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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To bath the cat! Has been staying at a smokers house

54 replies

Girlwhowearsglasses · 23/02/2015 17:35

He absolutely stinks! He's been looked after at a smokers house.

I'm considering:
Chucking lavender oil on back of his neck
Throwing something innocuous on him to make him wash himself: flour?

Bathing or showering probably a wash too far!
Ideas?

OP posts:
neme · 23/02/2015 17:37

There are Pet Wipes you can get if you don't fancy getting your arms clawed to bits.

Original poster
Girlwhowearsglasses · 23/02/2015 17:41

Ha! Pet wipes! That'd be a laugh, he'd think it was a massive fighty playtime

OP posts:
ooerrmissus · 23/02/2015 17:43

Some dog groomers also do cats, if he's that bad?

CakeEqualsCurves · 23/02/2015 17:44

I've bathed my cat before. He didn't like it much but was necessary. Just do it. Cut claws before you do and be quick. Good luck Smile.

Original poster
Girlwhowearsglasses · 23/02/2015 17:47

Oh I'm sure the smell will go in a day or so

OP posts:
girliefriend · 23/02/2015 17:48

I have bathed my cat before, he isn't the best at washing himself and seems to get very grubby Hmm

My advice is get everything ready, bath run (not too deep), shampoo (I use dog shampoo) towel etc, get someone to help you - it will take one of you to hold him (wear marigolds!) and one to wash and rinse!!

I can do it in less than 5 mins - dunk in, quick shampoo, quick rinse and out!! If you have a shower that might be easier.

SweetValentine · 23/02/2015 17:49

Don't put something on like essential oil But talcum powder will work wonderfully

flimmyflam · 23/02/2015 17:50

Flour seems like a bad idea - imagine trying to lick yourself clean of flour - it'd go into a horrible paste and probably give him indigestion. He'll air out!

neme · 23/02/2015 17:51

Grin Grin at 'massive fighty playtime'

girliefriend · 23/02/2015 17:51

I wouldn't put talc on a cat, it might make him sick. Just dunk him in the bath or shower.

grumpasaur · 23/02/2015 17:52

I tried bathing my cat once. I didn't have any cat shampoo so used my purple "enhance your blond" shampoo.

Little bastard jumped over me, and managed to jump out the two inch gap in the window, two floors down, into the neighbours court yard. He then bolted and I found him an hour later, still purple, very cold and very angry.

Still had to rinse him and tried to blow dry him to warm him up.

Poor sap still hasn't recovered!

Xxx

Gruntfuttock · 23/02/2015 17:52

You need to read "Cat bathing as a martial art" www.pawsperouspets.com/humor/catbath.shtml

newname12 · 23/02/2015 17:56

No. Cats are very chemical sensitive. Even talc- If he inhales something like talc that could kill him too. Just leave him be.

HaveYouSeenHerLately · 23/02/2015 17:58

You can get dry shampoo for cats online or from Pets at HomeSmile I've never tried it but it's got to be easier than dunking a cat in the bathGrin

Do you still get flea powder for cats? That used to have a pleasant fragrance and ought to be non-toxic to the cat!

HaveYouSeenHerLately · 23/02/2015 18:02

But yes, the smell should wear off soon, especially if he spends some time outside in this damp, blowy weather Wink

spidey66 · 23/02/2015 18:17

I wouldn't wash him. Unless it was a cat specific product I'd worry about any reaction to it. Cats wash themselves, they're good at it! But my cat's a shorthair so he doesn't need any help from me. I agree with the pp who suggested if he goes out the fresh hair would probably help.

Original poster
Girlwhowearsglasses · 23/02/2015 18:18

I've sent him off to reclaim his manor. Wond and rain should sort him.

OP posts:
KingJoffreyObviouslyWatchesHol · 23/02/2015 18:22

I picked up a stray who loved baths.

He was old, I think the heat soothed his muscles.

No harm in trying...

To bath the cat! Has been staying at a smokers house
Original poster
Girlwhowearsglasses · 23/02/2015 18:27

Oh Gruntfuttock that is hilarious. He is very keen on dicing with a swim in the bath and will lean over to pat the water when I'm in the bath. Astonishingly he's never fallen in though I have been almost irresistibly tempted to poke him with a finger at the most precarious moment

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 23/02/2015 18:27

King Joffrey - that photo is fabulous! He looks so happy!

Original poster
Girlwhowearsglasses · 23/02/2015 18:28

Awe Joffrey he looks very regal

OP posts:
KingJoffreyObviouslyWatchesHol · 23/02/2015 18:36

He didn't live very long. His kidneys had given up and his back legs were going. He stayed with us for 8 weeks and then he was PTS.

Found him on the side of the road by a field on the outskirts of town. Pretty sure someone dumped him.

Angry

He was lovely. Awesome meow. Wish I'd known him in his prime.

Topseyt · 23/02/2015 18:39

Joffrey your cat is the image of mine. Grin

Mine would never allow me to bathe him though. At the merest drop of water landing on his fur he flounces off in disgust.

I wouldn't bathe the cat. The smell will fade out pretty soon. I'd just brush him occasionally so that any loose hair and particles of whatever are dislodged.

If you do try to bathe him then good luck, but he probably won't like you for it. Use an appropriate cat product, just to be on the safe side.

Hellohellohowareyou · 23/02/2015 18:42

We had to bathe one of our cats after he had a run in with a deep fat fryer full of (thankfully cold) old. It took 8 attempts to get him degreased. Poor sod. Vet advised that as he didn't have any skin issues that it was ok to wash him

Topseyt · 23/02/2015 18:42

Awwww, sorry. Cross-posted there. Sorry to hear he wasn't with you for long. That is sad. He looked a lovely fella.