what is the easiest way to give a clawed cat a bath? We found a stray cat and he has HORRIBLE fleas, and we are wondering what yall have found to be the easiest way? I got some dish washing gloves that i am going to use hoping that will work.
2006-07-22 09:53:58 · 28 answers · asked by Ben H 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
PETS MART.. comes in a can.. Called dry wash for cats and dogs..Safest way for a car.. This thing of mine loves it.. thinks I'm petting her.. Good Luck your friend in tennessee...ROB
2006-07-22 09:58:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not...
...run the water while the cat is present and do not run the water over the cat. (This agitates the cat, making it nervous and apprehensive to the water!)
Let him get adjusted slowly to the water.
Once in the water, slowly and gently wash the cat with either a cloth or by dipping your hand in the water and gently rinsing the cat by running your hand down and up against the fur. (This way you can get to any foreign object that may collect in the fur.)
Don't scrub the cat, it will only make him more agitated. (You might end up damaging his skin if you scrub the cat. A cat's skin is very thin and delicate. You can brush the cat after bathing him.)
When you hold the cat, take your dominant hand and hold the cat by the chest, while at the same time holding the two front legs in between your fingers so that the cat can not flail about. (It also gives it a sense of comfort and security! Obviously, the cat will object and try to get out, but this way he won't be as agitated and you will have more control over him by not allowing him to try and get out. If it's an older cat, it's a good idea to wear dish gloves so that if he attempts to bit you, you'll have some protection for your hand.)
Don't keep the cat in the water for too long...
If you do this while the cat is a baby, it will get use to the fact, but if you try and do this to an older cat you are obviously going to have a harder time with it and clipping the nails may be necessary.
If you do this enough to a small kitten it will get easier each time and you soon won't have to fight him nearly as much!
Make sure to dry it off well, because the cat will start losing it’s body heat when they are wet. Dry him off best you can and let the cat do the rest!
(This is unnecessary as the cat gets older unless the cat gets in to dirt, mud, or has been out in the open for long periods, which may allow fleas to collect on the cat. Regularly brushing an older cat is a good idea. Or you can buy a brushing post or a specially designed house for the cat to brush up against.)
2006-07-22 17:13:46 · answer #2 · answered by columpro25 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't bathe your cat. It's pointless because cats usually keep themselves very clean. It just stresses them out to bathe them. If a cat isn't held properly or tied up the wrong way, it can break it's neck during the struggle to get away from the water. For fleas get these drops called "Revolution". It is the best because it not only treats fleas but earmites, and round worms in cats. Since the cat is a stray you can be sure it has roundworms and more than likely ear mites as well. You can go to your vet to purchase it or you can go to PetMeds.com
2006-07-22 21:35:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to take your cat to a groomer. They know all the tricks. Our cats do not have fleas so all I do is plop down in the family room floor where they play. I have a pale of warm water (no soap) and a regular wash rag. It''s amazing how little water it takes to wipe the cat's fur down with a wash rag (not dripping wet). Treat it like a pet massage session. They think you are petting them with the rough rag and seem to enjoy it. I rinse the rag often and if your cat is very dirty may take more than one pale of water. Sometimes they like to start a little tug of war with the washrag so that's when I move on to another cat. A groomer should be able to get rid of the fleas for you. Good luck.
2006-07-22 17:31:13 · answer #4 · answered by pollyfranna 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's simply a 2 man job....fill a large bowel (or bathtub..whatever)...one holds the cat down applying the inner palm of the hand on the cat's chest (that way it won't scratch with it's front paws) while the other hand can or cannot be used on the cat's back...in any case the most important is the first hand and making sure that the cat won't try to squabble (involves scratching) its way out...the other person simply bathes the cat (use warm water) with no sudden moves not to frighten the cat...personnaly I keep reassuring mine and talking smoothly to it... gloves are a secure way but my get in the way of holding your cat...I don't use'em...
Good Luck ;-)!
2006-07-22 16:56:41 · answer #5 · answered by Diablous 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a good idea to give them something to hold onto while they're in the tub. If you have a dish drainer or a plastic crate that has holes or slats at the bottom, then her claws will instinctively hold onto the hole or the slats while you wash her. It didn't always work for me, but it worked most of the time when we had a cat. I'd also recommend wearing long sleeves!
2006-07-22 16:58:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had some experience with this myself a couple of weeks ago. I was trying to save a stray, and she bit me while I gave her a bath. I've found the best way to prevent this is to take some gauze and wrap it around her mouth and her paws...this will keep her from biting or scratching.
Also, the best way to get rid of fleas quickly and effectively is to have your vet give her a Capstar, some fleas will start falling off in minutes, most will be gone in a few hours, and 100% of them will be dead in 24 hours.
2006-07-22 17:17:26 · answer #7 · answered by miss_hgl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't Use Flea/tick medicine because once my cat had fleas, and she jumps on our tables a lot, and when we gave her the flea medicine, the fleas started walking onto the table by the dozens from my cat. Get your cat to a vet and let the vet give your kitty a bath, then put medicine on her.
2006-07-22 17:06:21 · answer #8 · answered by Crockett 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try to clip its nails 1st but gloves are a good idea. have one person hold the cat while the other washes it and flea collars only get the fleas around the neck basically it wont kill all the fleas. trust me i know. i had 5 cats with em once and was the only one to get bit. sigh lol
2006-07-22 16:56:27 · answer #9 · answered by mew69_77740 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pet store told me to try putting the cat in a potato sack. I haven't tried it yet. Last time I had to bathe the cat, I applied the shampoo....which she didn't mind...and let her sit for the recommended 5 minutes. Then I put her in the clothes hamper and sprayed her off with the hand sprayer in the shower.
2006-07-22 16:59:27 · answer #10 · answered by fire_emt_girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see a tip on a pet show once that said to use a window screen and place it over your sink and place the cat on the window screen so they would have some thing to dig their claws in and water would still go through.
2006-07-22 16:57:28 · answer #11 · answered by flyingbumblebee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