Thread: Bath Time

If you can get hold of some kitten/puppy shampoo it would be better than baby shampoo. Animal shampoo is specially formulated, bearing in mind cats will lick themselves dry. Pets at Home do a few, or there are lots of internet companies which supply grooming products. If you can find a rubber bath mat they are very useful for stopping the cat skidding up and down the bath tub. Have everything to hand and have an extra pair of hands with you if possible. Start by taking the kitten into the bathroom. Clip her claws, front and back. Don't make the same mistake as me (I only did the front ones and paid the price when Alfie dis-embowelled both my hands, ouch!). Get the shower to the right temp before you pop her in the tub. I usually wash with the tail towards the plug hole. Wet the cat all over (not the head though) and then lather up. Make sure you rinse very thoroughly otherwise all your hard work will be wasted. Gently squeeze out as much water as you can and then wrap Poif in a couple of towels and sit with her on your lap until shes dried off a bit. If you think she will let you dry her - try sitting her in front of a fan heater (keep a check on the temperature - it only needs to be warm, not hot). The fan heater is quieter than a hairdryer and I found it invaluable when I started show grooming Alfie. We have since progressed past human hairdryer and now use a professional dog dryer (very loud - not recommended for the first time!). The companies I use for grooming products are HUB International, Ken Smith Canine Supplies and Smylee Pets. If you would like some recommendations for shampoo PM me and let me know Poifs colour and I will point you in the right direction!Hope this helps - Wendy