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Let's talk about bathing cats.....

post #1 of 33
2/13/11 at 8:24pm
Thread Starter 
Do you bathe your cats? If so, how often? Where and how do you bathe your cat at home? Groomers? Is it true that bathing your cat helps keep dander down?

I would like to get my kittens used to being bathed. Pipsqueak only gets about two baths a year and really hates them. I am looking for people's experience with bathing their cats. I think it helps to get the loose hair out, especially in the springtime. I have also heard of people who are allergic to cats using distilled water to rinse the cat instead of actually bathing. Dander is actually made by cats saliva drying on their coats. So I think bathing them would make them lick even more and create more dander. My SIL rinses her cat weekly in distilled water because she is very allergic, and she has done this for about over a year and it has helped with her allergies. I am not allergic, just interested in opinions on this. Thanks
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post #2 of 33
2/13/11 at 8:31pm
Lynxx we bathed at home, and did it ourselves. He was very good about it, and gave us just enough time to get him dry before he'd had enough. He was bathed twice a year. We put a bucket on our chair, and washed him in the bucket. He didn't like being in the shower for his own bath, he didn't mind being in the shower any other time.

Luna and Midnight go to a groomer. We only bathed them once in the shower, both when the first came here. We'll send them to the groomer twice a year. Luna does very well. Midnight isn't to happy about it.

You might have to have 1 or 2 people help you, if you bathe them at home.
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post #3 of 33
2/13/11 at 8:50pm
Thread Starter 
I am pretty sure Perkins will be awful because he doesn't like being held too much and especially not feeling confined and controlled that way. Wont be easy. Pipsqueak did escape last time I bathed him and ran around the house all wet and soapy. Not fun. Wow a bucket for Lynxx! Must have been a big bucket.
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post #4 of 33
2/13/11 at 8:53pm
I bath Luvbug, Kuce and Lil' Jag at home as well. Luvbug and Kuce are very good about it. They both get bathed in either the large sink or in the bathtub with a shower hose and some pet safe shampoo but only as they need it. Lil' Jag though is a fighter and takes 2-3 people to do her and yet we started her as a kitten (go figure). She won't take the shower hose so we use several cups of water and shampoo on her. We thinking of taking her to the groomers for a better job........

Our RB cat Sphinx took baths very well. It helped to keep him cleaner because of his arthritis.

We haven't tried Buster yet (our former semi-feral) but so far he doesn't need it. He'd rather bath himself by going outside in the rain.....

You might want to have someone help you with it if you try it yourself.
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post #5 of 33
2/13/11 at 9:04pm
I bathe my cats. It really depends on if they need it or not. The white ones get bathed more often to keep them nice & white (neither are very fastidious about their own purr-sonal grooming). I bathed the 16 y/o farm kitty for the first time today & didn't get killed.
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post #6 of 33
2/13/11 at 9:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
Do you bathe your cats? If so, how often? Where and how do you bathe your cat at home? Groomers? Is it true that bathing your cat helps keep dander down?
Yes.
My cat is bathed about once a week or once every two weeks, also clean ears and clip nails at this same time.
In the bathroom in the house.
I have to do it that often because oils build up on the skin, the cat's breed is a Sphynx.
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post #7 of 33
2/13/11 at 10:10pm
I bathe my cats about once a month. I used to do it more often but once a month works for us. Mine are used to being bathed and blow dried. While they aren't thrilled with the process they don't freak out or get upset.

I use this hose attachment because it shuts off when I'm shampooing.
http://www.amazon.com/Rinse-Ace-Show...4419297&sr=8-2

The thing about bathing them is don't let go of the cat. If you scruff them like the mother they stay more calm and if they are never allowed to jump from the tub things go a lot smoother. I towel dry mine until they are mostly dry, then I blow dry them on low power low heat while brushing the hair up and out. I also keep the house extra warm on bath day.

