Anon05/11/26, 09:56No.5123927
I need advice /an/my roommate has a young female cat, about 1-2 years old. it has clearly imprinted on her, and will sleep on her bed, her chair, or climb up onto her shoulders and sleep there when she's sitting in the chair.
i should mention that this cat has the most minor recurring issue of one of her tear ducts getting a little gunky (it's not an infection, it's probably structural or just a quirk), and the cat doesn't do a good job of cleaning it. my roomie often asks me to help out w/ it (idk why she doesn't do it herself, but she says i'm good at it, and i'm happy to help since i like cats and it clearly can't help it).however, the cat cannot stand to be in the same room as me and usually tries to avoid me, despite the fact that i am usually the one to feed it, and very delicately mind you, clean its face with a lukewarm damp cloth. cleaning its face when it gets eye boogers has become more and more difficult over time, as the only time i can approach is when i put food in her dish, leave the room, then come back in.the method i've been using is to approach the cat just after she's done eating, lightly but firmly get a hold of the scruff of her neck (this is how i was taught to immobilize a cat without hurting them, and from what ive read this is how you're supposed to do it), and then very lightly brush the cat's cheek and tearduct area with a lukewarm cloth until the gunk is cleared away. i then lighten my grip on the scruff of her neck, give her a few massaging pets there because it couldn't have been that comfortable, then let her go.i cannot do this anymore though, as the cat flips out now and scratches me if i try and immobilize her to clean her face.i should mention i own two male cats who are completely chill, and who have no issue being picked up, cleaned, or even pet on their bellies or paws. i should mention the problem cat doesn't interact with my cats unless she's trying to steal their food.what do? how do i gain cat trust?
