her kibble. No kibble at all. Feed her canned food only (preferably grain-free). Kibble is terrible and leads to a number of health problems, including urinary tract problems, kidney problems, and chronic dehydration (which leads to constipation). Long story short, for the best health, cats should be fed a grain-free canned formula high in meat protein, which is closer to their normal, natural diet, and no kibble whatsoever. Even the worst canned food is miles better than the "best" high-quality gourmet kibble. Kibble has no benefits at all. It is worth the $$$ to feed a canned food diet, you will save money in vet bills and dental cleanings overall.


If you are interested, the reason for wet food is this - cats have a very low thirst drive, as they evolved from desert-dwelling animals, and have changed very little after our "domestication" of them - genetically and physically, they're still pretty much 99% their ancestors. A wild feline is designed to get almost all of its moisture needs out of its prey (meat, blood) and thus has very little "urge" to drink. Even if you think a cat is drinking enough, it's not. Any cat on kibble is in a state of dehydration - they simply do not drink enough to make up for it.


The other benefit of high-protein, grain-free canned foods is that they have actual MEAT proteins, and will provide good, usable nutrients to your cats, instead of useless bulky grains and carbs. Most kibbles are mostly grains, which means they pass through the cat's digestive tract without being digested. The cat derives no nutritional value from them. On a good meaty canned food, cats will eat their meals and feel more appropriately full, because their bodies are able to actually digest the food they're eating. With kibble, especially free-fed kibble, a cat will always eat more than you realize they are, because they can't digest half of what they're eating, so they constantly feel hungry, because they're literally not getting the proper nutrition from their food.

Also - having cats on a species-appropriate diet will have one other benefit. Their poops will smell a LOT less! (On a raw diet, the poops will be small, dry, whitish, and they will have no smell at all. No joke. I can stick my entire head in the litterbox seconds after my cat drops a deuce and I can't smell a thing.) Cats bury their waste instinctively to protect themselves from being found by predators and competitors (other cats), so their bodies are designed to digest protein very efficiently and thus they will produce less waste and less smell when on an appropriate diet. And every cat owner wants a less stinky litterbox!


Fish is not an appropriate diet for cats - do not feed a food that is primarily fish or high in fish. Cats build up mercury in their bodies far faster than humans do, since they are smaller, plus fish causes other issues: http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/why-fish-is-dangerous-for-cats/


Feed him A LOT. Kittens need to eat pretty much constantly as they are literally just calorie-burning growing machines ;} I've heard "feed a kitten as much as it will eat". Kittens usually need to eat up to 3x the recommended amount of adult food per day - when my younger girl was still a kitten, she would eat 6-7 cans (3oz each) per day. Keep offering food often - they need to eat every few hours. Feed him on this schedule until a year old - then the average cat needs ~3% of its body weight in food a day (canned/raw).


Get vet checkups at least once a year (including dental checks/cleaning), and have him microchipped and have him wear a collar with ID tags at all times, even if you intend for him to be fully indoors. I have two friends, one in Arizona and the other in California, both who refused to put collars/ID tags on their cats because "oh, they'll never get out!" (One friend didn't even spay her cat, she was THAT convinced the cat would never escape.) Of course, both sets of cats got out - in Arizona through the carelessness of another family member, and in California as the result of a burglary that left a window smashed. One friend only found one of her cats. The other found hers, but the cat had gotten pregnant in the meantime. So, all cats should wear collars and ID tags, because no matter how careful YOU are, bad luck still happens!


Make sure you familiarize yourself with foods that are toxic to cats and keep them away from the cat - these include xylitol, chocolate, onions, garlic, and alcohol. As I mentioned before, many houseplants are toxic as well, such as poinsettias and lilies. Citrus fruits are toxic to cats. Many "essential oils" are also toxic to cats, so if you or anyone you live with uses scented oils or essential oils (such as tea tree oil), be careful.



You may want to get multiple litterboxes. The "general rule of thumb" is one box per cat plus one. Scoop every day! You can invest in rolls of "doggie-doo bags" like these - https://www.amazon.com/Bags-Board-Waste-Pick-up-Refill/dp/B000UCU53U I open one bag and put it next to me when I'm scooping the box. I drop the poops and pee-clumps into the doggie-doo bag, then tie off the bag and toss it! It helps keep stink to a minimum inbetween trash pickup days, and it's more sanitary than just dumping the bits straight into the trash can.


I also have my litterboxes on litter mats. They will save your sanity. This is my favorite one so far:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AUU90K0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A litter mat REALLY helps "catch" most tracked-out litter. I've also got one of these mats, which is great for its size but isn't AS easy to clean:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016PHLNRA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bathe my two cats regularly. Neither of my cats have died, exploded, murdered me, melted, or otherwise been harmed by bathing, so I see no problem with bathing a cat as long as it's carried out properly. I bathe them with a cat shampoo (never human shampoo or soap) and make sure I rinse thoroughly. I also have one of those pet hose attachment things for my shower - https://www.amazon.com/Rinse-Ace-Sprayer-Showerhead-Attachment/dp/B000633XBE - this has made bathing so, SO much easier and faster.


