The recent dust storms, and the extreme asthma season,
have resulted in a lot of cats getting very sticky, dirty
coats.
CAT SPIT + DIESEL FUMES + POLLEN = GLUE
They only have little tongues to clean themselves with,
resulting in sore mouths and sneezing, so a lot of them
will need some help from you. Now that the dust has
been largely washed down the drain, it is the stuff
indoors, and the resurgence of plants with sticky pollen
that are going to cause the next wave of sore mouths.
The answer is – Bathe your cat – REALLY. This is the Actual
Way to Bath a cat. Dr Kim has had to do several
’emergency bathings’ already in the last couple
of weeks.
In an emergency, if you do not have or cannot
get some proper cat shampoo like Aloveen
or Dermcare Natural Shampoo
(remember cat skin is different),
then Baby Shampoo,
Morning Fresh Detergent or
Sunlight Soap (all Unscented and
especially not lemon scented)
will do. Unlike proper
cat shampoos, those will
take the oil out of the cat’s
fur and make them take
much longer to dry, but
otherwise the cats will be
fine.
There are 3 secrets – Use VERY WARM (ie Hand Hot)
water. Dr Kim can wash a cat in cold water but you’ve
got to be strong and quick to get away with it!. DO NOT
RAIN on the cat – use a jug of water to dampen the
coat, or hold the shower spray CLOSE to their bodies,
especially when rinsing. You can ‘dunk’ a cat in a bucket
of water if you lower it in back feet first but it is harder
to wash and rinse them. DO NOT LET the water come
over their feet – leave the plug out of the sink and put a
rubber mat or towel in the basin for less slip.
Wash with 2 people the first time – one to push the cat
firmly DOWN on the shoulders (scruff) and bum (if they
get up and onto their back legs, you’ve lost them). Wash
in 2 goes – the first to dampen the coat to get through
the ‘glue’ or the water repellent natural coat oils. It is
helpful to have a little bit of shampoo in the jug to start.
The second wash is to get the shampoo right down
to the skin and remove the irritants – you do not need
much shampoo on a cat to get a good foam and clean.
This is a very useful technique
if owners are allergic to their cat as well – the feline
allergen is actually water soluble and risnes away. Really
itchy cats will go and sit in the bath by themselves after
a few washes – they learn it feels good.
Last step is torinse well. You really
only need a fairly rough towel
dry – even if the day is a bit
cool. If the cat is healthy, once
it starts licking itself, their coat
dries like magic (what is IN cat
spit?). Wiping the cat’s coat with
a warm damp cloth daily
works as maintenance
between washes. In ‘sticky
weather’ a wash every 4 – 6
weeks is probably OK. And
remember – cats rub their faces
on everything to say ‘mine
mine mine’, so that area is
very prone to connecting with
irritants.
If your cat is not eating, or is showing signs of
baldness or other irritation, then obviously they need to
come and see Dr Kim. Otherwise – Good Luck with REALLY
BATHING A CAT. The obvious other alternative is:
Book your cat in for a Professional Groom – PHONE CAT
PALACE NOW 02 9417 3329. So much more than just
how to bath a cat – learn how to Tame the Inner Lion!
Kitty Day Spa may be just what your cat needs to FEEL
GREAT THIS SUMMER!
