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

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.

#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.

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!!!

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!

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!

xx

Glad to learn her bath went smoothly. Now it is time for Poif to give you a bath! :-)