Do you bath your cat?

[FloraWebb]

I never have done, but he has come home covered in dirty greasy grot which I don't think he'll be able to sort out himself.

So how do I do it? Tips please, and recommendations for shampoo perhaps?

[BikeRunSki]

Erm no. Once had to wipe some grease of him with a dishcloth and that was enough of a struggle.

[eddiemairswife]

No recommendations for shampoo I'm afraid. I used washing-up liquid! You need to get everything ready in advance, take cat into bathroom, grasp it firmly by scruff of neck and put into tepid water. Do not release firm grasp on neck until ablutions completed . You will need plenty of towels as the fur absorbs an incredible amount of water. Don't let out until thoroughly dry. Cat will sulk. Good luck.

[SoftSheen]

I wouldn't do it unless it is absolutely unavoidable e.g. cat covered in something potentially harmful.

Unless your cat is exceptionally laid back, it will be a two-person job with one person holding the cat (probably by the scruff to avoid getting bitten) and the other wielding the shower head or a jug of warm water. The only time I have had to do this (cat covered with engine oil) we used mild baby shampoo. However, there are shampoos designed for cats and dogs which would probably be safer.

Good luck...

[BohemianRaptor]

Clip cats claws first and wear long sleeves would be my advice.

[eddiemairswife]

Any tips for clipping claws without incurring drastic injuries Bohemian?

[ThisFenceIsComfy]

Once my cat accidently fell in the toilet. Does that count as a bath?

Otherwise no. I value my life.

[ragged]

baby wipes instead!

[WienerDiva]

WeinerCat loves a shower! No advice but some cats really don't mind.

[addictedtosugar]

Is he long haired??

I have a short haired, placid cat, but he never goes anywhere to get too mucky, so have never tried.

I think I'd try a wet woolen glove, and stroke him, rinsing frequently, and then brushing to get out as much as poss, and then let him sort the rest.

Good Luck.

[WienerDiva]

Just a thought, will he let you run him down with baby wipes?

[MessEnoughClean]

Mine made it to 18 and 19 without ever having a bath! I never even tried I just don't think it would have been possible - physically probably but one of my cats in particular would hyperventilate badly when stressed so I wouldn't have risked it. Like other posters I would deal with any dirty spots with a sponge, waterlogging the bit of fur if necessary and then wiping with kitchen roll. They didn't like it, but they coped!

[BohemianRaptor]

Difficult if they're not used to it eddie. I usually squish mine between my thighs on the floor facing away from me. I normally get one paw done at a time.
Wrapping in a towel is useful, particularly if you have someone else's to hold.

[Hakluyt]

Baby wipes.

If you do have to bath him- and I wouldn't unless whatever it is is poisonous- wear gardening gauntlets and goggles. Seriously.

[m0therofdragons]

My cat jumped onto the cooker pulling a roasting dish onto her. It was cool but she was covered in grease. She tried to lick it off for ages but was actually falling asleep while doing it. We had no choice. She was exhausted. I first tried normal shampoo but she was still greasy so on second attempt we used fairy liquid. I put her in the bath but put a bowl of water bedside her and used a sponge.she just let me do it but I think she realised I was trying to help her.

[PeppermintCrayon]

I wouldn't try to put him in a bath. One thing you could try is wrapping him in a wet towel - the inevitable struggling might get him cleaner?

That may also be a stupid idea though, not sure!

[WienerDiva]

Sorry rub not run. That would be weird

[RubbishMantra]

They do some specialist cat shampoos at Pets at Home. The packaging is like a ripped of version of Tigi BedHead.

I always found it best to fill the bath up quite high, with tepid/body temp water. They seem to relax more.

Definitely 2 person job though.

[RubbishMantra]

I hope that never happens to him btw.

[CMOTDibbler]

I like my skin on my body, so have never bathed a cat (though my first cat liked to come and sit on my chest while I was in the bath).

Evilgingercat does come home sometimes with grot on him, and it is possible to wipe his fur with baby wipes to shift the grease

[KittyCatKittyCat]

Ugh, my cat once jumped onto a freshly glossed windowsill...
Baby bath and two pairs of hands! They will be thoroughly unimpressed...

[Qwebec]

I went on youtube in search aof a good cat bath video.

One guy does it with a stuffed animal as a stunt double and the others were incredibly tame.

No useful video but a thing the stuffed animal guy did that makes sense he lined the tub with a towel and filled a few inches f the tub with water in advance.

As a child we had a white cat that liked to go under dirty cars and came back oily. My father's arms looked like the encountered a shredder.
Good luck!


p.s. I your cat is really wild, save your arms and go to a groomer.

[QueenFuri]

No I like my hands too much!

[ragged]

We used to bath our cats to try to get rid of fleas when I was a kid. It wasn't too horrendous, actually, but not unchallenging, either. And I think it was fairly useless for removing fleas.

[SoupDragon]

I take my life in my hands if I so much as think of putting flea treatment or a collar on Fatcat. Bath him?? Dear god no!

[girliefriend]

Have you got someone who could help you?

My boy cat is not the best at washing himself (lazy) and i have bathed him a couple of times. My advice is get everything ready, wear marigolds and it will take two of you as one to hold the cat and one to shampoo and rinse!!

I can do my cat in less than 5 mins, we use a dog shampoo for sensitive skin seems to work fine.