That's all I can think up off the top of my head for now :} I'm definitely no cat expert, but feel free to ask any other questions you might have!

I figured since I've never taken my dog to a groomer I may be able to help with this. I'm not a professional groomer at all and the equipment is expensive but I figured that if it's going to cost me $80+ every time I take her to the groomer then the expensive equipment pays for itself in no time. The thing is, it does take forever and I personally recommend having a second person to help you only because I've never done it alone and can't imagine how long it would take if I did. The other thing too is that it will depend on your pup. Have you spent time getting them used to being handled or learning to basically hold still while you groom them? I knew this would be important for me and my pup was exposed to blow dryers, scissors, and the electric razor regularly from the moment I got her at 8 weeks. I have regularly trimmed her nails since she was a pup too so she is very used to being handled. I also taught her that if I'm working on her fur (when she was a young pup I would use a comb and brush regularly for this) she is to hold still. I didn't give her her first real hair cut until she was 8 months but she was already used to the strange sounds and holding still by that point. Before the 8 month mark I did trim her paws and around her eyes though.

If your pup isn't patient with you, its going to be a challenge and may not be worth it. Mine holds still for everything and it still takes my husband and I about 3 hours to get the job done. That said, here is my process.

The first time we groomed her it was awful and it took us almost 6 hours start to finish. This was because her fur had a lot of mats. If you can't get a regular comb through the fur then you aren't going to get the trimmers through either. So taking them to the groomer first is probably a good idea to stick with because they will handle the mats and such for you that first time. After that, you need to keep up with the grooming regularly (mine is groomed every 6 weeks) in order to make the process easier for yourself because the mats won't come back if the fur is trimmed regularly so it won't be an issue. The other issue we had the first time was that we tried to use these and they really didn't work out. They would snag in her fur, they also seemed to kinda push her fur down and out of the way so that it wouldn't get cut. It was just a huge waste of time trying to use them and now we just use this blade directly and it works perfectly.

So basically this is our process. We use a regular folding table because you do not want to do this on the floor. We did it on the floor the first time and it was awful on our backs so you want to be standing. One of us is always holding her so that she will not fall off of the table and we take turns trimming her fur going along with the grain. Be sure to check the trimmers temperature regularly because they can get hot. When they get hot, set them down and use the down time to trim the paws, face, tail, or ears with scissors or comb out any mats that may be in the way (we no longer have a problem with mats since she is groomed regularly). Once the blade is cool again continue trimming the entire body, taking breaks to cool down as needed and repeat the scissor trim every time the clipper needs to cool. We trim everything with the electric clippers except for around the eyes, ears, snout, tail, paw pads, and around the paws. Those extra areas are scissors only for us but you can do whatever you like. After her entire body is trimmed we switch to the shorter blade and trim her sanitary areas. We like the poo area to be extra short in order to avoid the dingleberries. You can also use the short blade to help with trimming around the paw pads. Finally, after everything is cut she gets a bath and blow dry.

It really is a lot of work but we both think that the 2-3 hours we spend doing it is worth it over the cost of a groomer. But it's definitely not for everyone and I also think it depends on the dog. If the dog won't cooperate it's going to make it that much more time consuming and difficult. Here is a list of all of the grooming tools I use:

• Andis Detachable Blade Clipper - For all of the trimming that doesn't use scissors.
  
• 3 3/4 Blade - For most of the body, switch to the short blade that comes with the clippers for the sanitary regions and around paw pads.
  
• Scissors - I use these for everything that needs to be trimmed with scissors. I like that they have the ball tip making them less pokey.
  
• Thinning Shears - Not required but they do help make her snout and tail less choppy looking after they've been cut with regular scissors.
  
• De-matting Comb - This has been a must for me! It is great at getting out those mats.
  
• Comb - I recommend having a regular comb. If this comb can't get through then your clippers won't either.
  
• Blow Dryer - I don't know if it's absolutely required to blow dry after baths but I do and I recommend getting a powerful one.
  
• Shower Hose - Not required but I use this for her in my shower and it has made bath time much easier.
  
  I think that covers everything, I may be forgetting something but that's all I've got for now. If you do decide to do it just make sure you have a decent time block for it since it may take a while. Good luck!
  
  Also, here are some pictures of my pup right after being groomed with the clipper size I've mentioned above.

Some of these are probably things you've already thought about, but here is my list.

Please visit /r/puppy101 !

• Kennel appropriate for his size, should be able to lay down and turn around in it. Too big and the puppy will be more prone to accidents in their kennel. (Midwest Homes makes great crates for all sizes, most come with a divider).
  
• Bedding for kennel and soft blanket. (Example)
  
• Baby blankets, just a personal thing for me - I set up a blanket and put her toys on it, it's her "play area". (Example)
  
• Stuffed toys, squeaky toys, tuggy toys, chew toys (puppy appropriate), snuggle toys - TOYS, TOYS, TOYS. Pets Smart has a buy 2 get 1 free sale, or least they did a week ago. Kong is one of the brands on sale, I highly recommend them.
  
