what is the best method/product to wash a cat?

Question

My doc just informed me that I have a pretty bad allergy to cats and since getting rid of her is not an option right now, he recommended wshing her weekly to help reduce the dander. Any recs on what products to use? Any methods of cat washing that has worked for others? Thanks.

Answer 1

There are cat shampoos and products made to reduce dander. Do NOT use flea shampoo on a weekly basis, it'll make them ill. Don't use shampoo made for people or dogs either, it'll dry their skin using it frequently.

Be sure to remove the shower liner or raise it to where the cat can't reach. Fill the bathtub with a couple inches of slightly warm water -- the temperature you might use to bathe a baby. Get a towel in the bathroom ready as well. The water should not be running while kitty's in the room- the sound terrifies most cats.

Bring kitty into the bathroom and close the door. Put him in the tub and hold him at the base of his neck, between the shoulderblades, while you bathe him (it's easier with two people). Avoid the head or he's likely to get an ear infection. Rinse thoroughly and take him directly to the towel unless you want a shower! Dry him as well as you can before opening the bathroom door, then let him run off and mope until dry ;)

Answer 2

It isn't too hard to wash a cat if you are prepared.
1. Clip the cats nails. If the claws are short you wont loose so much blood.
2. Set out your shampoo. I think an oatmeal shampoo is best. It rehydrates the skin and uses natural ingredients to scrub and clean out that old dander.
3. Set out a crate with a hair dryer. A wet cat doesn't dry easily and you don't want her to get sick. You'll put the cat in the crate and hold the hair dryer outside for 10-20 minutes (set on low).
4. Have water in the tub already, about 6 inches of a warm temp. The noise of running water in the tub can be very loud and scare your cat.
5. Put some big towels at the ready.

Now you are ready to wash your cat. Find her and calmly get her into the bathroom. You can scruff the cat and set her in the bathtub. Use a cup or your hands to put water onto the cat. Add soap, wash, rinse. Pull your cat out of the tub and rub with the towel to get the excess water off. Put the cat into the crate and dry.

I wash my cat every month, and she got use to the bathing pretty fast. She is very good about it (now).
Good luck!

Answer 3

The most important thing to do when washing a cat is to give it something to hold onto so it doesn't hold onto your arm (or face). Cats feel the need to grab onto something when scared so if you have something flat that they can stick their claws into, prop it up diagonally inside the tub so your cat is positioned slightly vertical. If possible, get something to attach to your shower or bath with a movable hose/shower head thing so you don't have to force it under the bath water spout or let go of it to dump water on it with a cup. Do not let go of your cat during the bath!! Whether your cat is nice or not, it will most likely hate being bathed and do everything it can to break free, scratching you in the process. Wet the cat, rub in shampoo specifically made for cats, and rinse the shampoo off as quickly as possible. Make sure you get all of the shampoo off. When you're done, wrap it tightly in a warm towel and dry it off. Give it lots of treats and praise. It will probably sulk for awhile but it will be ok. Cats really shouldn't be bathed every week though; it irritates and dries out their skin. Try using baby wipes or special wet cloths from the pet store to wipe off your cat and reduce the baths to every other week or less if possible. See if that helps and allergy meds work pretty good too. I have 3 cats and take Claritin because I'm allergic to my cats - it helps a lot.

Answer 4

Don't bathe your cat weekly, that will only be bad for the cat's skin. That's odd that your vet would say that. I'm a vet and what I can tell you is that if you live with your cat long enough, your body will get used to your cat and you won't be allergic to it anymore. Just take some allergy meds for a while and you will soon find out that you and your kitty can live together sneeze free. But, you will still be allergic to others.

Answer 5

Hi lamaestra, I used to have a cat a long time ago,and when I bathed him I used to put him in a pillow case with his head sticking outof the opening,I gently let the warm water run over the pillow cased cat,doing this prevented the cat from delivering some pretty nasty scratches and at the same time he got a nice bath.Glad I could be of help. Jan

Answer 6

Sorry I have never washed my cats for any reason. Cats are very clean animals and if you are allergic it is the dander not the fur. Have you spoke to your doc about meds you can take? I'm allergic to my cats one long haired one short and live with it and use antihistamines when needed, anyways I bet you are allergic to other things not just the cats, like me. I always tell my doc. Cats stay allergy gets treated.

Answer 7

Speaking from expreince, I find most cats perfer the foaming soap kind of wash. I used to work at a shelter, and it was one of my jobs. You can find these foams at any local pet store or, if you can't find them there, try a vets.

Answer 8

Johnson and Johnson makes a shampoo for cats..called kat wash..you can get it at pet supply stores..good luck on washing your kitty..I am kidding..there aint no such thing as kat wash..sorry..I feeling little playfull tonite..sorry to hear about your allergy..good.luck..