Is there any reason I can't use dog shampoo on my cat?

From a medical perspective, cats are different from dogs, including the way they react to flea-control products. If you use a dog shampoo that contains ingredients for combating fleas, you may put your cat at deadly risk. This is true even of natural ingredients meant to repel fleas, so ask your veterinarian to recommend a feline-friendly shampoo. In general, you should consult your vet before using any dog product on your cat.

Many readers may wonder why someone should bathe a cat at all, since most felines groom themselves. I can think of a couple of reasons why it's a good idea to get your cat used to water: You may sometimes need to wash off something your cat got into, which you don't want him to ingest when he licks his coat; and weekly rinsing also reduces the sneezing, wheezing and itchy eyes associated with allergies to cats.

You don't have to bother with soap for allergies, though: Just rinsing a cat weekly reduces the dander that triggers allergy attacks. (This method is not effective for individuals with life-threatening allergies, who should consult a physician for advice on dealing with severe reactions.)

Of course, you may find you have a difficult time persuading an adult cat to tolerate bathing. However, it's easier with kittens: If you proceed gently, with praise and treats, you're more likely to end up with a cat that puts up with regular rinsing.

– Dr. Marty Becker

The Buzz

• Many of the birds kept as pets are a species most comfortable in places that we would find intolerable: the steamy, hot rain forests of Central and South America. The dry air of human homes, especially in winter, is thought to be a contributing factor to feather-picking, a frustrating syndrome that can drive birds to pluck themselves bald. Many birds enjoy being dampened by water from a spray bottle or being offered the chance to take a bath in a shallow dish of clean water. How often should birds get a drenching? There are no firm guidelines, but daily would be fine with many of these pets.

• The American Pet Products Association has released a series of videos that whimsically promote the adoption of a companion animal for your pet. The series can be viewed at vetstreet.com/learn/does-your-pet-need-a-new-buddy. The APPA has released the videos through its foundation, Pets Add Life, which promotes its nonprofit activities through a weblog, petsaddlife.wordpress.com, and can additionally be found on Facebook and Twitter.

– Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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