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Master_Shake23

Bless you for taking so well care of an older animal. Too many people surrender their animals when they are no longer convenient.


cheshire_splat

I couldn’t imagine giving up Ginger a second before we have to. My partner and I work together to ensure she gets her “daily cocktail” of medicines and supplements to keep her here as long as possible.


estili

I did the same with my old man. Hot tip: I bought one of those twice daily weekly pill organizers, and it saved my life. I only had to sort/ cut pills once a week in batches and it made it so much easier


Specialist-Elk-2100

Hey! I have an old lady cat named Ginger too. She’s 20. Still spry, full of energy, no arthritis, healthy bloody work, but is really skinny and losing weight at 6.5 lbs. The only known issue is feline herpes which causes her excessive nose blockage and “reverse coughing” which basically sounds like a cat gagging or throwing up with a layer of breathing issue sounds mixed in; she’s had this her whole life though, since we got her as a younger cat. It’s a mystery, she eats all day (we feed her about 10X a day with high calorie and fat content senior cat wet food, and she has free reign of dry food), and is still so full of love and energy versus our younger cats, so we have no idea what’s going on and even the vet seems clueless 🤷🏼‍♂️? All we can do is give her a good life, unless we find a solution.


First-Lingonberry890

Has the vet checked thyroid levels? Hyperthyroidism causes dramatic weight loss. Know from experience witht my 14 yr old cat


Specialist-Elk-2100

I’m pretty sure we did. But we can go back for a recheck.


First-Lingonberry890

If your vet did regular bloodwork, I'm sure they did.


MissPicklechips

I’m a sucker for old animals. That gray muzzle on a dog melts my heart every time. While I was sad when my pets got old and gray, their senior years were the most precious to me. Even when I had to support Ted’s hind end when he did his business because he had trouble balancing. Even when Book’s nasal cancer caused nosebleeds that made a mess everywhere. All of them stayed with us until it was time to go to Rainbow Bridge.


oshaCaller

I worked at the same dealership for years, and test drove by this business with an older German Shephard. I was amazed how his face changed. My heart would drop if I didn't see him. I didn't know his name but I always called him "good boy". I had him and a herd of kittens I watched grow up, it always brightened my day getting to see them.


MissPicklechips

The place where I get my rocks has a couple of older dogs who belong to the owner. I haven’t been there in a while, as my need for rocks has abated, and I’m kind of afraid to, because what if they aren’t there?


oshaCaller

One day I drove by and he had a puppy buddy, but I never saw the puppy again. I could kinda handle him being replaced like that, better than just "good boy gone". I like dogs, but I've always felt like I could never be dedicated enough to own one. I feel like they should be by your side at all times or have a very large space to dog out on. We had this guy that replaced windshields and he had a dog with him at all times, it was very polite and obedient. That's how it should be, your dog is your partner. One time I did an oil change on a car and they had a dog that stayed in the passenger seat the entire time. It was old, do I guess it didn't wanna move.


cheshire_splat

At least this time it was solid. Last time it was diarrhea and she sat in it and I had to give her a second, much poopier bath.


smssieta615

Your kitty is very lucky to have you.


MonsterMamaLu

I’m sorry that I laughed so hard at this, I know it’s not funny when you’re experiencing it.


jessicat2222

Ooo I know that feeling. I remember washing my cats poopy butt muttering “you are SO lucky I love you”.


LavenderAntiHero

Aw, how old is she?


cheshire_splat

18


LavenderAntiHero

Ginger is a lucky kitty and y’all are great parents


cheshire_splat

Thank you so much for saying that. We feel very lucky to have her. She’s always been very sweet and friendly. We used to have big get-togethers in our tiny trailer- I’m talking people standing and sitting on the floor because we ran out of space- and Ginger would start with a walk-about, then pick whoever she thought was the most interesting (a man more frequently than not) and hang out with them. If someone new came in, she’d investigate. People came in to work in the house, she’d supervise. She’ll just sit next to you and purr because she’s happy just to be in your company. For years we practically ran the house like boarding for people and animals- catching friends who were couch-surfing, taking in people’s pets when they were transitioning housing, babysitting children and animals. And through it all, Ginger has tried to get along with everyone. Things are a bit quieter around here now. I think she deserves to rest, she’s been a gumbie cat long enough.


