How do you bath your cat?
By hallmarkjl
@hallmarkjl (500)
United States
23 responses
@monochrome_lie (407)
• Canada
7 Mar 08
I used to bath my old cat in a small children's t-shirt... it helps to keep them in place and keep there front paws out of the way. We were pretty lucky though, she was always fairly docile. She just always sat there and took it, I think for fear of what we might do if she didn't.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
8 Mar 08
your cat didnt try to fight you when you woud put the t-shirt on him/her?
1 person likes this
@monochrome_lie (407)
• Canada
9 Mar 08
Nope, she was always really good about it... confused, but really good. And once she realized she couldn't get her paws free it was kind of too late. Sneaky, but it did the trick nicely.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
8 Mar 08
I thought about the dry shampoos, but did not know how well they worked. To me it would be like rubbing something in your hair and brushing it out. I might try it though and see how well it works.
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
7 Mar 08
NO! its like the old saying that you cant baptise a cat you cant bathe them either they are quite capab ble of keeping themselves clean!
2 people like this
@megumiart (3771)
• United States
7 Mar 08
Don't bathe the cat with water at all. Just use a damp soapy cloth. :]
2 people like this
@nairington (20)
• United States
7 Mar 08
I bathe my old Tom cat if he gets out and into something stinky then wants to sleep on my bed.Don't use the spray on the cat ,it scares them.I use a glass to pour water over him.I get a hold of the back of the neck,like a mama cat carries her kittens,and he doesn't give you much trouble.Drying him is another matter.I have my husband standing,just in case I lose my grip on him.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
8 Mar 08
thats the type of bathing I was talking about. Not just give the cat a bath just to give him/her one. I'd only give her one if she got into some really nasty smelling stuff or got actual stuff in her fur.
@shopstew (18)
• United States
7 Mar 08
I think each cat is different and some will deal while others will not. My cat will not allow the vet to groom/bath him, but deals when I do it. I actually bathe him in the regular tub and I make sure the water is not to forceful coming out, etc. I just talk to him and I do it as fast as I can. He looks miserable but he deals and does not fight me. He looks so good after! I would be careful if your cat is not declawed though. You also might want to try those wet wipes from the pet store instead. They don't clean as well, but it helps. Good luck.
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
8 Mar 08
Before Serena went to the adoption event that got her adopted, I gave her a bath.
Now, this wasn't a LOT of fun, but it could've been worse - it could've been one of the cat's that don't MIND hurting us....
Anyway, I put her in the sink, with water running. I'd've prefered to put her in my kitchen sink, with both sides full of water, but I couldn't find the stopper for one side. I had a glass to fill with water to rinse her and I used baby shampoo.
I'm not 100% sure I got ALL the soap out, but I got mosts. She was so fat that she wasn't the best at cleaning herself, and after I went after her with a cat brush, she looked better after the bath.
@Rosabranca (44)
• Portugal
9 Mar 08
Once I have got a cat, I gave him a bath and it was a battle, he hurt me seriously, the Vet said some cats did not like bath, they clean themselves.
@no_chao (548)
• Philippines
8 Mar 08
my cat "pogi" loves to take a bath only if im holding him in the neck and calling his name while talking to him... he also loves to hold on in the wire screen of our gate!!... he likes standing position with his two feet while the other two are on the wires... i also avoid to wet his face because wetting it makes him hysterical... ^_^
@crazylady (470)
• United States
10 Mar 08
No, but my cats are declawed in the front. The cat she bathes tolerates all her craziness. My cat may need therapy tho.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
10 Mar 08
That sounds just like what our cat would do, but she doesnt have front claws anymore and has never bitten anybody. She still has her back claws and can still use them.
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
10 Mar 08
Only when I was brave as a youth (heh heh), did my family give our cats (when they were kittens) baths. Now I'd be bloody all over. ;o) But we were so lucky, as there is a woman who opened a pet shower/bath store. You can even stay there while she does it. But it's amazing. Our cats obviously don't look forward to going, but she can just do it on her own, calmly, and carefully! I can't believe it. She does it with short sleeves on too!
But if you have a pro, get it done there. They know how to work with them. I don't know how in tarnation she does it, but makes it look so easy, and my cats don't smile, but they don't cry or push. They're actually overdue for a bath this season! :o)
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
10 Mar 08
Ouch. She's definitely a loner (at least among other cats). Well, if she gets a bath, then I'd recommend you speak with the bather, and try to schedule a session when she is the only one there, at least cat. Maybe she shoudl have just a "half bath" for the first time (wet, warm towels, just wiping or such).
