Cat Baths?

[Circle_One]

I've had cats all my life and I've never had to bathe any of them, as they've all been steadfast self-cleaners.

My current problem:

My beautiful Queen Isis, shown below, is nearly 11 years old. She's always been the cleanest cat in the world, but in the last couple of months, she's become less so. I'm going to assume it's because in her old age, her bones are starting to get achy. She cleans her head and legs and into the middle of her back, but after that, her long hair is now oily and was until recently, full of knots (we had a not so fun night trying to cut them out). She's also having an incredibly hard time cleaning her actual bum, which leads to ... things sticking to her long fur after leaving the litter box, which I wasn't exactly able to cut off (at that point, she had decided she no longer wanted the scissors anywhere near her body).

So my question is, given the situation, should I give her a bath?

And if I should, anyone have any pointers on making it as smooth as possible for my old baby?

 

[Gentoo]

Unfortunately, it will probably be traumatic for her...

I suggest using the tub, rather than a sink, and close the door! You don't want her to run off and get more dirty with all that wet fur Make sure the water is nice and warm, some heavy gloves will be good for you too. Make it as quick as possible: get her wet, get her sudsy, rinse, then gather her up in a big fluffy towel. When she's no longer dripping wet, let her go and she'll take care of the rest...

Maybe keeping her fur trimmed will also help in the long run.

And good luck!

 

[Comet]

There are a couple of things you can do. My cats hate baths as well. They now make shampoo wipes for animals, which seem to work better than trying to actually bath the cat. You just hold them and pet them with the wipe, it shampoos and cleans them.

You may also want to try cod liver oil pills. Buy the liquid caps and break them over her food. The cod liver oil helps keep their coats healthy and cleaner. It should help with the oily feeling, dandruff, and knotted fur.

Both of those ways are much less tramatic than the bathtub or sink!

 

[dawny0826]

There are a couple of things you can do. My cats hate baths as well. They now make shampoo wipes for animals, which seem to work better than trying to actually bath the cat. You just hold them and pet them with the wipe, it shampoos and cleans them.

You may also want to try cod liver oil pills. Buy the liquid caps and break them over her food. The cod liver oil helps keep their coats healthy and cleaner. It should help with the oily feeling, dandruff, and knotted fur.

Both of those ways are much less tramatic than the bathtub or sink!

I can attest that the wipes are great! And if kitty doesn't take well to the cod liver oil...you can find wipes w/ special oils, which will help.

 

[Circle_One]

Awesome! Thanks guys!

Where can I find the wipes, does anyone know?

Like Gentoo said, I was afraid the bath might be incredibly traumatic for her, and at her advanced age, I don't want to risk traumatizing her too much. I think maybe I'll try the wipes and the cod liver oil pills first.

I'm going to assume that the wipes aren't toxic to cats right, as in, if she licks herself afterward, it won't be a big deal?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Maybe you'll get lucky and Isis wont mind the water like Sacred Silences' cat.
If not, then Gentoo's advice is probably the best.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Where can I find the wipes, does anyone know?

Not sure what Canada has, but here in the States, just about any pet store, especially the chains (Petco and Petsmart.) will carry them.

 

[Comet]

I get my pet wipes at Wal-Mart, most stores with a pet isle seem to carry them these days. They are non-toxic and made for cats and dogs.

 

[Circle_One]

Awesome. Thanks tons, guys. I'm going to look into getting some today.

 

[3.14]

get mini gogles for the cat put them on with black blocks taped in front of it to obscure the vision then drop them in the tub this will freak the cat out so don't put to much water in it then let it squirm for a couple min get it out with gloves (strong ones) and then dry and let her run around

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I've had cats all my life and I've never had to bathe any of them, as they've all been steadfast self-cleaners.

My current problem:

My beautiful Queen Isis, shown below, is nearly 11 years old. She's always been the cleanest cat in the world, but in the last couple of months, she's become less so. I'm going to assume it's because in her old age, her bones are starting to get achy. She cleans her head and legs and into the middle of her back, but after that, her long hair is now oily and was until recently, full of knots (we had a not so fun night trying to cut them out). She's also having an incredibly hard time cleaning her actual bum, which leads to ... things sticking to her long fur after leaving the litter box, which I wasn't exactly able to cut off (at that point, she had decided she no longer wanted the scissors anywhere near her body).

So my question is, given the situation, should I give her a bath?

And if I should, anyone have any pointers on making it as smooth as possible for my old baby?

This may be out of the question, but if I were you, I'd take her to the vet and have them give her a good cleaning about once a month.

Cheaper than groomers, and in their expert care, it could be less traumatic for everyone.

Another alternative would be to get another cat to be a companion for your older one - don't they clean each other?

 

[Reverend Rick]

Perhaps your vet can prescribe some kitty tranquilizers you can give your ***** before you wash it.

 

[cardero]

I've had cats all my life and I've never had to bathe any of them,

I've had to and I have the sandpaper tongue and the hairballs to prove it.

 

[Valjean]

Place cat in toilet, add shampoo, close lid, flush several times. Cat fluffy and clean! :angel2:

Just kidding. See a vet. There could be something wrong with Queen Isis.

 

[Comet]

Place cat in toilet, add shampoo, close lid, flush several times. Cat fluffy and clean! :angel2:

Just kidding. See a vet. There could be something wrong with Queen Isis.

Age is her problem, happens to us all! Nothing a shampoo towel, nurse, and some cod liver oil won't fix!:yes:

(I'll settle for the nurse)

 

[Father Heathen]

Clean Kitty - CollegeHumor video

 

[Valjean]

That's terrible! Kitty probably thought he'd been consigned to the showers of Auschwitz!

 

[Circle_One]

This may be out of the question, but if I were you, I'd take her to the vet and have them give her a good cleaning about once a month.

Cheaper than groomers, and in their expert care, it could be less traumatic for everyone.

Another alternative would be to get another cat to be a companion for your older one - don't they clean each other?

We've got FIVE, lol, so that doesn't work. She's the alpha so the other ones just try to stay out of her way. Not much co-cleaning going on.

 

[DallasApple]

Would give her a bath ..Quickly and efficiently..(and no its not fun)

I gave my 17 year old cat a bath two months ago.For the first time in her life.(that a human bathed her)..

From then on..brush her when ever you can..(helps keep knots out and stimulates her oil glands and helps remove debris) Since she cant do it for herself.

Love

Dallas

 

[DallasApple]

Tip..dont let her hear the water run..have everything ready..(shampoo and towel).Have a large cup that can be filled with the water ready to drench her and to rinse her..

Do NOT pour water over her face..

Be prepared to be scratched..

Love

Dallas