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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Has anyone ever successfully shampoo'd their cat?

20 replies

basildonbond · 30/03/2015 15:19

Shuri's just come in covered in oil - he's got it all over his right shoulder and flank - looks like he's been rubbing himself up against a leaky car

I've tried wiping it off with baby wipes and a damp flannel but it's not shifting

I don't want him licking it off as I can't imagine that would be good for him ...

I don't reall fancy the idea of giving him a bath but will steel myself if that's the only solution

OP posts:

chockbic · 30/03/2015 15:45

It will have to come off with detergent.

Brace yourself

ShatnersBassoon · 30/03/2015 15:50

Yes, when the cat came home clarted up with something oily and smelly. It took two of us. We used warm water and washing up liquid, and lots of flannels and towel.

butterfly2015 · 30/03/2015 15:59

Stock up on bandages!

chockbic · 30/03/2015 15:59

ShatnersBassoon · 30/03/2015 16:01

It wasn't that bad, I have to say. DH had to hold the most dangerous sharp bits, but the wriggling wasn't too bad once she realised she had no option.

Munchkin08 · 30/03/2015 16:15

Yes I used to shower my cat in the bath once a year . She did try to jump out but wasn't that bad. Initially she had car oil on her coat so I had to do it but as she didn't seem to mind I used to do it on a really hot day in the summer so she could dry in the sun, she was Persian/Burmese cross don't know if that made a difference.

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/03/2015 16:17

Have you got a shower cubicle? I suspect it might be easier to get in there with him in small enclosed space.

Fun times eh?.

tabulahrasa · 30/03/2015 16:25

One of mine is so water aversive that she won't go out for half the year in case it rains and runs away when you turn on a tap... But when I've had to wash her she just stood there looking miserable.

The other paddles in the dog's water bowl and goes out quite happily in the rain, but washing her is an experience I hope never to repeat...I even had scratches on my stomach (and I was fully dressed).

gamerchick · 30/03/2015 16:28

Maybe video it and post it up?

Seriously it probably has to be done.. my be give the vet a ring for advice? Good luck.

TrulyTurtles · 30/03/2015 16:30

Oh yes Billycat last year-but he is little and not powerful. I got stink eye for rest of summer. Smackhead nearly took my hand off (some kind of slurry related mishap)

Meow75 · 30/03/2015 16:36

I've had to get oil off our male a few times. Shower cubicle was a complete godsend. Sliding doors, so cannot be pushed open, DH on hand with towel and bathroom door firmly shut to prevent whole house being soaked. Fortunately he was about 1/4 the size he is now. Now, I'd be better off taking him to the local swimming pool - and that's despite having a double size shower cubicle. Also, fortunately, he's either too big to comfortably fit under a car anymore OR he can crawl under without his back touching the underside of the car.

However you try to do this, don't do it alone. Been there, done that, got the scars in my neck from the wild clawing.

Original poster

basildonbond · 30/03/2015 16:39

Well ... He's been bathed but it's not all come off

He was remarkably co-operative but that could have been silent, shocked outrage

So if shampoo's not shifting it, what next? (Bearing in mind we will probably have to bribe him with his body weight in dreamies to get him anywhere near the bathroom again )

Has anyone ever successfully shampoo'd their cat?

OP posts:

butterfly2015 · 30/03/2015 16:57

Swarfega? Fairy?

thecatneuterer · 30/03/2015 17:03

We use Swarfega in our clinic, followed by shampoo to get rid of the Swarfega. You must get it all off before the cat can lick itself as diesel in particular can be very dangerous.

If you've already managed to shampoo him without losing a limb you're doing well.

NeedABumChange · 30/03/2015 17:05

Shower cubicle is the only way you can get mine wet. She gives up and huddles in the corner. Poor kitty shouldn't come home covered in squirrel crap then!

eddiemairswife · 30/03/2015 17:32

I managed to bath 2(not together!) one day. Can't remember why. Held them firmly by the scruff of the neck like their Mums did when they were kittens. Their fur seemed to absorb loads of water, used umpteen towels. I even put the fire on so they could completely dry off without getting a chill. They ignored the fire , sat as far away from it as possible with their backs to me exuding utter outrage at the indignities they had been subjected to.

GrannyGoggles · 30/03/2015 17:44

Three times, same cat, clearly her sense of balence was not all it should have been. One oil incident, two slurry mishaps. Firm grip at back of neck, in the shower, two lots of shampoo. First time pure outrage. Second and third time she was quiescent, and co-groomed me.

BitOfAFixerUpper · 30/03/2015 17:45

Oh dear

I was about 13 when I watched my mum try to bath/shower our small but rather wild cat. The image of her shooting instantaneously to the ceiling via the shower curtain, defying gravity and taking mum who was holding her scruff with her, is as fresh in my mind as if it happened yesterday.

Poor cat. Poor you. Good luck!

timtam23 · 30/03/2015 18:08

I had to shampoo one cat some years AFO when he returned from being missing after 2 weeks and was absolutely filthy, had probably been stuck in building works somewhere as he stunk of bitumen. He didn't lime it but as he was exhausted there wasn't too much carnage. I also shampooed Dudley when he first arrived as he had been under the car bonnet and was very smelly. As he was only a few weeks old I could hold him in one hand and shampoo him with the other, so it wasn't too bad. Not a chance of doing that now though, he is not far off 2 years old and absolutely massive!

Moln · 30/03/2015 20:33

Yes had to wash KittenMoln a while back also due to oil. He was remarkable easy he just meowed and licked my arm

seeing he's recently had a change in personality I suspect it won't be as easy if ever needed again

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