• Teething toys for when he eventually starts teething. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000084E6V/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1 ,
  
• A Kong toy, look up how to use one and which one to buy - my puppy loves it. (http://www.kongcompany.com/)
  
• Toy bin.
  
• Treats that can be cut up into small pieces for training. I use deli Turkey and Chicken, as well as Apples & peanut butter. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0ZJHW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 , http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HBBQKY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 , http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002H3R2E/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1)
  
• A clicker, if you've decided to do clicker training. (Example)
  
• Harness.
  
• Collar and tags.
  
• Water bowl, food bowl, and mat.
  
• Food storage container, and a scoop.
  
• Treat bag. (Example)
  
• Dental care kit. (Example)
  
• Brush, or Furminator if they're going to be long-haired. (Example, Example)
  
• Shampoo and/or conditioner (Example)
  
• Leash for leash training, and a long leash for other training.
  
• Towels. Large one for drying him or his feet, and small ones for cleaning up messes.
  
• Nature's Miracle, for mess clean up. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJPSXN8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• Poop bags or pooper scooper, as well as a poop bag dispenser or trash can for poop. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017SZNOW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 , http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M4QLXAE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• Doggy "diaper bag". I bought a tote online so I can bring stuff with me for travel (to dog park, vet, friends house, etc.) (Example)
  
• Baby gates. So many baby gates - I have two with cat doors and a large door for humans to easily walk through. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00229V2KE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
  
• Look into CareCredit or Pet Insurance.
  
• Look up Vets in your area and the costs of all their vaccines/boosters/exams/spray or neuter/rabies shots/etc.
  
• Look up your states laws on dog registration (usually occurs right after they get their rabies shot).
  
  Edit: Forgot Nail Clipps and/or a dremel.

Congrats!! If you've never had a puppy before, my #1 recommendation is to get a trainer who will come to your house and work with you. They are more for you than for the dog. We did that and while it was really expensive, it was a blessing!

One thing our trainer told us is to let the puppy have access to only a little bit of the house at a time. A crate helps with that, but we didn't want it to feel like punishment and we wanted to be able to let him play around just as a dog in a controlled area. So we bought this playpen and zip tied it to the crate. You can also get linoleum to put underneath the playpen area, but make sure it's all one sheet (otherwise he'll chew on the ends). That also helps clean up potty mistakes!

Speaking of potty, we got a little bell to put on the door. We made him nudge it with his nose or paw (basically picked him up) every time we went out. Then when we finally let him explore more, he knew how to let us know he had to go. Of course, he also used it just as an excuse to go outside, so there's that.

You mentioned you're good to go on crates--did you get one that is life stages and lets you adjust how much room is available? Not a huge deal if not, but if you did, make sure you use it. They don't need a whole lot of room in the crate because they'll just pee on one end and sleep on the other.

For grooming, you don't really need a lot for a puppy (at least in our experience, and our older dog grew up to be a HUGE fluffball). You're more likely to hurt him and turn him off. For our grown up guys, we use a pin brush, a rake brush, a de-matting comb, grooming scissors, and dremmel. We also do your normal ear cleaning solution (we get ours from the vet, so I don't remember the brand offhand, it's the same thing as online) and shampoo. This is what we used when they were puppies. Another essential is puppy wipes for pesky danglers and muddy paws.

For a puppy, though, I really wouldn't use all that stuff. We used a little kong brush to get him used to a brush on his fur, but we didn't even use that until his fur was a little longer (but still too short to use the other brushes). The big thing with grooming a puppy is getting him used to you touching him EVERYWHERE. Stick your fingers in his ears and mouth, rub all over his paws, make him lay down on his back in your lap, etc. Definitely start on nails asap--even if you don't actually trim them, just holding the dremmel up to their nails and getting them used to it helps A LOT. Also the ear cleaner is an essential for golden puppies. Our trainer and vet both told us to drop it in their ears, let them shake their heads, then use q-tips in all the nooks and crannies.

Other essential products are LOTS of toys. You'll figure out real quick what your guy likes. Our first dog was more of a casual chewer, so fabric toys worked, but our second dog LOVES to eat fabric so we had to go with hard toys only. I highly recommend toys by West Paw! As you know, golden puppies will chew on LITERALLY EVERYTHING so you need a backup distractor toy at all times to replace the flavor of the minute. Keep in mind that if you give up trying to stop them chewing on something (say, for example, your computer chair), they will think it's ok to chew on that for the rest of their life. :(

We also got a slow-feeder bowl because our guys gobble down their food like it will disappear if they don't. And if your guy is really annoying with the water bowl (i.e., repeatedly knocking it over), don't worry too much--he'll grow out of it. I recommend keeping a towel under it until he learns all he wants to know about water!

