I am not a vet, but as a foster parent of over 30 cats for my local shelter, I've had lots of dealings with them and have come to learn a lot. Mainly it depends on a few things -
1- can you control the cat if it tries to lash out at you? Holding the scruff of the cat's neck May calm them, but if they are truely terrified, even this may not keep the cat in the tub/sink, and when they are desperate to get out of the bath, they can and will use their claws. The danger for a cat in the bath tub is not so much the diseases if they bite, but what may be under their claws - cats rarely bite before they use their claws.
2- does the cat really need a bath? Some people over do it, some not enough. Try grooming the kitty first and patting it. If the fur feels icky instead of soft, or matted anywhere, its a good idea to bathe kitty, but if the fur is soft and the cat takes regular baths on its own, about once a month should do nicely for the kitty.
3- have you tried other ways to clean the kitty? There are wipes on the market these days that can be used instead of a full scale bath. They are much like a diaper wipe, but made of stronger more durable stuff. Washing a cat with these lessens the stress of bath time, sooths the kitty as you are basically petting and ruffling fur, and can be just as effective as the bath tub itself with far less struggle, stress, and hassle. If you don't have the means to get the wipes, some good old fashioned lathered soap on a very DAMP washcloth will work, just be sure that the cat is not left soapy after the bath.
2007-11-07 18:40:26
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answer #1
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answered by Timberwolf 3
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It depends on the cats. If they don't get too mad over it, a bath is fine. I give them to my Bengals when they smell bad. For some reason their fur traps scents in it and sometimes they just plain stink! However, I have one cat that gets very stressed at even the mere thought of a bath. He does not get bathed at all because he does and will bite over a bath. I ended up in the emergency room because I gave him a flea bath once. He bit through my thumb in 3 spots and even now, a year later, I have limited use of the thumb. I can use bath wipes on him though. They are made to wipe down your cat and not terrify it. They are safe and you don't have to worry about making your cat sick by giving it a bath when it is cold out. I can use them on him while he sleeps and he never wakes up from his nap. It's quick and easy to use and leaves him smelling fresh.
Just a fair warning, distemper shots are more for the cat than yourself. Make sure that your cat has the Rabies shot, for 2 main reasons. 1 if you do get bit and your cat doesn't have it's shot, it will be put down to be tested for rabies. THe only way to tell if an animal has rabies is to kill it and look at their brain and 2 you don't want to see the treatment for rabies should your animal test positive. Not only will they kill any other animals you have to be tested, but also anyone you have had contact with and if their pets don't have their shots, their animals may be killed also. Do this to protect your cats and yourself. If you are bitten and the cat breaks skin, shots or no shots, get to the hospital asap! Cat bites infect easily and are not something to mess around with,
Another thought, if you are bathing in get rid of fleas, go to your vet and get advantage. It goes on the back of their neck and lasts a month. If you are bathing to get rid of hair they are shedding, get a brush called the Shed Ender. it works wonders for shedding cats and dogs because it removes the under coat that they are trying to shed.
2007-11-08 02:02:42
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answer #2
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answered by Chanda 3
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I have had to bath many cats for many reasons. One thing I can tell you is that not a one of them enjoyed it. If your cat has fleas, treat it with Frontline, Revolution or Advantage....put it on first. Wait a week then bath if you need to be rid of the flea dirt in the hair coat.
If you are bathing it because of excess hair, it won't help. Use a comb to take out the excess hair.
In fact, I would reccommend taking a cat to a groomer and let them bath it. They are used to working with stressed out animals (and cats are stressed when they get a bath) and they have a cage and a dryer to make them nice and dry.
Not sure why a distemper shot is in the question, perhaps because the groomer requires cats to be vaccinated.
2007-11-08 02:27:15
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answer #3
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answered by lt4827 5
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I am not a Vet, but my cats get a bath once a year or so. Usually when they get car grease on their fur have a bad case of fleas or get 'stinky'.
I fill the tub to kitty-chest height with warm water.
Put kitty in the tub and quickly put a laundry basket over them. They can see out, the water gets in. I use a little soap and gently raise the side of the basket where their head isn't. Scrub gently, Rinse.
Then take the basket off. They get themselves out pretty quickly. LOL
2007-11-08 01:48:37
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answer #4
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answered by Titzen_Ash_23 4
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It is safe for the cat, but not for you. I'll explain: when they are small, usually they don't mind. You should do it calmly, with lukewarm water, and dry them well, not leave them in a draft, etc. But as they grow older, they refuse to be bathed, and scratch etc. They are right too. they don't need a bath, unless they get dirty with something you don't want them to lick off their fur, like a toxic paint or sth.
2007-11-08 01:51:27
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answer #5
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answered by cpinatsi 7
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What does distemper have anything to do with baths?
I don't understand that.
Unless you're taking the cat to a groomers, vaccines don't matter.
Wash them in mild soap (look for Earthbath and Tropiclean) and rinse well.
Watch the teeth and claws, they'll get ya if they can.
2007-11-08 01:48:19
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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I only wash if they get smelly, and I use a "dry shampoo" that's like mousse, you work in a little, and when it dries you simply brush it out, works like magic.
2007-11-08 03:01:56
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answer #7
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answered by Unicornrider 7
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