I am a trained veterinary assistant and animal groomer who works for humane societies. I'd like to try putting the battle to rest, if I may.

Using the proper shampoo, you can safely bathe cats and dogs weekly. Please look for the proper shampoo, use only tepid water and rinse well. Those pets who get dry skin from bathing are being bathed with the wrong shampoo or not being rinsed well enough. Just like you, your pet needs a specific kind of product be it mild, astringent or conditioning. The most important thing is use only tepid water because pet's skin burns more easily than humans and rinse, rinse, rinse. Inadequate rinsing is the most common error when bathing an animal.

Dogs and cats are no different than humans with regard to cleanliness being important. Humans learned to bathe themselves as they progressed from primitive living to the way we are now. We know the value of cleanliness, so we do it. You may also keep your pets safely clean. In fact, a pet who is bathed regularly from infancy usually likes the process and has fewer skin issues than those who aren't. Hope this makes sense and helps.

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I have two adorable kitties but now that its summer time I always hate all the new hair that starts to build up around my house. This year I invested in the FURminator and love it so much that I wrote a blog to share with others the wonders it can do for you and your cats health http://tinyurl.com/n4yblm

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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

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Kabin
Konteyner

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To help with dander allergies, check out this Web site:

www.nationalallergy.com

Loook at the Allerpet products. These are safe solutions - for both dogs and cats - that moisturize the skin and reduce the amount of dander that is produced. Also, there are other products such as Quick Bath Wipes, Allersearch Pet+ shampoo and Anti-Allergen Solution Pet Shampoo.

All of these products are perfectly safe for your pets and they work by either reducing dander or neutralizing the protein in allergens.

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I feel for you Alice. Apparently when I posted that my vet told me it was saliva and not dander on cats that most people are allergic to, someone felt I was "attacking" them. I got a very unpleasant private message about not "attacking" people.

Folks, if someone posts that their vet told them something, maybe you ought not assume that the poster is attacking you; merely sharing information that their vet told them.

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I have a lot to do this weekend, so a quick note. It would appear that I angered Jersey Girl. But my dog hospitalized me at 14 when my allergies onset, and I never deliberately got a pet lest I have to give it up. So all of my critters have been destined for shelters, and we have muddled on through the best we can. I bathe them when I need to, and I've had to take more than one unadoptable street orphan to the humane society or the spca, and one time, to the pound. (she had severe aggression issues). Needless to say she was a dog. I give it my best shot - food, love, heartworm meds, and training, but not every one can be saved. Most however, can be bathed, and without those baths, I could do none of this... I wasn't being sarcastic, and I see no reason to go ballistic.

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I have been allergic to cats, dogs, rodents, most fur-bearing animals since I was 14 years old. My animals are all rescues. I was 30 before I could have a cat. That cat got a bath in shampoo in a sink every couple of weeks, or when I started sneezing. I now only have to be bathe my cats about twice a year, but it took me 20 years to get there. But given the option of a shelter / euthanasia, or the weekly bath, my cats loved their baths. Ditto for dogs. It was last summer when I finally brought my outdoor dog in and let him sleep in the house, and he chose, of course, the floor next to my bed. I am doing OK. He has gone from twice a year baths to every couple of weeks. My house smells better for it, and I haven't been hospitalized yet.

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"Veterinarians, for years, have told their allergic customers to bathe pets to remove the dander,"

My vet said it's not dander on cats, but saliva on cats that most people with cat allergies are allergic to.

I want to clarify something just for entertainment's sake: When I said "occasional" bath I meant like this.

Atticus (dog) is about 9 years old. He got bathed when we first got him (fleas and dirt - thought he was brown, turned out he was yellow). He had 2 baths cuz he got into something smelly. 2 years ago he had a series of 5 baths over a 7 week period with a medicated shampoo due to a full body staff infection he got from his glass-eating surgery. Last month Michael gave him a bath because his (the dog's) allergies were acting up badly and he was itching badly. Those are ALL the baths he has ever had in his entire life.

Kayo (dog) got bathed when we first got him. Nothing since.

Clyde (cat) got a bath when she first joined the family. She sometimes gets "butt juice" on her and she's all stinky so I wash the affected areas.

Same for TuffKatt (also a cat)

Puffy (yet another cat) has only had 1 bath; when he joined the family 8 years ago.

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Thank you Sarah H. and all who did not misinterpret my words and thus jump all over me for simply providing helpful information. There are always folks who are quick to attack. I perceive that type of defensive attacking as coming from somebody who is sadly not a happy person. Please keep the helpful comments coming. I love reading about people's experiences. Aggressiveness is truly not necessary. Thanks again fellow pet lovers :)

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