Have fun with your little guy!!!! I'll add anything else I can think of later but feel free to ask if there's anything else you're curious about!

A lot of normal groomers will take cats that are groomer friendly. Honestly though most of the time cat don't need a groomer unless they have long hair and even then they usually just need to be brushed out.

I had a couple terrible experience with my long hair cat before I finally just started doing it myself, it wasn't worth having a stressed out cat because of an impatient groomer, or a facility not equipped for cats where he was put in a cage next to dogs.

Like someone else said, if you want to cut their hair you can do it yourself with some electric clippers, just take your time and have patience with your cat. If they need a bath there are a lot of really good water free products out for cats now that are better for them then a full bath.

Cats have oils in their hair that using soap would destroy. Those oils help keep their skin from getting to dry and agitated.

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Bath-Wipes-Cat-10/dp/B0015VJNL0
http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Coat-Foaming-Waterless-Shampoo/dp/B0002A5Y4A/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_2

For places I can highly recommend against:

Best Friend's Pet Care on Pickett Rd in Fairfax
PetSmart in Fair Lakes

Good luck!

I am guessing the cats are strays and not feral. Ferals are much more skittish and would not let you pet them freely, as you've mentioned.

1. Change the flea medication. There are a variety of them. Maybe try Advantage http://www.amazon.com/Bayer-Advantage-6-Month-Control-9-Pound/dp/B004QBDO0M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370895244&sr=8-1&keywords=advantage
   
   
2. I know the thought of giving them a bath is horrifying if they were strays. But this always helps. There are a lot of cat shampoos that can also help with fleas, so you don't have to use dish soap.
   Help with a bath:a) If their nails aren't clipped, clip them and you won't become a scratching post. b) Wear long sleeves and a scarf in case they do try to claw up your arms or neck c) don't dunk their faces in water, but have a bucket you can have them sit in since you don't have a tub and hold their front paws to help with the clawing. d) try a waterless shampoo. http://www.amazon.com/Veterinarians-Best-Clean-Waterless-Bath/dp/B0002AQN2M/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1370895273&sr=1-2&keywords=cat+shampoo I haven't tried these, but people that have cats that don't like water seem to think fondly of it. If none of these things appeal to you, you can always take them to a groomer
   
   
3. Make sure you keep up with their grooming and medication application to ensure the fleas don't infest the home
   
   I hope some of this helps.
   

Just brush. You'll be surprised how much fur you remove. You may need to get him adjusted to being brushed. Lots of positive reinforcement and treats can help. My cat doesn't like being brushed but she tolerates it. I do it in short sessions and give her lots of praise for being a good girl while I do it. I brushed three handfuls of fur off her today. :)

There are many kinds of brushes. I use ones like these and they work well: 1 and 2.

This kind of rubber brush is awesome at removing fur from blankets, cushions, carpets, and other fabrics.

Vacuuming and sweeping frequently helps too.

Still, I keep lint rollers at home, in the car, and at work. Cat hair just gets everywhere.

No need to bathe unless it's a hairless cat or he gets dirty.

I love all dogs but cutie poopsies mutts are always my favorites! I also love all kitties but EVIL IS MY FAVORITE BREED MUAHAHAHAHA just kidding but really I have two cats so I can't answer this question and my favorite non-domesticated animals are SLOTHS BECAUSE LIVE SLOW DIE WHENEVER hahaha yeah...

dogs go woof woof!

Have you considered a glove-brush? It may not be the most ideal/practical option for a shepherd mix due to size, but it might be a good middle ground that can help you work up to the actual brush?

I'm thinking something like this. You could slip it on while you're laying on the bed or couch together, and it may seem less of a big deal to him since you basically just stroke him with your hand.

I didn’t want my post to get removed! But if the mods are cool with it it’s this one from amazon: STARROAD-TIM cat self Groomer... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DHMC5JB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

But on the bright side I’ve seen a lot of adorable cats today so I’m pretty happy lol

Glad you're choosing a rescue kitty! Go and meet cats at your local rescues, you'll get a good idea of how much they shed there. Get a de-shedding brush like this which will help, too.

We do a most of the grooming for our doodle.

In regards to brushes/combs, you'll need a paddle brush, a metal comb, a de-matting rake, and a slicker brush to take care of most tasks. You won't really need a shedding rake.

If you're interested in cutting your guys hair, I would suggest getting a set of electric clippers and get a larger blade, like a size 4FC to start out. I don't suggest trying to use the plastic guards because their hair gets caught in them a bunch and it's a mess. We use a pair of scissors and a plastic comb to trim up his face, feet, and crotch area. I also suggest a set of thinning shears to even things out after the regular scissors or clippers. Overall, don't be afraid to just go for it. The hair grows back and you can't really screw it up too bad. A few times our guy looked like a junkyard dog after we gave him a trim, but we managed to clean it up after a few tries. The clippers may seem expensive, but a good professional grooming around us is $80, so they've paid for themselves at this point.

Baths are pretty straightforward. If he's not too afraid of a blow dryer, use one to speed up the drying process.

