how often do you give your cat a bath if they do not like water?

Question

my cat has claws too.

Answer 1

Some people say cats never have to be bathed. They say cats lick themselves clean. They say cats have a special enzyme of some sort in their saliva that works like new, improved Wisk--dislodging the dirt where it hides and whisking it away.

I've spent most of my life believing this folklore. Like most blind believers, I've been able to discount all the facts to the contrary - the kitty odors that lurk in the corners of the garage and dirt smudges that cling to the throw rug by the fireplace.

The time comes, however, when a person must face reality; when he must look squarely in the face of massive public sentiment to the contrary and announce: "This cat smells like a port-a-potty on a hot day in Juarez."

When that day arrives at your house, as it has in mine, I have some advice you might consider as you place your feline friend under your arm and head for the bathtub:

* Know that although the cat has the advantages of quickness and utter disregard for human life, you have the advantage of strength. Capitalize on that advantage by selecting the battlefield. Don't try to bathe him in an open area where he can force you to chase him. Pick a very small bathroom. If your bathroom is more than four feet square, I recommend that you get in the tub with the cat and close the sliding-glass doors as if you were about to take a shower. (A simple shower curtain will not do. A berserk cat can shred a three-ply rubber shower curtain quicker than a politician can shift positions.)

* Know that a cat has claws and will not hesitate to remove all the skin from your body. Your advantage here is that you are smart and know how to dress to protect yourself. I recommend canvas overalls tucked into high-top construction boots, a pair of steel-mesh gloves, an army helmet, a hockey face mask and a long-sleeve flak jacket.

* Prepare everything in advance. There is no time to go out for a towel when you have a cat digging a hole in your flak jacket. Draw the water. Make sure the bottle of kitty shampoo is inside the glass enclosure. Make sure the towel can be reached, even if you are lying on your back in the water.

* Use the element of surprise. Pick up your cat nonchalantly, as if to simply carry him to his supper dish. (Cats will not usually notice your strange attire. They have little or no interest in fashion as a rule. If he does notice your garb, calmly explain that you are taking part in a product-testing experiment for J.C. Penney.)

* Once you are inside the bathroom, speed is essential to your survival. In a single liquid motion, shut the bathroom door, step into the tub enclosure, slide the glass door shut, dip the cat in the water and squirt him with shampoo. You have begun one of the wildest 45 seconds of your life. Cats have no handles.

* Add the fact that he now has soapy fur, and the problem is radically compounded. Do not expect to hold on to him for more that two or three seconds at a time. When you have him, however, you must remember to give him another squirt of shampoo and rub like crazy. He'll then spring free and fall back into the water, thereby rinsing himself off. (The national record is--for cats--three latherings, so don't expect too much.)

* Next, the cat must be dried. Novice cat bathers always assume this part will be the most difficult, for humans generally are worn out at this point and the cat is just getting really determined. In fact, the drying is simple compared to what you have just been through. That's because by now the cat is semi-permanently affixed to your right leg. You simply pop the drain plug with your foot, reach for your towel and wait. (Occasionally, however, the cat will end up clinging to the top of your army helmet. If this happens, the best thing you can do is to shake him loose and to encourage him toward your leg.) After all the water is drained from the tub, it is a simple matter to just reach down and dry the cat.

Psycho-ceramic cat In a few days the cat will relax enough to be removed from your leg. He will usually have nothing to say for about three weeks and will spend a lot of time sitting with his back to you. He might even become psycho-ceramic and develop the fixed stare of a plaster figurine.

You will be tempted to assume he is angry. This isn't usually the case. As a rule he is simply plotting ways to get through your defenses and injure you for life the next time you decide to give him a bath. But, at least now he smells a lot better.

Answer 2

Bathing a cat can actually cause more harm than good. Cats naturally clean themselves regularly. Bathing a cat can dry their fur out and cause the cat to stress out more than needed. Too much stress for the cat is not good. Also, the bathed coat actually takes off natural oils that help to provide a soft and healthy coat. However, if you feel that the cat needs to slightly freshen up, most pet stores (Petsmart / PetCo) carry waterless shampoos. These generally work by the person sponging on the waterless shampoo and working it into the coat. But still I wouldn't recommend even these for a cat as they too can dull and dry out a cat's coat. Cats will clean themselves. I would only suggest bathing the cat in extreme cases (such as if the cat had a bad case of fleas and the flea eggs were way too much for the cat to clean on their own with regular bathing). If the cat has fleas, I would first suggest that the house and bedding be treated to rid the area from having fleas. Then, and only then, would I suggest bathing the cat. Be careful to choose a shampoo that is safe to use on cats. Not all shampoos are the same and some can be deadly on cats. Be careful not to use dog products or human shampoos. Pet stores, groomers, and veterinarian offices carry some really good products.

