Very bad reaction to a bath?

I decided that today would be bath day for all of the kitties, since I don't really have anything else to get done. Roxy is the worst one about it so I decided to start with her. She usually howls and squirms during the bath but isn't *that* bad really. I put her in the sink, started washing her and of course the yelling started. Then all of a sudden, she squealed really loudly and went completely limp. She didn't breathe for at least 5 seconds. Then she sat up, kind of dazed, and started meowing again. I rinsed her really quickly, and dried her. I don't even want to attempt to bathe any of the other kitties anymore. Any idea what may have happened? After a few minutes of being dazed, she's acting perfectly fine and wanting to eat now.

What kind of shampoo were you using? It could also be stress. Have there been a lot of other things going on at home that are out of the ordinary?

Originally Posted by mzjazz2u

What kind of shampoo were you using? It could also be stress. Have there been a lot of other things going on at home that are out of the ordinary?

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I use baby shampoo, which is what I've used on her since she was tiny. There hasn't been anything different going on at home, the only thing that's changed in the routine at all was just her bath today.

I think she was stressed for the bath. Do you put her in water or just use a sprayer?

I would not stop washing the other cats - maybe just her for awhile. And I found that Charlie is 100% more cooperative in being washed in the tub vs the kitchen sink

His 1st bath was in the sink and you probably heard him in Canada with him screaming about it. The 2nd bath was in the tub and he was a totally different cat. IMO only very young or small cats can be washed in the sink - rest do better in a tub.

I'd just wash the other cats in the bathtub.

I think she was stressed for the bath. Do you put her in water or just use a sprayer?

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Both, and I always start very slowly, turn the water on in the other half of the sink, then gradually getting them wet, starting with the feet and working up.

I would not stop washing the other cats - maybe just her for awhile. And I found that Charlie is 100% more cooperative in being washed in the tub vs the kitchen sink

His 1st bath was in the sink and you probably heard him in Canada with him screaming about it. The 2nd bath was in the tub and he was a totally different cat. IMO only very young or small cats can be washed in the sink - rest do better in a tub.

I'd just wash the other cats in the bathtub.

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I gave in and went ahead and did most of the other cats. I've still got Spooky Bear, Tabitha and Lilly to do but that will probably be tomorrow. I really like washing the kittens in the sink, it's so much easier on my back, which gets cramped up if I lean over too long... and they're still pretty small so they fit well. The older cats that are bigger get baths in the tub, and I guess I'll try Roxy that way next time... I don't think I want to attempt her again for awhile though.

Originally Posted by bnwalker2

Both, and I always start very slowly, turn the water on in the other half of the sink, then gradually getting them wet, starting with the feet and working up.



I gave in and went ahead and did most of the other cats. I've still got Spooky Bear, Tabitha and Lilly to do but that will probably be tomorrow. I really like washing the kittens in the sink, it's so much easier on my back, which gets cramped up if I lean over too long... and they're still pretty small so they fit well. The older cats that are bigger get baths in the tub, and I guess I'll try Roxy that way next time... I don't think I want to attempt her again for awhile though.

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I'm glad the other kitties you've done so far seem to have faired well. It may be just one of those strange flukes with Roxy? Especially since everything is just as it always has been.

I've always washed all my cats in the Kitchensink too and never had a problem with it. I have a really bad back so it's much easier and more manageable. I did try bathing them in the tub once or twice but a couple of them just had fits so I gave up trying to do it that way. It must just be individual to each cat.

What a scare - so glad to read that she recovered. That was an unusual event & I hope that it never happens again. Poor Roxy, poor meowmmy!