Can I Give My Cat A Bath?

You all seem so helpfull and very smart about these things so I am posting another thread. She has not had a bath other than a 20 min washing because I spilled tide detergent on her when she was a kitty (no worries, I took extreme precautions, it was only a few drops on her back).

I don't think she stinks, but she does look a little "grungy". Her coat anyways. Is it safe, other than the fact I may get marred?

Suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Can she be shampooed with flea stuff (see other thread).


Thanks1

i dont know about shampoo with flea stuff. but i do know that they make water less shampoo for pets. it is a powder that you sprinkel on your pet, rub it in and then brush it out. this will make her smell great and get rid of the "grungy" look of her coat. i use this for my black long hair kitty and it works great. i get it in the pet section of walmart

I've found over the years waterless shampoos are best for my kitties. Most of my cats have never liked baths. Although, I have one now who is curious about the tub when I'm in it, and I can see where he may just jump in with me like another cat I had years ago.

yes, waterless shampoos work great...after all (i'm a new cat owner speaking as one who has...well, actually, i've had many cats, just not voluntarily). If you are wanting a more traditional bath, one involving water, then a pillowcase will save you both. really, don't think it's cruel, if you read my other posts you can get an idea of my recent cat escapades. i learned that in dire need of a bath, just insert kitty gently into a pillowcase, all but his/her head, and gently yet securely, fasten it about your kitty's neck. this way, all soap and whatnot can get throught the pillowcase, but kitties claws cannot. it worked for me and my newfound stray, and yes, he could breath quite well the whole time. just a suggestion. have fun with that.

Of course you can give her a bath. Show cats get them all the time. Some basic steps. (if she doesn't have fleas, don't use a flea shampoo).

1. Trim ALL nails - front and back.
2. Put a rubber mat or towel in the bottom of the tub.
3. Only put a few inches of water - about the height of her tummy or a little less - use fairly warm water - not too hot/cold.
4. Use a washcloth and wet the cat from neck down.
5. Use a mild shampoo; either cat or people. I use Nexxus on my rexes.
6. After washing, rinse, rinse and then rinse again. You want all the shampoo out - so don't use a lot to begin with.

Have 2 towels ready - the first will be pretty soaked when you take her out. Before my cats come out of the tub, I kinda "wring" them out by getting as much water from the coats - you squeeze the water out of the coat.

Then wrap them up in the towel and start drying them a little at a time. Have a 2nd towel handy to further dry them. If you have a shorthair, you can let them air dry. If its a longhair you will have to use a blow dryer and comb or you will have a tangled mess.

Hint - if its a longhair be sure to comb entire coat before you wash - any tangles/knots in the coat will be impossible to get out once they are totally wet.

I bath my girl once a month and have done since she was young, she doesn't mind one bit.

Don't ever use a flea shampoo under any circumstances anyway. Ever. I didn't know better and the vet got mad at me because he has seen several cats die this way. They are not safe. This particular one also gave me an irregular heartbeat just from being in the same bathroom.

Zissou doesn't mind baths all that much, but you may find that it isn't worth it with your cat if she doesn't need it.

CAT flea shampoo is safe, but not DOG flea shampoo. I know there have been cases of a groomer not cleaning out the tub very well after using the dog flea shampoo and the cat died.

No, its not. Cat flea shampoo, as well as any other over-the-counter chemical flea treatment, is not safe. This is according to three veterinarians who work in a non-profit shelter and run a clinic. When I told them what I had used-- and it was specifically for cats-- they gasped and told me that Zissou could have died as they had seen numerous other cats do, or be seriously ill as well. One of the companies who makes such shampoo has acknowledged this fact and is changing their formula.

I concur - NEVER use over-the-counter flea shampoos - they can and have caused death in cats.

For fleas the very best treatment you can provide your pet is to see a vet and get an authentic flea treatment in the correct quantity for the weight of your cat.

