hi
i give my cat a bath 2/3 times a week. she doesn't like taking baths, but its not the end of the world type of thing, she actually hates being brushed more. I give her frequent baths to avoid having to brush her as often because that seems to upset her more. However, several people have told me that bathing her that frequently with cause her stress, and isn't good for her. Anyone have any opinions on this?
Thanks
cat bath
Re: cat bath
I NEVER bather my cats....they clean themselves and yes, brushing is better for distributing oils that they produce...too much bathing can dry out their skin, and as you know, yes, it stresses them!!
Why do you feel the need to give her baths so often?
What kind of brush are you using? You should be usingone specific for cats and is soft
Do you let her outside? If so, please keep her INDOOR ONLY
Why do you feel the need to give her baths so often?
What kind of brush are you using? You should be usingone specific for cats and is soft
Do you let her outside? If so, please keep her INDOOR ONLY
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angel14215
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:06 pm
Re: cat bath
she's only indoors. she sheds a lot so i bath her to reduce hair balls and she smells sometimes of her litterbox, i use the thin brush for cats, but she absolutely hates being brushed (she starts mewling and clawing to get away), she doesnt even make that much of a fuss while i blow dry her, so i figured this was a good compromise.
Re: cat bath
does she like the vacuum?...I have alot of cats, so I just vacuum furniture and floors every day...and I ahve a couple of cats that like to be vacuumed as well...some vacuums you can get a pet brush attachment...it is worth a try
Re: cat bath
In a cat that easily stressed, Tambrey, a vaccuum would not be appropriate.
Angel, stop bathing your cat, she doesn't need it. Use of the blowdryer is probably stressing her as well. As Tambrey said, by frequently bathing, you remove the cat's natural oils on the skin and this can cause excessive drying, sensitive reactions to pet shampoos, etc, let alone the fact that most pet shampoos can actually be harmful to a pet's skin and fur.
Keep the litterbox clean on a daily basis. What exactly do you mean by "she smells sometimes of the litterbox"? Keep it scooped on a daily basis, clean it and rinse it thoroughly at least once a week, and check her fur for evidence there may be diarrhea present or feces stuck on her fur. Cats should not "smell of their litterbox", cats are usually impeccable groomers and are clean, so keep the litterbox clean at all times.
If she has a hairball problem, that is, if she frequently vomits hairballs, then get her examined by your vet, and discuss an appropriate diet to help eliminate the frequency of hairballs.
If she doesn't like being brushed, then don't brush her. Some cats are extremely stressed by brushing, so if that's the case, don't brush her. An appropriate diet should help keep her skin and fur in optimal shape.
Angel, stop bathing your cat, she doesn't need it. Use of the blowdryer is probably stressing her as well. As Tambrey said, by frequently bathing, you remove the cat's natural oils on the skin and this can cause excessive drying, sensitive reactions to pet shampoos, etc, let alone the fact that most pet shampoos can actually be harmful to a pet's skin and fur.
Keep the litterbox clean on a daily basis. What exactly do you mean by "she smells sometimes of the litterbox"? Keep it scooped on a daily basis, clean it and rinse it thoroughly at least once a week, and check her fur for evidence there may be diarrhea present or feces stuck on her fur. Cats should not "smell of their litterbox", cats are usually impeccable groomers and are clean, so keep the litterbox clean at all times.
If she has a hairball problem, that is, if she frequently vomits hairballs, then get her examined by your vet, and discuss an appropriate diet to help eliminate the frequency of hairballs.
If she doesn't like being brushed, then don't brush her. Some cats are extremely stressed by brushing, so if that's the case, don't brush her. An appropriate diet should help keep her skin and fur in optimal shape.
..........Traci
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angel14215
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:06 pm
Re: cat bath
i clean out the litter box every day, wash it every week or so, but her feet usually still have a litter box smell. she doesnt mind the dryer, just sits there, even when i'm drying my own hair, but i dont think she'd do too well with a vacuum. the vet didn't say too much about the frequent washing (kinda surprised my cat took it so well), but everyone around me complains, so i was curious to what everyone thought.
thanks!
thanks!
Re: cat bath
Is she a long hair or short hair?
Our long hair friends do require the occational bath but definatly not 2/3 times a week, more like 2/3 times a year (especially during the winter months when the heat is on).
I would bath my Persians in November and June (except those that were showing then it was every Friday night during show season).
Your grooming of them has to become a pleasure thing for them, you may be brushing to hard, not using the right comb or you yourself may be agitated and your cat is picking up on this. I have one guy who all I have to is show him the comb and he gets all excited.
For long hairs I recommend a stainless steel tooth comb with medium/course teeth for the ruff, body and bloomers and a flea comb (with a handle, not the ones that look like a pick) to use around their face, chin, head, tail and belly (very sensitive there).
For short hairs, have you tried the type that is a glove??
For hairballs a good diet and grooming is essential for decreasing them, but they will eventually form. (Traci I don't know if you allow this, feel free to delete this portion if not appropriate) but I have always used olive oil to help control them, a tsp or so mixed into their food once a week instead of the nasty commercial hairball remedies. It coats the hairball and helps it pass in the stool and is a harmless substitute if not used in excess (olive oil in excess will cause very soft stool)
Our long hair friends do require the occational bath but definatly not 2/3 times a week, more like 2/3 times a year (especially during the winter months when the heat is on).
I would bath my Persians in November and June (except those that were showing then it was every Friday night during show season).
Your grooming of them has to become a pleasure thing for them, you may be brushing to hard, not using the right comb or you yourself may be agitated and your cat is picking up on this. I have one guy who all I have to is show him the comb and he gets all excited.
For long hairs I recommend a stainless steel tooth comb with medium/course teeth for the ruff, body and bloomers and a flea comb (with a handle, not the ones that look like a pick) to use around their face, chin, head, tail and belly (very sensitive there).
For short hairs, have you tried the type that is a glove??
For hairballs a good diet and grooming is essential for decreasing them, but they will eventually form. (Traci I don't know if you allow this, feel free to delete this portion if not appropriate) but I have always used olive oil to help control them, a tsp or so mixed into their food once a week instead of the nasty commercial hairball remedies. It coats the hairball and helps it pass in the stool and is a harmless substitute if not used in excess (olive oil in excess will cause very soft stool)
Re: cat bath
There's nothing wrong with appropriate hairball remedies, such as Laxatone, they are appropriate for the intended purpose. As always, they should be used in moderation, not in excess.
I don't recommend olive oil simply for the reason that if the cat is eating an appropriate diet, it is probably already fortified with appropriate EFA's, and if oversupplemented, then there is a risk (as there is also with deficiencies). On an occasional basis, probably not too problematic, but on a weekly basis, that might be overdoing it, especially if you are including other supplements, etc (which of course can interfere with EFA activity and utilization, interfere with absorption).
I don't recommend olive oil simply for the reason that if the cat is eating an appropriate diet, it is probably already fortified with appropriate EFA's, and if oversupplemented, then there is a risk (as there is also with deficiencies). On an occasional basis, probably not too problematic, but on a weekly basis, that might be overdoing it, especially if you are including other supplements, etc (which of course can interfere with EFA activity and utilization, interfere with absorption).
..........Traci