I wanna give my cat a bath

[Frank237]

Not all of them dislike water. Our big male will get into the bathtub once it's down to 2-4 inches deep, to play with the water as it SWIRLS down the drain. He also routinely drinks water from the dogs dish by STEPPING into the dish with his two front feet....then drinking.

 

[Qball]

I have several good methods to recommend.
However, I'm not a cat person, and I think they might inspire much angst, so I'll shut up.

Exelent idea, otherwise you might get banned for life

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

If you have the funds, take your kitty to a groomer that has experience in bathing cats, but only if the cat really needs it.

 

[vigil617]

...they have great attitudes and can do the one finger salute if they don't like what you are saying.

Thanks, but I already have a wife who takes care of those things.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Take plenty of before and after pictures, not of the cat but of your face and forearms.

Pictures? Nah, I want a VIDEO!!!!!

 

[eyegots2no]

We had a sick cat back when I was 17 and living at home---so the Vet gave us medicine for the cat----had to be administered with a syringe.

Me and my mom tried repeatedly to give the cat a shot-----no matter how we held or how tight etc---we could not get it done.

We stabbed ourselves and each other numerous times---blood everywhere.

We finally gave up and took it back to the vet and let him do it.

 

[shlike]

I tried to give my cat a bath once, but the fur kept sticking to my tongue....

 

[red14]

Be a man!! Do it in the nude!!

As long as it's a female cat. Ahem.

 

[snubbyfan]

When Natayo came into our lives, he was scrawny and boney. The vet told us that he was 8 months old and undernourished.

He wanted to explore everthing and eat anything edible.
One morning we were cooking pancakes and left the empty glass measuring cup on the kitchen island. He jumped on up and started licking out the residue. He stuck his head all the way down to the bottom and got himself covered with batter.
My wife cleaned him in the kitchen sink and he didn't seem to mind. He seems to be somewhat fascinated with water.

 

[Salty RI]

I tried to give my cat a bath once, but the fur kept sticking to my tongue....

You weren't doing it right.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

PLEASE post a video of your journey! We all need a laugh! Good luck!

 

[4barrel]

You could sell tickets. I would give a dollar just to watch.

 

[walnutred]

When we got married my wife had a three legged cat named Tuffy. One morning she told me were giving the cat a bath that night and I should take whatever precautions I deemed necessary. I was in the Army at the time so I brought home a set of gauntlets used for handling concertina wire and a leather welders apron. For those who have never handled concertina wire the gauntlets are heavy leather with small steel plates embedded and go up to your elbow.

I got home, my wife drew the bath in the kitchen sink and I grabbed the cat after donning the protective gear. At first the cat struggled when I placed her in the water. I pushed her head under and held it there for about 4 seconds, pulled her head up, looked her in the eye and said "I can do that longer than you can." We came to an understanding of some sort because I never needed to wear gloves again the few times my wife decided Tuffy needed a flea dip.

 

[bgrone]

Conditioning

If you are determined to bathe your cat you should do a few conditioning exercises first to get yourself ready. Some examples would be: ski-ing through a revolving door; dusting the ceiling fan while it's running; changing sparkplugs on a running engine; making barbed wire macramé. Your wife should prepare by updating your medical insurance; taking a first aid course; setting up the video camera.


Good luck

 

[Dennis The B]

When I was about 15, my mom asked me to help her bathe our 15lb cat, Ahab. When his soapy leg slipped out of my hand, he opened my palm like an Xacto knife. Tetanus shot and my first experience with Neosporin, which was prescription in those days.

That cat passed away in 1980, and 1962 was the last bath he had.

 

[vigil617]

That cat passed away in 1980

Yeah, I usually take my time getting even too. Makes 'em think you've forgotten all about it.

 

[vigil617]

If you are determined to bathe your cat you should do a few conditioning exercises first to get yourself ready. Some examples would be: ski-ing through a revolving door; dusting the ceiling fan while it's running; changing sparkplugs on a running engine; making barbed wire macramé. Your wife should prepare by updating your medical insurance; taking a first aid course; setting up the video camera.

Your cat, on the other hand, is already prepared though it might not even know this consciously. It has a plan, and the iron will to use it, and gives not a tinker's damn who gets hurt in the process. In a way, I kinda respect that.

 

[vigil617]

When we got married my wife had a three legged cat named Tuffy. One morning she told me were giving the cat a bath that night and I should take whatever precautions I deemed necessary. I was in the Army at the time so I brought home a set of gauntlets used for handling concertina wire and a leather welders apron. For those who have never handled concertina wire the gauntlets are heavy leather with small steel plates embedded and go up to your elbow.

I got home, my wife drew the bath in the kitchen sink and I grabbed the cat after donning the protective gear. At first the cat struggled when I placed her in the water. I pushed her head under and held it there for about 4 seconds, pulled her head up, looked her in the eye and said "I can do that longer than you can." We came to an understanding of some sort because I never needed to wear gloves again the few times my wife decided Tuffy needed a flea dip.

You were fortunate. All the cats I have ever known would have had only one thought if I had done this: "You have to take that stuff off sometime, and I will be there when you do."

 

[Stephanie B]

Be a man!! Do it in the nude!!

And have someone take a video. It'll probably go viral .

 

[Stephanie B]

Seriously, though: I had a cat that loved water. He had been rescued at about the age of two weeks; he weighted 4oz and had an open cut on his back leg that was maggot-infested. The rescuer did what the vet suggested, frequent rinsing of the would with peroxide and then water.

He spent so much time in the bathroom sink that he regarded bathroom sinks as a safe place. I adopted him at the four-month point; he would sleep in the bathroom sink until he got too large to fit. I couldn't give him meds, brushng his fur or clipping his nails was a form of minor combat, but he loved bathing so much that I couldn't draw one for myself without it being pre-loaded with cat hair.

So if you can get them used to it early enough, bathing will be normal to them.

But if not, I'd take the cat to a groomer. At least worker's comp will cover their injuries.