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Archive through April 03, 2006

The TVClubHouse: General Discussion ARCHIVES: 2006 Mar. ~ 2006 May: Hairball Haven: Cats (ARCHIVES): Archive through April 03, 2006 users admin

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Froggiegirl621
Member

02-14-2003

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 10:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Froggiegirl621 a private message Print Post    
OK, this is going to be a stupid question for all you other cat lovers. Does anyone else have to bathe their cat frequently due to them having an odor?

Since we "acquired" Max as a stray, he of course was bathed right from the get go as a kitten (maybe once a month). As he got older we continued, only on a less frequent basis, so he would still be comfortable getting baths and not claw us to death. I've noticed in the last few months that he gets an odor which has prompted us to give him a bath maybe every three weeks.

I've had cats before and never had a problem of them needing to be bathed due to an odor, mostly it was just due to cleanliness. I have relatives who almost never give their cats baths, with no problems - the cat just takes care of themselves.

Is this normal? Are some cat just more lax about cleaning themselves? Any thoughts on the odor? Help!


Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 10:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Can't help, sorry. I've never had to bath any of my Siamese. I love to bury my nose in Ophelia's fur. She has a very light, pleasant odor.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 11:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
Cats are different when it comes to cleaning themselves. Some are very careful about it and others are a bit careless. I’ve never had a cat whose coat smelled though. Maybe it’s oil or something and you could buy some sort of special conditioner that would take care of it?

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 12:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
i bet the stink you're smelling is her glands. i'd have the vet express them. the reason for the "every three weeks" is that your cat do it a little by their cleaning. but probably not enough to get away the full stink. have the vet express them, then give max a good bath.

also, is max an "indoor-only" kitty? this will also help if he is.


Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 12:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
What kind of kitty is Max? How long is his hair? How old is he? And what kind of "odor"? (Does it smell like cat urine? excrement? fish breath? what?)

I have two kids, and the only time either one has gotten a bath was when I first brought them home (at 8 months for Costa, who is now 10; at 3 weeks for Kassie, who is now 8). Oh, and the one time Costa jumped on a toilet at a neighbors... one who didn't leave the lid down!

I would check with your vet. Cats are notoriously fastidious when it come to cleaning. It's also possible that you are giving him too MANY baths, and causing problems. Cats are not like dogs; I'm not sure they should be bathed that often.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
I agree that most cats clean themselves well. My Whiskers has multiple probs which I cant figure out. He doesnt cover his poo, When he pees he waves his hand up in the air (like a mime LOL) kind of like he knows he is supposed to dig but doesnt know where. Whiskers also doesnt clean his bottom. He often runs around with a little clingon attached!

Even then he doesnt smell.
If the cat is an inside cat there may be a chance that kitty has a skin condition...not bad enough to see skin outbreak thru the hair but a funny smell. (some fungal infections can smell strange but arent that noticeable)


Possibly, Washing the cat may be making the skin worse in the long run. Some cats may be have a skin reaction to the perfumes and chemicals in the shampoo. My dog was allergic to all kinds of stuff



I am wondering if Froggiegirl's cat is rolling in garbage outside or finding a hideyhole with musky clothes to lay in.



*******
Strange problem. Let us know what you discover. I assume that a vet has examined your critter.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 2:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
I'm researching Cat Bath.

HEY, there are waterless cat wash products out there. I never knew that

Catnip Happy Foam Bath --Cats hate baths -- but they love catnip because it triggers the "fun and pleasure zone" in their brains. Catnip Happy Bath Foam quickly cleans and moisturizes your cat's coat and skin without using water while making your cat feel happy and playful.-

yes ANY cat could learn to enjoy a bath if catnip is involved ha ha ha

*******
Interesting. I just read about someone's cat which had mouth problems and so it's saliva was stinky. Then it licks it's fur and the smell is all over the cat.

maybe your kitty has a mouth problem??

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 3:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
I never bathe Boo. The only times she's gotten a bath/wet is when I've been taking a bath and she fell in. She cleans herself and has always done so. Like Ophilia, I love to bury my nose into Boo; she smells like, well, Boo! :-)

Froggiegirl621
Member

02-14-2003

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 11:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Froggiegirl621 a private message Print Post    
Sunshyne4u hit the nail on the head...

