If your cat won’t let you brush it, this post will show you a number of possible reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why won’t my cat let me brush it? Possible reasons why your cat won’t let you brush it are that it does not like being touched naturally, bad previous experiences, you brush it too hard, or that it is not used to you touching it that way.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat has been doing it and it could be due to a combination of them. However, there are a number of things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why won’t my cat let me brush them?
Below are a number of possible reasons why your cat has been doing it and what would make each of them more likely.
Nature
Many cats are naturally skittish. If your cat has never let you touch it and it also doesn’t like being touched in general, it could be the case that your cat naturally does not like being touched. In this case, it could help to try to distract your cat when brushing it and to be as gentle as possible.
Previous experiences
Another possible cause is that it has had bad previous experiences when being brushed or touched. This would be more likely if your cat stopped wanting you to brush it suddenly after you hurt it when brushing it or after someone else hurt it.
You’re doing it too strongly
Another possible cause is that you have been brushing it too strongly. This would be more likely if your cat does let you do it when you brush it gently.
It is not used to it
If you have only recently started trying to brush it, the cause could be that it is not used to you brushing it. This would be less likely if your cat has stopped letting you brush it suddenly. In this case, it could help to try distracting it while you brush it and to reward it when it shows signs of letting you brush it.
You are acting unusually
It could also be the case that it is your behavior that is causing it to become reactive. If you are loud or make large movements when you try to brush your cat, it will likely cause your cat to get worried. Instead, it would help to try to be calm when you brush it.
Injury or a rash
Another possible cause is that your cat has gotten an injury or a rash. This would be more likely if your cat has stopped you from brushing it suddenly and if it does it more when you brush it in a specific spot.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always stopped you from brushing it
If your cat has not always stopped you from brushing it, it would help to consider what else happened when it first stopped letting you do it. If it stopped doing it suddenly, it might be because you changed the brush or because it got a rash on its skin.
What is different when your cat does let you brush it
If your cat does let you do it sometimes, it would also help to consider what is different when it does let you do it. For example, if it does let you do it when it is sleepy, it might be the case that it does not let you do it when it is feeling energetic.
What to do about your cat not letting you brush it
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Do it more gently
As mentioned above, the issue could be with the way you have been brushing it. It would help to try to brush it gently and to be calm when you are doing it. It also might help to change the brush.
Brush it while it is eating
Often cats will let you brush them if you do it when they are focusing on eating. Alternatively, you could do it while it is playing with a toy.