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

Original poster

Should I wash my cat (with photo)?

31 replies

ChubbyCat · 17/04/2021 18:38

One of my cats who usually stay indoors and only comes out to the garden with us went missing today for an hour. She was out with me and the kids and disappeared when we had our backs turned for one minute, she was probably startled by something and jumped over the fence (we live near a busy road which is why she stays indoors, she has never gone over the garden fence before).

After some searching a neighbour spotted her in another neighbour's garden. When we got there she was hiding under the said neighbour's very dirty work lorry and it took a while to get her out.

Luckily she is OK now but very filthy as she actually climbed up somewhere on top of the back axle of the lorry.

I tried wiping her back but it didn't do anything. Should I wash her and if so, with what? Or is she traumatised enough as it is and can sort herself out? She hates brushing so i doubt a bath would go down well.

She has that sort of back dirt all over her white back like on her chest in the photo.

Should I wash my cat (with photo)?
OP posts:
Kittytheteapot · 17/04/2021 18:39

No, she will sort herself out. It may take a few days but she will do it.

nearlynermal · 17/04/2021 18:45

Can you either try and brush it out, or give her a wipe down with a damp flannel to get the worst of it off?

Moonface123 · 17/04/2021 18:45

I don't think there is any need to intervene.
My pure white cat used to sit under next doors van and often reappeared looking similar , but within a day or two he had cleaned himself up. . Luckily neighbour has since replaced old leaky van.

Justmuddlingalong · 17/04/2021 18:48

She looks like she's just daring you to attempt to wash her. Save the scratches by leaving her to sort herself.

AdriannaP · 17/04/2021 18:49

I have no idea but wow she is beautiful!
🥰

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 17/04/2021 18:53

If it is engine oil then you do need to wash her and get it off ASAP, if she is left to clean it off herself it could make her very ill.

You will need to rub a washing up liquid solution into her fur to break down the oil before rinsing well (like birds that get caught in oil slicks).

Original poster
ChubbyCat · 17/04/2021 18:57

I think it is just dirt and grime from the road rather than engine oil as it was some space over the back axles that she climbed into? Or would you have engine or so other oil up there?
It's not wet.

OP posts:
ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 17/04/2021 18:59

I would wash it off. And I say that having washed greasy and filthy cats and knowing how painful it will be for both of you. I don't think I'd risk it. The axles will be covered in grease and road dust, not good for a cat to ingest.

Original poster
ChubbyCat · 17/04/2021 19:01

@AdriannaP thank you! She is very pretty but incredibly daft at the same time! Our other cat is the brains of the cat family, this one has the looks!Grin

OP posts:
TwigTheWonderKid · 17/04/2021 19:10

Perhaps trying giving her a rub with a soapy flannel, rather than actually bathing her, to see if that works first? At least even if you don't get her completely clean you'll get the worst of it off.

Theunamedcat · 17/04/2021 19:14

Try a soapy flannel i gave my cat three baths once when he got oil from the reed diffuser on his fur I flanneled rubbed and eventually bathed him it still wasn't out so I shoved him in the bath again after the kids got out and used vosene that worked a treat

GillBiggeloesHair · 17/04/2021 19:18

You cat is beautiful.
In the past I have washed mine with a damp cloth, I wouldn't put them in the bath.

nearlynermal · 17/04/2021 19:39

I'd start with just water on the flannel, not too wet, and see how you go

Aprilshowersandhail · 17/04/2021 19:41

Bit of Fairy should remove oil. Used on seabirds! Clean cloth in diluted Fairy and rub... Rinse cloth and rub with clean water..

Original poster
ChubbyCat · 17/04/2021 19:56

Just wiped her down with some fairy and flannel. Not all of it came off but some anyway.
Her majesty is not impressed.

Should I wash my cat (with photo)?
OP posts:
Keepitonthedownlow · 17/04/2021 19:58

She looks very rather disapproving, how cute.

Aprilshowersandhail · 17/04/2021 20:15

I wouldn't be sleeping with your back to her tonight op!!

LubaLuca · 17/04/2021 20:18

I had to wash one of my very fluffy cats when she came home covered in what I think was engine oil. It definitely hurt me more than it hurt her, my forearms were shredded Hmm

RaisinRainbow · 17/04/2021 20:42

Best to have bathed her given the nature of the pollutants. I'm sure she's on the way to forgiving you.

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/04/2021 20:43

She’s beautiful.

Original poster
ChubbyCat · 17/04/2021 20:46

Thanks everyone.
@Aprilshowersandhail the bed room door will certainly remain firmly shut tonight. Grin

OP posts:
DareIask · 17/04/2021 20:47

I've only ever tried to bath my cat once. He turned in to a screeching maniac Edward scissorhands.

I won't be repeating it.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 17/04/2021 20:52

What a lovely cat!

DazzlingHaze · 17/04/2021 20:52

I think now you've wiped the worst off she'll be fine to get the rest. What a beautiful cat she is! I love her grumpy face, she looks disgusted with you Grin

swapsicles · 17/04/2021 20:57

Some cats tolerate a bath, I've had to wash my fluffy cats behind before, he'll scream and wriggle a bit but coors until the job is done, my other cat however I'm glad he's a shorthair, it wouldn't be worth the risk!