Over-the-counter medications (flea or any other) often do not work very well anyway as they often do not have the same ingredients as the ones from a vet - i.e., there are lots of fake medication on the internet and the ones legally sold over-the-counter usually are not as effective as what you will get from a vet.

Back to your original question - There is no harm at all in bathing your cats. We give Bijou and Mika a bath maybe 2-3 times a year. Just make sure they don't get chilled. Your cat may not like it, but if it is like ours, it will tolerate the bath.

I agree to NEVER use OVER THE COUNTER flea shampoos for cats or dogs. If the vet prescribes it or recommends it maybe, but always get flea treatments and shampoos from the vet. If you have a flea problem, you should be treating with Advantage, Frontline or Revolution and possibly CapStar if the fleas are bad which kills off the current live ones.

Treat it before flea season begins to prevent it.

Please do not use over the counter flea treatments or shampoo especially Hartz.

Both of my cats seem to like water. They have both jumped into the bath tub with me. They didnt stay long...and streaked the house soaking wet. I figured it would be pretty simple to bathe them in my sink. And it was. They actually seem to like it. I guess I have dog/cats *lol*

Originally Posted by reddicequeen

Both of my cats seem to like water. They have both jumped into the bath tub with me. They didnt stay long...and streaked the house soaking wet. I figured it would be pretty simple to bathe them in my sink. And it was. They actually seem to like it. I guess I have dog/cats *lol*

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What breed are your cats?

If you don't think your cat is going to like being bathed (and most cats don't) and you don't want to stress it or yourself out, a nice compromise solution are the pet wipes they sell in pet stores. I've used them on my cat and they get him clean (and pretty wet, though he dries much faster than he would if conventionally bathed), cleaner than water alone, and you don't have to rinse. They recommend microwaving them for 10 seconds before use, so I imagine they feel like a warm tongue... the cat seems not to mind.

I've found that the Pet Solutions brand regular wipes have a too-strong scent (cat wanders around the house for a few days smelling like a coconut), but the Pet Solutions anti-shed wipes and the Quick Bath Wipes brand have almost no scent.

Another option is to use a special grooming bag you can put your cat in it and give her a "shower" in the tub, the bag is a mesh so the water can get in but she won't be able to run away or claw you to death. Personally I think it must be some kind of torture device, but if your cat really really needs a bath I guess it would have to do. They sell them at pet stores and amazon.

Originally Posted by Catnabbit

Personally I think it must be some kind of torture device, but if your cat really really needs a bath I guess it would have to do.

They sell them at pet stores and amazon.

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Yep! I agree!

I give my kitties bath's on occassion. The vet recomended that I use tear free baby shampoo. It wont irritate their skin, their eyes, and does a good job cleaning. Good luck!

-Jade

I wish I could give my girls baths. I even tried to get them used to the practice when they were kittens but that only served to make them terrified of the bathtub as adults!

I use the bathwipes ("earthbath" grooming wipes are good and very mild) but the cats hate those too! As soon as I pick up the box of kitty wipes, Penelope runs under the bed.

I didn't know about this waterless shampoo (the powder) -- maybe I should try that out.

You know, Fergus doesn't mind it too much...he actually purred that last time.

Now Ripley has only had 2 baths, and the last one about put me in the ER. Did she ever go crazy...and who knew that 8 lbs of fur could become as strong as an Ultimate Fighting Champion? Ugh...she left HUGE gashes all over me, wouldn't look at me for a day, and HOWLED!!!!

Come to think of it, the powdered shampoo doesn't sound that bad...

I bathe my cats but they are long, thick fur persian's and I realize it isn't for everyone. There are cat shampoos with flea stuff in them. I can't recommend one because my kitties are indoor and I haven't had to deal with the dreaded fleas! But I would probably go with a prescribed medication and just give them a regular bath. I bathe my cats in my kitchen sink too. Easier on the back and the cats seem to feel more secure in a more closed in situation.