My cat had kittens last night, and did not clean herself sufficiently afterward. The white fur on her back legs is stained a reddish brown color and her fur is matted all over from exerting herself. I thought once she had rested, she would clean herself but she hasn't. I was wondering if it is safe to give her a bath with cat shampoo. My mom told me that it could poison the kittens to wash her with shampoo (it gets on her nipples, and therefore they ingest it while nursing). I'm not sure about this. What do you guys think? I just want her to be a beautiful, majestic mother to her first litter of kittens.
2007-03-15 11:23:09 · 11 answers · asked by Been here before 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
She is long haired.
2007-03-15 11:54:32 · update #1
I would let nature take its course. If you throw her inthe bath right now its gonna strss her out even more than she already is, and your mother is right to be concerned about what the kittens could possibly ingest. Give her some time, when she has more energy, time, and relaxation, Im sure she will clean herself. If not, it will be tough but hold out as long as you can, and at that point I would use a washcloth soaked in warm water as opposed to a full bath. Congradulations on the new kitties.
2007-03-15 11:28:35 · answer #1 · answered by allie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, don't bathe her until she is done nursing. She will probably end up clean by that time anyway. I would not chance the shampoo making the kittens sick AND it will make the mother cat smell different and the kittens may not recognize her smell and may stop feeding. Wait until the kittens are gone. In the mean time you can try to brush the blood off her. Dried mud and blood can usually be brushed out easily.
2007-03-15 12:51:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is NOT a very good idea because your mother is exactly right! If you are going to do it do it while the kittens are sleeping and make sure there is absolutely no shampoo on your cat. Make sure your cat is very dry afterwards
2007-03-15 12:05:47 · answer #3 · answered by little_princess662 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if it really disgusts you, sponge her gently...please don't bathe her, as you may stimulate lactation, and when the kittens want to feed there may not be enough. I know it works on supply and demand, but if you inadvertently express her milk whilst bathing her, and the kittens want to feed immediately after you bathe her...she may become exhausted. She will clean herself when she is sufficiently rested, as cats do not like to be dirty.
2007-03-15 11:33:48 · answer #4 · answered by i_am_jean_s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kittens use scent to attach to nipples, so washing her could put the kittens off their feed and potentially kill them. Eventually mom will clean herself off, but right now she needs bonding time with babies.
2007-03-15 11:52:10 · answer #5 · answered by Heather 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Erm... hmm.. I don't think so because something might happen to the kitten that the mother cat is nursing
2007-03-15 11:43:54 · answer #6 · answered by no 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait another day and if she hasent started to clean herself, and it's still bothering you get a warm wash cloth with just water and wip her their, he she starts to resist stop and try again another day. do not give her a bath the shampoo will kill the kitties!
2007-03-15 11:49:13 · answer #7 · answered by CRAZY 8 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a shampoo called deflea totaly natureal and its safe to use on nurseing kittens and momma cats as well as puppies and dogs ..
2007-03-15 12:58:37 · answer #8 · answered by tender 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it is'nt safe to bathe your cat because she will scratch u and it is true what your mom said, the shampoo really make the little kitties die because the shampoo has chemicals
2007-03-15 11:33:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should not but just put water on her legs im not good at cats but thats what i think I hope nothing goes wrong
2007-03-15 11:28:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