Soon after I posted my question/problem I got to thinking that I hadn't seen Max since very early this morning, so of course I got curious and went about hunting for him. Looked everywhere, couldn't find him. I went out onto the sunporch (Max's room), looked for like the fourth time, and just as I was about to leave the room I see his little head poke out of a box (which I might add had two other boxes stacked on top of it). Somehow he managed to squeeze his way into a box that was stored with old t-shirts/clothes which we were saving to use as rags. I pulled the box out and from the looks of it he's been using this spot as a bed for quite a while. So I think I solved my problem. The old shirts had a bit of a musty/old/slight body odor smell to them - heck, they're old, worn-in shirts! So he's been picking up the odor from the shirts. Yay! At least it's not a serious problem. The box has been moved and I put some of his towels (yes, he has his own towels!) out there for a bed. I think since it's been getting warmer he likes to sleep out there instead of on the couch or in his cat bed. Cats, gotta love them!

But to answer some of your other questions...Max is an indoor cat and I wouldn't have it any other way. He loves water and tolerates the baths well. He'll even peek his head through the shower curtains and bat at the water coming out of the shower head when anybody is in there. I've asked my vet about bathing him and she said it's not a problem. He never smelled like urine or feces, it was just a musty odor. I'm kind of shocked that no one else bathes their cats! So now that I've solved the problem he'll get one more bath and then we'll go back to the every 3 months or so routine.

Thanks for your help.


Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 1:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
I couldn't bathe Boo if I wanted to. She can't stand water, runs quickly in the other direction the minute it's turned on. She cleans herself quite well several times a day so there's really no need for me to bathe her. Every cat is different though.

Jeep
Member

10-17-2001

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 9:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jeep a private message Print Post    
Great pics! Glad Froggiegirl found the problem! I have bathed a cat only once in my life and nearly needed stitches from it. Won't be doing that again......although I do sometimes take a wet paper towel to Fred's butt because he is too fat to turn around and clean it. LOL

Casper is making a slow comeback. Every time I put food down, she only takes two licks. But she has pood two days in a row, so I knew she had to be getting something. Last night the light bulb went off. Even tho she nit picks the food, I have so much down and giving her so many treats and real meat that even if she takes one bite of everything, it's a good bit of food. The bowls aren't empty, but that's because there are so many of them at this time! LOL She's having a bit of trouble adjusting to eating with an open space on each side of her mouth. Seems like she has to wallow the dry food around in her mouth until she hits two teeth together. I guess she'll get the hang of it. She's gained almost a whole pound back. Yeah! At least 2 more to go.

Now Fred, who has skin alergies, has a nasty bump on his neck, which is the beginning of an open sore, almost like hot spots in a dog. I gave him his pills yesterday and today and hopefully can ward this time off without another trip to the vet for a steroid shot. He's a load to carry!

Shadoe
Member

11-04-2004

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 5:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Shadoe a private message Print Post    
Bathe my cats?
Sorry I do not have suicidal tendencies.

Both Shadoe and Booboo are super clean. They are forever cleaning themselves and each other.

I think I could maybe live through bathing Shadoe if I really had to but Booboo would most definitely take a mental fit and do me great harm.

As it is now, I think I offend her by just patting her. She literally licks any area that I pat as if I had dirtied her coat!

I know they don't mind water because I can leave the tap dripping in the tub, and they both jump in there and wet their paws and then wash themselves.
They just want to do the washing themselves I guess.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 5:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
i want this kitty.

landi new kitty

how do i get chuck and holly to want her too? I REALLY WANT HER!


Jbean
Member

01-05-2002

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 5:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jbean a private message Print Post    
froggie, my cat would probably kill me if i tried to give her a bath...she is big and mean! haven't given her a bath since probably when she was a kitten. she is overly-clean, though, and like shadoe's cat, macy will clean herself where i've touched her or given her kisses...very funny animal.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 5:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
Wow! She's a real cutey Landi. We might be getting one ourselves this Friday. The girls are very excited about getting another kitten. They miss our last little guy (they miss him - I miss him too something awful).

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 8:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
She's adorable, landi!

Jimmer, I hope that happens and of course that you share many pictures!

I visited the rescue again today and six baby kittens have been adopted, leaving the gorgeous black Bombay mama cat (who is a kitten herself) and one of her black and white babies. I hope they get adopted together.

