Re: Question #2: Grooming
Nope, just furkids and hubby :) gee, belinda, do you sleep with yours on the bed next to you, too? probably not, you have a human companion! -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
Re: Question #2: Grooming
I have a Wahl grooming set I bought at Walmart for about $30.00 and cut off any mats, my long hairs DO NOT like brushing, but in a few minutes I can clip off the mats or areas that they don't clean good. Cody's my over weight guy and it's not going to be long before I have to clip the fur on his behind and down his legs, he's a Mainecoon mix. They don't like it much especially in the back area, but it's over with quickly because I keep up on it. They are much happier once the mats aren't pulling their skin anymore. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
Re: Question #2: Grooming
yep, i have one of those, too--i have one that's cordless OR corded, and that makes chasing them down really easy. they really do NOT mind the clippers once they get used to the sound of it. i must admit, tho, that my first trial last summer, on a shaded-silver persian was far more traumatic for her than for me--she wouldn't let anyone see her for months--i've gotten MUCH better since then! On 8/28/06, Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have a Wahl grooming set I bought at Walmart for about $30.00 andcut off any mats, my long hairs DO NOT like brushing, but in a few minutes I can clip off the mats or areas that they don't clean good.Cody's my over weight guy and it's not going to be long before I have toclip the fur on his behind and down his legs, he's a Mainecoon mix. They don't like it much especially in the back area, but it's over withquickly because I keep up on it.They are much happier once the matsaren't pulling their skin anymore.--Belindahappiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kittieshttp://bemikitties.comPost Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittenshttp://adopt.bemikitties.comFeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/clsHostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design]http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]http://bmk.bemikitties.com-- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors!Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristineAIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCatsMSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]ICQ: 289856892
Re: Question #2: Grooming
yep, i have one of those, too--i have one that's cordless OR corded, and that makes chasing them down really easy.. Sounds like the same one, keeps the charge for a long time too. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
Re: Question #2: Grooming
gee, belinda, do you sleep with yours on the bed next to you, too? probably not, you have a human companion! On 8/28/06, Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: yep, i have one of those, too--i have one that's cordless OR corded, and that makes chasing them down really easy.. Sounds like the same one, keeps the charge for a long time too.--Belindahappiness is being owned by cats ...Be-Mi-Kittieshttp://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittenshttp://adopt.bemikitties.comFeLV Candlelight Servicehttp://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design]http://HostDesign4U.comBMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com-- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors!Maybe That'll Make The DifferenceMaryChristineAIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]ICQ: 289856892
Re: Question #2: Grooming
I use a grooming glove on all the shorthairs, once a week or so: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=8251(the one I own) http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf%5Fid=110135701(a different brand) Miranda, my only longhair (a slightly double coated DLH with fine downy fur), gets combed once a week (though it should be done every other day, I live a busy life, and she gets neglected) with a medium shedding comb: http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=3733Nav=1N=0Ntt=shedding+combsku=771791(the one I use) I also occasionally, during prime shedding seasons, use a soft CAT slicker on the thicker shorthairs (I would NEVER recommend using this on a fine coated breed or one with no undercoat, like Siamese, Abyssinians, Orientals, etc): http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_1992_PC_productlist_Nav_203_N_23+102_cp_4_Nao_36_sku_848433_familyID_10275.aspx (the one I have now, but don't really care for, as it's too clunky) I used to own one that was called the "Tiny Tiger Cat Slicker", and it was a MUCH better tool, more like this one, but I can't vouch for the hardness of this one's pins: http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=72itemType=PRODUCTiMainCat=12iSubCat=27iSubSubCat=0iProductID=72 For a fine, short coat, a grooming glove and an occasional bath should be all that is ever needed. I'd suggest a flea bath using a good flea shampoo every late spring or summer, and a non-soap skin and coat moisturizing bath in the winter. Some breeds require more frequent baths, such as Sphynx and Persians, due to higher skin oil production. The shampoos I prefer over all others: http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1752itemType=PRODUCTiMainCat=12iSubCat=245iSubSubCat=0iProductID=1752 (flea shampoo) http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product1.asp?pf_id=11051034(the best general and deodorizing shampoo) http://www.episoothe.com/ (for itchy, irritated skin) http://www.dvmpharmaceuticals.com/display.html?c=3fam=Relief%20Shampoo(for itchy, flaky, dryskin, AND, get this, MY PERSONAL SHAMPOO, yes, for ME, the HUMAN, it makes my hair look WONDERFUL combined with Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioner) Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost SpayNeuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.htmlSpecial Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program:http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more!It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.6/428 - Release Date: 8/25/2006
