Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Annette Tilden on June 18, 2012 at 6:44am

My Winnie is approaching twenty and is no longer able to groom herself because of arthritis.  I give her a daily brushing, also sponge baths using a sponge or soft cloth just as she would use her tongue.  But I would definitely take your cat for a checkup with the vet as well.  A special cat is worth the investment, and there may be an underlying problem he can correct.  I've been told that when a cat seems particularly needy of attention it is signalling that it is getting ready to die.  Winnie has been craving attention for several years now, with no sign of passing on.  But Sweetie may be trying to tell you something else.

Permalink Reply by Lynne G. on June 18, 2012 at 9:00am

Excellent suggestions, Annette!

Too funny about Winnie craving attention for years!!  Yep, most cats start that at age zero!!

They do have that waterless shampoo for dogs, not sure if it is recommended for cats or not.  Probably some baking soda in that somewhere??

Have you noticed a weight loss?

Hope you have the same vet as you have had.  That way they know the cat's history.

Keep us posted!

Permalink Reply by laura52 on June 18, 2012 at 3:10pm

We had a cat that lived to be 17 and she was great until the last month of her life.  She wasn't a cuddler, but Wanda always wanted to be on me resting or sleeping.  She eventually did pass away of old age.

 

Annette has the right idea for sure of helping with the grooming especially to help them with the dander. 

 

I have found that giving my cat (Beau) who is now 15 years old sardines in the afternoon with some fish oil that we take.  It has helped him with his arthritis.  I just open a can of sardines  into a resealable glass container, after I have drained the water from it and I add two fish oil capsules to it.  I give Beau 1 teaspoon every afternoon and 1 can last me about 10 days without it going bad.  Of course I put it in the fridge once I have made this.  I read about this to help with the hairballs which it has.  He doesn't throw up his kibble either anymore, so it is a win/win situation that is certainly cheap enough.

 

I would have to agree with Lynne and Annette that you should get your baby to the vet just so you can have some peace of mind. 

 

I did find this on ehow.com and I am going to try this myself on Beau.

 

Instructions

1. • 1

     Make or buy a dry shampoo. Making a shampoo is simple - use pure baking soda  or pure corn starch. You may also use flour, oatmeal, or cornmeal. Baking soda  offers odor -eliminating benefits. Corn starch promotes a silky coat. There are  also many commercially made dry shampoos at your local pet store. See the  resource section below for links to popular dry shampoo  products.

   • 2

     Choose a location. The best location is outdoors. If this is not a  possibility, consider the tub or a large cardboard box. Clean up is minimal, but  if you are concerned about getting the powder on your floor or furniture, choose  the best location for your needs.

   • 3
     Put your dog or cat in the bath to minimize clean  up.

     Brush your pet well to remove excess dirt and hair. Using a slicker or  regular grooming brush, continue to brush until shedding stops. This will remove  dead hair from your pet's coat.

   • 4

     Sprinkle generous amounts of the dry shampoo directly onto your pet's coat.  Rub in the powder throughout the fur and make sure it reaches the skin. If  possible, let the shampoo remain on your pet for five minutes to give it time to  absorb oils and dirt.

   • 5

     Wipe down and brush the powder out. Use a bath towel or microfiber cloth to  wipe off excess powder. Brush out your pet's coat. Provide a treat to your pet  for enduring the dry shampoo  process.

Read more:  How to Dry Shampoo a Dog or Cat | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5071852_dry-shampoo-dog-cat.html#ixzz1yApLwgz6

 

 

Permalink Reply by Kimberly on June 18, 2012 at 6:25pm

Annette that is exactly what I was afraid of.  I talked it over with my husband and I am going to take her to the vet she has always gone to just for a check up.  I just want to make sure she is not in pain. 
 
Annette Tilden said:

My Winnie is approaching twenty and is no longer able to groom herself because of arthritis.  I give her a daily brushing, also sponge baths using a sponge or soft cloth just as she would use her tongue.  But I would definitely take your cat for a checkup with the vet as well.  A special cat is worth the investment, and there may be an underlying problem he can correct.  I've been told that when a cat seems particularly needy of attention it is signalling that it is getting ready to die.  Winnie has been craving attention for several years now, with no sign of passing on.  But Sweetie may be trying to tell you something else.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly on June 18, 2012 at 6:30pm

Laura52,

 

I can definitely try the fish oil concoction because we all take fish oil in this family.  And she is having trouble going up the stairs.  She will meow for us to take her up and down them.  And we do.  I think she might have us trained.  But it is not a problem.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly on June 18, 2012 at 6:31pm

Thank-you to everyone who replied to my issues with Sweetie.

Permalink Reply by laura52 on June 18, 2012 at 6:37pm

Keep us posted on what the vet says Kimberly.  Sending healing energy to Sweetie.  I did have to laugh at the comment about her having you trained.  Yeah, they are pretty darn good at that aren't they?  My husband picks Beau up off the bed to put him on the floor so he won't re-injure his paw that he injured jumping off the bed last year. 

Permalink Reply by Brumman on June 20, 2012 at 2:38pm

It is sad to read such life ending stories maybe we'd all be better off bowing out an earlier age.

