Benadryl?
@crimsonladybug (3112)
United States
March 8, 2009 3:02am CST
My kitty has long, thick, baby-fine fur and it gets matted very easily. The mats are clearly uncomfortable for her but she bites and scratches anytime I try to help her with them. I could take her to a groomer but a stranger isn't going to be nearly as forgiving of her *ahem* sassy disposition as I am and they are going to want to sedate her which is going to cost more money (not like I would have the money to take her to a groomer if she was a calm kitty who liked to be brushed and whatever). I have thought of sedating her myself and have heard that half of a children's Benadryl might be the way to go. I know that hospitals sometimes give Benadryl to patients instead of sleeping pills. Has anyone else tried this? Does it work? Or, on the other hand, have you been told, by a bonafide veterinarian, that it is/could be harmful? I'm not looking for assumptions here - I can make assumptions all day long 
- just tried and proven results.
Thanks in advance.
- just tried and proven results.
Thanks in advance.1 person likes this
6 responses
@ShadoCat (92)
• United States
9 Mar 09
Do what we did when I was a kid. Call in assistance.
Have a friend come over (in my case, it was Mom, me, and my sister).
You grab head and front feet. Friend grabs back feet with off hand and then brushes or snips the mat out. Sometimes, it's easier and less traumatic to cut the mats out.
If front or back legs need to be held apart, it becomes a 3 person job. When done, hold a small thank you party.
Eventually your cat will learn that it is a whole lot less hassle to let you do it yourself.
Note that the cats that I've had as an adult have all learned that when I want to comb or brush them, it's inevitable (me being 10 times as big....).
When grabbing both legs in one hand, I keep a finger between them so I can feel how much force I'm using and I don't crush the legs together.
@kellycat (48)
• United States
9 Mar 09
Under no circumstances should you give a cat human medication of any kind. Benedryl is not good for cats, per the vets I worked for! Please give the groomers a chance. If they can't do it then there is only one way to groom a "sassy" cat and that is to have a vet groom her, under sedation. Yes it will cost you, but a groomer most likely will not do it if your cat is uncoopertive. You might consider a Lion Cut for your long haired cat. This is a great way to avoid mats and the hassles of an unruly cat. This may also give you an opportunity to brush your cat and try to get her used to you brushing her with shorter hair as it grows out. I would suggest keeping it shorter than normal, just for convinence sake. You just my be able to end up grooming her on your own.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
8 Mar 09
I don't think that it's a good idea to give a cat medications that are intended for humans. You have no idea what effect they will have on feline physiology. Nor do you know what the correct dosage would be. There is a fine line between an amount just sufficient to put the cat out, and the amount that would kill the cat.
I'm not a vet, but I do know that such a procedure should only be carried out by a qualified vet who does know what they are doing and will observe the correct procedures. Even so, there is always a risk with sedation even when carried out by a qualified vet.
Having said all that, I'll address your problem. Get a pair of good leather gloves to wear while you brush and comb her. That's the only way.
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
8 Mar 09
don't do it
cats are not humans and have very sensitive systems compared to humans because of their nature
Groomers have the ablility to work with sassy cats, and cats in different envornments behave differently than at home
If you are having a lot of trouble, try clipping the mats out - get someone to do the clipping while you distract the front end if she's not real fond of other people.
My roomie does the distracting because she can't see to clip the mats. It might take several sessions to get them out.
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
9 Mar 09
I'd call your vet about it. They can give you ideas but it won't cost you. Our dogs don't travel well when we have to take them to the doc. So I was advised to give them 1/4 of a dramamine tablet (according to their weight) to help keep their tummies in line for the trip. Didn't work, naturally, but they don't have a problem giving advice.
I've used dramamine on my big cat outside. I probably overdosed him, but he was all torn up from fighting. I wanted him OUT to take him to the vet. I didn't see him for 2 days and thought I'd killed him. He showed up again, and his wounds were healing well. I think it knocked him out, and kept him from tearing at his wounds, or fighting for awhile.