RE: Question #2: Grooming
Questionhow do you handle knots in a dlh who is a bit lazy about self-grooming. I swear she makes a face everytime she goes to groom! I try to comb her every day but now Im thinking that I almost just cut her hair short in spots that she just doesnt seem to take care of herself (like her rear end). Of course, you can imagine shes not thrilled about that! Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 2:48 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: Question #2: Grooming I use a grooming glove on all the shorthairs, once a week or so: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=8251(the one I own) http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf%5Fid=110135701(a different brand) Miranda, my only longhair (a slightly double coated DLH with fine downy fur), gets combed once a week (though it should be done every other day, I live a busy life, and she gets neglected) with a medium shedding comb: http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=3733Nav=1N=0Ntt=shedding+combsku=771791(the one I use) I also occasionally, during prime shedding seasons, use a soft CAT slicker on the thicker shorthairs (I would NEVER recommend using this on a fine coated breed or one with no undercoat, like Siamese, Abyssinians, Orientals, etc): http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_1992_PC_productlist_Nav_203_N_23+102_cp_4_Nao_36_sku_848433_familyID_10275.aspx (the one I have now, but don't really care for, as it's too clunky) I used to own one that was called the Tiny Tiger Cat Slicker, and it was a MUCH better tool, more like this one, but I can't vouch for the hardness of this one's pins: http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=72itemType=PRODUCTiMainCat=12iSubCat=27iSubSubCat=0iProductID=72 For a fine, short coat, a grooming glove and an occasional bath should be all that is ever needed. I'd suggest a flea bath using a good flea shampoo every late spring or summer, and a non-soap skin and coat moisturizing bath in the winter. Some breeds require more frequent baths, such as Sphynx and Persians, due to higher skin oil production. The shampoos I prefer over all others: http://www.petedge.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1752itemType=PRODUCTiMainCat=12iSubCat=245iSubSubCat=0iProductID=1752 (flea shampoo) http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product1.asp?pf_id=11051034(the best general and deodorizing shampoo) http://www.episoothe.com/ (for itchy, irritated skin) http://www.dvmpharmaceuticals.com/display.html?c=3fam=Relief%20Shampoo(for itchy, flaky, dryskin, AND, get this, MY PERSONAL SHAMPOO, yes, for ME, the HUMAN, it makes my hair look WONDERFUL combined with Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioner) Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost SpayNeuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners: http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.html Special Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program: http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more! It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need!
Re: Question #2: Grooming
I trim the spots that Miranda wont let me brush (the private parts). Most vet offices can do a "sanitary clip" which removes the hair from the butt, inside the rear legs, and up under the tail. A good conditioner may help in your case, though I don't use them myself on my cats, I know many purebred people swear by them for longhairs. MC could probably suggest a few good ones for keeping the coat mat free, she's the Persian person on this group. OR, just go join a Persian cat yahoogroup, and ask what they use. They are the hardest to keep groomed breed, I believe, so if it works for them, it should work for you. There are combs special made for breaking up mats, with blade type teeth that cut through the mats. Search for matbreaker comb, or dematting comb. I usually try to finger pick out the mats I find, if you are patient, you can usually pluck at them and loosened them up and get them out without much hair loss if they are new mats (less then 3 days old). Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost SpayNeuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.htmlSpecial Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program:http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more!It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.6/428 - Release Date: 8/25/2006
Re: Question #2: Grooming
