Giving cats baths

**Osker-boy** · 03-26-2002, 09:33 PM

last night my mom and I were giving Osker a bath. We tried to keep him calm but he was very very scared because it was his first bath.But next time we will try something else because this dose't seem to work so if anyone has any advice please fill me in.

I like the smileys

**Sara luvs her Tinky** · 03-26-2002, 10:44 PM

Pet smart has these packs of (they look like paper towels or something) that you can give your cat a bath with. I don't know what they are called, but anyone that works there could help you

. Something else that helps when giving your cat a bath........ when you wash him dilute the cat shampoo in a big cup with bath water and pour it on the cat, that way you wont have any residue left on it's fur, just rub it in (it will lather) and it is easier to rinse them off and they are in the bath for a shorter time...... also have a warm towell ready (warm it in the dryer) that way when you get kitty you can wrap it up all warm......... this works with Tinky quite well.

**purrley** · 03-27-2002, 08:32 AM

I have only bathed one of my cats and that's Panda Bear. She was really dirty when I finally let her stay in the house to have her babies. She's been in the house ever since. My other 3 have never been bathed and they've never been outside so they're nice and clean and soft

Bye the way - Panda did amazingly well considering she was a feral kitty. I actually walked away from it without any open wounds

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 03-27-2002, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
also have a warm towell ready (warm it in the dryer) that way when you get kitty you can wrap it up all warm......... this works with Tinky quite well.

Oh, oh Sara, sounds like the over-spoiling has already started with Tinky.

You better watch out or before you know it she'll have both you and your hubby waiting on her hand and foot...errr...paw and foot.....if she doesn't already.

They are just so easy to spoil though, arent' they?!!

**Sara luvs her Tinky** · 03-27-2002, 02:24 PM

They are just so easy to spoil though, arent' they?!!

YES YES YES!!!!
It is funny the things that I do for her, I'm always going out of my way to make her comfortable or something.........but she rewards me with her sweet little kitty self

I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!

**AmberLee** · 03-27-2002, 02:38 PM

I've yet to try to bathe Cassy or Livvy (occasionally take them to the groomers and let them have the hassle), but it sounds like you have the bathing routine down to a science, Sara. Great ideas.

Once I was drawing a bath for myself and had to leave the room briefly. When I came back Sassy (RB) was on the edge of the tub dangling his front paws in it, and Cassy was highstepping through the water as if to see what all the commotion was about. Silly boys!

**Osker-boy** · 03-27-2002, 07:43 PM

Thank you

I'll try them out. Sara's idea sound like a pretty good idea. I'm new around here you can tell because this is my 5th post [I think].Well thank you again.

**wayne0214** · 03-27-2002, 09:20 PM

Osker boy, welcome to Pet Talk. I think you will find that this is one of the most friendly and helpful sites for cat owners.

I used to give my Snow Cat (my flame-point Siamese) baths, or at least I attempted to, because of flea problems. But even at 4 months of age, he was too much to handle for one person. He constantly resisted being bathed. So, I gave up on the idea and instead, purchased some flea repellant. Now that he is 1 year old, his coat is just as white and clean as if he had a bath. He is a very clean and neat kitty and does not get dirty even if he plays outside for the day As a cat ages from kittenhood, I believe, they become more conscious of their appearance, just like people.

..............wayne

**David_M** · 03-29-2002, 02:42 PM

Well, my sister used to bathe our old cat, Tiger, a lot. The first time she had her bath, she squirmed around a lot. After, she was perfectly calm since she knew what was going on. Be careful, when it is their first bath, they can be very wild and get you wet. Relax, they should calm down the next time you do it.
Anyways, I think sara is right. That should help.

**wolflady** · 03-29-2002, 05:09 PM

Thought I would include some advice on how we bathe our kitties...

How to give your cat a bath

A five step guide to washing one of our furry little friends, without risking life, neither yours nor the lives of anyone who happens to be stupid enough to volunteer to help you with such a monstrous task.

You will need:

A cat
A good friend (one who will sacrifice his/her life for you)
200 meters of band aids
Patience, and the mentality of a kamikaze pilot
Immediate access to a good doctor/plastic surgeon/psychiatrist
Five or six SWAT team cops (or Navy SEALS if you prefer)
A strong death wish

Getting Started
First, here are a couple of things you should know about cats, before you start:

Cats hate water about as much as you hate getting your face torn to shreds by frantic cat claws.
Cats do not care whether you survive or not. They have little or no respect for human life in general. A cat will, without any hesitation or remorse, tear your eyeballs out, or remove all the skin off your body.
Although you have the advantage of size, the little bugger WILL use any dirty tricks he can think of, so should you.
Do not expect to outsmart your little feline friend, as it is a well-known fact that any cat is smarter than any person who is dumb enough to try to bathe one.
Ok, now you should be somewhat prepared for the task that lies ahead, although, you should be aware that no man can ever really be prepared for the ultimate test of manhood, cat bathing.

Step 1
Take your cat under your arm, nonchalantly, like it was just to pat him a little, make sure that the cat has no idea of your foul intentions. If there is a soft purring sound, you are safe. If the cat just stares at you with a suspicious look ... DROP IT AND RUN!

Step 2
Wait a couple of hours, until the animal is sound asleep, and go in for a surprise attack. Sit down next to him and start talking to him, patting him carefully on the tummy (NOTE: some cats do not like to be touched on that particular spot, you should know if your cat is one of 'em, check your hands / face / arms / shoulders / legs / back / groin / butt for scars to make sure). Keep this up until the cat has started purring. Put your sole in to it, or else the cat will know that foul play is involved. Remember the cat has nine lives to spend, while you have but one. If you have to spend the next two days assuring your wife that you love her just as much as the cat, you know you did a good job.

Step 3
Redecorate the bath to make it look like a kitty heaven, cats have an instinct, you see. Even a cat that has never seen the inside of a bath will instinctively know what is going on when you take him into a bathroom. This is known as "predestinate water syndrome" and has also been observed on young human specimen. Take the cat in your hands, and start running for the bathroom. You should hire professionals to open/close the doors for you, or else you will fail miserably. Navy SEALs should be a good help here. Try opening a door with a rabid kitty in your hands, and you'll see what I mean.

Step 4

Try to throw cat into bathtub.
Remove cat from scalp.
Consider getting a new cat.
Push cat into tub.
Go see a doctor to stop bleeding from hands and face.
Consider getting a new cat.
Put duct tape on cat's claws.
Get friend to hold cat while pouring water on him.
Remove duct tape from inner ear, and remove cat from friends' reproductive organs.
Consider getting a new cat.
Tie cat's legs together with dental floss threads, get friend to help holding the cat down while soaping him up.
Remove Dental floss from anal opening, remove slippery cat from friends face (NOTE: very hard).
Consider getting a new cat.
Get four Navy SEALs to help hold cat's paws, while you try to dry him with a towel.
Pay for Navy SEALs' bills from the plastic surgeon.
Consider getting a new cat.
Open door to let cat go lick himself dry.
Go see a psychiatrist (by now, you will need it).
Consider getting a dog.
Step 5
Nobody has ever reached this far, but if you do, call Guinness Book of Records.

Congratulations! Your cat is now clean, although you now look like something one would normally cook for dinner.

**wayne0214** · 03-29-2002, 08:03 PM

wolf lady, LOL. Although to be forewarned is to be properly enlightend concerning (attempting) bathing a cat! Snow Cat is the only one I have attempted this with in the past. It never turned out according to plan. Therefore, I have abandoned the idea, before things get out of control, as your very knowledgeable, and perceptively practical post points out!

.............wayne