Conference misery::feline_v1

    Ask E.T. about Miss Tiger Lilly who jumps into the bath tub with
    her  :-)
    
    Then there's Flame who gets all excited and does the "water dance"
    everytime I run the water.  
    
    Hey - if you decide to show Zeus the pre-show bath will be a breeze!
    Now see if he likes the blow-dryer.
       Nancy DC

    
    
    	Sasha doesn't swim but she does like water.  She'll jump
    	in between the shower curtain and liner and peek her head
    	into the tub when one of us is taking a shower.
    
    	The minute I get up, she looks at me and runs into the
    	bathroom, jumps up on the sink and meows until I turn 
    	the water on for her.
    
    	And they say cats don't like water!!  :-)
    

    I once had a cat named "Charles" that loved to take showers with
    us.  It so happened we at that time, lived in a house that had this
    bathroom that had a window *inside* the shower/tub area.  Charles
    would contentedly sit in the window and enjoy the affair.  However,
    Charles did NOT like to get any water on him.  He would go crazy
    if he did.
    
    Weird???  We thought so!  But cute.

No, Zeus hates the blow dryer.  I try using it so that he doesn't stay
    wet, but I ended up all scratched.  so we towel dry him whenever
    he goes for a dip.
    
    Doreen
    

    Dreamer has decided that she will only drink from a running faucet.
    So, she has finally managed to train me to turn the faucet on for
    her first thing in the morning, as soon as I get home from work,
    and then again just before bed.  She couldn't believe how long it
    took me to catch on to this!
    
    Jo

    
    Diamond has me trained to do this now also. At night, she'll get up
    into the bathroom sink and cry, until I run the faucet for her, till
    she's had her fill. She won't touch standing water in a dish.
    
    Fred

    Our last cat, Kayleigh, used to love water. She swam in the bath
    with my sister a couple of times and even fell down the toilet through
    her own curiosity (didn't realise the lid was up, and jumped onto
    it - or rather, down it!). I suspect that there are quite a few
    cats who do like water. The funny thing was that Kayleigh loved
    getting soaking wet, but hated drips of water falling on her.
    
    Our present cat, Oliver, is the traditional water-hating type. He
    got in the way of a bucket of water when I was cleaning my car this
    morning - lots of comforting and love was required to calm him down.
    He does drink out of the sink, though.
    
    For anyone still interested, Oliver has changed beyond all recognition
    since we got him from the rescue centre - he's a healthy, plump,
    contented cat now - and the appetite has decreased just a little
    bit!
    
    Julie

    I saw a little article in the newspaper a long time ago, about a
    cat whose owner had taken him out in a boat (!) and the boat capsized
    (no comment.). They both swam for shore and ever since the cat
    has leapt in the swimming pool and gone for a morning swim with
    his owner.  there was a picture of the cat in the pool, doing
    a cat paddle :-)
    
    I think tigers are excellent swimmers, so maybe the swimming cats
    have tiger genes :-)
    

    Carrie got me trained to turn the faucet on for her each time I
    was in the bathroom or kitchen early in our relationship.  Both
    Amelia and Bailey will drink from the bowl near the food but I'm
    going to try moving it to see if Carrie will drink from it.  She
    seems to only prefer water from the tap or from my glass.
    
    Jan

    
    Panther will take a shower with me, she sits between the two curtains
    on the wide ledge, but she *LOVES* to take a bath with me.
    
    She will wait until the tub is full and jump in and sit with the
    water up to her chest and just purrrrrrrrr, It's warm in there!
    
    Some times, she'll get tired of that and sit on my lap, in the tub
    mind you, for some soggy attention.
    
    It's hard to read a good book in the bath tub with a wet cat trying
    to get your attention!
    
    I wonder if Panthers are good swimmers?
    
    Feline all washed up  ;-)
    
    Sue & Panther - Spot wants nothing to do with baths.
    