Your dog is digging it’s nails in because his feet are sliding on the floor. I have three giant dogs so I’ve dealt with this. Rugs and runners are your friend in this case as well as a weekly nail trim. If he feels stable when walking he won’t dig his nails in and will walk on his pads instead. I use these clippers
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075N83693/ref=mp_s_a_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1519193927&sr=8-5&keywords=dog+nail+clippers&dpPl=1&dpID=41f81OlXwYL&ref=plSrch
They have a safety guard so you don’t cut to deep.
No slip rugs
We use sticky backed 2’x6’ runners for the hall and in longer areas. Lowe’s has them with the no residue sticky back for ~$17. They’ve held up well to 3 dogs including a 10 month old English Mastiff and 13 week old Great Dane. My 10 year old Yellow Lab thanked us as his hips were acting up and the slick floor was causing him a lot of fear of slipping and falling. Now he jumps up and runs out the pet door and plays.
Hope that helps.

We used this shampoo on him even though he was old because it was so gentle and didn't make problems for his sensitive skin.

Also, this snout soother or something like it will help keep your dog's nose from getting crusty and dry. Apple cider vinegar is super helpful with ear cleaning because you can put some on a cotton pad and wipe out the inside of your dog's ears to help keep problems with ear infections at a minimum too.

Bulldog maintenance is very time consuming, but worth it. I loved my drooling beast and it was just part of our routine.

Nothing gets out the undercoat on Gunther like the Furminator for long hair. It really helps with all my cats. Well worth the $. For matting though, it might not work that well. I'd use something like this pin brush for that. This glove is loved by all my cats, long and short haired.

I love this one. At first I wasn't sure it worked but now that shedding season has begun I see that it works great. I have a dutch so regular length hair and it doesn't pull but you should be gentle obviously. I also tried the sticky mitten thing, not so hot.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TIA9FS/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1409612525&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

You don’t have to get this one because it’s expensive but you want a brush that has fine teeth like this: FURminator Long Hair deShedding Tool for Cats, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042MI6AS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DMBQBb1HTFFTX

I got mine from HomeGoods but I’m sure Marshall’s, Tj Maxx, or Walmart will have a cheaper one. It helps with hairballs too because they aren’t digesting as much hair when they groom themselves

Maybe take her to a vet or groomer to help trim them. Or trim them yourself.

I had a house cat with a bob tail who was crazy fluffy. Despite her best efforts she would get dingle berries after toileting, so I opted to trim the fur around her bottom. I just used regular scissors or embroidery scissors once we both got more accustomed to the process.


She thankfully didn’t fight me too much especially considering the area I was trimming. I had to trim off other little dreads she developed due to her fur being so fluffy and didn’t mind that at all.

You might try offering a can of food as that can help distract your cat and allow you to trim without having to hold the cat down (which I’d strongly recommend given how old your cat is and how detrimental stressing her could be). So while your cat is eating -if you go that route- lift the dread and trim it as close to the base as you can without getting too close to her skin, you don’t want to accidentally cut her. Continue trimming as long as she tolerates it, again I’d recommend not pushing her due to her age.

My brother got me one of these for my cats, thankfully the glow in the dark option, and the one fuzzy cat I have now LOVES it. She will follow me around when she sees it which is pretty awesome considering how antisocial she usually is. I was hesitant about using it at first because I was afraid it would pull too much being that its silicone, but that has been proven unfounded. I can brush her for a few minutes and get oodles of fur off of her, instead of on my clothes ha ha ha, I’ve not had any issues with her getting any random dreads like the other fluffy cat so I feel that it works, tho it won’t get the dreads out by itself.

id guess your cat would love this, my cat loves rubbing walls so i got her this and she rubs this ALL the time now (it also helps i put catnip behind it lmao)

https://www.amazon.com/Flightbird-Groomer-Massage-Grooming-Massager/dp/B076889QC9/

The simplest way is to take her to a professional groomer and have them do it while you watch. You can ask them for advice while they're doing it. Also just my personal preference but I like using a grinder instead of clippers on my dog. This is the one I use https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IPW47BW/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It's wireless and rechargeable. The head is diamond encrusted so it should last for years. Plus it's quiet. I find grinders are safer to use than clippers.

We have this shower attachment. And it's really great. It allows us to direct the water where we want it to go and we can start and stop the water as well.

Our dog doesn't really have issues with water. We started him with just fun baths when he was little (no soap, just playing in the tub like it's a baby pool. He's a Golden Retriever and is OBSESSED with swimming though). He's not a huge fan of the soap, but the shower attachment should help you out a lot.

If she’ll tolerate it, go for it! It’s good to trim them occasionally. Squeeze the foot to extend the toe beans/nails. Assuming the nails are clear in color, you’ll see a red line. That is the blood vessel and the nerve that leads into the nail. You do not want to clip that. It’ll hurt and bleed. If it happens, you can put a pinch of flour or baking powder and hold it on there. Trim just before the blood vessel starts. You can use regular (human) nail clippers, or invest in a good quality nail clipper for cats. I prefer to use dog nail clippers. . Use whatever you’re most comfortable with!