I agreed with MC observations and suggestions regarding grooming! You have to go on what each individual cat likes when it comes to different grooming tasks! I find that most cats in general like to be brushed. Brushing can be a positive bonding experience for you and the cat. MC's suggestion regarding the Zoom Groom is correct. My cats love the Zoom Groom when I have time to use it. I usually brush only the cats that are long hair or are fat. Fat cats have a difficult time grooming their hind end due to their weight and get knotted up. Cat rescue keeps me pretty busy! I think my rescues get more attention then my own personal cats! I feel guilty alot of times regarding not having enough time for my own cats. Baths are a different story! Usually that is the worldwide wrestling of human verses kitty! I will not give a bath to a cat or kitten unless they are dirty from dirt, grease, urine, feces or other substances. I specialize in orphan kittens under the age of 4 weeks. That is when I give alot of baths. My last litter of kittens that was three days old when I got them required three baths a day! Talk about dish pan hands! Nail clipping usually is done in sessions. If I can get two to three nails clipped, I count my blessings! If I get a whole paw or two, I feel truly lucky and I am off to play the lottery! I try to remember to clip nails once a month with the rescues. My own personal cats is when their nails catch on me or anything else! I have the best success when I go to the vet. The cats are so upset about not being home that they will let me clip all four paws! I do not have time to brush teeth with any of the cats, rescues or private! I have heard that once a day is good! With my FIV cats (private and rescues), I will use a dental variety (regular or prescription) dry food to help with their teeth. Ear cleaning is done only when necessity! My personal cats ears rarely get cleaned because usually do not need it. The rescue cats ears are checked, elevated and cleaned once when coming in. If infected, they are treated for the infection until it clears up and left alone afterward. You have to be careful about ear cleaning! Too much ear cleaning can cause a yeast infection! Precious Pets --- TenHouseCats [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: combing/brushing has a lot to do with the particular cat--i have persians and dlhs, so we sit around and knit ourselves together. i am incapable of holding a cat without checking for mats, and starting out detangling with fingers i have brushes and combs all over the house (those that the cats haven't hidden on me, at least, including next to the bed. last year, i broke down and bought a clipper, because matted persians will allow clipping WAY before they'll accept having the knots removed less mechanically! with short-haired cats, brushing isn't AS vital, however, if you go and get yourself a Zoom Groom, which most cats LOVE, you'll be amazed at how much stuff is hanging out on your short-haired cat! in fact, i'm almost convinced that short-hairs shed MORE than long-hairs do. prices vary, but it shouldn't be much more than this:http://www.petcarecentral.com/ko-117.html i've had cats who hate being brushed FIGHT over whose turn is next with one of these. they're useless for long coats, tho. if you've got a kitty with only a few mats, use baby powder and sort of rub it into the mat--that breaks them up and makes brushing/combing them out much easier. detangling sprays are available, too, but the baby powder actually works almost as well. i clip their claws when they start sticking to things---me, the furniture, the screens, etc. i rarely clip rear claws. it's important to keep an eye on claws because they can grow back into the pads and cause infections/pain. i haven't done a full-body bath on a cat in years. with the persians, well, when there's diarrhea, it gets ripe pretty easily, so partial baths are occasionally necessary. if the offending substance has already dried, i'll usually use the clippers instead of trying to rehydrate the mess. teeth. well, i know that i SHOULD be brushing their teeth, but i just haven't been able to bring myself to doing it. rita from purrever ranch mentioned recently about adding ground-up bones to food to remove tartar--i'd like more info on that! i pretty much ignore their ears until they let me know there's a problem; usually if its anything, it's earmites, and i give them a dose of ivermectin. MC -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892 __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Question #2: Grooming
I never thought about the flea comb for basic grooming for the short hair cats! I got to try that. ROFL regarding the force! Boy is that true! Precious Pets --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Oh - I was going to say too...most of my cats have short hair (two don't)..but for the short-haired guys I got a very fine-toothed flea comb in the doggy section of PetSmart. You would be amazed how much hair you can comb out of a short-haired cat! It really gets down to the undercoat too...especially on their back near their tail. I comb them out about once a week...and I'm talking big handfulls of hair off of each one. Yeah - I know I'm a nut...but I'm totally allergic to cats and have eight in my house. The thing is though - my quality of life would diminish so much without my babies LOL I'm not going to live in a bubble. Using that flea comb and keeping everything washed frequently in hot water makes all the difference in the world. Have benedryl - will travel! LOL Something very remarkable happens when I bathe a cat (which is like - never -- has to be a good reason). It is as though both me and the cat grow these huge, powerful energy fields of opposite polarity. The force is so strong that the cat instantly attaches to me, my head, my legs. It defies the laws of physics! Talk about bonding... elizabeth :0) *Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.