Do you bathe your cat, and how?

[crispyporkbelly]

My cat had a trim last week after pooing all down himself. He's a long haired black mog. He's still a bit pongy and on my thread in chat last week a few people said they bathe their cats which surpised me!

How do you do it without getting clawed to death? Shower or shallow bath? Dp said to put baby socks on his paws :)

My previous cat just sat in the bath crying when you bathed him whereas my current cat would try to get out! Id definitely go for shallow bath and wear gloves yourself otherwise you may get clawed. It's awful, for the cat and for you but sometimes it needs done! Just don't break our a hairdryer or you may no longer have a face afterwards

Well I will only attempt it if they're covered in something disgusting, and only with the most compliant of cats. And I do it in a half filled washbasin. I haven't lost an eye yet, but it was touch and go ...

I have done it, mainly for kittens when they cannot clean themselves properly and walk through mess other litter tray etc.
Warm tepid water in bowl in sink. Another clean bowl same temp,if possible. Find a paintbrush about 1" or so wide...

Ideally plastic apron on, kitten with back to your front with a towel in between you, hold kitten around chest with arms in towel if possible, lean over bowl, dunk the back end, wash with paintbrush which helps to get the mess out of the fur, toes etc.. And ideally is long enough that the back claws cannot get you!

When clean, wrap squeaky cat up in towel and dry.

Let go and laugh at the spiky indignant kitten...

Very carefully

Hahaha, bath out cats!

I'll tell them

No never bathed my cat and she is 19/20 - thought they cleaned themselves!

He's v pongy and hair looks a bit greasy, just like it needs a good wash! My other cat jumps in the bath but this one will probably go for me so I think ill try him with a v shallow bath and thick gloves. Wish me luck..

No never. I brush her sometimes (shorthaired cat) and then run my hands over her that I have dampened in water so that I can get all the loose hair off. I just do it in the bath to keep the hair in one place. I don't think she would be too impressed with a bath!

Never attempted it before, but I imagine you need a suit of armour and really good life insurance.