She’d love one of those wall mounted cat self-grooming brush things...

Bestanx 2.0 Cat Self Groomer Wall Corner Massage Comb with Catnip, Perfect Massager Tool for Cats with Long & Short Fur (Grey)

amazon link to cat brush thingy

I started using these on my cats and they've been a great help in protecting my furniture and carpet and they don't bother my kitties at all. Just be careful to buy the correct size for your cat.

https://www.amazon.com/Feline-Soft-Claws-Take-Home-Medium/dp/B000ET88QK

You can always get some of these until you're comfortable putting him in the bath.

Also you're awesome for taking him in!

It's an older version of this brush from JW Pet Company.

Both cats love it.

A runny nose.. except instead of snot it dispenses soap
https://www.amazon.com/Fun-Runny-Nose-Shower-Dispenser/dp/B00OGLOVJU

Some kind of contraption that allowed you to 'lick' your cat. Oh and it glows in the dark too!
https://www.amazon.com/PDX-Pet-Design-Glow-Dark/dp/B07793L9ZZ

Annnd 55 gallons of lube for the extremely reasonable price of almost 1500 bucks
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Lubes-Natural-Water-Based-Lubricant/dp/B005MR3IVO

Annnd my item under 20 is Läkerol because it's just simply the best 😂
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073F9J187/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=AHRP9E7DKG18Y&psc=1

YTA if you do it.

Look into what declawing actually does to a cat. It's basically if you were to chop off the first joint of your fingers.

ETA: And back once I hunted down a link to a particular product. I'm not recommending that particular brand, but claw caps like that are much better for your cat.

I would use a harness always in a cat and I would have them trained slowly to get accustomed to it. Or perhaps try something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Performance-Cat-Grooming-Bag/dp/B001VPCEWA

You can also try to condition your cat to the crate and ask about calming medication to administer prior to the appointment/travel. The crate is ultimately the safest for cats IMO.

There are! The ones I’ve used are actually rated way lower than two others on Amazon. Looks like I’m getting this next time: Pogi's Grooming Wipes - 100 Deodorizing Wipes for Dogs & Cats - Large, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010MVG6ZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OLAkDbN2MYPGV
There’s also waterless shampoo that you spray on a soft cloth: Vet's Best Waterless Cat Bath | No Rinse Waterless Dry Shampoo for Cats | Natural Formula | 4 Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AQN2M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WNAkDbHEXTTP8
Lots of other brands and scents of both.

I'd wear a jacket in case he tries to nip. It also helps to have two people (one to restrain rabbit, one to clip).

Some people also choose to file their rabbits nails using a dremel. It's a slower process, but for some rabbits stresses them out less. https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-7300-PT-4-8V-Nail-Grooming/dp/B003TU0XG4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540144457&sr=8-3&keywords=pet+nail+grinder+for+dogs

or

https://www.amazon.com/Hertzko-Electric-Painless-Grooming-Smoothing/dp/B01IPW47BW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1540144457&sr=8-4&keywords=pet+nail+grinder+for+dogs

Good luck!

I have a chocolate lab mix and his coat is really, really hard to saturate for some reason. It's like his fur locks down and creates a barrier so water can't get through.

I've always gone with the tub & cup method. Seems to be the easiest and cheapest. They make all kinds of faucet accessories that turn your shower head or main faucet into a sprayer, though. This one attaches to your shower head!

If that's not an option for some reason, they do have places you can go and wash your dog there with the commercial tubs and such, but they are a little on the pricey side, like maybe $10-$15 a wash?

I want to get this for Nacho, but he's spoiled enough as it is & we really need to save money right now. Bc of moving & whatnot. So I can't really justify getting it, since it's not something he actually needs 🤷

---

sauce box

I REALLY need the furminator! my kitty s shedding like crazy and this also has an awesome name.

Conviviality

I think frequent brushing might help--if you've got that much fur everywhere, maybe start grooming your bun twice a day--once in the morning, once at night--with a tool like this https://www.amazon.com/FURminator-Short-Hair-deShedding-Small/dp/B00452OHXU/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1511721046&sr=1-5&keywords=furminator

Ideally you'll end up with a huge mass of fur after both groomings, and that could prevent that fur from getting on all of your stuff?

FURminator deShedding Tool for Cats.

Best thing I ever got for my cat.

Bath him. Bath him hard lol. [Give this a shot] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002AQN2M/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1526926600&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+bath+foam&dpPl=1&dpID=41l3m-3H6JL&ref=plSrch). It's a waterless, foam bath. My cats tolerate it fairly well compared to water baths. There's also these [wet wipes for bathing cats waterlessly] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CCV8GUA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1526926732&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+bath+wipes)

Pet people, I need a good cat brush. I have a big fluffy cat. Everyone keeps throwing out the furminator. It's $35! for the small one. The bigger one is $50. Please tell me there is a brush that's just as good but less than $20.

