The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Too Clean Cat
Hi, Tracie. All three of my pet cats prefer drinking from the sink, rather than bowls. We semi-solved this problem with a cat fountain (although they still prefer the sink), but one cat has a special situation. He likes to lick the bar of soap in the dish. I’ve caught him doing this several times, but I don’ t know how long it’s been going on. As far as I can tell is doesn’t affect his eliminations and doesn’t make him vomit. Is this normal? Is it safe? Thanks for any info you can offer!
From: Jennifer, via Cat Chat Radio
Dear Jennifer,
What an amazing and funny predicament you have! How do you ever get the chance to wash your hands or dishes with that crowd of kitties clustered around your sink?
I’ve never heard of a soap-licking cat, but there’s a first time for everything! Certainly, soap is not a good thing for any creature to have inside his body. So even if the cat does not appear to have any digestive disturbance from it, we still don’t want you to wake up one day and see him blowing bubbles!
I have the 100% guaranteed fix for this problem: put that bar of soap in your shower, and keep a pump bottle of liquid soap by the sink instead. This will save you the trouble of keeping a soap dish clean, and keeps your cat’s stomach soap-free, too.
Sometimes the best solutions are the most simple and logical.
Enjoy that thirsty group of felines.
Tracie Hotchner
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
Note: Some of the answers to the questions below are explained in greater detail in PDF files. Go here to get the free Adobe Acrobat reader.
Click on the button above to download Adobe's FREE Acrobat Reader.
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
