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Hey Guys
I think it's about time Poif had her first Bath. She'll be 10 weeks on Saturday and she's losing that kitten-fresh smell...:LOL:
I was wondering if anyone had any useful hints or tips on how to go about the first bath. Sink or bath? Shower? Is baby shampoo ok?
Cheers
Buffyx
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 :thumbup:
In the kitchen sink with a spray.
I use cat friendly shampoo from the vet.
I have 3 or 4 big fluffy bath towels...close.
Plug sink, put a little shampoo in sink and add warm water to about 6 inches.
Then go get cat.:suprised:
#1 Hold cat facing away from you, do not give the cat a chance to crawl up you, and over your shoulders and down your back to escape.:pissed:
Talk nice, put cat in sink in warm water, if necessary, scruff the cat..you know, hold on to the skin on the back of it's neck. Then wash the best you can, don't use spray until you rinse. But wash, massage, use wash cloth on face and ears. Make it fast, make it feel the the best you can for the cat. Rinse.
Then, while holding cat in sink, drain sink, grab one thick towel and envelope cat in towel, then lift out of sink and use all towels. That will add lots of layers between you and the claws and by the time the cat gets out, it will be pretty dry. I sit and hold and talk to the cat while it is in the towels.
This always worked for me..sure gets a person's heart pumping..but my cat Trouble got so he really enjoyed the bath..and I didn't even have to hold him during the bath..but he still moaned and groaned, but he liked it.
And then brushing...well that's not so hard!! But wait until cat is almost dry, and remember cat's patience is about done for today!!!:stressed:
Love ya.
Rosemary
Yes they love a nice warm towel. I usually do that in the winter. Alfie has to slum it in the summer and manage with towels out of the airing cupboard!
Thanks guys. Some very helpful advice there.
Don't think I have the heart to trim her claws, but will definitely make sure she's pointing away from me!! Any advice on a decent combing device for a kitten? I have a metal hairbrush, but i'm not convinced it's going to do a decent job.
Won't be bathing her today, I too tired after the 5am start she gave me today...I am banning balls from the bedroom from here on in! :LOL:
I like a plastic comb...a people comb. Fine tooth, but not baby fine, and remember to slant the comb at an angle while combing...sort of lay it down like you are using a potato peeler..(I know weird but I can't think of anyother discription) the teeth of the comb will not dig in and be as rude, it glides better.
If the comb gets stuck..back out...and try again..if you are doing a kitten, remember the kitten will remember this as a good time or a bad time...and which ever she remembers...is up to you. You need though to be done before the kitten is...always be the one that wants to stop first. Don't allow the kitten to tell you when grooming time is over.
Remember, try to make it a good time for kitty...make it feel good if you can.
Have fun.
Rosemary
After quite a few baths over the years, my wife determined that the temperature of the water needs to be what I would regard as slightly too warm for comfort. Since then, we have had far less trouble. I figure it makes sense since a cat's body temperature is warmer than that of a human. I wish we had learnt about the temperature earlier.
I've found these to be excellent slickers: Lawrence Tendercare Slicker Brush
and a tool like this will be very useful once she gets her adult coat: Groomers Rake
and maybe also a comb like this: Greyhound type Combs
Poif had her first bath today! She was very good. A little worried but didn't even show a claw or make a noise, she just trusted that we weren't going to be too mean to her. I think she quite enjoyed the diffuser hair-dryer and she definitely enjoyed having a good combing afterwards. The bath water was filthy, so I'm glad I did it.
Thanks for all the advice, you definitely eased my anxiety!:nod:
xx
Glad to learn her bath went smoothly. Now it is time for Poif to give you a bath! :-)
She likes to give me a wash every night as I drift off to sleep!!
Now Poif has had her first bath make sure you have a slicker brush {come in all different sized heads} looks a bit cruel but the cats love them & if you flick the coat up the wrong way with it & then smooth back it lifts the coat & makes the coat flow again,I tend to use mine a lot of the time anyway as it seperates the coat more so in between good combing a quick flick round with that keeps them looking nice & nearly tidy....!
Here's some pics of Poif's first adventure out on her lead in the garden...
Hmm. A lot happier and braver than my boys at that age! It's about time they went out again, but in bigger harnesses.
She's incredibly laid back about it all I have to admit. Figure while she's still young and up for it I'll keep encouraging her to do more. Hope to take her camping soon...
