March 20, 2009

Dear Obie,
My kitty, Austin, hates to take a bath. He fights and yowls and scratches like a maniac whenever I have to give him a bath. Do you have any suggestions on making bath time easier?
Signed, Kenneth
Asheboro, North Carolina


Dear Kenneth,
Though there are some cats out there who enjoy water and don't mind being bathed, most, including me, do not like water and hate bath time! This can cause major stress not only for us but also for our poor humans who have to bathe us, and who sometimes come away from the experience battered and bloody! But I do have some tips that might make bathing Austin just a little easier.

First, start the process by giving Austin a thorough but gentle grooming. Choose a comb or brush that he enjoys, and work it through his coat, removing any tangles but being gentle, since cat skin is thin and very sensitive. This is a good time for you to check him for sores, wounds, lumps, or any other skin problems. Clean his ears and trim his claws while you're doing this. This first step will often help ease Austin into "bathing" mode, easing him toward the time when the water comes on!

Make sure you have all the tools you will need for Austin's bath handy and accessible. This will reduce the amount of time spent actually bathing him, and will reduce his stress level. Have the proper shampoo that is just for cats, a couple soft towels, and maybe a soft brush to comb out any spots you might have missed during the grooming. Place a towel in the bottom of the sink to keep Austin from slipping while getting his bath. This is important, as we cats are very sensitive to the surface beneath our paws, and we hate to slip!

Some vets and experts recommend placing cotton balls in a cat's ears to keep water from getting in there, and even to apply an ophthalmic cream to the eyes to prevent shampoo from hurting them. Make sure the water you use for the bath is warm, not hot, and I highly recommend a gentle stream of water. My humans will fill several large cups with warm water so they do not have to turn on and off the faucet, which can scare a cat and make the process more stressful.

Cats do not like to be restrained, so the less you "hold" Austin the better it will be for him. Cats also react to the voice and mannerisms of our humans, so you need to remain calm and collected. Speak to Austin in a quiet voice and try not to get stressed or excited. Move slowly, and Austin will be less likely to get agitated.

Work the shampoo in gently, avoiding the area around the face. A cat's face is its most sensitive area, and washing a cat's face is more likely to generate a hostile response! Plus, like humans, we don't like soap in our eyes or mouths! Once you have shampooed Austin thoroughly, then you need to rinse him just as thoroughly. Again, a gentle flow of warm water works best as opposed to a hard spray, and you should repeat the rinsing several times. Once you are sure you have all the shampoo rinsed from his fur, rinse him again! Remember, he will immediately groom himself after his bath, and you don't want him eating shampoo!

Gently dry him with a soft towel, using a blotting technique as opposed to rubbing him. You will notice that I again use the word "gently." Gentleness during Austin's bath is key; being gentle will make it a less traumatic experience for him, and you! If Austin can handle the sound, you can use a blow dryer to help dry him, but make sure it is on a no-heat setting. Cat skin can be easily burned by a hot hair dryer.

If Austin absolutely will not put up with being wet, there are waterless shampoos on the market. Check with your vet and find out what he or she recommends. You can also try giving Austin a "sponge bath" with a moist washcloth. Whatever you do, again, be gentle!!

For those of you who have a new kitten, start bathing him or her now, when they are young. A cat who grows up with bathing as a normal part of their life will be less likely to "lose it" when bath time rolls around.

Good luck, Kenneth!
Your friend, Obie

*****

Walter from Salem, Oregon, wrote to me and asked me how he can help Salem Friends of Felines. He has a cat named Soul, who enjoys eating pasta! Well, Walter, there are many ways you can help Salem Friends of Felines with their awesome mission! Shopping at the thrift store at 980 Commercial Street SE is one way, and giving monetary donations or donations of items that can be sold in the thrift store is another way to help. You can sponsor specific cats, or just drop a dollar or two, or even a few coins, in the donation jar on the counter! Another way to help is to go to their website at sfof.org and click on "donate." That page gives numerous ways in which you can help, including buying memorial tiles or volunteering your time at the center or at outreach events! There are so many things you can do to help, Walter, and everything is appreciated!

*****

"Cats, no less liquid than their shadows, offer no angles to the wind. They slip, diminished, neat, through loopholes less than themselves."
-A.S.J. Tessimond (English poet, 1902-1962)

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Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!