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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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My son has cat allergies so I just washed both cats (for the first time in a LONG time).
I put on thick socks, jeans, a thick sweatshirt with a zip-up front and gardening gloves. Then I filled the bathtub up partway with tepid water.
I fed the cats lots of yummy pouch food and let them settle down to sleep.
Cat #1 - Hamlet, 18 pounds. I carried him in and he was fine until he touched the water. Then he wanted to climb up on my shoulders and started yowling. Luckily he only has back claws. I was able to scoop / splash water on him in large gobs, then squiggle the cat shampoo on him. Then I splashed a lot of water on him to rinse it off. He alternated between trying to climb and just staying still, and lots of yowling. I talked soothingly the entire time, held him firmly, and now a half hour later he is back snuggling with us and apparently over it. It's hot out so he might actually be happy.
Cat #2 - Juliet, 8 pounds, fully clawed. I was now soaking wet so I had my son bring Julie into the bathroom which I suppose foils the whole point of having him not touch the cats until they were cleaner. I didn't plan this out properly. In any case, Julie was not thinking about going onto my shoulders. She was simply thinking about escape. Her claws went right through my thick sweatshirt and I ended up with a variety of scratches on my front, but I talked quietly and calmly to her while I doused her. She also yowled continually while either trying to squiggle to freedom or sit gathering strength. Once she was released she sprinted off to hide somewhere and has not yet emerged.
So the whole thing was done in maybe 10 minutes, and both cats are at least clean for now. We'll see how it helps!
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Elephant
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Elephant
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,607 |
i bathe my cats about once every month or two. In the springtime or early summer (depending on the heat) I also lion cut them. it helps get rid of the rest of their winter fur and they seem a lot happier. It DOES help with the allergies for me so it's worth hearing them yell a bit. Some of the cats are used to it (the two 7 year olds who eventually just give in and enjoy the nice warm water). The tomcat is a pain in the arse. The kitten has only been washed once. I should be shaving them soon which will be an experience and a half ;0)
J. Ruel - Gay Lesbian News Editor Check out the latest article on the Gay Lesbian SITE or Join us in the FORUM Questions? Comments? Story Ideas? SUBMIT THEM HERE Former Editor of the HIV/AIDS, HAIR, HISPANIC CULTURE, and GAY LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS sites here on BellaOnline!
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 70
Amoeba
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Amoeba
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 70 |
I seem to recall seeing something resembling baby wipes for cats. It's a moist cloth that you just rub in their fur. They think they're getting a massage. You don't end up bleeding. Ask at the chain store for pets.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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BellaOnline Editor Chimpanzee
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BellaOnline Editor Chimpanzee
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,189 |
This thread reminds me of the funny one I put up: How to Give a Cat a Pill I like the baby wipes idea - need to check into those. We haven't bathed our cats in a couple of years now. They are completely indoors, so we don't have to worry about fleas and such - but ione does have pretty bad dander, and I know it would help. But this is the 18 pounder with all of her claws - she's only been bathed once when she was a kitten. I can pretty well predict a bloodbath (pun intended) the first time we try to dunk her. The little one is just fast and she can jump. She's also very intelligent - I swear she can read our minds sometimes. We even look at her with the word "bath" in our heads - and she's gone. Our little old lady is just pitiful and makes me feel like a worldclass heel for putting her through it.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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BellaOnline Editor Parakeet
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BellaOnline Editor Parakeet
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 972 |
A few years ago we had a really bad flea season and our indoor cats needed to be bathed. One of my sons helped because one of the cats was his. When we got to the sweetest one of all, a HUGE Maine Coon Cat he flipped out and dug one of his back claws into the back of my hand. When he pulled away the cut was so deep that my son could hear my skin pop! Unfortunately the cat is no longer alive, but the scar on my hand reminds me of him, so I'm kind of glad he gave it to me. I know it sounds weird, but it feels to me like he marked me permanently as his own.... R.I.P. Demon
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Elephant
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Elephant
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,607 |
they do make bathing bags for cats to protect you from their claws. All my cats besides the kitten are declawed so it's a tad easier ;0)
J. Ruel - Gay Lesbian News Editor Check out the latest article on the Gay Lesbian SITE or Join us in the FORUM Questions? Comments? Story Ideas? SUBMIT THEM HERE Former Editor of the HIV/AIDS, HAIR, HISPANIC CULTURE, and GAY LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS sites here on BellaOnline!
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 395
Shark
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Shark
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 395 |
you know those mesh bags you use to wash panthose in? they work great for smaller cats--put the cat in the bag and tighten it around their neck like a collar and you can wash right thru it. It is not impossible for them to get away but it greatly hinders them. Do not ever leave them alone in one, they could drown.
