Topic: Dirty Persians (Read 3486 times)

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #24 on:** September 30, 2007, 19:27:46 PM »

Quote from: Corporal Smokey on September 30, 2007, 19:23:23 PM

I found Applaws online for 99p a can. Does that sound about right? I'm not too well off but I'm a firm believer that if you are a responsible pet owner you should buy whatever your pet needs so I'll pay it if it's the right stuff! Also, that food MM recommended looks good. Might give that one a try. This won't affect Josh if he eats it will it?

Whatever new food you try - just make the change from the old food to the new one SLOWLY, i.e. feed whatever you are feeding now, and just add the teeniest bit of new food to it - then gradually, over a week or so, increase the amount of new food, whilst decreasing the amount of old food, that way you'll hopefully avoid any tummy upsets. So if you decided to try both applaws and any of the others - only try one at a time, don't chop and change. Yes, that sounds about right for the bigger tins of Applaws.

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #23 on:** September 30, 2007, 19:23:23 PM »

Once again, you are all wonderful. Thanks for the help. I found Applaws online for 99p a can. Does that sound about right? I'm not too well off but I'm a firm believer that if you are a responsible pet owner you should buy whatever your pet needs so I'll pay it if it's the right stuff! Also, that food MM recommended looks good. Might give that one a try. This won't affect Josh if he eats it will it?

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2007, 19:12:51 PM »

Quote from: Corporal Smokey on September 30, 2007, 17:19:50 PM

Been feeding him on Sensitive dry food for about a week now and all was going really well. That was up until yesterday when, er, "Mr Whippy" (as OH calls it!) happened again .

They had a Wahl electric trimmer in there. Dos anyone recommend?

Yes, I agree with the others, its the carbs i.e. cereals/grains in dry food that cause the problem, and its especially the case for Persians. Dry food never agreed with my lot - the only dry they have now is Olli, and thats just as a treat at bedtime, the rest of the time they have mainly raw meat, then sometimes Natures Menu or Applaws (even applaws has rice in it - but it seems to go down ok occasionally with mine.

The wahl trimmer may not be enough for big knots or mats - as MM suggested a groomer might be an idea if you can find one that does cats - most of the dog grooming parlours don't, or they do them just as a sideline. What you could do is have a chat with some Persian breeders in your area, especially those who show their cats - and ask if they can show you how to tackle knots, bathing etc, or they may know of a good cat groomer.

Beccles · « **Reply #21 on:** September 30, 2007, 18:19:20 PM »

I'd try getting him off the cereal-based stuff altogether - if you can afford it, try him on Applaws or similar and you may need to wait more than a few days for his tum to get used to it - sorry!

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #20 on:** September 30, 2007, 17:49:23 PM »

Ys, I've wondered about taking him to a groomer's or getting one round. I only really want to go on recommendation though as I'm fussy and don't really know any long-haired cat owners round here to ask. Most of the peeps on Yell seem to be dog people too. I might ask at the vet's next time I go.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2007, 17:46:24 PM »

Often its grain that upsets stomachs and theres a high % in dry food. Sheryl was having problems with her bengals and she put them on a grain free wet food called Bozita and a probiotic powder. So far so good

You get bozita here www.zooplus.co.uk and they also sell a grain free dry food called Orijen.

Maybe you could get a groomer round to trim him up and show you how to do it.

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2007, 17:19:50 PM »

Hello again, it's Amy. Sorry to go back over the same stuff but Smokey's having a little "litter tray trouble" again.

Been feeding him on Sensitive dry food for about a week now and all was going really well. That was up until yesterday when, er, "Mr Whippy" (as OH calls it!) happened again

. In fact it happened twice yesterday and once today. It was all over his bottom and consequently anywhere he sat until we got hold of him and wiped him.

He's tearing around the house after using the tray and I think he must've put Josh off using the same tray as he had an accident on the living room rug on Friday night.

I've decided to take him off wet food completely for the next week to see if that helps. Otherwise I've given him a good check-over and he's perfectly well but he has 48hrs to improve his poop or he's going back to the vets!

Also, I was flicking through a magazine (think it was "Your Cat") in Tesco's and they were reviewing grooming products. They had a Wahl electric trimmer in there. Dos anyone recommend? It's so difficult to pin naughty puss down and he wriggles so much I'm afraid of scissors.

Once again, thanks in advance for the advice!

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2007, 15:46:05 PM »

Quote from: Corporal Smokey on September 25, 2007, 09:38:45 AM

I use a little baby powder on him at the moment, but I'm cautious of overdoing it. I'm forever cleaning his nose and eye area.