All the adults still there including sweet Sheila.. I was talking to her and leafing through a neat cat book and came across the Scottish Folds and really with her poor cut off ears, she doesn't look all that different.. she has the round face look and she's so tiny. She was born in January LAST year (at least according to the sign). Anyway she has the best personality!

Nancy
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 7:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nancy a private message Print Post    
my best friend just adopted a little 8 week old kittie from the shelter



Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 7:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
Russian blue is a gorgeous cat. They really do look bluish in real life!! The only one I know of is crazy though. I figure it is because of being Purebred.

Hey Jeep, have you tried Fred on a natural rawfood diet? Lots of animals are starting to develop allergies to kibble and canned food.

It actually is pretty easy. Rice, vegetables and some meat (cooked fish too) then food process it (or blend). You can make it for a couple of days at a time.

Jbean
Member

01-05-2002

Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 9:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jbean a private message Print Post    
a new picture of macy....love that siamese can cross their eyes!

Macy



Mamapors
Member

07-29-2004

Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 12:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamapors a private message Print Post    
So landi, did you get that beautiful kittie????

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
nope, chuck and holly wouldn't even go look. although i want her badly. i'm outvoted.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Monday, April 03, 2006 - 10:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Sea, your information on Sheila really makes me so mad and sad that someone could do that. I am amazed that she is so sweet, good for her. Someone is going to get a really great kitty.

Jbean, Macy has fantastic coloring!

Mame, thanks for the pet the cat link, what fun!

I love everyone's photos! Pamy, I think Dopey has the most human face!

Landi, I know what you mean about the stink from glands. Froggie, I am glad you found Max's odor problem and it isn't the glands. Our dog had anal gland problems for about 8 mos and she really smelled terrible.

We rarely ever bathed our cats. For about the last year or so of Cashmere's life, I would hold her paws under warm running water to loosen clumped litter sometimes. I also considered doing away with the clumping litter completely. Anyway, she didn't mind much or at all sometimes. The last time I remember giving her an actual bath was about 18 years ago. I ended up with a bloody face. I felt bad that she was so upset that she had to actually swipe me like that. Both cats got baths when they were really young and had fleas. I was pretty scared the way they would stare into my eyes. I'm not sure either ever got a bath once we conquered the flea problem. I use actual baby wipes on Oreo sometimes. She still grooms some, but ever since last fall when she was really sick, her stools never firmed up a lot no matter what she eats. She hasn't covered up in the box in years and actually thinks if her paws are in the box, she's in even if her butt is hanging over the edge. (I buy a lot of puppy pads.) Anyway, she grooms some, but sometimes I have to help her out with the baby wipes. Sometimes I cut fur off her tail and backside too if it is really bad and cemented on.

Nancy, your friend's new kitty looks so much like my Oreo did when she was little except Oreo has white around one eye and is darker.

Jeep, I am so glad to hear about Casper (and Fred too). I am glad she's slowly making a comeback! I was thinking about her and hadn't been able to get to tvch in what feels like so long. If anything with her happens in the future where she needs fluids, since she is so afraid of the vet, maybe you could give them to her at home if it is under the skin type that she could have.

A couple weeks ago, I got Oreo's lab info back. Her albumin is low which could indicate liver disease. The vet also decreased her thyroid pill to 1/4 pill twice a day. She is on new med and I will take her to weigh her today or tomor or Wed. She is eating ok and things aren't any worse in the litter box. She does seem to be ok and the vet said she looks really good as far as her eyes and being alert. Maybe she has forgotten about Cashmere or is at least getting used to being alone. She has actually come out of her little igloo to be picked up by my oldest daughter. We all drag her out of there several times a day. She is getting more used to being held in the house around the dog. She still can't stand our wonderful dog either. I wish it would stop raining here in no. CA for awhile so Oreo could go lay out in the sun for awhile. She really likes to do that, has a favorite spot hidden a bit in our front yard.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Monday, April 03, 2006 - 11:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Oreo and Cashmere in their igloo.

cats in igloo resized again

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, April 03, 2006 - 4:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
More wishes for Rosie, guys! He's not doing well right now!

Mamapors
Member

07-29-2004

Monday, April 03, 2006 - 8:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamapors a private message Print Post    
Oh no Costa!! And he had rebounded so well. My positive thoughts are with Rosie!!!!