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Marthe48

(23,378 posts)
Thu May 7, 2026, 12:39 PM Thursday

Grooming 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

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Grooming tip (Original Post) Marthe48 Thursday OP
Thank you. We'll try it on our senior cats. They all need help with grooming. AnotherMother4Peace Thursday #1
I'm going to get a couple of senior cats in July Marthe48 Thursday #2
Toothbrush, a very good idea. cksmithy Thursday #3
Great idea! Ty! SheltieLover Thursday #4
My friend's kitty started batting the toothbrush Marthe48 Thursday #6
Awwww... SheltieLover Thursday #9
Muffin is afraid of the brush I bought for her too. crosinski Thursday #10
My guy is small, too. SheltieLover Friday #11
I'll have to try the toothbrush on my husband's elderly slightlv Thursday #5
My kitty didn't like the cutting I did Marthe48 Thursday #8
Bookmarking!! NEOH Thursday #7

AnotherMother4Peace

(5,183 posts)
1. Thank you. We'll try it on our senior cats. They all need help with grooming.
Thu May 7, 2026, 01:06 PM
Thursday

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

(23,378 posts)
2. I'm going to get a couple of senior cats in July
Thu May 7, 2026, 01:13 PM
Thursday

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

(513 posts)
3. Toothbrush, a very good idea.
Thu May 7, 2026, 01:17 PM
Thursday

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

(81,549 posts)
4. Great idea! Ty!
Thu May 7, 2026, 01:37 PM
Thursday

My kitty is terrified of the fancy brush I bought for him, but I'll bet he will tolerate a toothbrush.

Marthe48

(23,378 posts)
6. My friend's kitty started batting the toothbrush
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:03 PM
Thursday

I let him take it, and he played with it for awhile. So cute.

crosinski

(747 posts)
10. Muffin is afraid of the brush I bought for her too.
Thu May 7, 2026, 11:23 PM
Thursday

Part of the problem is that she’s a small cat, and the brush is really large. I bet a toothbrush would be perfect.

SheltieLover

(81,549 posts)
11. My guy is small, too.
Fri May 8, 2026, 12:28 AM
Friday

The brush is about the size of his body. Poor little guy.

I love this toothbrush idea!

slightlv

(7,916 posts)
5. I'll have to try the toothbrush on my husband's elderly
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:00 PM
Thursday

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

(23,378 posts)
8. My kitty didn't like the cutting I did
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:07 PM
Thursday

I never snipped her skin, but she fought me every time. She was like Star Trek, had Klingons pretty regularly :/

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