Is that spray shampoo any good?

I agree with Cosmic, don't bother with the spray shampoos, by their very nature, they stay on the coat - can't be good for cats, nor too much talc. I'd use talc - sparingly (maybe just after a bath/dry, then brush out the coat), but NOT baby powder (it has perfumes) - try Simple talc. Bathing DOES remove the natural oils in the coat, but the coat recovers very quickly, within a day or two.

A great product for wiping eye area is Eye Envy - best thing I've found in all the years I've been wiping pesian eyes LOL! http://eyeenvy.com/ - there is a UK distributor. You can use it around eyes, nose and even the inside of the paws - you know, where they get stained from wiping their eyes.

COSMIC CREEPERS · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2007, 11:18:22 AM »

dont even go there coporal ( i know just how you feel

)
i have used a little poweder in the past but it made mango sneeze and then go into a brething attack

i think the best way of grooming a persian is bath once a month and good blow and brush and then you only have to comb through every other day and i ant ever had a knot

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2007, 09:38:45 AM »

I use a little baby powder on him at the moment, but I'm cautious of overdoing it as he gets bunged up quite easily. I'm forever cleaning his nose and eye area. He's got quite a squashy ultra face and I don't want him to have any breathing discomfort.

Is that spray shampoo any good? I've seen a few varieties. Think you spray it on, groom and make sure it's dry before letting the cat wash. Seems too good to be true!

Reynard · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2007, 22:12:17 PM »

You might want to try drenching his coat with baby powder to keep it knot-free - and I'd second the slicker brush as well.

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2007, 13:03:19 PM »

Thanks Gillian, you really are a fountain of knowledge! I assumed that bathing frequently would upset the natural balance of oils, not sure why.

The shampoo I used last time was a super-gentle one. Smokey has a serious flea allergy too, so bathing a day or two before every other frontline day (if that makes sense) might help keep him critter-free and silky-soft!

I've just been to the pet shop to get some food. They'd just run out of RC Sensible and didn't have much choice on the high-meat-content stuff. I opted for PureFeline Beauty as the top ingredient is meat.

I'll probably venture further afield for some more suitable food at the weekend but i'm poorly at the moment

.

Aren't cats the bestest medicine in the world? Both of mine seem to know i'm under the weather and are being super snuggly.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2007, 12:27:30 PM »

Quote from: Corporal Smokey on September 23, 2007, 20:02:09 PM

Strangely, the time we bathed him, he really didn't mind too much. He was better behaved then he is when he's being groomed. I think he knew we meant business!

You often find that with rescue Persians. Amber my rescue persian, never liked the comb, but was quite happy to be bathed and dried. Anyway bathing/blow drying is really the best way to keep the coats mat free. If you do it reguarly, every 6 weeks or so (depends on the coat though) then you will prevent mats forming. Blow dry using a slicker brush against the lay of the coat from root to tip.

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2007, 09:05:37 AM »

Yes, I'm discovering these things. Smokey likes to have his mad half hours skating across the laminate floor. His underneath looks like a well used sweeping brush! He seems to get scratching-post fibres in his tail too.

Well his bottom seems a lot better this morning. Still going to go and buy some recommended food for him though.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2007, 20:03:38 PM »

I have to trim Tazs trousers or i get allsorts of things left around, twigs and grass being the best, slugs and poo the not so good

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2007, 20:02:09 PM »

for the advice!

I never new that mixing food did that. I've done it for ages thinking I was "spicing" up their diet and keeping the cost down. Well I shall pop to the pet shop tomorrow and buy some sensitive food for Smokey. It'll probably be Royal Canin as their food always goes down well and they help rescues! He's tried their Sensitivity before and likes it.

And he's having a bottom trim soon too! As soon as I break the news to OH...

Strangely, the time we bathed him, he really didn't mind too much. He was better behaved then he is when he's being groomed. I think he knew we meant business!

