Is there a safe way to somehow sedate my cat so I can safely give it a bath??

Question

Yes, i know cats are usually clean animals, but my cat really needs a bath. but he's fistey. i mean, worse than any cat i've ever seen. he'll claw and bite. i love him to death, he's a great cat, but not one to be forced into a bath. so is there any suggestions? i wish i could find one fo those "pet spas" in my area, lol. but seriously, i need to give that boy cat a bath. any help?

i'm not worried about it hating me either. i know that about pets that they don't after a minute.

Answer 1

Have you tried Cat Bath Wipes? They are like Baby Wipes, but specifically designed for cats. This way you do not have to submerge him in a tub, and he'll smell nice and clean. Plus, it's just like petting him, just with a wipey in your hand. This is what my sister uses for her MaineCoon, and it's works wonders!
Good luck to you!

Answer 2

A vet advised me once to use Benedryl (capsules) to calm my cats before car rides or for bathing. I'm not certain of the dosage anymore; it's based on the cat's body weight; a small amount per pound. (Call your vet to verify.)

To be honest, I just used about 10% of the capsule's contents and mixed it with about two tablespoons of water...it didn't take much and Angus (or, HumAngus as we call him) is a big boy too.

We mixed the powder with a little watter, then used a syringe to shoot it down his throat. He didn't like it, he foamed at the mouth and probably spat out (or drooled, if you please - it wasn't pretty) quite a bit of it too from the medicine's bad taste But within a half hour I was able to bathe that bad boy with relatively little problem. Oh, he still fussed out loud while I was washing him, but he really didn't "care" that much after a while. I used one of those removable shower heads to wet him down and rinse him with warm water. Also, when I had him lathered up, I scratched him real good under his chin and around his ears and belly and he was even kinda' (KINDA') diggin' it after a while - LOL. But it was absolutely necessary to bathe him because he's just one of those smelly old cats.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I do not suggest drugging your cat. It is not healthy and there is no need. Find a friend to help. Buy a pair of leather gloves that go a little way up your arm if your cat is not declawed. The person with the gloves hold the cat in the water while the other lathers and rinses. It will take some effort, but it works.

Answer 4

My husband is disabled and he would rather give our kitty a bath than have me do it, because she loves just being around him.

He can only use one hand so he closes the bathroom door, so she can't get away, sits on the toilet and pets her, lets her drink from the bathroom sink, with water running very slow, so she doesn't get scared.

Wets a washcloth, instead of splashing water on her, (put shampoo on the cloth), rubs her with the cloth to lather her up, gets her good and soapy, (so she doesn't have the shock of getting wet) rinses the cloth, re rinses it to keep rubbing her to get the shampoo off, at the end he puts her in the tub, uses a cup to slowly put water on her to rinse her, but not wet her all at once, wraps a towel around her, holds her to absorb the water, through the whole process he is gently talking to her in a special tone and voice which helps to keep her calm.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I wouldn't sedate a cat to give it a bath. If your cat is that fiesty then make it a two person job. One to hold the cat and one to clean him or her. Make it quick. Your cat will hate you for a minute but they get over it after a few hours of licking.

Answer 6

Like you said, usually you never give a cat a bath. I have only done it because of fleas, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Look in you local phone book and see if there is someone willing to get scratched and bit. lol Seriously, talk to your vet, maybe he can give you something or do it for you if it is that necessary. Good luck!!

Answer 7

Let's save some time AND money: Get a couple of large towels, one to lay him on and one to dry him with when you're done. Using Physoderm (most drugstores and supermarkets have it OTC), use no more than 2 capfuls to a gallon of water. It will soap well. Make sure the water is lukewarm. Take a cloth and apply the soap gently--he'll be frightened at first. Tell him he's ok., and stroke him lightly. He'll get used to it and not want you to stop. Using luke warm water (clear), rinse him off and gently, but briskly, dry him.

Answer 8

Rather than sedating him with a human medicine that could be potentially very dangerous, buy some parcel tape and tape up his claws so he can't scratch. Fill up a bowl (or the sink) with warm water and hold him by the scruff and dunk him in until he is wet. Then message a very gentle shampoo into his coat. Then dunk him in the water again until all the shampoo is out. Wrap up well with plenty of towels and levae him somewhere warm and dry to dry out completely before letting outside again.

Answer 9

Your vet might tell you something over the counter or prescribe something. In the event you do sedate him, make sure and keep his head well out of the water. Then just get down to business and he'll love you again in an hour.

Answer 10

most vet clinics offer the service, specially for fractuos animals. they will also medicate your kitty with the safest and dose correct options. I would never recomend at home - self medicating specially for cats (they are very sensitive to drugs), also forcing a kitty that is so uncoopesrative can be dangerous not only for you but also for your kitty. I recomend you call your vet's office and make an appointment. you will most likely need proof of vaccines for this though. good luck!