This is the shampoo I use. It is very gentle on the skin.

http://www.amazon.com/Tropiclean-Nat...4417768&sr=1-9

ETA: I was a professional groomer for 7 years...
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post #8 of 33
2/14/11 at 3:05am
I never bathe my 3. The only time they get a wet wipe is on their bums if theres some poop stuck to their fur, but that's very rare. Other than that it's just a good brush every couple of days
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post #9 of 33
2/14/11 at 4:41am
I don't bathe my cats and have never, except in exceptional circumstances such as a diarrhea mess. Cats are self cleaning.

I don't think cats need to be bathed and I think in most cases it causes unnecessary stress to the cat.

The only reason for bathing is if the cat gets into something toxic or too much of something for her/him to wash it off on their own.

To control dander, daily brushing and daily wiping down the fur with a damp cloth is enough, immersion bathing is not needed.

Bathing dries the skin, stripping oils and causes stress.
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post #10 of 33
2/14/11 at 7:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauren_miller View Post
I bathe my cats about once a month. I used to do it more often but once a month works for us. Mine are used to being bathed and blow dried. While they aren't thrilled with the process they don't freak out or get upset.

I use this hose attachment because it shuts off when I'm shampooing.
http://www.amazon.com/Rinse-Ace-Show...4419297&sr=8-2

The thing about bathing them is don't let go of the cat. If you scruff them like the mother they stay more calm and if they are never allowed to jump from the tub things go a lot smoother. I towel dry mine until they are mostly dry, then I blow dry them on low power low heat while brushing the hair up and out. I also keep the house extra warm on bath day.

This is the shampoo I use. It is very gentle on the skin.

http://www.amazon.com/Tropiclean-Nat...4417768&sr=1-9

ETA: I was a professional groomer for 7 years...
Thanks for those links!! I usually bath in the kitchen sink with a plastic mat down for security for their feet. I talked with a groomer about bathing them and she said to start when they are young. But it is interesting, starting as a kitten doesn't always mean that the cat will ever enjoy the bath??!!!
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post #11 of 33
2/14/11 at 7:10am
Thread Starter 
Thanks all, keep the suggestions/ideas coming!! It is wonderful to hear what you all do about bathing the cats. I mainly want to control the shedding, especially in the Spring.
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post #12 of 33
2/14/11 at 8:27am
I show cats - they get baths before every show. I start when kittens and never have a problem. My household pet Ling gets a bath 2-3 times a year. You would think she is drowning by the sound of it! She's not thrilled by baths, but I do it simply to get her nice an clean every few months.

I've also washed full grown cats with very little problems. Sometimes you may need 2 people - one to hold the cat, one to wash and rinse; but for the most part I can handle them myself.

The key is water is no more then 2 inches deep in the tub and a nice hand held shower for rinsing.

Some of my cats actually like taking baths and I've taught several of them to "stay" when commanded so I can get the shampoo and not worry about them jumping out.
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post #13 of 33
2/14/11 at 9:14am
we bathe our two about once a month, sometimes every other month. they're both long-haired, and their fur tends to looks oily and sticks together if not bathed. my Isis used to smell really funky the first few times, mainly because we couldn't get down to the skin very easily before she wanted out, but now she smells nice. I can't describe the smell really, but it wasn't good. we bathe them at home, in the tub with two people, one to hold, one to wash. we fill the tub with a few inches of water, and use a container to scoop water and rinse, since they freak out at the shower water noise. it does help with our allergies, and to get the loose hairs out when we use the zoom groom during the bath. we also use the allercat C stuff after the bathes, and use this everytime we remember (which isn't often haha).
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post #14 of 33
2/14/11 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cococat View Post
Yes.
My cat is bathed about once a week or once every two weeks, also clean ears and clip nails at this same time.
In the bathroom in the house.
I have to do it that often because oils build up on the skin, the cat's breed is a Sphynx.
I almost had a heart attack FOR your cats before I read about their breed . I was just imagining how my cats would handle a bath every single week. I would have nubs for arms.

