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My cat won't let me hold or brush her. How to stop the nipping?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 1 year and 1 month old

Why won’t our cat let us hold her long or pick her up and or brush her she tries to nip she does that a lot so we tried to brush her and she tried to nip us so we had to scruff her she has been itching non stop in one spot and I’m trying to help her but she won’t let me do anything all she does is nip and play what else can I do ? I thought cats liked to be brushed and held or picked up . I don’t really like scruffing her but nipping can’t be allowed. any advice? it’s stressful.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 20th, 2018

Some cats just hate being picked up and being brushed. Don't pick Catori up if she does not like it and get a cat comb. Pet and scratch your kitty when she is comfy on the couch or hops on your lap. Pet her until she starts purring, then take the comb and while you keep scratching her, GENTLY start combing her where the hair is NOT matted. Do this for a few seconds, then stop before she notices that you are combing her. Do this often, without force or forcing her. Over time she will let you brush or comb her. I have 5 cats and all five hate being picked up, one loves being brushed, three don;t mind being brushed, and one hates it. I can now comb him for about a minute, but if and when he has a lot of hair mats, he needs to be sedated and either shaved or combed out very thoroughly. If you do not pick her up she will not nip you. It is her way of telling you that she does not like it. Scruffing her causes even more stress to her and makes her loathe the brushing or combing even more.

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