Grooming Your Cat's Tummy and Tail

Over time, as the cat comes to trust you and enjoy these grooming sessions, place a soft brush nearby each time to accustom the cat to it. Depending on the cat, this could take days or months! If it tries to swat the brush or bite it, remove the brush so the cat doesn't think it's a toy.

Once it allows you to pick up the brush without batting or biting, start brushing at areas where it enjoys being scratched. Many cats love to be scratched under the chin, around the ears or the middle of the spine.

Areas many cats feel defensive about include the tail and belly. If the cat is upside down and you stroke its tummy, it feels it's being attacked, so it may scratch or bite. Groom its tummy and tail only when it trusts you perfectly.