I bathed Tails once because he stepped in poop in the litterbox, I switched to bathing just the leg he steps with the next couple times, because he really really hates baths. I have never bathed Memphis, and I have no plans to start. He's very good about keeping his whites very bright (geez, I sound like a clorox commercial) and who can tell with the black?

Tails is more than half white, and sometimes I notice a yellowish tinge to his fur (I can't ever tell if it's dirt or just my eyes playing tricks since he's also almost half orange). Do you guys think bathing him would leave him extra bleached-looking, or is it not worth the effort to get a pale yellow down to a pure white?
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post #15 of 33
2/14/11 at 10:15am
My husband used to give Sugar Ray a shower--I would say probably 4-5 times a year. He was a white inside/outside cat and it made him so fluffy, I loved it. We used a brightening, whitening shampoo. Sugar did not love it, but he tolerated it. We would just towel dry him.

The first time my husband bathed him was on a Saturday night and all of a sudden the rain just started pouring down.....I said something to my husband about wondering where Sugar was. About 5 minutes later he came in through the cat door and he was a soaking wet, dripping, brown, muddy mess. Steve headed straight to the bathroom with him and when I went in, they were both in the shower.

Kody has never had a bath--my husband keeps saying he should, but I am afraid that he would go absolutely wild.
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post #16 of 33
2/14/11 at 11:48am
I wouldn't unless I had to for some reason. It's very stressful to most cats.

Robin
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post #17 of 33
2/14/11 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kody's Mom View Post
My husband used to give Sugar Ray a shower--I would say probably 4-5 times a year. He was a white inside/outside cat and it made him so fluffy, I loved it. We used a brightening, whitening shampoo. Sugar did not love it, but he tolerated it. We would just towel dry him.

The first time my husband bathed him was on a Saturday night and all of a sudden the rain just started pouring down.....I said something to my husband about wondering where Sugar was. About 5 minutes later he came in through the cat door and he was a soaking wet, dripping, brown, muddy mess. Steve headed straight to the bathroom with him and when I went in, they were both in the shower.

Kody has never had a bath--my husband keeps saying he should, but I am afraid that he would go absolutely wild.
Is a Zoom Groom one of those curry rubber brushes with the rubber one inch bristles?? I might have one of those unless it is something different. I might just try to give my kids baths soon! I am getting motivated by reading about everyone's experiences!!! Oh my poor babies, but I want them to be free of hair so they don't ingest it and puke up hairballs!!! And bathes will help keep hairballs down, right??!!
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post #18 of 33
2/14/11 at 12:05pm
We used to bathe them regularly, and it wasn't fun. We were doing it because of my allergies - and yes, after bathing them, they just lick themselves all over, so it was completely defeating the purpose. That's when we just started wiping them down with distilled water. We don't "rinse" them, I don't think. We get paper towels damp, and wipe them.

...and that's after using the Furminator on them. This thing is truly amazing! It will remove more fur during "shed season" than anything else you'll be able to find. You do have to get them loving being brushed first. We did this by just brushing once (with a regular brush) on their cheek and giving them a treat. It didn't take long before they were begging us for brushes, treats not needed LOL. That was long before the furminator existed (or before we were aware of it). But they love being groomed with it, even though it's stiff and feels kind of awkard on them, esp when going over their bony hips.

Here's the furminator: http://www.furminator.com/?gclid=CJ7...FdF95QodgRoHgQ It is designed to remove the undercoat, which is what sheds. IT IS AMAZING.

So we brush with the furminator, then wipe down with distilled water.
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post #19 of 33
2/14/11 at 12:33pm
Five of my cats get bathed every 6-8 weeks, before a show. Cali doesn't go to shows, so doesn't get bathed.

I groom them with the furminator before the bath so I don't have cat hair clogging up the drain. Fortunately, they all love the furminator.

I've tried a lot of different ways, but the easiest is to get in the shower with the sliding door closed. That way they can't get out and run around the room. I have the shower head on a flexible hose so I don't get wet (too much) while I'm bathing them. Mostly they just stand there and complain. Merlin tries to climb the shower wall, but never seems to get too far. Shareena is the hardest to handle. She climbs up my shirt, over my shoulder, and latches on in the middle of my back where I can't reach her.