Good luck!
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
10 Mar 08
we take my husbands dog to a groomer and I guess she does cats as well. I have thought about taking her up there, but I do get a bit worried about her being around other animals. She no longer has her front claws, but if she sees another cat she will tear whoever is hold her up to get to the other cat. Not because she want to play with them, but she will try to kill the other cat. We have to make sure she stays indoors b/c of her having no front claws and only her back ones and teeth to defend herself.
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
10 Mar 08
hehehe for me I get my hubby to do it. It saves my arms and I don't have to bother doing it.
@dataentry100 (50)
• United States
10 Mar 08
Most of the cats I've had growing up have been pretty good when it came to giving them a bath. They didn't care for the water, but as long as you kept one hand on them, they didn't go anywhere. Before one of our cats got declawed, my dad had suggested using a pillowcase. The cats' body goes in the case and you keep their head outside, but just kind of hold them around the neck. We only used this method once because you couldn't really see where their limbs and claws were.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
10 Mar 08
yeah a pillow case would be kind of hard. plus i'm sure the cat wouldnt really like it very much being confind like that.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
9 Mar 08
If there is then please let me know, I cannot bath my cats they are too strong for me. The last time I tried the cat scratched my face.
My son bathes the cats. He is much stronger than I and sometimes he asks me to help hold them down.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
10 Mar 08
well so far from what I can take it, if you wanna ever batha a cat for any reason start them when they are young. Also, if they are older, try dry shampoos or even wet wipes or wet rags. Thats what i'm learning from everyone
@finicky21 (18)
• United States
19 Mar 08
We have three cats and the best way to bathe them is to put them in the kitchen sink with warm water. Let them hold onto the faucet and get them wet real well. Most of the time you need a second person to hold and comfort them. After you wet them, put some shampoo on and rub it in then rinse. If they are pretty tolerant and don't act like you are trying to drown them, you can shampoo them again. After you are done, drain the water, wring their tail and fur out and wrap them in a towel and dry them as best you can. Most of the time they do the rest. It will take several times for them to get used to it.
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
8 Mar 08
We recently adopted a cat from the shelter, he is white and black, has really long hair. I went to take a shower and he got up on the side of the tub and laid there the whole time. Water splashed on him but he didn't seem to mind. But I don't think giving him a bath would be a good experience for me or the cat, he is quite good with those claws.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
8 Mar 08
Thats really cool how he jumped up and just layed there by the tub. Yeah, a bath probably wouldnt be a good idea. Thats what I'm getting out of all of this. No bath for kitty unless she/hes really smelly or has something in their fur. Even then just use a wet rag or something.
@Laurelanne31 (82)
• Canada
8 Mar 08
This is past your situation now, but I have learned that if you get a kitten, start giving them baths and keep it regular. They will be used to the grooming session when older.
Have you tried just using a wet washcloth to rub your cat with instead of a bath?
Also, a thin, very thin, (old t shirt cut open) to pickup and wrap around your cat. This was he is "swaddled" and the wet water gets through to stinky fur.
Tomato juice is said to be good for skunk smell.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
9 Mar 08
Giving a kitten a bath so he/she is use to them by the time they are older would be a pretty smart thing to do. After all, if they grow up getting a bath then when they get older it wont be a big deal to them. I guess if I ever get another kitten I'll have to try that. Now, dont get me wrong I wont bath it all the time just when need be. Such as it getting into some really smelly stuff. That or i'd use a wet wipe or something.
@shaggin (72131)
• United States
8 Mar 08
LOL I don't think there is a way to bathe them in my experience without getting very hurt in the process. My cats go nuts and claw my arms up so bad. I suppose if you had a declawed cat then that wouldnt happen but then they would probably just bite you or something. They don't need to be bathed unless they get something awful on their fur. You can always just use a wet washcloth to wipe their fur down.
@hallmarkjl (500)
• United States
8 Mar 08
I think if it comes down to it I might just take some wet wipes and wipe her down with them or get a damp rag.
@clowdine (1402)
• Philippines
12 Mar 08
Cats really hate water but like other animals, they have to be bathed for health reasons. I don't know animal psychology or whatever so, what I do is I get 4 pieces of cellophanes and wrap the cat's 4 claws then tie the cellophane with rubber band tight enough to hold the plastic but not hurting the cat. Having done that, I bathe it without any problem. I just try my best not to be affected or feel sorry when it pleads for release because it needs it. I just make it a point that the cat is not hurt. So far, I haven't been bitten whenever I do that. Just try to finish it quick.