Answer 3

First of all, who is in control. You or your cat??. The cat isn't going to like water, that's a given, but a bath is needed every now and again. More so in the summer time. It does help the cat feel better, and holding the cat in a towel afterwords helps with bonding of that cat to you. Its like being prescribed antibiotics. You don't like taking them, and they are a hassle, but you know if you don't the infection for which the medicine was prescribed will get worse. Water will not make a cat melt. The cat might have an attitude afterwords as well, but it will get over it, and be thankful that you loved it enough to take the time to help it feel better. I usually will give My cat a bath ever two weeks to once a month, in the summer time, and once every couple of months in the winter time. In the winter a cats skin can dry out if a bath is given too often because of the dry heat of the house. Because there isn't dry heat warming your house in the summer time, its not like that, and the cat can handle a bath more often. Believe it or not, a bath for a cat is a very good thing. They might not think so but, I can assure you afterwords they will be thankful. A bath gets access dirt and hair off of the cat. Access dirt and hair, can cause the cat to itch and be uncomfortable. A small amount of discomfort, for the cat can mean more time comforted.

Answer 4

Some kitties are stinky kitties and some are clean. (I have one of each.) It does not hurt them to give them a bath. Long haired kitties might need to have their hair brushed first. Also, brushing and bathing might help reduce those nasty hairballs.

If you or a family member has cat allergies, then you should bathe your cat once a week for a month, and then once a month after that. A study by the University of Washington showed that this can reduce the amount of allergen on the cat so that you may be able to keep kitty after all. (Really depends on how severe the allergy is - and how much you like the family member vs kitty).
If you start giving the cat a bath when it is a little kitten, then they can learn to put up with it OK. If it is an older cat, wear long sleeves, and bring lots of towels! Use a gentle shampoo - you can get special cat shampoo from pet store - make sure water temperature is comfortable and all supplies are ready before you start. Also ask a family member to help you and don't forget the camera. Wet kitties are sooo pathetic. When done, wrap your kitty in a nice warm towel and hold him in your lap with lots of love and attention. Also be sure to get some antibiotic cream like neosporin for the occasional scratch. Might also need some anti-itch cream if you are allergic.

Answer 5

Some cats love water. Most cats are intrigued by moving water (which might explain the faucet and the shower). For example my cat hates water with a passion, but when I'm running a bath she'll jump up on the side of the bath and stare at it and sometimes dip her paw into the water. After we've had a shower, my cat will run into the shower and walk around in the little bit of water that's left and try to drink it. You should feel thankful - your cat won't scratch you to death when it comes flea bath time! *hehe*

Answer 6

you don't bath cats

here is a funny way to do it though

1. Thoroughly clean the toilet.
2. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water, and have both lids lifted.
3. Obtain the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
4. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids (you may need to stand on the lid so that he cannot escape).
CAUTION: Do not get any part of your body too close to the edge, as his paws will be reaching out for any purchase they can find.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'power wash and rinse' which I have found to be quite effective.
6. Have someone open the door to the outside and ensure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The now-clean cat will rocket out of the toilet, and run outside where he will dry himself.

Sincerely,

The Dog

Answer 7

I read this in a cat book--- what you do is take a towel and gently wrap your cat in the towel like a burrito. Put the cat in a basin so that he or she can get used to the water. The towel will get wet but at least his paws are inside the towel.

From my experience,
If you need to wash his whole body , wear a lot of thick clothing because cats will scratch to avoid water. You have to try not to hurt the cat and hold his paws together while you try and shampoo the cat .

Answer 8

I give my cat a bath every 2 months. Does it still have claws? I don't know if mine would get it as often if he was a fighter but he just sits in there yelling and crying. breaks my heart

Answer 9

Only if absolutely necessary. For instance, the cat got into something and any white parts are now grey or darker. Skunk is something I would bathe my cat for ( tomato juice rubbed into the fur and skin very well then rinsed with clear water, then a soapy bath )

Answer 10

Most cats do not like water.
There is almost no reason to give a cat a bath, as unless they are outside animals, they keep themselves fairly clean.
IF you are determined to bathe your cat, firstly, i wish you luck. Secondly, try giving the cat a wiipe down with a baby wipe first, then try a full out bath.
Good Luck!