Good for you & I bet she will love it,I wish we still had our caravan,the dogs used to luv that & although I couldn't have taken all the cats with us I would definitely haveQuote:
Originally Posted by Bethy_boo
taken a couple along,our weeks holiday with Merlyn in tow was a pleasure & when we have stayed away for shows it has been great fun,they are like children they soon break the ice between everyone & become the talking point,the funniest time we have had was staying away for the first time with Shimba & Welly,had always said I wouldn't do it for a show with two of them but as usual that went overboard,would they settle,we had put everything possible in the room away so they couldn't knock it over but as soon as the light went out they started up formula one round the room,an hour later with no signs of stopping I decided to put them in the {extra large}bathroom,their water & tray was already in there,great,peace & quiet for 10 minutes when they started running & jumping at the door just about to get up & let them out when the fire alarm started going off so left them shut up to wander out in nightwear to see what was going on,ex son in law is a firefighter so he was already on the trail of the alarm,daughter had got her cat in basket out on the fire escape hubby went back to do the same with ours,others were getting dressed & collecting cats up,another couple peered out to see what was happening & the couple in the room opposite seemed unaware of the whole thing,by the time hubby had got two hyper kittens into their baskets & appeared rather ruffled by the fire escape it had been deemed a false alarm,what a sight everyone looked & when the scare was over you could look at each other & have a laugh about it but the end result was taking two quiet kittens back to the room that did sleep for what was left of the night,there were a few bleary eyes human & feline at the show the next day though...!
omg...sounds like an utter nightmare evening!!
Can't predict how Poif will manage, but I've got a campervan and an awning, so there will be plenty of running around space for her. I imagine the mornings will be especially early!! Our first trip will be next weekend, but won't be going too far from home so if it's really bad we can just drop her back home. She seems to adjust very quickly to her environment though, just not a keen traveller!
Rather than starting a new thread, I'm just going to use this one to put up pictures and update on Poif's latest adventures. I would rename the thread if I could, but i don't know how/if I can...
Poif and her new obsession. His name is Norman and he is my housemates cat. He'll be moving out in a weeks' time though, which sadly I think will leave Poif with an empty spot :(
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000765.jpg
Poif and my boyfriend looking at each other with loving eyes...I'm not sure I'm needed anymore...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000791.jpg
Poif contemplating whether to bother Delphy
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000783.jpg
And Poif just looking gorgeous (in my opinion)
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000784.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000758.jpg
One very confident gorgeous little girl appearing in those photos,her slight head tilt looks exactly as if she is telling everyone that she knows exactly how to pose for the camera...x
Aww shes sooo pretty, I used to go camping with a black lab, no one knew our names but it seemed the whole campsite knew the dogs name!!! I guess your van will be the one everyone wanders past to if they can see Poif!
Oh yeah, she knows she beautiful for sure!! But then she REALLY is so couldn't possibly contradict her belief!
She is incredibly cute, love the photos in the harness :)
Love her colours, a very pretty girl :001_wub:
Some more pictures of the delightful Poif...
On her new scratch tree
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000805.jpg
Looking beautiful:nod:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000807.jpg
Hampering my essay writing
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000809.jpg
Waving her paw at me...she does this a lot!!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000817.jpg
Cuddling Norman my housemates cat. He's moved out now :(
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000828.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000832.jpg
What a wonderful little girl,very helpful with the essay writing then,she obviously though you needed a break & your work would be better for it,always trust a MC's instincts...x
She's one gorgeous kitty! I've only had my boy a day and he's taken over the laptop. I think they decide you've been on it long enough and take matters into their own paws. lol!
It's true, I'm only allowed on the laptop for a very short time before she sits on it. She worked out incredibly quickly how to switch the screen off too!!
And here is Poif caught in the act of 'disposing' of her lead...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000843.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000844.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000845.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...P1000846-1.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/P1000847.jpg
has someone got a new camera? Loving the pictures. I wonder what else Poif has posted down there. How's she getting on without Norman?
Quote:
Originally Posted by catslave
I did buy a new camera just before I bought her home!! But the camera just lives within easy access in the lounge so i can point and snap quickly if she's doing something cute.
She seems to be managing OK without Norman I think. I expect she is lonely when we are out at work in the day, but I make sure she gets lots of love and plenty of play time when I get home.
I've discovered that she plays hide and chase very well. First I hide and she stalks me out, just as she is about to discover me I jump out and chase her until she hides. I seek her out and then when I'm nearby she jumps out and chases me and then I hide...repeat until I'm knackered!!:LOL: