Ok so i bought i cat and when she first came to my house i let her explore but then she got a little dirty and kept scratching herself, so i tried to wash her. But she doesn't like water, what can i do how can i make her clean?
2007-06-21 08:47:36 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Most cats hate water! My cat bathes herself and keeps herself quite clean. I would use a wet wash cloth and wipe her down. Neither one of my cats have ever had a bath and they are both VERY clean kitties.
2007-06-21 08:51:58 · answer #1 · answered by textank76 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very slowly and deliberately.
First draw the water, lukewarm, into the tub to a 4 inch depth. Have your shampoo and cup ready where you can grab them efficiently. Have a towel ready to pull down with one hand and in easy reach.
Then go and get your cat. Pick her up very gently, and no matter how she acts until you have her wet and clean in the towel, be soothing and gentle, and speak soothingly to her. If you freak, she will freak more.
If she has never had a bath before, then she will not suspect your motive as you walk to the bathroom and even approach the bathtub. So you may not have to use the scruff-of-the-neck hold until she is in the water. Lower her into the water, and if she starts to struggle (my cat used to just look at me with wounded eyes and after a minute or so of that, he would let out a wounded yowl -- but he knew the drill, and he knew he wasn't getting out until he was clean), then take her by the scruff of the neck.
Grab the cup and wet her. Keep your hand on her back or keep a grasp of her scruff, so she doesn't leap out on you. Then apply some shampoo. I always started up toward the head and neck (never the face, which I would clean with a washcloth later, after the rest of the bath was over) and the "withers", all the while talking soothingly "Oh, you are SO beautiful. So beautiful. And after you dry, you are just going to be a knockout. What a beautiful boy you are." Anything, just to set a tone.
The the front legs, and one paw at a time, then the tummy and back. The hardest part was the back legs for me, because he could finagle his way out of my grasp with his front end while I was employed back there. But he was always such a hoot when I would wash his anus and privates. The minute I got there, he would start to yodel: "Oodle, oodle, oodle oodle" in rhythm with my scrubbing, which of course I did gently, but by this time I was having a hard time not crumbling into gales of laughter.
Then hold her in place while you really give her a good rinse off, then grab the cat and the towel, sort of at the same time, and flip the towel around the cat to contain the (by now thrashing) paws and absorb the really drippy wet. Hold her close and blot really well. Then pivot, open the towel and watch the rocket-propelled cat launch herself out of your arms to the furthest corner, where she shoots you a betrayed and lothing glance and begins the licking process.
And that is how the courageous layperson gives a cat a bath. Good luck.
2007-06-21 11:14:03 · answer #2 · answered by Mercy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not worry about giving her a bath unless she is so dirty that you do not have any other choice.
They make some feline cleaning cloths that you can use to clean her paws, face or small areas that might help a bit. Overall do not worry about it though, cats take extremely good care of their fur and clean it on a regular basis, she will take care of herself.
Only once have I ever given a cat a bath and that was because she got into some paint... other than that she took care of herself.
2007-06-21 09:23:18 · answer #3 · answered by The Cheshire 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They make cleaning wipes so you don't have to get cats soaking wet, so you could try that. Also, my cats are o.k. with baths once I found out that they are comfortable as long as they can touch the bottom of the tub while I'm bathing them. But if she absolutely will not go into the water I would go with the wipes you should be able to find them right next to the cat shampoo in a store.
2007-06-21 08:53:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anora 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Quickly, smartly and with two people if you can...
Grab the scruff of the neck firmly and do not let go. (This does NOT hurt the cat, it only urges them into a submissive state...you see cats do this to one another in the wild and to their own kittens...because it works.)
You do have to grab firm and tight (not making the cat bleed or anything) until he can't move much. Then while continuing to hold him, have a friend or family member wash him up and rinse him. Then, grab a thick towl, to put around him, making sure his claws are inside. Dry him off while talking soothingly to him, and then let him go. He will feel insulted and not be your best friend for a little while but he will get over it...and he will be clean.
2007-06-21 08:58:37 · answer #5 · answered by irish77princess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can hold her firmly by the back of the neck and put her in the water after it's run so it won't be making noise. Make sure you have the shampoo and towels close at hand cause you're going to hold her with one hand and bathe her with the other one. Most cats don't like water. OH..you might want to trim her nails BEFORE bathing. Godloveya.
2007-06-21 08:55:49 · answer #6 · answered by Sassy OLD Broad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat climbed up the chimney once. He had soot on him, so obviously I had to bathe him. I put him in a mesh laundry bag, the kind you use to wash delicates. I let his head stick out and just washed him as quick as I could and wrapped him in a warm towel. Make sure the water is warm and don't get it on his face.
2007-06-21 10:17:26 · answer #7 · answered by ice_skaters_mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually you don't have to bathe cats, but I had to a couple of times. A vet friend gave me a good tip......fill the sink with warm water. Put the kitty in a pillow case with their head sticking out & "dip" them. No scratched arms.
2007-06-21 09:16:10 · answer #8 · answered by SHARON C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw some dry shampoo that you can put on the coat, but I'm not sure it's for only dogs. I saw it at Target. I usually hold my cat's upper part of her body as she sits on the sink floor and get a small container to rinse her off. She doesn't like water either, but she puts up with it.
2007-06-21 09:40:55 · answer #9 · answered by Jess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i just recently found a stray 5 week old kitten and i took him in and he stunk. I went to the pet store and got some organic all natural kitty spray with no perfumes or chemicals and sprayed him down and brushed him, it was a kitty bath in a bottle. Worked and smelled really good.
2007-06-21 09:00:10 · answer #10 · answered by ♥ purrlvr ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