Shampoo questions

Ok so I have 2 new kittens that are 7 weeks old. I've yet to give them a bath but noticed today that they need one. My question is can I use dog shampoo or a high end shampoo I use on my kittens or do I need to go get some kitten shampoo? Also any tips and tricks to giving these babies a bath would be appreciated

Why do they need a bath? It is fleas? I would use either plain, blue Dawn Dish soap or Johnson and Johnson plain baby shampoo, be sure the room is warm, the bath water is warm and you have plenty of towels to keep them dry and warm. Also need to have a nice warm area to keep them warm after the bath until completely dry.

nansiludie said:

Why do they need a bath? It is fleas? I would use either plain, blue Dawn Dish soap or Johnson and Johnson plain baby shampoo, be sure the room is warm, the bath water is warm and you have plenty of towels to keep them dry and warm. Also need to have a nice warm area to keep them warm after the bath until completely dry.

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My dogs have decided that they are babies and have given them tounge baths since they came home so those fur is starting to clump where the dogs have been linking them and they have a "kennel" smell if that makes sense lol no fleas or anything like that.

Okay, would wiping them with a plain wet warm washcloth work before a full bath?

That would probably work

If you decide to bath them, gather everything you need first. A tearless baby shampoo would work, just nothing herbal. Clip the nails before  starting or they will climb you like a tree. I use a sink to make it easier on my aging back. Keep them facing away from you during the bath. I use a sprayer attachment and hold it against the body so it doesn't make noise. My kittens get baths from the age of 6 weeks since they are shown when they are of age and have to have weekly baths to stay in show condition. Use body temperature water

(the cats body temperature not yours). When finished rinse the cat longer than you think it needs it. Leaving just a trace of soap in the fur can lead to itching and skin problems.

Do NOT use either human soaps/shampoos (including baby ones) or dog shampoos.

Cats are entirely different animals and vet toxicologists have found them unique in their inability to process toxins that a human or dog can (and these absorb thru the skin, as well as being licked).

You need a cat/kitten specific shampoo.  BUT again, please look at the ingredients - do NOT get one that has any essential oils (tea tree for example is quite common).  These are fatally toxic to cats (they just don't know how much is the fatal dose - it builds for their entire life until it kills them).  You would think that manufacturers would make a safe cat shampoo, but alas, there is not enough knowledge about cats out there.  So please read the ingredients.

You could, of course, simply give them a water wash (no shampoo), if you want to err on the side of caution.  Make it WARM, and the room also.  Or go for really wet (warm) paper towels and be mumma cat and thoroughly rub them over with the wet cloths, dry with dry cloths, and sit with them in front of a heater helping them dry thoroughly.  

I bath my cats approximately once per month to every two months.

tammyp said:

 
Do NOT use either human soaps/shampoos (including baby ones) or dog shampoos.

Cats are entirely different animals and vet toxicologists have found them unique in their inability to process toxins that a human or dog can (and these absorb thru the skin, as well as being licked).

You need a cat/kitten specific shampoo.  BUT again, please look at the ingredients - do NOT get one that has any essential oils (tea tree for example is quite common).  These are fatally toxic to cats (they just don't know how much is the fatal dose - it builds for their entire life until it kills them).  You would think that manufacturers would make a safe cat shampoo, but alas, there is not enough knowledge about cats out there.  So please read the ingredients.

You could, of course, simply give them a water wash (no shampoo), if you want to err on the side of caution.  Make it WARM, and the room also.  Or go for really wet (warm) paper towels and be mumma cat and thoroughly rub them over with the wet cloths, dry with dry cloths, and sit with them in front of a heater helping them dry thoroughly.  

I bath my cats approximately once per month to every two months, so all my tips are here:http://catstuff4aussies.weebly.com/grooming/category/cat baths

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@tammyp  Dawn dish soap is safe as its used by animal rescuers and also numerous Vets have told me to use it. Baby shampoo works fine also. I always double rinse the wee ones as they're small and usually have fleas. I've found cat shampoo to be too overly-scented and non-sudsing.

nansiludie said:

 
@tammyp  Dawn dish soap is safe as its used by animal rescuers and also numerous Vets have told me to use it. Baby shampoo works fine also. I always double rinse the wee ones as they're small and usually have fleas. I've found cat shampoo to be too overly-scented and non-sudsing.

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I also use Dawn. I always dilute any shampoo I use since with a long haired cat (which I have) it is difficult to rinse completely out if not diluted.

 
@tammyp  Dawn dish soap is safe as its used by animal rescuers and also numerous Vets have told me to use it. Baby shampoo works fine also. I always double rinse the wee ones as they're small and usually have fleas. I've found cat shampoo to be too overly-scented and non-sudsing.

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Interesting.  Could be a country difference - different country, different products.  I have had specific info never to use human soaps, including baby for example, and yet the cat shampoo I'm familiar with sudses REALLY well lol!

Could of course also be bad info; vets and rescues (while wonderful!) don't often know the latest info on poisons especially.  This is the pervain of vet toxicologists, and I'm continually astonished at how their info doesnt seem to get across to vets - maybe just in relation to cats anyway.

Your note about the strong scent of cat shampoos is something I was also recently thinking about.  I'm trying to come up with something less smelly myself - to a cats sensitive nose it must STINK!

And I'm with you on the rinse, rinse, rinse...

I use specialty cat shampoo, not the "cat" shampoo you can get at the grocery store or pet store. It does not have any perfume/strong scent to it and sudses very well. I do dilute it first because that helps with the sudsing and rinsing.

I just adopted my kitten (8weeks) 3 days ago, and she was filthy- washed her up with Johnson and Johnson baby head to toe soap.

GoldyCat,  are you allowed to say the name and makers of the specialty cat shampoo you use? Thanks!

U had a cat that needed monthly baths due to an allergy issue. I got shampoo recommended by my vet it was called Hylyt.
Worked very well.

I not u. Stupid I phone.

When Angel used to still go outside, (he's been inside for 4 years now this Aug.)  I would give him a bath about once a month because of pollen, & he liked to roll around in the dirt. 

The pollen made him itchy, so I ordered the 1-800 Pet Meds Aloe & Oatmeal shampoo & conditioner. (7.99 ea. & last pretty good)  It is really nice & was great for his itchy skin. I also made sure to rinse, rinse, rinse.

I used cat wipes in between baths. It sounds like that's all your kittens need. I wouldn't stress them out with a bath when the wipes will work just fine in this case.

I like Foster and smith premier system shampoo and conditioner. It's safe on cats, dogs, ferrets and horses. I know, weird combination. If you want The shampoo you already have, consult the label. It should tell you if it is safe to use on other species. I would strongly caution against using human shampoos on pets. They will strip the oils right out of the fur and skin. They can also contain chemicals that can be absorbed into the skin or ingested if not rinsed completely out. I have heard it suggested that you can use Dawn dish soap for bathing animals. This for sever cases. Remember, dish soap is designed to break up oil and grease...This it will do even on your pets fur and skin. Please consult all labels of what ever product you are going to use for proper use, Some products, like flea and tick shampoos, have weight and even age minimums.

As fare as tips for bathing kittens. The kitchen sink faucet is the best way to go or a utility sink is even better. Sprayers are a little clumsy when dealing with a small kitten and the direct stream from the faucet is just easier to work with. A drop of glycerin in the eyes can help protect them from getting soap in the eyes; or as least it will be less irritating.