    
    Carmel also will not drink from her water bowl..I must turn on the
    faucett for her everymornig..or if Max (out 130lb dog) is drinking
    from  his bowl..the carmel will drink w/ him..but she will not
    go inot the water..
    
    Chammie will sit on the tub and watch..but not go in...
    
    Louisa,Carmle,Chammie

    
    Boufetta despises water (what, get my beautiful coat all messed up?!),
    but her partner in crime, Gummy, loves to drink from the faucet.  I
    am yet another owner who has been trained to turn the faucet on in the
    bathroom every morning and evening.  While drinking, she will
    occasionally stick her head under the running water and bat at the
    stream of water with her paws.  She has now gotten into the habit of
    splashing in her water bowl until the water is dripping from the wall -
    then she happily goes over and licks the wall clean!

    	Since I live right on Lake Boone in Hudson (MA), my cats are
    frequently exposed to water.  Ruffles (the wonder cat) has been
    tossed into the Lake on several occasions, as it's the easiest way
    to bathe him.  He doesn't seem to mind it at all, and can swim very
    well.
    
    	Sneakers & Nova, the wee ones, will jump up and sit on lthe
    rim of the tub when I take a bath.  I let Sneakers putter about
    on my chest when I was submerged, and he was fascinated by the water.
    Nova won't get that close, nor will their mother, Nightmare.  Smoke
    contents herself to sit on the toilet and watch the goings on from
    afar.
    
    	My dear deceased Malcolm loved water.  He'd come right in the
    shower or bath, and he'd swim.  His favourite spot in the summer
    months was to sleep in the bathroom sink, with a trickle of cold
    water running.  In the winter, warm water was required.
    
    	By the way, as far as my experience goes, I believe ALL cats
    are instinctive swimmers when required.
    
    	McQ
    

    	Regarding faucet drinking, I believe cats instinctively prefer
    running water to stationary.  Every cat I've every had would go
    for the kitchen sink before the water dish.  Probably some racial
    memory ("racial"?) about stagnant water holes being poisonous and
    generally unhealthy.  Comments on this?
    
    	McQ
    

    I haven't seen this bought up in this water note but thought it
    had some merit. Our vet encourages us to give our cats tap water
    as it has floride in it. He see a definite difference in peoples
    animals teeth that drink bottled/well water vs city water with
    all the additives.
             
    Barbara
    

    I think this is great...all these water cats.  I have a question
    though,  Zeus loves swimming but try drying him.  No way.  I have
    tried the blow dryer and wound up bleeding.  Towld drying...he doesn't
    have the patience for.  He likes to sit on a towel and lick himself
    dry.  I have been told that they can catch a cold if they stay wet.
     What do I do.  He enjoys it so much I would hate to stop him. 
    Is it really bad??
    
    DoreeN

Yes, it is bad for him to be wet - cats don't shed water like some dogs and
they can get too cold.  I just wrap a towel around my guys and cuddle and
rub them down real good - they protest, but it helps get them dry.  I would
suggest you try to discourage/prevent water play during fall/winter months
UNLESS you have the heater on in your house.

    My Aby breeder friend never blow drys her Aby's since the coat should
    be sleek and close lying rather than fluffed up.  She squeezes out
    the excess water with a towel, then puts them in her bathroom with
    the heat light on.  Or, build a fire in the fireplace and let him
    lounge in front of it.
    
    Since Zeus is a baby still, why not try teaching him to let you
    towel dry him.  Practice makes perfect.
    
    Jo

    Another option - and one we used this last weekend when we were
    flea-bathing everyone - is to put her in a "kennel-kab" and aim
    your blow-dryer into the cage.
      make sure you use a big enough cage for good ventilation, set
    the dryer heat on LOW and aim it at a back corner of the cage,
    NOT directly on the cat. You might want to set it back a foot
    from the cage door too.
      Nancy

    Yup, Nancy, that works.  Or you can put a cage or small kennel cab in
    front of a dehumidifier or small space heater.  Both work pretty well
    too.  Or, if you have a bathroom with it's own thermostat, you can put
    them in there.
    
    cin
    

    I always put the cats in the bathroom with a space heater and sit
    with them and comb and comb and comb until they are dry.
    