Mine are all shorthaired cats so I just towel dry. I have tried the blow dryer a couple of times, but it didn't go so well. I don't use it on Merlin because his fur needs to lay really tight and smooth, not fluffed. Goldy will sit there and let me blow dry her, as long as it's from a distance. Miss Patchwillow and Shareena back as far away as they can get and take the first opportunity to scoot out the door. Iris totally freaks out, does back flips and everything trying to get away from that evil machine. Even after I turn it off I can't get near her to pick her up for at least half an hour (and she's my biggest cuddlebug normally).
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post #20 of 33
2/14/11 at 4:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldyCat View Post
Shareena is the hardest to handle. She climbs up my shirt, over my shoulder, and latches on in the middle of my back where I can't reach her.
Oh my goodness - Shelly and Shareena ARE a good match! This is exactly what Shelly would do - except Shel climbed up Gary's back (using his nails), and launched himself off of Gary's shoulder, up and out of the shower stall! (There's about a 6" gap at the top of the door).

We've never used a hair dryer on them, and only towel dry them.

At one of our vets, they have a grooming salon. I don't remember why, but one year when we took all of them in for their annuals at once, we decided to have them all bathed. We dropped everyone off in the morning, and came back to meet the vet and pick them up.

They were washing Lazlo. Turns out this was his fourth bath. They kept trying to use the hair dryer on him, and he kept pissing himself! I did manage to control my temper, and I pushed Gary out of there before he could flip out, but I suggested to them with as much control as I could muster, that if a cat is scared of the hair dryer, they NOT CONTINUE TO PURSUE USING IT. I asked them to just towel dry him, and we'd take him like that.

That was the last time anyone had a bath, in fact, and I still feel really guilty about it.
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post #21 of 33
2/14/11 at 5:16pm
IMO, try to get what you can with a baby wipe, add water to it if necessary. I sometimes do this if their butt or feet aren't spotless.

If thats not good enough, then wash the dirty part, so for feet I just use shallow water and wash just the feet, to much meowing "why me" protest nevertheless. Mine definitely do NOT like running water, so I just make sure the sink is clean and have it filled with warm but not at all hot water well in advance of bringing them in and shutting the door so they know there is no possibility of escape from the small bathroom. I just use a nice fluffy towel, which usually turns earlier protest into purring, heh!

Furminator on occasion (pretty religiously use it on Tuesdays) and square finishing brush (do that one real quick daily or every other day) make the coat look clean and shiny, and kitties will spend a third of their day washing themselves regularly, so not a fan of full baths for mine.

I might do it once a year (have not yet) and would just be sure to avoid the head and use a proper cat shampoo so as not to strip them of essential oils and dry out the skin.
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post #22 of 33
2/14/11 at 5:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
I don't bathe my cats and have never, except in exceptional circumstances such as a diarrhea mess. Cats are self cleaning.

I don't think cats need to be bathed and I think in most cases it causes unnecessary stress to the cat.

The only reason for bathing is if the cat gets into something toxic or too much of something for her/him to wash it off on their own.

To control dander, daily brushing and daily wiping down the fur with a damp cloth is enough, immersion bathing is not needed.

Bathing dries the skin, stripping oils and causes stress.
I'm totally with Otto on this.

AC
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post #23 of 33
2/15/11 at 7:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post
Oh my goodness - Shelly and Shareena ARE a good match! This is exactly what Shelly would do - except Shel climbed up Gary's back (using his nails), and launched himself off of Gary's shoulder, up and out of the shower stall! (There's about a 6" gap at the top of the door).

We've never used a hair dryer on them, and only towel dry them.

At one of our vets, they have a grooming salon. I don't remember why, but one year when we took all of them in for their annuals at once, we decided to have them all bathed. We dropped everyone off in the morning, and came back to meet the vet and pick them up.

