Expert: Tomay - 1/31/2005

Question
I bathe my cat once every 2 - 3 weeks and use a mild shampoo.  However, I cannot seem to get rid of his dandruff or pet dander.  i don't want to over wash him so can you recommend a good technique or shampoo to combat the dander problem?  Thanks!

Answer
Hello Kate
Bathing a cat every 2-3 weeks is too often.  Some cats can go almost a lifetime without a bath!  If you must bathe him on a regular basis, once every couple months would be better.  Bathing too often, even with a mild shampoo, can cause dry skin (dandruff) as can soap residue left in the coat due to insufficient rinsing.  I usually suggest rinsing 2 to 3 times longer than you lather.  So if you spend 2 minutes lathering the coat, spend a minimum of four minutes rinsing. (A white vinegar rinse can help, too.  Don't worry, the smell won't cling to the coat!)  Soap residue can make the skin very itchy.  I think if you try this, you may  be able to reduce or illiminate this dander problem.  If, then, you still are having problems, write me again, and we can explore other reasons and solutions.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Tomay