Bath Time!!!

[princessofjade]

My cat used to have ringworm when I first brought her home. I bath her constantly like every 2 or 3 days and put Lamisil oitment. Kitana is okay with taking bath constantly because she really likes water.

Now, she's all clean and healthy so I bath her every 7 days. However, I do not know if it is healthy to give cat shower every week. :rolleyes:

What do you recomended?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I would almost think that once a week would be a bit much, but if Kitana has no problem with it, and her skin isn't getting all dried out - why not? The dry skin would be my only concern.

Glad she got rid of the ringworm. :)

[slick]

Once a week is too much because it dries out their skin. My groomer told me that a cat should only have a bath when necessary, perhaps twice a year. Cats do an amazing job of keeping themselves clean so giving them a bath is not needed. Some older kitties need help keeping their back-ends clean but younger, healthy kitties should be able to do the job themselves.

Where's Jen? She's a groomer and give some great advice.

[Randi]

Originally posted by slick
..... perhaps twice a year. Cats do an amazing job of keeping themselves clean so giving them a bath is not needed. Some older kitties need help keeping their back-ends clean but younger, healthy kitties should be able to do the job themselves.

I tend to agree with Slick here! :)

The only "wash" Fister gets is when he's deposited in the box, then sometimes I take a wet cotton make-up pad and wipe his behind.

[Barbara]

I second that. A healthy cat doesn't need a bath. You may have noticed how nice they smell, even when not bathed:)

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by Barbara
I second that. A healthy cat doesn't need a bath. You may have noticed how nice they smell, even when not bathed:) .... and that's why we have cat huffing! :D

[Equus217]

Originally posted by RedHedd
.... and that's why we have cat huffing! :D

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!:D :D :D

[smokey the elder]

Where is rpcathouse? I know show cats get bathed more frequently. They probably have super mild shampoo which won't dry out their skin.

[princessofjade]

Finally I decided to give Kitana a bath once a month but how can you tell if your cat skin/fur is dried so you can lessen the frequent bath?

[RedHedd]

If the kitty's fur/skin is dry you might notice kitty "dandruff" or the fur will feel coarse to the touch. Adding flax oil or other omega oils to the food (or look for a food that has flax or omega oils already in it) will improve your kitty's coat. Also frequent grooming - brushing and that wonderful tool that PT meowmies rave about, the shedding blade, will help remove dead hair so you shouldn't have to bathe your cat too frequently. HTH

[rpcathouse]

Hello Everyone,
Sorry I have been away so long!! Computer problems, work and kittens. It has been crazy around here. Work and kittens I can deal with but a gumped up computer is really bad.
Ok on bathing kitties. One thing I can recommend is a very good quility shampoo such as Oatmeal base Cat shampoo. It is very gentle to skin and fur. But the main thing is to rinse, rinse, and rinse again and when you think you are done is rinse some more. For a very dirty greasy cat I would recommend Filthy Animal Shampoo by Kelco. After shampooing and all the rinses I delute white vinegar and use that as a final rinse and then rinse again till the smell is gone. Oh! I have used baby shampoo on very young kittens because it is very gentle also.
Unless you are showing I would not bath a cat more than 2 - 3 times a year unless it is a very nasty greasy coat. The moisture and oils are needed for a healthy coat. You don't want to strip the coat and damage the fur.
We won't even go into a show bath everyone would think I am crazy! I guess I am. It is nice to be back and see someone ask about me.
Well, I am going to go and read more and catch up on what I have been missing and do a little posting of my own.

P.S. I don't know if I posted it or not but Chino had a cancerous tumor on his skull that had to be removed and it was and he is doing fine. I keep praying that it will not return.

See Ya,
Stella