They were washing Lazlo. Turns out this was his fourth bath. They kept trying to use the hair dryer on him, and he kept pissing himself! I did manage to control my temper, and I pushed Gary out of there before he could flip out, but I suggested to them with as much control as I could muster, that if a cat is scared of the hair dryer, they NOT CONTINUE TO PURSUE USING IT. I asked them to just towel dry him, and we'd take him like that.

That was the last time anyone had a bath, in fact, and I still feel really guilty about it.
Yes, I would have been quite angry too if I saw the groomers were doing that. We have a great place not too far from my home called the Enchanted Cat and they do this de-waxing process on the cats coats. It is an interesting concept and you can google :The Enchanted Cat, Richmond, Illinois, I have not ever used them but they come very highly recommended. I would be worried about dropping my cats off.

I have heard of the furminator and seen it at Petsmart, they sell it. I will pick one up. All my cats like brushing except Perkins, we are working on it.
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post #24 of 33
2/15/11 at 7:41am
Thread Starter 
These are all great suggestions/ideas about how to bathe cats and I appreciate all the opinions about whether to do it or not. I have some new options now to consider!!!
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post #25 of 33
2/15/11 at 8:42am
oh, forgot to mention that twice a year we take them in for professional grooming, since they're both fluffy-ish longhair kitties, mainly to get the "pro" furmination (all the fancy shampoos and stuff), to get their paw pads trimmed up and their backsides, to prevent the dingleberries. We've never had a bad experience with our groomers, if they have a problem they call us and reschedule for another day. Saki hates dogs, so the groomer knows to schedule her for a quiet day, and not one with tons of dogs.
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post #26 of 33
2/15/11 at 9:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by twobananaz View Post
oh, forgot to mention that twice a year we take them in for professional grooming, since they're both fluffy-ish longhair kitties, mainly to get the "pro" furmination (all the fancy shampoos and stuff), to get their paw pads trimmed up and their backsides, to prevent the dingleberries. We've never had a bad experience with our groomers, if they have a problem they call us and reschedule for another day. Saki hates dogs, so the groomer knows to schedule her for a quiet day, and not one with tons of dogs.
That is the nice thing about the Enchanted Cat - NO DOGS ALLOWED> I am considering using them for grooming at least. They also board cats in HUGE cat enclosures. I never been there but the website shows a bunch of pictures. Might have to check it out.

HEE HEE the dingleberries.... Magilla is my one long-haired and I will have to trim her pants soon too.
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post #27 of 33
2/15/11 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
I have heard of the furminator and seen it at Petsmart, they sell it. I will pick one up. All my cats like brushing except Perkins, we are working on it.
My petsmart sells it.... for about four times the price I got it at Amazon. Amazon prices change, but I'd pick it up online.

http://camelcamelcamel.com/FURminato...uct/B000PU31MY

^ On Amazon at one point it was $16, so I'd just setup a price alert and pick it up when it drops back down (its at $30 right now unfortunately).
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post #28 of 33
2/15/11 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducman69 View Post
My petsmart sells it.... for about four times the price I got it at Amazon. Amazon prices change, but I'd pick it up online.

http://camelcamelcamel.com/FURminato...uct/B000PU31MY

^ On Amazon at one point it was $16, so I'd just setup a price alert and pick it up when it drops back down (its at $30 right now unfortunately).

Yep, you are right, I googled furminator on amazon, lots cheaper there!! Thanks!!! Can't wait to get it and furminate away
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post #29 of 33
2/17/11 at 9:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosiemac View Post
I never bathe my 3. The only time they get a wet wipe is on their bums if theres some poop stuck to their fur, but that's very rare. Other than that it's just a good brush every couple of days
This is me too! It's pretty rare that I need to pull out a wipe, but I do when necessary. Otherwise, they keep themselves very clean.
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post #30 of 33
2/17/11 at 6:14pm
I've never bathed my 3 indoor only kittehs, in 12 yrs. they have cleaned themselves just fine, and all smell fresh like daisies and sunshine
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