How do you bath a cat with out stressing it out too much?

Question

My cat has fleas and stresses out when the bath tub runs please help.

Answer 1

Don't bathe your cat; it's not worth it. Try some flea medicine, like Advantage.

Answer 2

Oh Boy! Frontline, or having the vet do it are preferable options, but, it you really want to do this...

Ok, first, use a sink - you'll have more control. The bathroom is best. You can keep it warmer, and close the door so the cat can't escape.

The water must be lukewarm.

I assume you are going to use a flea shampoo. Make sure it is specially formulated for cats, their coat requires special care to not strip the oils.

Follow the shampoo directions carefully.

Lower the cat's backend gently into the sink while gently, but firmly holding the cat's head against your body, kind of just below the neck. It's a tricky manuever. You want to control and comfort the cat at the same time.

With your other hand, Use a cup to wet the cat from the neck down. You have to be very careful about doing their head, making sure to not get the shampoo in it's eyes.

You have to take your time and be very patient. If you get stressed, your cat will too. Talk in soothing tones.

If you have to rinse (again, follow directions carefully), let the water out of the sink, and rinse with the cup. Make sure the water temperature is lukewarm.

Have a towel ready. It's important to not let a cat get chilled. wrap the cat in the towel and hold close to your body and let the towel absorb the excess water. This will give you control. Don't try to rub the cat dry like you would a dog.

When you open the bathroom door, the cat is going to bolt and disappear. Which is fine. You're going to need to change clothes anyway. And tend to your wounds.

A lot of your success will depend on your relationship with the cat, and whether they trust you.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Advantage and Frontline are both good for fleas. Might be easier than bathing him. Don't get other type flea killers though, they don't work near as good.
PS Mine had a bad dose of fleas. I put the advantage on her and she stopped scratching within minutes.
UPDATE UPDATE
Just looking at the December Cat Fancy magazine and it has an article titled "Who says you can't bathe a cat".
Briefly what it says is, Prepare ahead of time.Trim claws and groom ahead of time. If possible have a friend help. Have a small bucket if needed for pouring water. Keep several towels close by. Prior to starting put a bath mat in the tub or tie a towel to the faucet for the cat to cling to. If planning on cleaning the cat in the tub run the water before bringing the cat in the room.
Bathing
Moisten small wash cloth, softly clean the head. Once the head is wet use the bucket slowly pour lukewarm water down the back to the tail. Then shampoo starting from the neck.
While bathing, speak soothingly to your cat to keep it calm. Your voice will calm it to a certain extent even if the meowing, growling and howling make you think otherwise.
There is a bit more in the magazine if you can get hold of it where you are.

Answer 4

Cats only need to be bathed for allergic people or if they have rolled in something impossible to brush out.

Go to your vet and get flea medication.

Make it a 2 person job. Wear long sleeves draw a warm bath in the kitchen sink or tub. Set out the shampoo and towls before you get the cat. (make sure its cat shampoo) The cat holder should grab the pet by the nape of the neck firmly and decisively. Keep a firm hold on the nape. (wear mother cats pick the kitten up on the flabby skin at the back of there neck). Ease the cat into the water. Soap quickly rinse well . Towl if you can and let the cat go.

Best time to wash a cat is when your house is warm or on a hot summers day.

Answer 5

You don't need to bath a cat to get rid of fleas - in fact you shouldn't, because flea shampoos really do not work. Don't put you and your cat through the stress, it's so not worth it!

Get some proper flea treatment from your vet. Frontline, Advantage, Advocate and Revolution spot-ons work very well and are very non-stressful for the cat.

Chalice

Answer 6

Bathing is only a temporary solution to fleas.. not a very effective way to control them at all. All you will do is stress out your cat and yourself. You need a long term flea medication like Advantage or Frontline. Cats do not need to be bathed..they bathe themselves. Also too much bathing can cause their natural oils to be removed and will cause dry, irratated skin.

Answer 7

Sweetie we do not give cats baths ;If he has fleas go to a vet off ice and buy some advantage for fleas and once you put it ON ; 30 minutes they should be off the cat,Cat;s have oils on the skin and baths can dry them out and they can get dandruff.If yu don;t get medicine for the flea;s your cat can get big sore;s and get dermatitis,,You can buy one at a time or 4 a At time,

Answer 8

I have 4 adult cats and 4 kittens. To give them a bath, I make sure the bathroom is warm, run the water first to fill the tub (enough to get them wet, to much and it scares them) with warm water, have a towel on the floor to put them on, and then one to dry them off. Since I can't use flea soap (2 are allergic to it) I use baby shampoo. I find that the smell of the flea soap stresses out the others. Then depending on which cat or kitten I am bathing, I either hold them by the nap of the back of their neck or (like with Orange Kitty) I put my hand around his neck (not tight) and with Spaz, I put my hand under his belly. Then I rinse them, on some of them I can run the water to get fresh water to rinse, the others I have a clean bucket to get it our of. Dry them good.
Good Luck

Answer 9

First get a flea treatment from your vet. Then if you want to keep your cat clean use cat bath wipes. You can get them at any pet store for around $4 and they are great. I buy the kind scented with lavender and chamomile which helps calm the cat down. Just get your cat after he or she has just woken up or is getting sleepy. Have a cloth out and open - ready to bathe. Just wipe your cat down with the cloth and keep them warm until they dry off a little. It's an easy way to clean plus it helps reduce allergens like dander and can even prevent unnecessary shedding. Plus it gives your cat a fresh scent.

Answer 10

Bathing it won't get rid of the fleas. Your best option would be to go to the vet and get a product like 'Advantage' or something similar, that can be put on the back of the cats neck,

If you have a big problem with fleas, you need to consider bedding, carpet, lounges etc -as these can all house flea eggs/larvae.

Goodluck

Answer 11

You know I have seen my boyfriend and his family how they bathe their cats. You know when the mother lifts her kitten by the back of its neck well the skin ( i hope you get what i am saying) anyways it makes the cat calm down and relax almost like it rests. they put their little feet up like their mother is carrying them and they close their eyes. Then you can actually bathe them by doing it calmly and scrubbing them like a massage like in a calm way so they can feel calm. Well this works for my boyfriend's mom and family who love cats and they seem to know what they are doing. But if all else fails take it to the vet so they can get rid of its fleas and you don't have to bathe him yourself.