detangling spray that doesn't smell like a chemical plant

Olive hates the smell of chemical plants. I tried a standard detangler and she refused to eat for two days. It is linked to her history in Olive won't eat if I use scented shampoos.

I am looking for something that smells neutral or faintly floral. Does anyone have a recommendation that is safe for a picky eater?

I would skip the sprays entirely. You can just use warm water and a wide-tooth comb. It works better for cats who are sensitive to smells. See my post on combing out mats without the cat losing its mind for how I do it with Charlie.

omg vhoward i totally get this. Olive is such a diva lol. I use a rosemary scented spray on Ellie and she loves it. It smells like a garden not a factory. You should check out rosemary spray safe for cats? to see if it is safe for Olive since she is picky.

Wait, is rosemary okay for kittens? Pepper is only 1. I am scared of using essential oils. She is already scared of the vacuum so I worry about strong smells. Does it make them more stressed?

I think it is fine if it is diluted properly. I bought a specific cat safe brand. But yeah, if Pepper is scared like in Pepper is terrified of the brush you might want to try water first. Start with just a little spray on your hand and rub it in.

Thanks Emily. I will look at that thread. I worry about Olive's eating habits more than the grooming. If she stops eating it is a medical issue. Her history is in dealing with Olive's picky eating.

Does the rosemary smell linger? I need to know if it will stay on her fur long enough to bother her at dinner.

Rosemary does linger a bit. I find that if you air dry the cat afterwards the smell goes away faster. But for a cat like Olive, I still think the water method is safer. Less variables.

Good point. I will try the water method first. Maybe I can tire her out with Biscuit's energy before I start. Biscuit is always bouncing off the walls, see Biscuit has too much energy for grooming. Maybe Olive will be too tired to care about the smell.