Pets
Related: About this forumGrooming tip
When my kitty got old, she was pretty bad at grooming herself. I'd wipe her down with a damp, warm washcloth, and she liked that. I got the idea of brushing her face and head with a dry toothbrush, and she really liked that.
The pets I stayed with last week are elderly. I bought a toothbrush and tried it with the old kitty. He really liked it, and would sit by me after he ate for a little brushing. I told one of my friend's friends about it. She tried it on her kitty and he liked it so much, he was bringing toothbrushes to her. She said she has them all around the house for cleaning. I mentioned that they shouldn't have cleaning products on them, but she said they are all clean.
I tried it with the old dog, too. He liked it, but he's pretty big to be brushed with a toothbrush
AnotherMother4Peace
(5,177 posts)One of our senior cats was supposed to just stay the weekend, until the shelter opened. Well, that was about 17 years ago - a verrrrry long weekend. He's such a funny cat, and our alert system. Whenever anything is out of sorts in the household, he starts meowing and alerting.
Marthe48
(23,350 posts)I've been without kitties for a year. I was going to travel, but I'm stuck because of other things. I'd like short-haired light colored cats. My last kitty was a long-haired Manx. She relied on my boy cat to groom her, at least her head and face. When he died, she didn't take up the slack. I did a lot to keep her clean and healthy, hoping to avoid that part of loving pet ownership :/
You were so kind to keep the kitty. All cats do cat things, but each one has its quirks. That makes them so much fun. My boy cat was the best non-verbal creature I've ever had. He was sure to notice something out of order and let us know. I miss him more than most of the kitties I've had.
cksmithy
(511 posts)We are in our mid 70's, I wish I would of thought of that. We've had several senior cats, 15 to 18 years of age, they would have enjoyed a muzzle brush. I would just try to keep their faces clean for them just by wiping/picking food off their whiskers. We always did brush their bodies, especially when they could no longer clean themselves properly.
Toothbrush a very great idea!
SheltieLover
(81,528 posts)My kitty is terrified of the fancy brush I bought for him, but I'll bet he will tolerate a toothbrush.
Marthe48
(23,350 posts)I let him take it, and he played with it for awhile. So cute.
SheltieLover
(81,528 posts)And to think for $1.25 Dollar Tree sells 4 or 5 of them.
crosinski
(746 posts)Part of the problem is that shes a small cat, and the brush is really large. I bet a toothbrush would be perfect.
SheltieLover
(81,528 posts)The brush is about the size of his body. Poor little guy.
I love this toothbrush idea!
slightlv
(7,906 posts)long-haired Calico. She never "took" to me... always my husband's baby. But he doesn't groom her. She's been letting me cut "gobbies" out of her fur, which I consider a great sign of trust now. Maybe the toothbrush will be an asset... it's worth any amount of trial and error at her age. She's over 20 years old now. A real Queen.
Marthe48
(23,350 posts)I never snipped her skin, but she fought me every time. She was like Star Trek, had Klingons pretty regularly :/
NEOH
(347 posts)Bookmarking and thanks!
I will try this on my black cat, Raven.