LaureGilou

Ok I love you and your tiny trailer and your rotating community of people and pets and I love Ginger. This post and whole tread absolutely made my day ❤️


cheshire_splat

Yeah, it kinda made my day, too 🥰 Nice thinking back to those memories.


roygiv

You are such a lovely human


lonewolf143143

She is beautiful & obviously very well loved


CrippledJesus97

One of my aunts have a cat about that age too. But they dont try to bathe him. They just let him do whatever he wants. Hes a long haired cat so when its muddy he tends to look a lil bit like road kill. They do at the very least rinse the dirt and mud off him in those instances. Just not a full blown bath


[deleted]

[удалено]


cheshire_splat

18. She wanted to join the military this year, but we told her “You are both too young and too old to make that choice.”


peepeepoopoo34567

Oh I dont think poor Ginger will realise how little the drill sergeant will appreciate poopy boots!


cheshire_splat

I’m adding Poopy Boots to her repertoire of nicknames.


zucchini_bird

I know others have already said it, but the way you treat/talk about her is so sweet.


LustrousMirage

At least she can vote!


LuridPrism

If giving her a full bath is stressful (for you or her), they make a product sort of like a baby wipe for cats. You'd just have to wipe her down, no water needed. I also had to give my little old lady frequent baths, I kinda wish we'd had those wipes back then so we could have skipped the bathtub for at least a couple of them.


cheshire_splat

Thanks. We have wipes for daily use. And dry shampoo, too, for when she really makes a mess of herself. She gets a bath every 2-3 weeks when we trim her. She doesn’t like baths, but she takes everything like a champ. Just stands there and waits somewhat patiently for it to be over (she will give the occasional “rawr” of disapproval). She mostly enjoys being trimmed and will roll around and purr. Just doesn’t like when I trim her private areas, but that’s understandable. I remind her that I don’t like doing it any more than she likes having it done. But it’s easier to keep her clean and healthy.


Topwingwoman2

Is she long-haired? Hard to tell from pic.


cheshire_splat

She is usually…. Puffy. Technically a shorthair, but almost a medium, and thick like a chinchilla. At one point we were each taking a turn to brush her/wipe her 20 minutes twice a day, and we just couldn’t keep up with what her fur needed. The vet suggested shaving, and we’ve been doing that for a few months now.


FillTheHoleInMyLife

Is this something that would work well enough for a kitty who wets herself? My cat has seizures occasionally and I always have to give her grumpy ass a little bath after because she accidentally pees during them :(


Double_Belt2331

Yes, Burt’s Bees for Cats has natural waterless shampoo as well as cat wipes. I use WaterWipes 99% water for cleaning my foster kittens who don’t quite clean themselves or have accidents. Both are available on Amazon.


FillTheHoleInMyLife

Thanks so much!


Double_Belt2331

You’re welcome - best of luck w your kitty!! I hope the seizures can be controlled w out a bunch of sedating meds & she leads a long & happy life ♥️


MKALPINE

I feel your pain. I had to bathe my senior kitty more often in her final years and she decided she liked to pee in the tub as I was bathing her… so I’d have to drain the water and bath her again. Eventually I just put her in the tub with no water and a mop bucket filled with warm water and a cup to wash her with. She really didn’t like that I would have to scrub her butt. Trust me Pyewackett, I didn’t like washing your butthole either.


cheshire_splat

I’ll bet the warm water made her belly relaxed. That’s what I’m thinking it is with Ginger here. It’s definitely not scaredy-poops.


Lessa22

*hahaha* I say that to my cat practically on repeat every time I bathe her “Trust me Aliera, I don’t like spending this much time scrubbing your butthole any more than you do. Learn to bathe yourself and I wouldn’t have to do this!”


cheshire_splat

For those who crave more Ginger https://www.reddit.com/r/seniorkitties/comments/zhbb2e/tis_gingers_18th_year_this_day/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1


cheshire_splat

https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/sst3kp/ginger_the_standard_issue_cat_is_17_years_old_now/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1


BeyondTheBees

The second photo with her little feets in the air 🥹


67Saltireskies

And so she should 😁 lovely wee thing.


Kisthesky

Old ladies deserve everything. 😻Thanks for taking such good care of her!


queenofthepalmtrees

I had an elderly cat years ago who gave up grooming herself, so every day we wiped her down with a damp flannel.


cheshire_splat

We have cat wipes and dry shampoo for daily and weekly use. She gets a real water bath about once a month when I trim her fur (also done to help her stay clean). She doesn’t seem to mind being a shorthair, and she seems to enjoy the act of being trimmed.


[deleted]

Rage against the machine lyrics spring to mind lol


cheshire_splat

Ginger definitely has the “fluff you, I won’t do what you tell me” attitude.


curlygirlynurse

My senior kitty does great with a hand towel in the bottom of the sink. Gives extra support/grip to arthritis and makes them feel more stable. He’s a crochety old man though


wolv645

An old cat can teach you new tricks


igneousink

i love her. what a treasure.


