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Expert: - 1/26/2011


Question
Hi
I own a 16 week old ragdoll kitten. We often have to wash him and are using human baby wash at the moment. Is this ok or should we use a product specifically for cats, and if so, can you recommend any
many thanks
Alex

Answer
Alex,

I have never bathed a Ragdoll, but have bathed, Persians, Maine Coons, and Birmans, so I am going to assume there is not much difference in the basic techniques.  Also, I am assuming you are just cleaning the kitten up and not giving it a show bath.

BTW, starting early to bath the kitten is a very, very good idea.  What you are doing is OK, but I would get some Groomer's Goop (online), and start with that.  Nest, use a good daily clarifying shampoo (like Suave or Pantene). End up with something like Ice Shine should do the trick.

The most important thing is to make sure you rinse thoroughly (squeaky clean) after each shampoo.

When the shampooing is over, we like to use the German chamois cloths to dry.  You can then use a pet hair dryer (human ones get too hot) to dry till he is damp, or get a Holmes heater on the lowest heat setting and highest fan setting and dry him in a crate (we like a wire dog crate meant for a small to medium sized dog). 30 to 45 minutes in front of the Holmes heater should get him dry enough.

I know this sounds like a lot, but with combing him out once weekly, bathing once monthly should keep him presentable, unless there is an accident where he really musses himself.

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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