Se non potete resistere al calore, allora esca dalla MIA cucina. LadyLvsNyt
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 395
Shark
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Shark
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 395 |
great minds Jase! (I invented the cat bathing bag BTW--years and years ago--just never got it patented! LOL)
Se non potete resistere al calore, allora esca dalla MIA cucina. LadyLvsNyt
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Joined: Jan 2004
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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I just rewashed both cats. I thought they'd be used to it now and be more docile. Instead they knew what was coming and began to panic long before Bob got them to the bathtub. I wore TWO layers on top this time and thank goodness I did! Hammy tried to claw through my chest and if I didn't have the two thick layers on I think he would have opened me up seriously. Julie's tiny claws went right through my jeans this time, in little pinpricks. Bob thinks this is the last washing for the year. He hadn't seen the previous washing to see how traumatic it was on the kitties James is typically fine with the cats - I think it's the combination of cats and heat that's gotten to him recently. Hopefully with two washings in a month the cats will be OK until September, when James goes back to college.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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BellaOnline Editor Chimpanzee
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BellaOnline Editor Chimpanzee
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,189 |
Lisa,
My husband just sent me this e-mail, I thought I would share it with you:
This was simply too much of a time saver not to share it with you . It really works!!
1. Put both lids of the toilet up. And add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl. 2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'power-wash' and rinse'.
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift the lid.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, And run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean
Sincerely,
The Dog
Last edited by Spirituality&SFFMoviesEd; 01/15/09 01:53 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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LOL that is rather funny! I was saying just a few days ago that we really should wash the cats again, but I cringe at thinking of how traumatic it is ...
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Joined: Apr 2002
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BellaOnline Editor Wolf
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BellaOnline Editor Wolf
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,914 Likes: 1 |
My cat, who is 18 years old, had her first washing last week. I thought she would panic as she does with so many other things but she did very well. We put her in the utility sink in the laundry room. It's nice and deep. I had my husband hold her front feet while I did the shampooing and rinsing. I think she felt more secure since we were both there - or she knew she didn't have a chance.
A pet groomer told me that older cats produce an oil that causes them to mat more easily and washing them helps, but the main reason for the bath was that she has developed an oder. The bath helped but it is starting to come back so she's getting a bath today.
Has anyone else had this problem? I have always had cats but never had a smelly one.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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Lynne - that's nice that it went relatively smoothly for you guys!
I know as our cats got older that they had more trouble getting to the litter box and would pee in their "bed", and then lay in it. They weren't too aware of what they were doing. Maybe it's something like that?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Elephant
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Elephant
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,607 |
if that is a problem (peeing in bed and them laying in it) we use a mixture of 1:1 white vinegar to water... spray the bed thoroughly and then soak up the excess. toss the bed in the dryer and dry thoroughly. The vinegar counteracts the amonia. DON"T USE BLEACH WATER!
J. Ruel - Gay Lesbian News Editor Check out the latest article on the Gay Lesbian SITE or Join us in the FORUM Questions? Comments? Story Ideas? SUBMIT THEM HERE Former Editor of the HIV/AIDS, HAIR, HISPANIC CULTURE, and GAY LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS sites here on BellaOnline!
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Joined: Jan 2004
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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My 14 year old cat is getting very slow and he just peed his cat bed last week which is part of what brought this to mind. We just put the whole bed into the washing machine with detergent, and wash it on hot, long, double wash - but we don't dry it at all in the dryer. We air dry it. So I guess we take the opposite approach I'm sure in both cases the aim is to completely remove all traces of the pee smell so the cats don't begin to think of the bed as a normal litter place. So far Hammie hasn't done it again, but I'm afraid his brain is fading ... he sort of hobbles around and limps slowly up the stairs. We'll do the best we can!
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Joined: Apr 2002
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BellaOnline Editor Wolf
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BellaOnline Editor Wolf
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,914 Likes: 1 |
Our cat is definately senile. She gets lost and goes around "calling" for us. We have to put her in a cage at night because she was getting lost and not finding her litter pan. I think it was just at night because she seems to be doing ok now during the day.
She got her bath again today. She complained alot but was pretty good. She is all fluffy and clean.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Elephant
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Elephant
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,607 |
Lisa, my suggestion is for the accidents. If it has dried, I always wash in hot water with detergent and add some vinegar to the rinse water and I double wash and then send it through the spin cycle 2 extra times ;0) I don't dry it then in the dryer
J. Ruel - Gay Lesbian News Editor Check out the latest article on the Gay Lesbian SITE or Join us in the FORUM Questions? Comments? Story Ideas? SUBMIT THEM HERE Former Editor of the HIV/AIDS, HAIR, HISPANIC CULTURE, and GAY LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS sites here on BellaOnline!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,745
Chipmunk
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Chipmunk
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,745 |
Ha..ha ha ha...those dogs can really come up with ideas for cats can't they.. I bathed my long hair girl kitty once. She had major runny poop problems in her crate comeing back from the vet. Her nick name is Wicked Witch of the West. I was surprised that I had as much control of her as I did..she got clean, I didn't get clawed (none of my cats are declawed) and we were all happy... It was an experience though.
Granny Thousands of years ago cats were considered Gods Cats have never forgotten this.
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