COSMIC CREEPERS · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2007, 19:50:50 PM »

hello , i sometimes have this prob with mango -persian and luna - ragdoll
mango never used to have this prob but seen as she has to go to the vets a lot it has upset her tum and after they have eaten and used the litter tray for a poo i have to shower there bums

cause its a bit runny
anyway i have resulted to giving mango a modesty cut around her bum and its worked a treat - if you do this be carefull you dont want to hurt him and he must be still . Mango and luna are used to baths and blow dry , i cant cut luna shes a show cat but i have changed a few week ago to natures menu and i dont mix and match food as this also causes the prob . I do give a treat or tuna fish o chicken once a week and we are doing well so far.
if you can id give the cut around the bum hair (

sorry to be blunt ) a go and stick to one food for at least 9 days to see if it makes a difference

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2007, 19:06:25 PM »

Right

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2007, 19:02:26 PM »

I'm sure they do this to test us, Josh only likes gravy!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2007, 18:59:08 PM »

I found that food in gravy upset the tumms of mine.

Smokey is so adorable and hope you get the tail end probs worked out

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2007, 18:56:24 PM »

I bought him Royal Canin Persian but Josh, my British boy kept stealing it (and it's quite expensive!). He normally has a dried mixture of Whiskas, one from a blue bag (think it's Pro-plan but it's the only sensitive one our Tesco's stocks) and Royal Canin Exigent for good measure. That seems to have kept him happy so far. Interestingly though, I just topped up the mixture tub so he probably had nearly entirely Whiskas. There are clean bowls so it's gone down well (shame it didn't come out so well

).

For his tea last night they shared a pouch of Tesco's own beef flavour in gravy followed by a pouch of Iams.

Will it harm Josh if they both eat sensitive food? Josh tends to be a little "the other way" when it comes to his toileting.

I've found it a bit of a dilemma as Josh is 12 and used to eat RC Mature 27 but I didn't want Smokey to steal it as he's only 2.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2007, 18:45:54 PM »

Aww poor Smokey, I can see why you didnt want him to know your'e posting about this rather embarrasing problem LOL!

Out of interest, what food does he eat? Many cats can be intolerant to the carbs in both wet and dry food, cereals, grains and the like - and Persians in particular, so you might want to try a food with a high meat content and no grains/cereals like Natures Menu, or other high meat content foods, with small amount of grain (rice usually) like Applaws, Almo Nature - think Bozita is another (not sure if grain in that one)

It sounds as thought you've got the rest of the coat back in good shape. Do you think you would be able to cut the mat off carefully - perhaps while he was having a bit of snooze? - or when OH is holding the other end LOL! One way of doing this is to slide a comb between the skin and the mat, and very carefully snip (strand at a time even) across the comb. That way, there's little risk of cutting the skin. What about teasing it out with your fingers, or with the end of a comb (use it like a hook while holding the base of the mat so as not to pull the skin)? Once you've been able to remove the mat, you might want to think about trimming round that area, so the furs shorter and not so difficult to keep clean.

It can be difficult with rescue Persians as you say, because many have never been used to grooming, but special treats can help - something like wafer thin ham or chicken, so that he knows when the comb comes out, so does the yummy stuff! (not too much though - remember his sensitive stomach LOL!)

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2007, 18:02:21 PM »

Gillian will be able to give you tons of advice as she lives in Persian Palace and is a groomer

Corporal Smokey · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2007, 17:59:03 PM »

Hello, I've sneakily nicked Smokey's login whilst he's snoozing. He has a bit of an embarrassing problem that I'm not sure he'll share.

You may or may not know, Smokey was a rescue who came to us in quite a state. He was owned by an elderly chap who, it seems, couldn't give him the attention or grooming he needed.

We've got him all cleaned up now (including a bath) and his fur is starting to become plush and blue instead of matted brown.

He is groomed every day as best as we can as well as having his mouth wiped with toothpaste wipes (he gets really messy).

The problem with him is, I presume due to lack of attention previously, he is just like a kitten and thinks grooming time is "the bite meowmy's arm game". We usually manage (OH sacrifices hand whilst I go in with the comb) and all's well.

Smokey also suffers occasionally with a sensitive stomach as happened today. He has been vet-checked for it before and he's fine it just happens now and again and we give him sensitive food.

I'm sure you can see where this is going so I won't make it too graphic. Let's just say that earlier on today I had to wipe a few "tail" smears off the floor and decided to look at his bottom to check he was ok. He's also been really acting up today, stealing envelopes from bins and attacking the rug etc... When I looked, I saw that he's got a mat on his bottom and I don't know how to get it as I don't want to hurt him.

I carefully wiped him with a cat-cleaning wipe, but he hated it. The discomfort seems to have gone as he went straight to sleep afterwards but the mat's still there.

He's my first persian and I'm trying to follow all of the grooming advice I've been given but all the books say thing like "get him used to it from a young age" which is great if you've got the chance.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Author Topic: Dirty Persians (Read 3486 times)