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Expert: - 7/30/2009


Question
Hello Norman, I am starting to show cats.  Some people have recommended that I start bathing my kitten using Groomer's Goop first.  I don't like the stuff as I feel I am stripping Kitty's coat of natural oils by using this.  I know that you breed cats -- do you use this stuff or is there something better to use for degreasing.  Many thanks for any help

Answer
Janna,

You have not told me what the breed is and what the color and pattern are of the cat you are bathing. If it is a long hair or a short hair thta has not had a bath for a while, Groomer's Goop is great stuff to use.  Groomer's Goop is much softer and less harsh than Goop.  We have been using it for years with no ill effects and excellent results.  

Cats have naturally greasy coats (by design), so, to get that silky, shiny coat, it is necessary to strip out those natural oils.  There aree ways of adding some of them back after you have done all that needs to be done.

One other caution: many breeders recommend the use of Dawn dishwashing liquid.  Under no circumstances should you ever use that stuff ona a cat's coat!!!!!

Finally, the most importavt aspect of bathing is to rinse all shampoos, etc thoroughly.  When you think you have rinsed enough then rinse it out some more!!!!!

I am happy tro entertain more questions about grooming.  BTW we have shown Siamese, Abyssinians, Manx, Persians, and Maine Coons.

Best regards... Norm  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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