* -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 2:16 PM Subject: Re: Question #2: Grooming combing/brushing has a lot to do with the particular cat--i have persians and dlhs, so we sit around and knit ourselves together. i am incapable of holding a cat without checking for mats, and starting out detangling with fingers i have brushes and combs all over the house (those that the cats haven't hidden on me, at least, including next to the bed. last year, i broke down and bought a clipper, because matted persians will allow clipping WAY before they'll accept having the knots removed less mechanically!with short-haired cats, brushing isn't AS vital, however, if you go and get yourself a Zoom Groom, which most cats LOVE, you'll be amazed at how much stuff is hanging out on your short-haired cat! in fact, i'm almost convinced that short-hairs shed MORE than long-hairs do. prices vary, but it shouldn't be much more than this: http://www.petcarecentral.com/ko-117.html i've had cats who hate being brushed FIGHT over whose turn is next with one of these. they're useless for long coats, tho. if you've got a kitty with only a few mats, use baby powder and sort of rub it into the mat--that breaks them up and makes brushing/combing them out much easier. detangling sprays are available, too, but the baby powder actually works almost as well.i clip their claws when they start sticking to things---me, the furniture, the screens, etc. i rarely clip rear claws. it's important to keep an eye on claws because they can grow back into the pads and cause infections/pain. i haven't done a full-body bath on a cat in years. with the persians, well, when there's diarrhea, it gets ripe pretty easily, so partial baths are occasionally necessary. if the offending substance has already dried, i'll usually use the clippers instead of trying to rehydrate the mess.teeth. well, i know that i SHOULD be brushing their teeth, but i just haven't been able to bring myself to doing it. rita from purrever ranch mentioned recently about adding ground-up bones to food to remove tartar--i'd like more info on that!i pretty much ignore their ears until they let me know there's a problem; usually if its anything, it's earmites, and i give them a dose of ivermectin. MC -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892 Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free. __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Question #2: Grooming
How and how often do you all groom your cats (including combing/brushing coat, bathing, trimming nails, brushing teeth, cleaning ears, etc.). I never really even considered doing all these things because the cats we had when I was in high school were kind of left to themselves. We fed them and took them to the vet, but my stepmom never really even played with them, much less brushed them or anything (they were indoor/outdoor). And the most we ever did for our dog was brush her. The idea of brushing teeth, trimming nails, etc. is pretty foreign to me! I recently started combing Slinky...and he loves it! I'm working up to being able to trim his nails and brush his teeth. But I'm wondering...is all this necessary? If so, how often? Also, what about bathing? The owner of my natural pet food store says she uses wipes instead of bathing her cats. Is that sufficient? I don't want to take this too far and torture him with unnecessary things, but I also want to make sure he stays healthy. So what are your thoughts?MJ __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
OT: Re: Question #2: Grooming
Hey Marissa, Good questions. I think I've read to brush kitties everyday if they are long haired and less often if short haired. It's really up to what your schedule will allow. But they ususally LOVE it, so everyday would be great for bonding for you two. I do not do dental on any of my cats. We can't afford it and I don't necessarily believe in dental for cats. Cats have lived for the same amount of years before all this dental stuff started being promoted. I trim their nails when I notice the skin coming off my arms when I play with them. LOL. ;) I don't think all cats nails need to be trimmed. If they aren't scratching you, your family or guests, or tearing up your furniture, I think you can leave them be. I clean the ears when I notice wax, etc. in them. But some cats just don't get wax, so some ears don't need cleaning. I never bathe my cats unless they've gotten into poo or something else they can't get off themselves or that stinks. I learned that the hard way when I was in junior high. I still have the scar in my groin area to prove it. LOL. Thanks for taking such good care of your kitties! :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Question #2: Grooming