    Linda Sobek -- the Mr. Groom powder is a Godsend!  I packed Kirby's
    coat with it and brushed it out well, and he looked beautiful!!
    I'm going to use the Sno Sho (or Sho Sno -- whatever!!) shampoo
    for the Marlboro show instead of the mycodex and see what a difference
    it makes.  Thanks for the tips!!
    
    --Roberta (who can't wait to see your pretty babies!)
    

    re: 22
    
    I used to use Sno Sho on Katenka.  I really liked the way it
    worked on her white.  I also used House of AnJou conditioner
    and their Texturizer spray.  Good combination.  NOt sure 
    what you would do with Kirby's coat being the length and
    texture it is - but, the Sno Sho is great - maybe do a
    dawn wash before the Sno Sho.

    E.T., would the Sno Sho make an already silky coat limp and flat
    since it has moisturizers in it?  I was kind of leary about purchasing
    it for that reason.  The bottle is plastic and looks purple from
    the outside.  I also purchased a shampoo called "Fresh n' Clean"
    and don't know which to try first.
    
    --Roberta (who might try the Fresh n' Clean for Marlboro, just in
               case)
    

    No, Roberta - it won't do that - I would worry more about
    conditioners than moisturizers.  If you get all the grease
    out you shouldn't have too much problem with limpness and
    flat - I would use the Sno Sho over the Fresh n' clean.
    
    But, to be on the safe side, try a test bath of dawn and
    sno sho before the show or try both a week apart.  The more
    junk you put on the coat the heavier it will get.
    
    It's really hard when you first start - I was so used to
    doing Katenka I could do her in my sleep and know exactly
    how she would come out every time.  The real trick is to
    rinse and rinse and rinse and rinse and when you think
    he is rinsed, rinse again and again!  It really gets
    out the residue.  Some folks use a vinegar rinse, but
    I've never used it.
    
    When I got Lil, I used the Katenka-tried-and-true bath method
    and boy, did Lil look crummy!  Different cat differnt coat - 
    wrong method!  I now use Nolvasan flea shampoo with conditioner.
    Lil really doesn't need the condition - if I could just use
    the plain flea shampoo I would - maybe when I have some time
    I'll try and see if it comes plain.  I use dawn first but
    no other conditioners.  It works great.  I really hated
    how she came out the first time I did her.  Of course, I
    was really worried that she would break when I bathed her
    the first time!!  Little bit that she was!  I really hate
    the first time I bathe any cat - ya just don't know what
    they will do or how they will react.  After the first bath,
    the rest are a piece of cake if you are still alive with
    no scratches!!!
    
    Oh, BTW, Sno Sho is purple - it's a blueing agent or whitener.
    You can use it on almost any color - black or white.  Works very
    well.  It's more drying and not greasy.

    Thanks, E.T.  Great stuff!!  I know that lots of noters use the
    Dawn.  What benefits does it have on the coat as a pre-shampoo or
    is it simply a good "grease cutter?"
    
    I'll go with the Sno Sho for Marlboro as I've been anxious to try
    it.
    

    Dawn is a great grease cutter - helps the coat to accept the next
    wash of whatever shampoo you use next.
    
    just make sure you rinse for a long long long long long time!!
    I think you will like the sno sho - I liked it much better than
    Brite white.   

    Roberta,
    
    When I am doing one of my cats that has a very soft silky coat,
    I forego the Sho Sno and use House of Anjou Texturizing Shampoo.
    I dilute it 8 to 1, and wash the cat with that.  Then, after towel
    drying, I spray the Texturizing spray on the coat lightly, and the
    comb against the lay of the fur while blow drying.  It really fluffs
    up the limp coat, makes the coat look fuller, and doesn't over
    condition it.  Limoges usually needs this treatment due to her overly
    soft coat texture.  I also use the Mr Groom powder.  It is much
    better than any of the other grooming powders, it is not drying
    to the coat, and it smells terrific.
    
