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Tips: Do this, but not that for cats

By on August 28, 2015

Some people think cats are nebulous. Aloof. Weird. I prefer to think them cerebral, intuitive, a higher life form. Either way, caring for cats is a bit different than other kinds of companion animals.

Urgent Pet Care is always on top of giving pet lovers advice on proper care and anything preventative you can do to keep kitty healthy. In a recent blog post from UPC, we’re told NOT to give kitty certain foods. Here’s a list of foods not recommended for cats:

-Chocolate

-Booze

-Grapes

-Raw meat

-Onions and garlic

-Milk

While some of the items are not surprising, others may seem out of place on a list of things cats shouldn’t have. Milk? Yes, in fact, adult cats cannot process lactose and consumption can lead to digestive troubles for kitty. Onions and garlic can damage red blood cells and mess with intestinal tracts. Grapes (and raisins) aren’t just bad for Fido, they should be avoided by cats as well. These can be toxic and have been known to cause kidney failure. For more on these, read from the UPC blog here.

 

Now, knowing that, if kitty goes on a bender, get her to a doctor after she gets into any of the potentially toxic, common foods you’ve got in the house. And after she gets into that trouble, you might want to give her a bath.

UPC has also tried to assist us in making sure kitty bath time is productive and safe. As the UPC blog states, your cat does not often need a bath. Your kitten has built-in tools designed just for grooming. There might be a time, though, when your cat comes in from outside, covered in something. Maybe she has spent an afternoon rolling around in a dusty closet. When she absolutely needs to be hosed down, keep a couple of things in mind when bathing your cat:

1. Consider Your Timing

There are plenty of inappropriate times to try to give your cat a bath. Wait for a mellow time, perhaps after a long play session or a walk outside on a harness. Otherwise, you might find yourself injured or your cat stressed out beyond his means.

 

2. Brush It Out

Before giving your cat a bath, make sure to brush its hair first. This will eliminate loose hairs and take out any potential knots before they get worse.

 

3. Fill the Tub Safely

Your bathtub should only be filled up to about four inches of water. You do not want to overwhelm your cat or perhaps even cause him to drown or panic. Additionally, make sure that you are not scalding your kitty with hot water. Lukewarm water will do the trick. Simply use a plastic cup or small hose to wet your cat. Make sure not to spray water directly in his face or you may risk getting clawed.

 

4. Get Soapy — But Never With Human Shampoo

Lather up your cat with a special cat shampoo. Never use human shampoo on a pet, and never shampoo your cat’s face and ears. Make sure to rinse the shampoo thoroughly with the cup or hose, ensuring that no residue remains to cause irritation.

 

5. Take Care After the Bath

Cats may try to run away as quickly as possible when you remove them from the tub, but it is better if you can wrap your kitty in a bath towel. Comb long-haired cats to ensure they do not get nasty tangles that might lead to pain.

 

 

So. DON’T let kitty get into the liquor cabinet, eat chocolate, chew on garlic cloves or any of the other toxic items above. And when she needs a bath, take care and be safe. Also, be sure to watch us and the UPC blog for more helpful tips on care.

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