Conference misery::feline_v1

    Cats do keep themselves very clean, but sometime in their lives
    there will probably be an occasion where you need to help out. 
    I always suggest to my kitten buyers that they bathe their cats
    once a month from kittenhood so that the cat gets used to it. That
    way, if you ever have to do it, they don't freak out.
    
    As for fleas, my method of de-fleaing includes bathing.  So, see
    above.  You also will have to treat the house for fleas, you can
    get flea bombs from your vet.
    
    If your cats are outside, you may want to vaccinate them for leukemia
    in addition to all the upper respiratory illnesses.  Feline leukemia
    is highly contagious, and can be fatal.  The vet will want to test
    them first to be sure that they don't already have it.  Also, I
    think you are in England, but here in the states, all outdoor cats
    have to be vaccinated for Rabies.  You may want to do that vaccine
    too, just to be safe.  All the vaccines need to be boosted once
    a year.  At that time, the vet will check the cat out to make sure
    that it is healthy too.
    
    I have a little thing that I call a kitten care manual that I give
    to all my kittens buyers, I could send it to you if you like.  Of
    course, it is heavily laden with my opinions ;^).
    
    You may also want to get a general cat care book, like "The Book
    of the Cat".
    
    Jo

    Just a couple more questions;
    
    1) I think the black one has got dandruff - what can I do ?
    
    2) They are both indoor cats - should I clip their claws for them,
    and if so, how do I do it without getting totally mutilated?
    
    Does anyone know of a good book that is for sale in England that
    may help me?
    
    Fran.
    

    Fran,
    
    Bathing cats -  I have only done it twice in ten years, once with
    a cat which had, shall we say, a digestive upset coupled with a
    long coat, and once when a cat fell in the muckheap at the farm
    up the road.
    
    For fleas, go to your vet, and ask for some flea spray.  Best thing
    is to get two types, one for the cats, one for the house, where
    fleas breed.  Most common brand is NuvanTop for the cats, Nuvan
    Staykill for the house.  You can buy flea preparations over the
    counter, but they're not as good.
    
    Boosters - most UK cats are innoculated against Feline Enterities,
    and Cat Flu.  You need a booster shot every year.  I don't know
    of UK cats being innoculated against leukaemia - do any other UK
    noters have more information about this?
    
    My cats go outside, and I have never needed to clip their claws.
    Again, the vet will show you how to do this.
    
    Don't know about the dandruff - one of my black cats gets it, and
    I just brush him.
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    

    re: flea spray - I still believe that a flea bath and a bomb for
    the house is the best way to deal with this.  Because cats groom
    themselves they will ingest any spray or powder you put on them.
    I'm overcautious where this is concerned.  Fortunately, I've had
    very little experience with fleas as my cats are indoor cats.
    (out on leashes, under supervision only)
    
    re: nails - I regularly trim all my cats' nails.  Where I'm showing
    Dundee, his nails have to be clipped before each show. (And he's
    bathed before each show).  The best way to do deal with this is
    to get them used to it fairly young and then trim the nails again
    before they redevelop the point.  
      Some of my cats are very good about trimming, some of them squirm.
    Actually the easiest way to do this is to have someone help you.
    Let your helper hold the cat and you just concentrate on each paw
    as you trim.  You grasp the "toe" between thumb and first finger
    and apply slight pressure.  This will extend the claw.  Cats
    claws tend to be clear which makes it very easy to see the "quick".
    I used to trim my dog's claws and they were black so I had to be
    very careful.
      If you do accidentally clip the quick you can either use steptic
    powder to stop the bleeding or Talc.  I've never tried the latter,
    but my vet recommended it.  Put some in the palm of one hand and
    press the bleeding claw into it.  
      If you don't have help, turn the cat on his/her back, head end
    towards you (otherwise they brace their back feet on your tummy
    and push off).  You can use your thighs to grip the cat if necessary.
    Make sure you tell your cat what a good girl she is throughout the
    whole process and give her a treat when done.  
      I usually advise folks to buy clippers for cats claws rather than
    use the human nail trimmers.  However I know there are folks who
    use the trimmers and have no problems.  Oh - be careful not to
    twist the claw as you cut. That will hurt the cat. 
      I trim my cats' claws mostly so that when they "patty-paw" in
    my lap they don't stick their claws through my pants of nightgown.
    most uncomfortable.   Oh - and cats usually like to have a good
    scratch after trimming.  I assume that you have a couple of good
    scratching posts for them.
      Good luck and let me know how you make out.  :-)
        Nancy DC and the furry foursome.
    