    I only use the Dawn on the problem areas, not the whole coat.  The
    problem areas for Birmans, behind the ears, the ruff, and the flanks.
    
    Jo

    Ah, here is a person that would know about that type of coat!!!!
    
    I' used to a coat that I slick down like a seal - took a while
    for me to make Lil look puffy like she should look!  oh well,
    we live and learn!

    Thank you Jo.  Kelsey's coat is very fine and silky and separates
    very easily whereas Kirby's coat is thicker and plusher and always
    looks "together" if that makes any sense.  The texturizing shampoo
    you recommend is available from Cherrybrook.  I wasn't exactly sure
    what it would do and opted for the Fresh n' Clean instead.  Linda
    says the Sno Sho works great on Charm and Magic and since the two
    breeds have similar coats, I decided to try it since all I've ever
    used on them is Mycodex.  I'm really anxious to see Magic in November.
    It will be fun to finally bench next to Linda at a show!  We're
    usually only spectators together.
    
    We learn as we go!  I'm lucky if I can even work up a lather with
    them.  Even with two people doing the bathing, they always manage
    to squirm and fuss considerably.  Good thing I don't show as much
    as the rest of you!!
    
    
    

    Roberta,
    
    I have different bathing methods for different cats, depending on
    their coat type.  The ones with the thicker, fuller coats get the
    Sho Sno, which Linda uses too (my suggestion), and also a conditioning
    with Finesse Extra Body conditioner, or Agree Extra Body Conditioner.
    They then get sprayed with Texturizing Spray before blow drying
    too.  You have to match the bath with the cat, so to speak. 
    
    I have been showing four cats every weekend for over a month, and
    I tell you, I could probably bathe all of them in my sleep.  Of
    course, they all have to have a little special something to get
    them looking their best.  But, you know, if you were showing as
    much as the rest of us, your cats would probably be easier to do.
    They seem to sense not to make trouble when mom is soaking wet,
    with her hair stuck to her neck, and bathing like she means business.
    And you know what they say...practice makes perfect.
    
    Important....do try to get them used to blow drying, it does wonders
    for the coat.  And always be very careful when combing or brushing
    tail hairs, they take YEARS to grow back once they come out.
    
    Good luck at the show, oh, and ask Linda to show you pictures of
    Mistral.  He is my first grand child (show kitten out of one of
    my show kittens).  He is incredible, and I fell in love with him
    at first sight.  Didn't take much convincing to get Linda to go
    for it.
    
    Jo

    Well, I learned about tail hairs the hard way and accidentally combed
    Kelsey's tail to death last spring!!  His once lush tail is now
    a pitiful sight, though growing back ever so *slowly.*
    
    I kind of wish I had started showing them early and in lots of shows.
    When Linda's program is underway, I hope to one day purchase a nice
    boy from her to show in premiership.  It will take some time, since
    I know she will want to keep the first one or two nice boys for
    herself!  But it would be fun to travel to shows together and help
    promote her cattery.
    
    If Linda is feeling better, I hope to get up to her house this Sunday
    to see Mistral and Magic.  She keeps telling me how much I'm gonna
    like him.. but I have a strong feeling I'm gonna like him even more
    than that!
    
    
    
    

    re: .31
    
    Jo, you're right. It didn't take much convincing! After being such
    a fan of Lysander (Mistral's dad) I was convinced once I heard a
    son existed ...and once I saw him ..and found out he was available
    to me (thanks to all your help!) ...I didn't hesitate. He sure is
    one grandkid you can be proud of.
    
    Everyone who meets Mistral thinks he's handsome ...and ..even those
    of my friends who are moderate cat-lovers ..think he is a beautiful
    cat. I think it has something to do with the fact that he singles
    them out to give lots of hugs a purrs...
    
    I can't wait to get him to the shows and share him with everyone!
    
    Linda   :^)