Cats are perfectly capable of self-grooming. However, you have to take care of it if yours is unable to do so. If your cat gets urine or feces on its butt, walks on surfaces contaminated with petrochemicals, or rubs itself against some sticky substance, you need to clean its fur completely. Recognize the material that dirties its fur, carefully remove all traces of it and make sure that the cat looks the best possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning the Cat of Faecal Residues
Step 1. Look for traces of stool
Check the hair in the anal area to see if there is any residue left. You may notice dry balls of excrement sticking together, especially if the cat has long fur, or you may see general dirt around the butt.
You may have traces of stool if you have diarrhea or some intestinal problem. In this case, he may have a hard time cleaning himself thoroughly
Step 2. Remove the pellets of feces from his fur
Rub the area around the anus to remove some small residue of excrement. If they stick together, trim the fur using a pair of scissors. Make sure the blades are clear of the cat's skin as you go.
Avoid clipping wet fur. When using scissors, the fur should be dry under the encrustations
Step 3. Clean up localized dirt when the stains are not extensive
If you only notice small traces of excrement sticking to the fur, clean the individual area. You will need a bowl of hot water, cat shampoo, and a washcloth. Dip the fabric in the water and use it to wet the dirty hair; scrub it with shampoo until you get a foam and at the end rinse well with the cloth. Continue to wet and wring the cloth until the water runs clear and you have wiped off all the foam.
The procedure can be easier if you put the cat's butt in a tub or sink. This way, you can wipe the entire back area if you have difficulty removing dirt with the cloth alone
Step 4. Remove the overall dirt
If the cat has diarrhea or other abdominal problems, his coat is probably a little dirty in general. Blot most of the fecal residue with kitchen paper. Once most of them have been removed, wash their bottom with a mild shampoo specifically for cats. Gently rub the area around the anus and proceed with caution if your cat is particularly sensitive. Get help from someone to hold the pet in place while you rinse the fur to get rid of the detergent.
- Do not use products for human use; their pH is not suitable for cats and could irritate your kitty's skin.
- If possible, get an oatmeal-based cat shampoo, as it helps moisturize the sensitive skin of these little cats.
Step 5. Dry the fur
Take a clean, dry towel and gently scrub the pet's fur to remove most of the water. This way, you should be able to dry the area quickly if you only cleaned one area. If, on the other hand, you have removed dirt from almost all of your body, you can use a hairdryer by setting it to the minimum temperature. Brush the fur while you dry it to keep it from tangling.
If you decide to use the hair dryer, you should get someone to help you; one person holds the cat firmly and firmly, while the other uses the hair dryer and brushes the fur
Method 2 of 3: Remove Lily Pollen from Fur
Step 1. Eliminate pollen from dry fur
Take some disposable kitchen paper and rub the cat's fur. Try to remove as much pollen as possible when dry. Each time you scrub, use a new clean area of the paper, so as not to spread it further. Continue like this until you see no more pollen residue or the cloth stays clean.
Make sure you get rid of it as soon as you notice it, to reduce the chances of your cat licking it while taking care of its fur, risking accidentally ingesting a toxic poison. If you are unsure whether you have removed all the pollen, have the animal wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from licking itself and see your vet
Step 2. Make sure you have completely eliminated all pollen
Take a damp cloth and rub it on the cat's fur. Treat the entire area to remove any residual traces. If you are concerned that there may still be some remaining, sprinkle some water on the fur to rinse it and remove the last particles. Finally, dry it by dabbing a clean cloth.
Don't be alarmed if your cat starts grooming itself after this treatment. Your goal is to keep it from licking when it still has pollen on its fur
Step 3. Contact your vet
If you are concerned that the animal is licking its fur before you are able to clean it, remove any remaining pollen and call your doctor. Even if you have to get him to the doctor's office early, take your time to get rid of any dust first so he doesn't ingest any more.
Your vet will perform a blood test to check the health of your cat's kidneys. Sometimes it is necessary to give the animal a drip to support kidney function
Step 4. Know the danger lily pollen poses to cats
Avoid planting these flowers near the house. If the animal were to rub against the lilies, it would probably clean itself to remove pollen from the fur. However, it is a substance that severely contaminates its fur and can cause kidney dysfunction or poisoning. Other poisonous plants for cats include:
- Daffodils;
- Tulips;
- Amaryllis;
- Crocus.
Method 3 of 3: Clean the Coat of Petrochemicals
Step 1. Determine if the pet's fur is dirty with petrochemicals
It may happen that there are residues of these products on your body. These are toxic elements or elements that can irritate the cat's skin. When it is inflamed and irritated, the skin can become infected, in addition to the fact that the cat can ingest the toxins and consequently vomit, have diarrhea or suffer other damage to internal organs. Among the petrochemicals with which the cat can come into contact are:
- Tar;
- Turpentine;
- Wax;
- Glue;
- Enamel;
- Paint;
- Household cleaning products (may contain benzalkonium chloride, which causes burns to the tongue. The cat can stop eating if exposed to this chemical element);
- Antifreeze.
Step 2. Prevent the cat from licking itself
If the area soiled with petrochemicals is small, clean it immediately. However, if you need to get some cleaning supplies and are concerned that your cat will start licking, the first thing to do is stop them from doing it. The best course of action is to have him wear an Elizabethan collar or something similar. This is an effective solution to prevent it from licking its body or paws. If you don't have any of these accessories available, wrap the cat in a towel and ask a friend to hold it while you gather the necessary cleaning tools.
- If you don't have a collar, look for dirty areas of the fur and improvise. For example, if the substance is on the body, you can wrap the cat in a baby dress or cut leg holes in some socks or stockings.
- If their paws are dirty, try swaddling them or putting them in baby socks, securing them with adhesive material.
Step 3. Trim the contaminated fur
If the pollutant has dried and hardened, you will need to carefully trim the fur. Be careful never to cut the skin, as it can be quite easy if the substance has reached the epidermis.
If, on the other hand, the contaminating material has only affected the tip of the fur, run a comb between the skin and the substance, so as to cut only on the outside of the comb and thus avoid the risk of accidentally injuring the cat
Step 4. Soften and clean the soiled area
If the substance is still soft or too close to the skin to cut, you need to make it even softer and then wash it off. Use a particularly harsh hand cleaner, such as that used by mechanics, to dissolve grease and oil. Alternatively, use vegetable cooking oil such as sunflower, seed, or olive oil. Spread it on the area to dissolve the contaminant and then wipe it off with a dry cloth.
- Repeat the procedure until the substance is completely removed.
- Do not use tea tree, eucalyptus or citrus oil for this operation, as they are toxic to cats.
Step 5. Wash and rinse the dirty coat
Once you've cut or softened the contaminated area, you need to wash your cat's fur. Wet it with warm water, apply a specific shampoo for cats and rub it to create a lather; then rinse with water until you see no more traces of shampoo. Your feline friend should now be completely clean, there should be no traces of petrochemicals and oil left (if you used it to soften the pollutant). Dry your cat with a cloth or use the hair dryer on the coldest temperature.
