Hi, my name's Nathan and I own around a 3 year old cat. He's part Himilayan, part lynx-point. My family and I would like to shave him at home to save some money... I have 3 big questions to ask, but my first two are more imperative in the near future:

1. What kind of anaesthetic should I use to sedate my cat when I need to shave him near his private area, at home? (he has a couple of minor to slightly major mats down there and we want to take them out obviously) We have some medication that could work such as Valium and would like to have some advice as to SAFE dosage. He's probably around 7-9+ pounds (mostly hair). This is an important question because my cat to start is not very friendly (the word we use is aloof; but that will surface later), and he also gets very angry when we comb/brush him, ESPECIALLY around the private area.

2. Any tips in the shaving process as a whole, and certainly in the private area?

3. Back to the aloof part. Are there any techniques that you guys know of to easily make my cat more friendly to the point when he will actually PURR? He follows us from room to room but will only let us pet him or sracth him for a few seconds then he walks away.

Please focus on answering my first two questions first, but any advice on the third for his mood will also be greatly appreciated. If there are any clarification questions, please feel free to ask, after all, you guys are the ones who will be answering my question and will hopefully be helping me a great deal. Thank you!

Your breed of cat even being part himalayan is an aloof breed. I don't know about the lynx part but am familiar with himalayan and this cat is normally a searcher,hunter so are kind of independent as most hunters are in any breed.

No techniques because this is just how your cat is but they are normally loving as they are and don't show it as you would like.

Now for for the anaesthetic part.; don't bother, you won't find anything that is domestic to buy to help you with the grooming and it is only going to distance your cat from you. Why would you want to shave around his genitals anyway, you could do damage and if he starts to bleed what would you do?

Just go and have him done at a vet , or groomer, or whatever, so he is more comfortable within himself and with you. He will be so glad to see you and probably more loving for it then you can imagine.

Get him some catnip, preferably home grown fresh (you can grow it on your windowsill) or from a pet store.

We have some medication that could work such as Valium and would like to have some advice as to SAFE dosage.
This statement leads me to believe that your thinking of medicating him with out a vets imput. Or that this medication is intended for humans. I do not think that this would be wise.
Please take him to a groomer, I am sure he will get over it, and they will be able to handle him. Also ask them for some tips for the between visits. To help keep away the matts.