I JUST ADOPTED AN 8 YR OLD FEMALE MC, WHO IS SITTING ON MY LAP AS I TYPE.HER COAT IS VERY GREASY, AND I FEAR SHE HAS NOT BEEN BATHED IN AWHILE.ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GIVE HER A STRESS FREE AS POSSIBLE FIRST BATH? WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU RECOMMEND? SHOULD I HAVE HER GROOMED AT A PET SALON FOR THE FIRST TIME? SHE IS JUST ADJUSTING TO OUR HOUSE AND I'M TRYING TO LIMIT HER STRESS. ALSO ARE THERE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FLEA PREVENTION (frontline, hartz 1/mo oil, biospot)? thanks babz & jazz

-- Anonymous, March 21, 1999

Answers

It's my understanding that MC's have rather water-proof coats (a greasy coating) that they evolved to help them stay dry in their native Northern climate. I have an MC type cat that I bather around every 2 weeks. I use suave baby shampoo and this seems to cut down the greasines. I don't know if it the shampoo itself or the frequency of his baths. When you bathe a cat, its a good idea to start doing so while their young, so they get used to it. They probably will never like it though. I bathe my cat a lot and he stays mad at me for the whole day whenever he's had a bath. The best thing that I've used for flea control (had cats all my life) is the Advantage system. It's a little pricey but its more than worth it.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 1999

My cats had fleas really bad about three years ago. I also used Advantage and I only had to use it one time. The fleas have never come back. My cats do not go outside and we do not have any animals roaming our area, so there are no fleas to bring into the house.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2000

I have a 4 year old Maine Coon that I acquired a few months ago.,I had to bathe her because of fleas. She was just a love. I used a xerox box lined with a plastic bag. The I had a pail with a plastic cup in it. I put the cat in the box in the bathtub, filled the pail with warm water and used a washcloth to soap her up.Soap the head first and keep scotchtape handy to catch the fleas on her nose. I kept her soapy in the box for 10 minutes. Then I pulled the box out of the tub and rinsed her with warm water by the cupful from the pail. I rinsed her VERY well. Then I squeezed the water from her as best I could and rubbed her with a towel. Then she let me dry her with a hairdryer. I think the secret is I talked to her the whole time and did not get water in her eyes.I have given her a total of 4 baths. She was just a love and now jumps in the empty tub and rolls around. As far as flea products go, I say Advantage is the best. I talk from experience. Marcia

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2000

BABS -

I have two MCs. They are not quite a year old. Adjusting to a new environment can be tough, but as long as you are loving...they accept most anything. My two MCs were not in my home even a day before I gave them a bath. I put them both in the bathroom with me and shut the door. I filled the bathtub half full of water. They were very inquisitive of the the running water, so I put a container in the tub (one that with weight in would stay above the water level and be dry). This enabled them to be closer to the running water. Before long they were playing with the running water - trying to paw at it and catch it in their mouth. I was able to get them wet, soapy and rinsed without them freaking out. Bathtime has now become a ritual - it doesn't matter who is running water in our house...and they are there. My MCs are great and obviously water lovers. Good luck with yours...time and patience and love play huge roles in your MCs life.

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2000