Advice request: need bathing tips for grumpy old cat

[Medusa]

Be sure to put a towel in the sink so that he doesn't slip around and possibly hurt himself while you're bathing him and have several towels ready to gently place him on when you take him out of the sink. Dry him as much as possible and since he's so grumpy, don't use a hair dryer on him; just be sure to get him as dry as possible w/the towels. (Hair dryers aren't a good idea anyhow. We're used to the heat and noise; cats aren't and it's easy to burn their skin w/o even realizing it.) Make the bath as brief as possible unless the medicated shampoo needs to stay on for a prescribed amount of minutes. When lowering him into the water, let him feel it first w/a paw so he knows what to expect as to temp., etc. And always have one hand on him while bathing him so that he feels secure. Hope this helps.

[Anikaca77]

Be sure to put a towel in the sink so that he doesn't slip around and possibly hurt himself while you're bathing him and have several towels ready to gently place him on when you take him out of the sink. Dry him as much as possible and since he's so grumpy, don't use a hair dryer on him; just be sure to get him as dry as possible w/the towels. (Hair dryers aren't a good idea anyhow. We're used to the heat and noise; cats aren't and it's easy to burn their skin w/o even realizing it.) Make the bath as brief as possible unless the medicated shampoo needs to stay on for a prescribed amount of minutes. When lowering him into the water, let him feel it first w/a paw so he knows what to expect as to temp., etc. And always have one hand on him while bathing him so that he feels secure. Hope this helps.

Very good advice esp. with putting a towel in the sink, I never thought about that I would always just put them in and your are right though that would help them for not hurting themselves.

Melissa

[Freedom]

CLIP NAILS BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING!!!!!

Hold cat by scruff of neck, lift forward and up slightly, as this "supposedly" immobilizes them. Like when mom moves her babies. Of course, for an adult cat, you can't actually life as this will hurt the cat, but the basic hold helps with some cats (about 6 of my 10).

Don't allow the water to accumulate in the sink, they don't like standing in it at all. Make sure the drain is open so it flows right down.

If you have a bath mat, you can use that rather than a towel in the sink. The towel may scrunch up, th emat will stay in place (one less thing for you to need 8 hands for!)

Yes, having 8 hands will help, lol!