My Cat Hates Being Brushed

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Real Advice from Owners Who’ve Been There

When Sarah reached out about her 2½-year-old unsocialized White Coon who refused to be brushed, we knew she wasn’t the only one facing this challenge.

Many longhaired cat parents - especially those with Maine Coons - struggle with grooming. So, we shared her question with our Facebook community. The replies were honest, thoughtful, and surprisingly varied.

Below are the real stories and practical tips that came in. From sedation to sneaky tricks, here's what other owners have learned about grooming a cat who wants no part of it.

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💬 Sarah’s Question:

“Please help! I have recently adopted a 2½-year-old neutered male White Coon. He wasn’t well socialized. I need to get him to accept being brushed. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!”

Community Advice:

Training & Desensitization

• "Put the brush next to him, give a treat. Pick up the brush, give a treat. Put the brush on him, give a treat.

Start all over again, every day as training - just getting him used to seeing the brush. Then brush once, give a treat. It will take time but you’ll get there."
- Dianne B.

• "Lots of treats, short brush sessions, and protect yourself. It's going to be hard - I won't lie."
- Karol D.

For some cats, especially those with a rough start, brushing has to be broken down into tiny steps. The key is repetition, routine, and tons of positive reinforcement.

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Tools & Techniques That Worked

• "One of ours will let me brush her until she gets overstimulated. The other is part Coonie and will only tolerate a rubber brush I found at TJ Maxx - it’s not even a pet brush.

She loves her cheeks brushed with that, and the static removes a lot of hair. Then I deal with tiny mats using a regular people comb. I start when she’s sleeping and relaxed. It doesn't last long, so I have to do it over a few sessions and wait in between."
- Rachel DR.

• "Ours is only part Maine Coon, so maybe his coat isn't as thick. He hates being brushed with a regular cat brush. But every night he gets combed.

I have a brush with wire bristles on one side and soft bristles on the other. Then I use a people comb - fine on one side, coarse on the other. He brushes his chin on the wire bristle brush while I comb his body with the coarse side.

Occasionally he’ll let me brush his whole body with the wire side, but not often. This all happens at bedtime, on the bed - it’s odd, but it works."
- Shannon G.

• "I do the same as Shannon. I comb as well, and it helps with the knots that tend to form near the skin. Both of my Maine Coons actually prefer human combs and brushes over pet tools."
- Sherry B.

Choosing the right tool is part trial-and-error, part cat psychology. Several owners have had success using people brushes, bedtime routines, and sensory-friendly options that feel less threatening.

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🌿 Calming Aids & Medication

• "Kat & Austin’s CBD oil for cats can help. It takes about an hour to work."
- Kathleen B.

• "I have to give my Maine Coon girl 200mg of gabapentin or she’ll rip me to shreds. It doesn’t matter what brush I use - I've tried everything. She just hates being groomed."
- Betty S.

• "Start using Feliway diffusers. You can get different kinds for different effects, but the calming version eventually helped my cat settle down.

I've owned five Maine Coons over the years, and they’ve all had their own grooming quirks. Beautiful friends, but grooming isn’t always easy."
- Kent F.

CBD oil, calming diffusers, and even prescription medications like gabapentin can help when brushing triggers serious stress or aggression.

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When You Just Can’t Brush

• "I got mine from the shelter when he was five. He was covered in mats. I can’t get near him with a brush - he’ll slap me with that massive paw.

So I wait until he's sleeping and try to cut the mats out. If it gets really bad, I put him in the bathtub. He freezes up and lets me go at him with scissors so I can cut it all down for the summer.

I’ve noticed he mats up worse when he’s molting in late spring and early summer."
- Lindsey LM.

• "I have a 12-year-old male who resembles a scruffy sheep - you haven’t got a chance in hell if he doesn’t want to be brushed.

I’ve got the scars to prove it. His sister is only half as bad. You can brush her on her terms. They all have different personalities. I’ve also had another male and female who were totally fine with grooming. Every cat is different."
- Darren S.

Sometimes brushing just isn’t in the cards - and that’s okay. Cat owners have found creative (and realistic) ways to keep their kitties comfortable without turning it into a battle.

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Is It the Coat?

• "You should bathe or spray with a shampoo or conditioner that works as a degreaser.

Maine Coons have extra oily hair follicles, and that can cause matting. We use a product from Petway that's anti-dandruff and pH balanced."
- Kathleen B.

Some cats’ grooming struggles stem from their coat type. Maine Coons in particular can have oily coats that tangle more easily. A degreasing product can sometimes make brushing more manageable long term.

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There’s no magic trick for brushing a cat who hates it. But as these stories show, there are many ways to approach the problem - from daily training to nighttime rituals to just doing what you can while they sleep.

Whether you try CBD oil or a rubber brush, human combs or bathtime workarounds - what matters most is finding what works for your Maine Coon!

Does your Coonie love grooming? Hate it? Share your tips and tricks in the comments! ⬇️

Let's Connect! ⬇️