combing/brushing has a lot to do with the particular cat--i have persians and dlhs, so we sit around and knit ourselves together. i am incapable of holding a cat without checking for mats, and starting out detangling with fingers i have brushes and combs all over the house (those that the cats haven't hidden on me, at least, including next to the bed. last year, i broke down and bought a clipper, because matted persians will allow clipping WAY before they'll accept having the knots removed less mechanically! with short-haired cats, brushing isn't AS vital, however, if you go and get yourself a Zoom Groom, which most cats LOVE, you'll be amazed at how much stuff is hanging out on your short-haired cat! in fact, i'm almost convinced that short-hairs shed MORE than long-hairs do. prices vary, but it shouldn't be much more than this: http://www.petcarecentral.com/ko-117.htmli've had cats who hate being brushed FIGHT over whose turn is next with one of these. they're useless for long coats, tho. if you've got a kitty with only a few mats, use baby powder and sort of rub it into the mat--that breaks themupand makesbrushing/combing them out much easier. detangling sprays are available, too, but the baby powder actually works almost as well. i clip their claws when they start sticking to things---me, the furniture, the screens, etc. i rarely clip rear claws. it's important to keep an eye on claws because they can grow back into the pads and cause infections/pain. i haven't done a full-body bath on a cat in years. with the persians, well, when there's diarrhea, it gets ripe pretty easily, so partial baths are occasionally necessary. if the offending substance has already dried, i'll usually use the clippers instead of trying to rehydrate the mess. teeth. well, i know that i SHOULD be brushing their teeth, but i just haven't been able to bring myself to doing it. rita from purrever ranch mentioned recently about adding ground-up bones to food to remove tartar--i'd like more info on that! i pretty much ignore their ears until they let me know there's a problem; usually if its anything, it's earmites, and i give them a dose of ivermectin. MC -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors!Maybe That'll Make The DifferenceMaryChristineAIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCatsMSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892
Re: Question #2: Grooming/bones for dental
I have heard that giving bones is the natural way to allow cats and dogs their dental treatment, but haven't seen enough info. on it. Anyone out there have info. on this? Would love to know more too. I can handle this kind of dental. Brushing...no way!!! I'd like to live to see 40! LOLOLOLOL!!! Thanks for the info. on the Zoom Groom, Mary Christine. I will definitely be getting one of these. :) Wendy --- TenHouseCats [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: combing/brushing has a lot to do with the particular cat--i have persians and dlhs, so we sit around and knit ourselves together. i am incapable of holding a cat without checking for mats, and starting out detangling with fingers i have brushes and combs all over the house (those that the cats haven't hidden on me, at least, including next to the bed. last year, i broke down and bought a clipper, because matted persians will allow clipping WAY before they'll accept having the knots removed less mechanically! with short-haired cats, brushing isn't AS vital, however, if you go and get yourself a Zoom Groom, which most cats LOVE, you'll be amazed at how much stuff is hanging out on your short-haired cat! in fact, i'm almost convinced that short-hairs shed MORE than long-hairs do. prices vary, but it shouldn't be much more than this:http://www.petcarecentral.com/ko-117.html i've had cats who hate being brushed FIGHT over whose turn is next with one of these. they're useless for long coats, tho. if you've got a kitty with only a few mats, use baby powder and sort of rub it into the mat--that breaks them up and makes brushing/combing them out much easier. detangling sprays are available, too, but the baby powder actually works almost as well. i clip their claws when they start sticking to things---me, the furniture, the screens, etc. i rarely clip rear claws. it's important to keep an eye on claws because they can grow back into the pads and cause infections/pain. i haven't done a full-body bath on a cat in years. with the persians, well, when there's diarrhea, it gets ripe pretty easily, so partial baths are occasionally necessary. if the offending substance has already dried, i'll usually use the clippers instead of trying to rehydrate the mess. teeth. well, i know that i SHOULD be brushing their teeth, but i just haven't been able to bring myself to doing it. rita from purrever ranch mentioned recently about adding ground-up bones to food to remove tartar--i'd like more info on that! i pretty much ignore their ears until they let me know there's a problem; usually if its anything, it's earmites, and i give them a dose of ivermectin. MC -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892 __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Question #2: Grooming
