The Adventures of Cato, Tara and Jasmine

For the dreaded dread lock knots between her legs and belly....hate those things as they seem to tighten over night once formed. Dont use the trimmer while they are in their knot form. While she's on your lap belly up...take your finest comb and go up under the knot...then trim it out a few at a time on the top of the comb side this keeps the skin from being cut  then cut it with your blunt ended Scissor's. Once they have their heads off you can then use your trimmer to clean the remaining without fear of them feeding skin into the blade  and cutting her. My eyes aren't the best in the world in house light anymore either...I have to have bright white light from the sun to see delicate work...I've sat outside in a chair to cut these knots out so I don't cut her or either sit beside a window with direct bright light.

I do all work on the table except the belly and under the arms while trimming....they sit in my lap feet outwards away from me or on their back..my eyes just aren't good enough to do it standing. Neither one will lay on their sides...tried and tried and haven't found that magic trick yet

Hmm Cato tail phobia....Abby can relate Cato as hers gets pulled and chewed regularly also. He's been taught a command word OFF and he will release. Found no cure and it must be contagious because it was she that started this tail biting game....she's now stopped but he's now got the dreaded I'm in love with your tail disease 

Only thoughts with tail sensitivity is regular stroking and treating for better behavior. I've always done tail trimming and grooming on the table so I can't be any help...sorry  

LOL! I have a grooming table, but it mostly just gets used for blow drying after baths and for clipper and scissor work.

For routine brushing/combing and trimming nails we're usually either on the sofa or on the floor.

For Cato's tail -- assuming he doesn't have any food issues -- can you spread some peanut butter or something similar (soft cheese?) on your refrigerator or the side of your bathtub and let him lick it off while you work on his tail? Depending on how you need him to be positioned you could maybe just spread it on a plate and let him lick it while he's on your lap? The key is that you use something yummy enough to be really valuable and distracting and that takes him long enough to lick up that you have time to get the job done.

Poor Cato!  I have no solutions to offer.  I wish you both much luck in finding something that will work for both of you.  

Thank you!  I will try your dread lock technique @PipsMom, and then think hard about what treat to give Cato to distract him.  

I also want to try to remember to do his tail half way through, rather than at the end (I usually start at the head and work down the body) so that we don't end with something he doesn't like.

Missy used to have a very sensitive tail and hated for me to comb it. I have no idea why as she doesn't get hers pulled at by anyone! But I can tell you what I did that seemed to help. instead of using whatever spray you use when combing it, I used P&K. It really seemed to help her, so maybe there was some reason, but I couldn't see anything.

Missy also gets the dreaded dreadlocks, I always try to comb those out with the fine comb while she's laying down. They obviously hurt her and she will even reposition herself so I can get to them better, Bless her heart! I check and comb there everyday to ensure I keep them at bay. I also do her sanitary with the small round tip scissors.