    I give my other three cats at least one bath per year, usually
    on a hot day in spring or summer.  It helps get rid of hair
    that they normally shed at this time of year and cuts down
    on hairballs.  They're not thrilled about it, but they put up
    with it.  I picked up a few tips from my girlfriend Margaret,
    who is a professional groomer.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    
    1) Do cats actually need to be bathed - afterall they are naturally
    very clean animals and my two do seem to be forever washing themselves,
    so is there any need for me to interfere with this?
    
       **  I have two indoor cats, and have never had to bathe them.
           Chances are that if they stay indoor their own cleaning
           will be plenty.
    
    2) If the dreaded fleas appear, how do I go about de-fleaing them?
    
       ** There are lots of powders and sprays on the market for 
          fleas that you could try, or you could have your cats
          'dipped' at the vet. This is a bath that has a strong
          flea killer built in. The smell usually lasts for about
          3 days. Also, they sell 'insect bombs', that you can
          find in grocery stores (at least here in the states you can).
          Set these off and they will kill every bug in your house.
    
    3) They have both had the necessary vacinations, do they need boosters
    at any stage?
    
       ** It is a good idea to bring your cats to the vet once a
          year. He will be able to tell you what vaccinations are
          needed in UK, and, even for indoor cats, a checkup can
          really do a lot of good.
    
    4) Are there any other general tips I should know about to look
    after them properly and keep them clean, healthy and happy?
    
       ** Just the basic stuff. Clean water and litter pans, fresh
          food every day. If you have a male cat, it is a very good
          idea to check the labels on the canned food for ash
          content. A high ash content can cause health problems.
    
    
    ***> About cat dandruff - i had a cat with dandruff, and the vet
         told me to put a few drops of olive oil in his food each
         day. Either that or once a week rub olive oil into his skin,
         leave it on for about 10-15 minutes (which is harder than it
         sounds because the cat tries to clean it off), then rinse
         it off.
    
    
    Hope this helps.
    Angela.
    
    

    I find that the easiest time to clip the claws is when kitty is
    taking a catnap. I use human toenail clippers to do the clipping,
    but that is because the cats are afraid of the sight of the real
    clippers and toe-nail scissors (I guess that it reminds them of the
    vet).
    
    Deb

    Re: fleas
    
    I would be careful to use only flea control products that your vet
    recommends.  Some over-the-counter things have been
    implicated in the deaths of animals.
    

    With my first kitten, from day 1, I got her used to lying on her
    back on my lap.  We started with just petting that way, then I
    started to comb her that way, then we started her nails.  Once she
    got used to being belly-up, she loved it and was good about the
    grooming because she appreciated being a clean kitty.  We practiced
    3 times per week with the comb, but only clipped the nails once
    a month.  We bathed her once per month for 6 months, and she didn't
    enjoy it, but she would stay in the sink because she knew the 
    beloved hair dryer was next (she really did love the warmth!).
    
    The cats I have now are two adult indoor cats.  I wouldn't dream
    of bathing them.  They would definitely shred me beyond recognition.
    They growl and dig violently at the crate door when they have to
    visit the vet.  One kitty keeps himself impeccably groomed, the other
    could care less.  I brush them both as often as possible (at least
    twice per week).  You will find that indoor cats shed constantly,
    and you should consider giving them a hairball remedy or at least
    a glob of petroleum jelly now and then.  This will keep them from
    gagging up those slimy hairballs that they swallow when they groom.
    
    If you don't want to trim their nails, provide your cats with a
    tall, sturdy scratching post.  On this, they will shed the outer
    layer of their nails when they scratch.
    
    My kitties have never had dandruff, but my sister's dog does on
    occasion.  She pours a little cooking oil over their dry food.
    The dog loves it, and it seems to work well on the dry skin.
    
    As for fleas, don't hesitate to take action.  Fleas multiply so
    fast, and can live in your carpet for years afterwards.  When you
    first feel or see flea-dirt (dried blood) on your cat, get a medicated
    applicant.  I use the foam type that you spray into your hand like
    mousse, then walk over to the cat inconspicuously and rub the foam
    into it's fur.  My cats are afraid of being approached with a hissing
    spray bottle or can, so this works best for me.
    
    Welcome to FELINE,
    
    Cathy