Bestanx 2.0 Cat Self Groomer Wall Corner Massage Comb with Catnip, Perfect Massager Tool for Cats with Long & Short Fur (Grey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076889QC9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0zW8Ab25FEEEW

For my 14-week old kitten.

Nano, my kitten, has a difficult time grooming himself since he is a munchkin (imagine a T-Rex trying to scratch his face) and often gets his food or medicine (for worms) stuck in his fur and it ends up matting. I don't have a cat brush at the moment, nonetheless one intended for kittens, so this would be totally awesome to receive.

It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

P.S.: Picture of kitten.

[don't forget the cat bag](Top Performance Cat Grooming Bag - Durable and Versatile Bags Designed to Keep Cats Safely Contained During Grooming and/or Bathing - Medium, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VPCEWA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_R8Ylyb4QB5HQ2)

I don't have cat allergies myself so I can't attest to this personally, but I've heard that using bath wipes in addition to brushing helps.

I'm gonna guess high and go $52.50.

Under $10

Under $25

Under $50

Thank you for the contest!

I’m going to copy-paste a previous comment I posted elsewhere on having a few things for rag doll kittens.

Everyone will tell you about food, litter, water, etc. But you will want a few other fun things. Get a long piece of 1/2” thick ribbon for your cat can chase. Mine LOVE ribbons and will run til they fall over. Buy a few scratching posts to put up around the house; mine don’t claw the furniture if they have enough posts. A cat tree gives them a place to call their own (and get away from my small children). We over-indulged.

Both our ragdolls like being brushed, but my girl will flop over and let me brush her for a full half-hour with this one. Fave cat brush. Now that our ragdolls are full grown, we give them a full fur-cut every year because their butt-fur gets so long that stool will stick to it (and track around the house) so be warned.

The healthiest cat treats generally have >70% protein, so I like these ones best.

There is always more to think of, but these are some more indulgent ideas.

This is mostly used for cats but it may work. https://www.amazon.com/PDX-Pet-Design-Licki-Brush/dp/B01M0UXYHE

It looks like your T is just grooming.

I enjoy grooming my cat

That's a ferminator I think. Really good a defloofing fuzzy cats.

You can buy little plastic nail covers. Like a fake nail on a human. They look cute and dont harm the cat.

This is the LICKI brush. The frequently bought together items (at least for me) are Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make with Your Cat and Cat Butts: A Coloring Book.

I was dumb and bought one of the pet-specific ones. Something like this. It was worthless. I could trim maybe two nails before I had to charge it again and it took so long because it didn't have a lot of power to it. Then I just went ahead and bought a normal cordless dremel. My dog actually tolerates it much better because it takes so much less time. After several months of trying to get her comfortable with me trimming her nails with a clipper, the dremel was so easy!

They have furminators for longer haired cats too.

http://www.amazon.ca/FURminator-Long-Hair-deShedding-Small/dp/B0042MI6AS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1395062911&sr=8-8&keywords=furminator

I use this one on my cat that has fur that ranges from 1"-3". Works awesome! It's insane how much fur comes off them.

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FYI if you have to deal with this issue often: https://www.amazon.com/Top-Performance-Cat-Grooming-Bag/dp/B001VPCEWA/ref=sr_1_58?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1503801426&sr=1-58&keywords=cat+carrier

I have this.

If your dog is fearful of his paws being touched, you will need to countercondition him with the grinder. It does make a buzzing noise that can be very weird to many dogs.

What I'm doing:

• I touch my Shibas feet and teeth a LOT. While she's sleeping, if she's playing with something, when we're training, etc.
  
• I left it on the ground and gave my Shiba treats for touching it. I get really excited when she paws at it though. I did this when it was turned off first, and later did it while it was turned on.
  
• I recently got to her letting me touch her feet with it off. I essentially give her a treat and touch her feet with it while saying "yes!" when she doesn't pull her feet away. You can later do this while it's turned on.
  
  You eventually want to get to a point that your dog is not scared of it being near their nails to be ground down. Haven't tried to trim her nails yet, but will be getting there soon!

Something like this

It's find to post links. You can't post *affiliate* links, which are links that have identifier bits in them and someone makes $ when you purchase using that link.

It looks like it's this one: https://www.amazon.com/StarRoad-Team-Groomer-Grooming-Massage/dp/B07DHMC5JB/

One of my sibs is prone to tangles and mats. I brush both every night with this:

Li'l Pals Kitten Slicker Brush with Coated Tip Pins https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TIA9FS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0gxTybG3AWRBH

I like the coated tips because it feels less risky when brushing around the butt and backs of legs.

My main suggestion is to just brush really frequently so nothing too serious builds up.

Get this awesome thing (after cleaning the dirt off first though:


Bestanx 2.0 Cat Self Groomer Wall Corner Massage Comb with Catnip, Perfect Massager Tool for Cats with Long & Short Fur (Grey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076889QC9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.k68AbK13M4KW

There's something called a Furminator made to prevent a lot of the shedding. I used the version for dogs, and it seemed to work well.