Oh - I was going to say too...most of my cats have short hair (two don't)..but for the short-haired guys I got a very fine-toothed flea comb in the doggy section of PetSmart. You would be amazed how much hair you can comb out of a short-haired cat! It really gets down to the undercoat too...especially on their back near their tail. I comb them out about once a week...and I'm talking big handfulls of hair off of each one. Yeah - I know I'm a nut...but I'm totally allergic to cats and have eight in my house. The thing is though - my quality of life would diminish so much without my babies LOL I'm not going to live in a bubble. Using that flea comb and keeping everything washed frequently in hot water makes all the difference in the world. Have benedryl - will travel! LOL Something very remarkable happens when I bathe a cat (which is like - never -- has to be a good reason). It is as though both me and the cat grow these huge, powerful energy fields of opposite polarity. The force is so strong that the cat instantly attaches to me, my head, my legs. It defies the laws of physics! Talk about bonding... elizabeth :0) *Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.* -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 2:16 PM Subject: Re: Question #2: Grooming combing/brushing has a lot to do with the particular cat--i have persians and dlhs, so we sit around and knit ourselves together. i am incapable of holding a cat without checking for mats, and starting out detangling with fingers i have brushes and combs all over the house (those that the cats haven't hidden on me, at least, including next to the bed. last year, i broke down and bought a clipper, because matted persians will allow clipping WAY before they'll accept having the knots removed less mechanically! with short-haired cats, brushing isn't AS vital, however, if you go and get yourself a Zoom Groom, which most cats LOVE, you'll be amazed at how much "stuff" is hanging out on your short-haired cat! in fact, i'm almost convinced that short-hairs shed MORE than long-hairs do. prices vary, but it shouldn't be much more than this: http://www.petcarecentral.com/ko-117.htmli've had cats who hate being brushed FIGHT over whose turn is next with one of these. they're useless for long coats, tho. if you've got a kitty with only a few mats, use baby powder and sort of rub it into the mat--that breaks themupand makesbrushing/combing them out much easier. detangling sprays are available, too, but the baby powder actually works almost as well. i clip their claws when they start sticking to things---me, the furniture, the screens, etc. i rarely clip rear claws. it's important to keep an eye on claws because they can grow back into the pads and cause infections/pain. i haven't done a full-body bath on a cat in years. with the persians, well, when there's diarrhea, it gets ripe pretty easily, so partial baths are occasionally necessary. if the offending substance has already dried, i'll usually use the clippers instead of trying to rehydrate the mess. teeth. well, i know that i SHOULD be brushing their teeth, but i just haven't been able to bring myself to doing it. rita from purrever ranch mentioned recently about adding ground-up bones to food to remove tartar--i'd like more info on that! i pretty much ignore their ears until they let me know there's a problem; usually if its anything, it's earmites, and i give them a dose of ivermectin. MC -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892 Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
Re: Question #2: Grooming
I'm no expert, but here's my input:Everyone gets their nails trimmed when they jump on me and it hurts! lol Actually, Taylor gets hers done regularly as she tends to grow a thick covering around some of her nails and they will grow into themselves if not trimmed enough. She also had a growth in between her pads (next to her nailbed) that I noticed when cutting her nails one time. It had to be biopsied and removed.(it wasn't cancerous). So, now I inspect their pads and nailbeds when I cut their nails.Taylor gets combed regularly as she has long hair and sometimes has hairballs. The others don't get combed, nor do they have hairballs. As for bathing, I don't bathe my cats as I think they do a good job of it themselves.:) If there was a need, I would do it.I don't brush their teeth, but they do get dental checkups and they have had treatments for tartar buildup. My cat Buddy (who is at the Bridge) had regular treatments as he was FIV+ and had dental issues. I don't know about brushing my cats teeth. My cats wouldn't be thrilled!GinaMarissa Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: How and how often do you all groom your cats (including combing/brushing coat, bathing, trimming nails, brushing teeth, cleaning ears, etc.). I never really even considered doing all these things because the cats we had when I was in high school were kind of left to themselves. We fed them and took them to the vet, but my stepmom never really even played with them, much less brushed them or anything (they were indoor/outdoor). And the most we ever did for our dog was brush her. The idea of brushing teeth, trimming nails, etc. is pretty foreign to me! I recently started combing Slinky...and he loves it! I'm working up to being able to trim his nails and brush his teeth. But I'm wondering...is all this necessary? If so, how often? Also, what about bathing? The owner of my natural pet food store says she uses wipes instead of bathing her cats. Is that sufficient? I don't want to take this too far and torture him with unnecessary things, but I also want to make sure he stays healthy. So what are your thoughts?MJ __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Please visitmy Tigger Tales site! At the bottom of the home and links pages aremy merchant affiliate banners. If anyone uses my links to make a purchase, I will receive a percentage of all final sales.I am going to donate100% ofthe proceeds to animal welfare organizations.This is a great way to shop your favorite online pet stores and give something to a worthy cause. Thank you in advance! Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.
