Can you bath an adult cat?

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum so please be gentle I have a 13 year old (human years) siamese cat and I want to give him a bath as he's been outside alot more lately, and is beginning to look a bit dirty. My gf keeps telling me that it's not good to bath adult cats because they'll get sick and die. I tried a search on this topic on the forums and the net in general but can't seem to find any clear and concise info. Any of you lot have any comments/information on this subject?

Mucho thanks,

Truth.

I have 2 cats and the've both gotten baths. I was told that you can't get their ears/head wet so I didn't. when they were done I toweled them as dry as i could, and kept the house nice and toasty and they dried fine. Neither of them got sick, and I'v done it a couple of times when they were really dirty. They didn't seem to mind that much. and didn't hate me after.

good luck,
michelle

My boyfriend recently bathed their 10 year old cat. While he wasn't happy about getting a bath, he's doing just fine. I would be most concerned about making sure that your kitty can be kept warm until all the layers of fur dry. Would you be able to keep him in a warm bathroom for at least a day or so to be sure he is really dry? Also, if he is getting dirty than usual, that could be a sign of a medical or nutritional issue (particularly if his fur is oilier).

You can bath ANY aged cat - from kitten to older. For any of them, the important thing to remember is to keep out of drafts until they are completely dry.

At his age, you might want to start thinking about keeping him inside. Was he an outside cat all his life?

That's a myth. When he's out in the rain he doesn't get sick and die, does he? Also, if it were true you'd be hard pressed to find cat shampoo anywhere.

I have always bathed my cats from kittenhood, but only when they need it badly as it takes the oils from their skin, and of course, they don't like it! It would be hard to bath a 10 year old that has never had one, but not impossible. WHy not try a 'blanket bath' first, with a bowl of soapy water and a sponge, and rub him down gently, holding him by the scruff or with his paws wrapped in a towel? That might be less traumatic. And do make sure he is somewhere warm and quiet afterwards.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

WHy not try a 'blanket bath' first, with a bowl of soapy water and a sponge, and rub him down gently, holding him by the scruff or with his paws wrapped in a towel? That might be less traumatic.

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I think this is a wonderful suggestion!!

When bathing an older cat that is not used to being bathed, use Johnson's No More Tears baby shampoo, it will clean the cat, and if he accidentally gets shampoo in his eyes there is no sting or discomfort. I find that introducing the cat to the water slowly (be very careful of water temperature) is also helpful. Ease your guy into the water. Talk your kitty through the whole process, and as everyone else has told you, be sure he is thoroughly dry before letting him out. Adults don't usually like being bathed, but it won't hurt him one bit. Good luck.

And trim his nails beforehand! Some cats really hate baths.

Wow, you guys are great Thanks so much for all the information. To answer a few questions, I have bathed him twice before; once when he disappeared for a year and a half and came back rather dirty. Then again about a year ago when he got stuck in my neighbors garage and got some kinda grease on himself.

He actually seemed to like the second bath, but the first one left me with mucho scars all over my arms. I used the Johnson's No Tears shampoo both times with no problems, and tried to blow dry him but he prefers towel drying for some reason. I keep him inside until the next day, but as I live in the Caribbean its never really cold out so thats not too much of a problem.

He had been a house cat most of his life and i'd leave a window open for him to get in and out. Then maybe 4 years ago he just started going outside ALOT more and, every now and then staying away for a day or two. In the past year or so I stopped leaving the windows open for him and just keep him inside whenever i'm there. Reason being that there are a few other cats in the neighborhood and 1 in particular followed him in one night and ever since has been coming back whenever i'm sleeping or not there helping himself to the cats dry food. So, for now he's back to being an outside cat during the day.

Consequently, do you guys have any suggestions on how i can nicely deter the other cat from coming in the house?

Thanks for all the info so far, much appreciated

Originally Posted by WardadliSoldier

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum so please be gentle

I have a 13 year old (human years) siamese cat and I want to give him a bath as he's been outside alot more lately, and is beginning to look a bit dirty. My gf keeps telling me that it's not good to bath adult cats because they'll get sick and die.

I tried a search on this topic on the forums and the net in general but can't seem to find any clear and concise info. Any of you lot have any comments/information on this subject?
Truth.

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My cat is bathed once a month with cat shampoo, he is healthy as can be. I set him in a waterless tub (I preajusted the heat to med) and then let water in the tub noiselessly and splashlessly (telephone shower head down). I give him tons of affection during bath, rinse him off with light telephone shower. I give him lots of towelling and make sure he has DRY towels available.

Within an hour, he's the happiest cat in the world, I swear he loves to feeling. He's purring and cuddly beyond normal He'll spend quite some time drying himself with his tongue.

Originally Posted by WardadliSoldier

Consequently, do you guys have any suggestions on how i can nicely deter the other cat from coming in the house?

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ummmmmm.......close the window?!

Seriously, keep him inside all the time OR train him to walk on a leash. IMO its more danger letting him roam at nite. One day he won't come home. If you want him around for another 5-8 yrs, keep him inside - all your problems solved.

I understand that many people believe that cats are not happy unless they are let outside. It is important to keep them entertained, but much safer to keep them inside. At 13 he is a senior citizen and could easily become a target for another animal. I can tell you care about him and are doing what you think is best; however, statistics indicate that indoor only cats have much longer lives (I can't remember the exact number of years, but I'm sure someone here knows).
As far as the bathing thing there are "waterless" shampoos & something called "Quick Bath" that do not require the cat be total in water. At the very least do not let him outside if he is still wet or even damp.

Ok, just to update all I gave him a bath on sunday and he's fine I wanted to keep him inside for the night, but he wanted to go out so i let him. It was around 78 degrees (the coldest it's been this "winter" is 71 lol) so i figured he'd be ok.

I wouldn't mind keeping him inside except for 3 reasons. 1. he actually just likes to be outside sometimes, and if i don't let him out or the window's closed he gets pissed 2. wherever he lays down he always leaves some fur there and it drives my gf crazy whenever she runs into it. 3. i really hate cleaning the damn litter box!

So, for now nothings gonna change. LOL, so he'll just continue doing whatever he wants.

I give my cats baths. Just do it in a warm place and don't let him out until he's fully dry. Probaby a good idea to keep him in at least a couple days. I've never heard of a cat dying from a bath but I don't doubt it could happen if it went back outside in cool or cold weather and it was still wet or damp even.

Yes you can bath a cat myself and my husband have got two cats and we both bath them both with no problems. As long as you dry them really well and you don't let them out side striaght away then you will be fine just keep talking to them while your bathing them. 

Just make sure you also don't get soap in their eyes

Hope this has helped you all 

if not feel free to ask me any other questions 

I have had cats since i was 5 years old and im 28 years old now