There's these fancy grooming bags on Amazon that kind of do the same thing! And cat muzzles.
https://www.amazon.com/Top-Performance-Cat-Grooming-Bag/dp/B001VPCEWA

Do you know those silicone pet brushes that are gloves? They will pull it all out with ease. I can't upload a picture to imgur, some reason it's not going past 'pending..' but this is what I'm talking about.

one of my buns didn't tolerate brushes, but he seems to not being annoyed by a glove as much.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Grooming-Glove-Brush-Deshedding/dp/B0103L92TK

You might want to try wipes or this one to reduce the dander, which is usually the cause of cat allergies.

https://www.amazon.com/PDX-Pet-Design-Licki-Brush/dp/B01M0UXYHE


Only $22

PDX Pet Design Glow-in-The-Dark LICKI Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07793L9ZZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TASjDbWR57BET

The furminator seems to be less tolerable then other brushes I use on them. The other ones I own have this type of bristle.

This?

I bet one of these is involved:

https://www.amazon.com/PDX-Pet-Design-Licki-Brush/dp/B01M0UXYHE

Here

https://www.amazon.com/Flightbird-Groomer-Massage-Grooming-Massager/dp/B076889QC9

https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Grooming-Glove-Brush-Deshedding/dp/B0103L92TK

This is the one I got.

cat brush

PDX Pet Design Licki Your Cat Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0UXYHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aNiJBbT16GC28
This might be up your alley

Mind u I managed to find this which apparently resembles the feel of a cats tounge, I think this is the closest thing out there
https://www.amazon.com/PDX-Pet-Design-Licki-Brush/dp/B01M0UXYHE

Why not do it for her?
Here you go --> https://www.amazon.com/PDX-Pet-Design-Licki-Brush/dp/B01M0UXYHE

unknown substances

lost old one

Try this.

PDX Pet Design Licki Your Cat Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0UXYHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_90AXCbGT1EWPM

There are other similar things out there too.

https://smile.amazon.com/Bestanx-Groomer-Massage-Perfect-Massager/dp/B076889QC9

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IPW47BW/ref=pd_aw_lpo_199_bs_img_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VKJVCZ1NNZV5Q05BM6HG

Here it is

EDIT: This first link I posted sold out, here's another one you cat fiends.

EDITA NUMBAH 2: Let's just clean out the whole damn site, second link is almost depleted so here's another.

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.”

• Aristotle

Great reviews though.

> I use this to chase cats away from my yard, or rather, the owners of said cats know not to let their cats loose in our neighborhood unattended. It turns out that there are ordinances in my city against indecent exposure, so I do need to wear a banana hammock while using this product outside of my home. I also think that the initial impression of a 280# man bearing down on an animal at top speed, mewling and slobbering, with a slab of silicone dangling from his mouth may initially be off-putting for some cats. But, once I have wrestled them to the ground and the clawing and biting has subsided, I can begin licking the cat until its horrified owner returns home from work to ask what I am doing. Obviously, the cat was on my property, and I can lick anything that I want on my property. Plus, I am using protection, as this silicone barrier prevents the spread of disease. I'm often told, "Well, that's MY cat!" To which I say, "Then get your own Licki brush, because this is obviously the reason that YOUR cat keeps wandering onto MY lawn." I rarely see the cat again. In fact, my neighbors make a conscious effort to avoid eye contact, which is an added bonus.

It's the most useless piece of shit ever. Bought 2 to take with me to the states, out of 6 hotels we were on, it hooked up to none of them.

There's a pet shower hose thingy that hooks up to the shower head, it's a safer bet..But it's a bit of a hassle to hookup and dismantle, so if you're going to move around a lot..It's no good

Like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000633XBE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483336301&sr=8-2&keywords=shower+pet+hose

I was in quite a predicament when my puppy Mabel decided to roll around in a puddle of urine she left on the floor. I didn't have any puppy shampoo, so I just had to give her a water bath. The sleek light fur of your puppy? It's going to be covered in shit. Mabel has gotten into one too many messes, and you're going to need decent, Earth-friendly shampoo!

This was Mabel a few days after I brought her home. :)

Poor baby! I live in New England and outside in March is no place for a piggy! We use this nail grinder for our girls, quick and easy trims with no bleeding quicks. It takes two people (one to hold and one to trim) for us, but I think our girls are exceptionally naughty about nail trims.

I don’t think it’s any worse that anything else he does to his fur. If it really worries you you might get cat bath wipes. Something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Reduces-Bacteria-All-Natural-Conditioners-Cleaners/dp/B0015VJNL0

We put nail caps on our cat. They come off every so often but then we just put new ones back on. I don't agree with declawing but I know that some cats can be little terrors.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ET88QK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Edit: nevermind, I see that you already said that the cat goes outdoors and you don't want her to lose any ability with her claws.