FeetExpert1998

Its so weird. My cat is 20 and doesnt have those old cat problems. I'm getting seriously worried


Jay_from_NuZiland

Ours is 19 and he's not in need of this level of care yet either. They all age differently.


jennifer_m13

I had a senior cat that would always pee and/or poop when she was terrified, like riding in the car to and from the vet.


Zipzifical

I also have a senior kitty who is too old to bathe himself. I got some wipes specifically for cleaning animals so I don't have to do the whole bath routine quite as often. He just looks so dang pathetic when he's soaking wet and his floof is deflated. He looks pretty healthy and robust (for a grumpy old man, at least) dry, but wet he genuinely looks like a large skinny rat. Bless you for taking care of her. I'm sure it bothers her to be dirty but getting old is the pits!


Any_Weird_8686

Breaking news: elderly feline utilises asshole to be asshole.


AddisonNM

If I remember correctly, calming wet wipes are available for kitties. Maybe an option? Cat cbd oil is available for her comfort, at pet stores. She poops during baths because she's relaxing and trusting. Keep up the good work.


cheshire_splat

We have wipes for daily grooming. Bath is about once a month-ish, whenever I trim her.


LMNoballz

You're so good to her.


AlexM717

I'd imagine she'd say "fuck yew and fuck ya towels" in the voice of an old lady that smoked for 50 years


cheshire_splat

She does have r/catswhosmoke voice lol


jochi1543

Glad I'm not the only one who needs to poop after a bath


Zepper7349

Hang in there, you old girl :-)


kimvy

Thank you for making this old lady’s life easier ❤️❤️❤️❤️


zapperbert

Seniors are the best. We had to give our old man a bath every week or 2. His was in diapers the last 6 months. In some ways it was actually easier to change him a few times a day.


lokiandgoose

What a beautiful old gal! We adopted an older cat to spend her golden years with my grandmother. Cat outlived her and was a big personality right to the end. I had to cut the mats out of her fur so she has a rather uneven hairdo for the last year. I know she's got her luxurious coat back on the other side of the bridge with Grandma.


cheshire_splat

We shave Ginger so she doesn’t get tangles. Her fur is short, but it’s clean and her skin is healthy. My partner adopted Ginger at 6 months old. I joined them almost 16 years ago. Ginger thought at first that I was trying to steal her man, so she pooped on my blanket and tore holes in my socks and underwear. But since then we’ve learned to share him lol. I’ve been forgiving Ginger poops for a long time lol 🫚


liberatedhusks

I’m going to have to start bathing one of my super seniors, she has bad arthritis and I noticed she no longer grooms her downstairs so litter sticks to her butt area. I’ve been using the pet baby wipes but I don’t feel like it’s enough. How did you get Ginger used to baths? I want to make sure it’s a calm experience


cheshire_splat

Ginger’s just super chill and we’re super lucky 🤷‍♀️ If I had to bathe any of our other cats… *shudder* I might suggest, however, starting with filling the tub before bringing in the cat and running water as little as possible, at least at first. If it’s a really big issue, your vet can recommend over-the-counter remedies for anxiety. A lot of people these days talking about CBD for animals. Oh, and of course, make sure the water isn’t too hot or too cool. We use PetO’Cera cat shampoo, per vet recommendation.


liberatedhusks

Was wondering about the shampoo so thank you! And yea I had to bathe our youngest and it uh..it didn’t go well. Blood was sacrificed to the gods. But my senior is pretty chill so I think she’ll be ok. Thank you for the answer and tips :)


[deleted]

Oh my heart 💗


Express_Giraffe_7902

How very “cat” of her 🤣🤣


Anonynominous

Awe what a sweet little lady


VieleAud

She’s doing her best!!


solidcheese

Awww. Thanks for caring. They ask so little for most of their short lives.


SpicyNoodoo

OP, you’re a saint.


SnooBananas6474

Oh the poopy little darling 😻💞🥰


mmmmmmmmmmmmmmfarts

Aww sweet old gal! I’m sure these baths make her quality of life better!


ToughNefariousness23

At least she's still going potty. Got to count blessings.


Stumbles229

Ah, thank you for the chuckle and for taking such tender care of your old gal.


Hopeful-Pride1791

Aw. Ty for taking such good care of her 💓


Mattar19K

Because cat.


