Cat Owners...Question about Bathing

I havent taken my kitty a bath in years. I just assume she cleans herself which is good enough cause she never smells. But she has gotten so fat that she's starting to get these dandruffy dreadlocks on her back. I want to bathe her but Im afraid to. Do any of you bathe your cats and if so how should I do it so its easier. I dont want her to scratch my face off

Also is there a special shampoo for her problem?

i've never bathed my kitty, she would NOT go for it. i tried giving her a dry bath once, and that was bad enough. she always smells fresh and clean, so i never worry about it.

do you mean the hair near her tail, it's all matted and dandruffy? that happened to Kasha a few years back, and i thought about taking her to a groomer, but i found a great brush that will brush it out. it takes a while when it's all matted, but it does come out. now i brush her all the time so that doesn't happen. she has a little dandruff in that spot, and i try to wipe it away the best i can.

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Posted by teenigrrl

i've never bathed my kitty, she would NOT go for it. i tried giving her a dry bath once, and that was bad enough. she always smells fresh and clean, so i never worry about it.

do you mean the hair near her tail, it's all matted and dandruffy? that happened to Kasha a few years back, and i thought about taking her to a groomer, but i found a great brush that will brush it out. it takes a while when it's all matted, but it does come out. now i brush her all the time so that doesn't happen. she has a little dandruff in that spot, and i try to wipe it away the best i can.

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What kind of comb is it??? My Dora is really mean but a couple years back DH washed her and she was just still, kinda scared. He said it was easy. I wish she wasnt so fat!!!

We give our cat Echappe a bath every so often. They have shampoos at Petco that you can purchase. Michael my darling husband gives her the bath because it is easier for him to handle her.
I would say put the water in the tub first so there does not not need to be any running water on to scare the cat and have her nails taken care of before bathtime. I know that our cat does not really enjoy bathtime but sometimes it just needs to be done so she's clean and healthy. I hope that I helped you a little.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Oh god I am not going there again. I tried a few years ago and it was a distaster. . I asked the vet and she said it is fine not to give a bath to her because she is the cleanest animal out there. I just brush her every other day and her coat is very clean and shiny.

Lea - I don't have a choice Martina (kitty girl ) HAS to be bathed atleast every other month b/c she is Persian. She has been trained since a kitten , but she still gives me a hard time. Some cats are better than others. I recommend you to do it in the sink, clip the nails before, wear a heavy sweatshirt and make sure you have tons of towels.


You most probably will be taking a bath with the cat



The best shampoo non evasive that is recommended for pets that I happen to like is Infusium 23

If you decide to go
Conditioner use
Aussie KNOT FORGOTTEN
AND
Hair Insurance by Aussie

The cat most probably won't like the blowdyer - if you get brave and decide to do it, keep the cat wrapped in towels all bundled up with the front paws tucked in. Unwrap the bottom half holding the cat and place the blow dyer some distance away from the both of you and insert it into a vase for they dryer to stand upright. Be sure it is not to hot for kitty


Feel free to FM me I have tons of more helpful suggestions if you do tackle it and not use the blow dyer. Fortunate or unfortunate I have become a pro at this

P.S if you think kitty will be too stressed during the bath I also recommend a product called Pet calm - you give kitty 1 dropper full and within 15 minutes the cat should be more relaxed and it is a natural product, very mild.You can purchase it at your local pet store or online.

we've had my cat patrick for about 13 years and we've neer given him a bath cuz he would kill us! he got his first bath when he was in the kitty hospital about 2 years ago. I would say it was worth every penny to let some professional do it!

as a first try before attempting a bath you could use baby wipes - - the sensitive skin type without alcohol in them. we had an old cat who didn't groom too often and a wipe down did help.

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Posted by Songstress

Thanks for the tips girls.I didnt do it yesterday. I just combed her a lot and Im going to try some wipes so I can spare her the stress of a bath.

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another reccomended product if you don't want to do the bath.
Even though it is for horses it works well for cats too.

Keeps kitty from matting

http://www.horse.com/Horse-Grooming/Coat-Care/Absorbine-ShowSheen-BKL16.html

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Posted by gemmifer

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Posted by Songstress

Thanks for the tips girls.I didnt do it yesterday. I just combed her a lot and Im going to try some wipes so I can spare her the stress of a bath.

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another reccomended product if you don't want to do the bath.
Even though it is for horses it works well for cats too.

Keeps kitty from matting

http://www.horse.com/Horse-Grooming/Coat-Care/Absorbine-ShowSheen-BKL16.html

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Ooooh Im definitely looking into this! I dont want her to have dread locks lol My friend has a 17 pound cat who grows BAD dreads near his tail. Its awful. I dont want her to get like that.

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Posted by Songstress

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Posted by gemmifer

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Posted by Songstress

Thanks for the tips girls.I didnt do it yesterday. I just combed her a lot and Im going to try some wipes so I can spare her the stress of a bath.

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another reccomended product if you don't want to do the bath.
Even though it is for horses it works well for cats too.

Keeps kitty from matting

http://www.horse.com/Horse-Grooming/Coat-Care/Absorbine-ShowSheen-BKL16.html

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Ooooh Im definitely looking into this! I dont want her to have dread locks lol My friend has a 17 pound cat who grows BAD dreads near his tail. Its awful. I dont want her to get like that.

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FYI - I think the product is a bit greasy but it will keep the hair soft and shiny. Just so your aware.
I personally do not prefer my cat shiny b/c of the bred that she is. But it should be good for other types.