My cat is 18 months old now and still an almost uncontrollable handful - despite all my efforts he manages to get out every day to hunt insects birds, chipmunks, squirrels etc or anything that moves. I have failed to train him to walk nicely in his harness, but his toilet (flushing) training was mostly successful, and he loves riding in the car!

Grooming is a problem because however much I brush him he still sheds minute hairs all over the place - my house is a mess! I decided early on that I would make him like bathing, but probably started a little late because he still doesn't really accept it; although now he resignedly stands in the bath and allows me to thoroughly wash him, but as soon as he can he's outside rolling on his back in some dust and clearly saying up yours!

Permalink Reply by laura52 on June 20, 2012 at 2:55pm

Bruman

 

Don't you just love how no matter how much we try to train them, they are the ones who train us.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Kimberly on June 20, 2012 at 9:49pm

Brumman,

I did try washing Sweetie when she was younger and that is exactly what she did to me too.  She went and rolled in the dirt.  But now she is older it is a different story.  I think I am coming around to the idea that I am going to have to.  She is just getting to old to keep herself smelling good enough now.  

Brumman said:

It is sad to read such life ending stories maybe we'd all be better off bowing out an earlier age.

My cat is 18 months old now and still an almost uncontrollable handful - despite all my efforts he manages to get out every day to hunt insects birds, chipmunks, squirrels etc or anything that moves. I have failed to train him to walk nicely in his harness, but his toilet (flushing) training was mostly successful, and he loves riding in the car!

Grooming is a problem because however much I brush him he still sheds minute hairs all over the place - my house is a mess! I decided early on that I would make him like bathing, but probably started a little late because he still doesn't really accept it; although now he resignedly stands in the bath and allows me to thoroughly wash him, but as soon as he can he's outside rolling on his back in some dust and clearly saying up yours!

Permalink Reply by Kimberly on June 20, 2012 at 9:52pm

Laura52,

Yes, it is just they are so darn cute.  I mean how could we not help them when they need it.  They go their whole lives being so independent.  But when they get old I am beginning to understand they need us a lot more.  I will keep you posted.  

laura52 said:

Keep us posted on what the vet says Kimberly.  Sending healing energy to Sweetie.  I did have to laugh at the comment about her having you trained.  Yeah, they are pretty darn good at that aren't they?  My husband picks Beau up off the bed to put him on the floor so he won't re-injure his paw that he injured jumping off the bed last year. 

Permalink Reply by Kimberly on June 20, 2012 at 9:55pm

Thanks I will look for the dry shampoo at the pet market.  I appreciate all these ideas.  It has given me many different good ideas on how to take care of an older cat.

laura52 said:

We had a cat that lived to be 17 and she was great until the last month of her life.  She wasn't a cuddler, but Wanda always wanted to be on me resting or sleeping.  She eventually did pass away of old age.

 

Annette has the right idea for sure of helping with the grooming especially to help them with the dander. 

 

I have found that giving my cat (Beau) who is now 15 years old sardines in the afternoon with some fish oil that we take.  It has helped him with his arthritis.  I just open a can of sardines  into a resealable glass container, after I have drained the water from it and I add two fish oil capsules to it.  I give Beau 1 teaspoon every afternoon and 1 can last me about 10 days without it going bad.  Of course I put it in the fridge once I have made this.  I read about this to help with the hairballs which it has.  He doesn't throw up his kibble either anymore, so it is a win/win situation that is certainly cheap enough.

 

I would have to agree with Lynne and Annette that you should get your baby to the vet just so you can have some peace of mind. 

 

I did find this on ehow.com and I am going to try this myself on Beau.

 

Instructions

1. • 1

     Make or buy a dry shampoo. Making a shampoo is simple - use pure baking soda  or pure corn starch. You may also use flour, oatmeal, or cornmeal. Baking soda  offers odor -eliminating benefits. Corn starch promotes a silky coat. There are  also many commercially made dry shampoos at your local pet store. See the  resource section below for links to popular dry shampoo  products.

   • 2

     Choose a location. The best location is outdoors. If this is not a  possibility, consider the tub or a large cardboard box. Clean up is minimal, but  if you are concerned about getting the powder on your floor or furniture, choose  the best location for your needs.

   • 3
     Put your dog or cat in the bath to minimize clean  up.

     Brush your pet well to remove excess dirt and hair. Using a slicker or  regular grooming brush, continue to brush until shedding stops. This will remove  dead hair from your pet's coat.

   • 4

     Sprinkle generous amounts of the dry shampoo directly onto your pet's coat.  Rub in the powder throughout the fur and make sure it reaches the skin. If  possible, let the shampoo remain on your pet for five minutes to give it time to  absorb oils and dirt.

   • 5

     Wipe down and brush the powder out. Use a bath towel or microfiber cloth to  wipe off excess powder. Brush out your pet's coat. Provide a treat to your pet  for enduring the dry shampoo  process.

Read more:  How to Dry Shampoo a Dog or Cat | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5071852_dry-shampoo-dog-cat.html#ixzz1yApLwgz6

 

 

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