La_Quica

My girls are kittens but this has me thinking about that eventual time. I know I’d do anything for them now but your post made me feel better about the inevitable


No-Astronaut3290

Thank you for taking care of her. She needed that. Bless you


jmkul

My grand dame, who has now crossed the rainbow bridge, also needed to be bathed in the last 6 months of her life (and hated it)...and she also liked to express her displeasure by pooping on the towel. Still loved her anyway...and wish she was still here to do this


NegotiationSea7008

Same with my Mum ❤️


agnemiav2

Thanks for being there when she needs you. Sound obvious, but ive met many of people that distance or get rid of animals that no longer are in their prime, whether that be health reasons or old age. Those kind of people really infuriate me. P.s, please give her a pet from me :)


cheshire_splat

I have given her many pets and scritches and hugs since yesterday. I’ve been telling her “The interwebs loves you!”


agnemiav2

Awhhhhh! Yayyyy!


No-Presentation-6525

I usually only bathe the bottom half. And they usually poo in the water while bathing.


Pizza_Head1223

Awww poor baby. She seems so sweet.💕


idkwhattoputmate

She looks like my girl when she was in her elder years 🥹


Lethal_Opossum

I wonder if baths make her nervous so that's why she has to poop lol poor thing. Bless you for loving her so much ♥️


cheshire_splat

I hope it’s not that. Knowing her as I do (having helped in the caring of her for almost 16 years now), I think it’s the warm water on her belly. I know the sounds and faces she makes, and her bath face is not one of fear. It’s more like she’s really irritated. So if not the warm water, my second guess would be revenge lol


Lethal_Opossum

You're probably right. Like how warm drinks make people have to go lol or it could be revenge.


cheshire_splat

Revenge is a dish best served with poop.


daaaayyyy_dranker

She might be in pain when she poops


Mediocre_Cat242

They have pet wipes that might be less stressful for her.


LilMeowCat

Old lady is gonna old lady.


two-of-me

I did this to my baby whenever I went to my parents’ house. I’d go over every few weeks and give him what I called a “dignity bath” because he was too tired to bathe himself but very happy otherwise. My Lennie lived a week past his 21st birthday. We had a party for him with my parents’ friends’ dogs who he loved. Then six days later he was gone. You’re doing a good thing, OP, keeping your baby clean.


Fishercat5000

I’ve heard but I haven’t had to do this… It seems like it worth a try. Instead of giving your cat a bath take a damp towel and stroke her with that. I am sure you would have to do it often in order for it to be effective.


lld2girl

Would dry shampoo work? I had a pet rat who had to be bathed, and in hind sight after my beloved pet died, I wished I had not done the baths. Promised myself when my new best friend, Miss Kitty, gets old, I was gonna try dry shampoo.


Uberpastamancer

Have you tried a dry shampoo?


cheshire_splat

Yes. We use wipes on the daily, dry shampoo when she somehow gets a mess in her fur. Baths are once every 2-3 weeks after I trim her fur. All of this is vet approved, including a vet-recommended cat shampoo that one of our vets uses on her own hairless cat. Baths do not appear to be traumatizing to Ginger, just annoying. The poops do not appear to be scaredy-poops, but rather most likely caused from the warm water on her belly.


bandit8623

When they get that way it's time to let go


SnazzyZubloids

I already know she’s in the right hands.


pm_cheesecakes

Pet Wipes are not an option?


YourLocalMosquito

I had to do this with my old girl for her last few days. My only tip: they love the feeling of a toothbrush. But maybe get a fresh one for the job, I wouldn’t suggest using your own!


Kylar_Sicari

I think your cat is broken


Cardoogie

Don't bathe her. My queen (17years old) has never been force to a bath. Something she grooms. Sometimes she "changes hair" depending on the season/time of year. Sometimes she gets wet in the yard. She know what she needs. I would said let her be for a while. They are very smart. ✌️💚😻


Cardoogie

But in your case since she poops and pees, I would make the litter boxes more accesible or with different mediums (sands without smell, wood pellets(my choice). 2 boxes is better than 1 btw. Regards


Normal_Flamingo6351

Best way I’ve found to bath a cat is to first add some pet shampoo to the toilet bowl, then gently place the kitty inside while swiftly shutting and sitting on the lid, the cat wash will now “self-agitate” and rinsing is as easy as flushing a few times, be sure to stand clear upon release. Follow me for more life hacks. Psa: for those who cannot afford a sense of humor, this is entirely a joke, and I would never actually recommend this procedure.


Heavy-Humor-4163

She is trying her best. Thank you for assisting her. And figuring out what works. If she is predictably using the pads, that’s terrific!


Topwingwoman2

How is the cat an asshole? She's old and doing her best. I'm glad you are making her comfortable. No need to shame her here.


lokiandgoose

I think just for pooping on the towel and relaxing on the potty pad. Like cmon can we work together on this?


ISAV_WaffleMasta

Take care of her or I'll come for you