Hello All,
Well, seeing as the weather is really warm today, and we are about to treat Mollie for fleas, we thought it might be a nice idea to give her her first bath, seeing as she is moulting, and we have seen flea dirt on her. We also bought some Frontline a couple of weeks ago, so we thought we would apply that after she has a nice clean coat. I am also going to vacuum the whole house, and wash her bedding.
We bought Johnsons Cat Flea Repellent Shampoo. Has anyone ever used this? Should it be OK for her?
She is 4 1/2 months old now. Not looking forward to bathing her, but I'm sure she will feel the benefit of it afterwards!
Any advice for bathing a young kitten?!
Jo
Bathing cats/kittens
-
Molliesmum
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:36 am
- Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Re: Bathing cats/kittens
I'd nix the Johnson's and use a cat-only shampoo from your vet, such as Hylite (has a conditioner in it)...it's a little pricier than comercial cat shampoos, but worth it, and I will vouch for it's safety. Then I'd wait at least 2 days to apply the Frontline. (remember, don't bathe after Frontline application)
Another thing you could do to save costs of kitty shampoo is use a flea comb instead and dip it in a dish of warm water and a drop or two of Dawn dishwashing liquid, run through fur, rinse comb, repeat until all evidence of fleas/flea dander is gone. Make sure fur is thoroughly dry....again, wait at least a day before applying Frontline (so skin is not as sensitive)
NEVER combine applications of flea products ever....never use a flea product shampoo and subsequently apply a flea product topical.....the ingredients could cause a severe reaction if mixed. Use only a cat-only mild shampoo (non-medicated) if she must be bathed due to excessive dirt etc, and use only flea topicals recommended by your vet (Advantage or Frontline).
Another thing you could do to save costs of kitty shampoo is use a flea comb instead and dip it in a dish of warm water and a drop or two of Dawn dishwashing liquid, run through fur, rinse comb, repeat until all evidence of fleas/flea dander is gone. Make sure fur is thoroughly dry....again, wait at least a day before applying Frontline (so skin is not as sensitive)
NEVER combine applications of flea products ever....never use a flea product shampoo and subsequently apply a flea product topical.....the ingredients could cause a severe reaction if mixed. Use only a cat-only mild shampoo (non-medicated) if she must be bathed due to excessive dirt etc, and use only flea topicals recommended by your vet (Advantage or Frontline).
..........Traci
-
Molliesmum
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:36 am
- Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Re: Bathing cats/kittens
Thanks for the reply.
We bathed her. I dilluted the shampoo a lot so it was very weak. It contains natural citrus insect repellants. Would you still wait a few days to apply the Frontline?
She had a lot of loose fur that we were able to remove, so I'm hoping she feels better. She smells nicer anyway!
We have a flea comb for her, and she wasn't keen on the bath, so perhaps next time we'll use that.
Jo
We bathed her. I dilluted the shampoo a lot so it was very weak. It contains natural citrus insect repellants. Would you still wait a few days to apply the Frontline?
She had a lot of loose fur that we were able to remove, so I'm hoping she feels better. She smells nicer anyway!
We have a flea comb for her, and she wasn't keen on the bath, so perhaps next time we'll use that.
Jo
Re: Bathing cats/kittens
Mollie's Mum.....you need to know that citrus oils, particluarly d-limonene contain toxic substances to cats. I would verify the product you used with your vet to make absolutely sure it does not contain compounds that are potentially toxic. Skin sensitivities and even severe adverse reactions can occur with these compounds. NEVER use citrus oils, essential oils on cats, never.
Again, use ONLY those products by your vet, recommended by your vet. Nothing about "natural" is going to eradicate fleas, there is no solid evidence any natural product repells or treats fleas (much less other parasites). Despite the claims, despite what you read or hear on the net, most of the information is invalid, and some of it dangerous.
Confirm with your vet about the product you already used before applying ANY flea topical, including Frontline. Better yet, ask your vet to double-check the product with the National Animal Poison Control Center.
Again, use ONLY those products by your vet, recommended by your vet. Nothing about "natural" is going to eradicate fleas, there is no solid evidence any natural product repells or treats fleas (much less other parasites). Despite the claims, despite what you read or hear on the net, most of the information is invalid, and some of it dangerous.
Confirm with your vet about the product you already used before applying ANY flea topical, including Frontline. Better yet, ask your vet to double-check the product with the National Animal Poison Control Center.
..........Traci