Sorry this post is late! Got my first shot of the vaccine and the side effects hit me kind of hard and fast.
OKAY.
So! Here's one issue that has kind of plagued cat parents who have kitties who love to get dirty or even play outside (and get REALLY dirty):
HOW IN THE HECK CAN I BATHE MY CAT WITHOUT GETTING KILLED??? (hyperbole implied)
It's no secret. A lot of cats absolutely HATE baths.
Cats aren't normally very fond of getting any part of their body wet. However, if you're lucky enough that you have a weirdo (but absolutely awesome) kitty who LOVES the water, then you have nothing to worry about...aside from not getting your kitty to try and lick the shampoo. Lol.
Moving along.
What happens if you have a kitty who has NEVER gotten a bath? Well, there are a few things that you can do to ensure a calmer experience with the groomers or even at home.
ONE:
Get them used to the sound of water. Whenever you're about to shower or take a bath, have them with you inside the bathroom while you turn the water on. Calmly speak to them and ensure them that they're doing great, and being a good kitty.
TWO:
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT FORCE THEM INTO SOMETHING THEY DON'T WANT TO DO.
That said, slowly start introducing them to some water. Little bit on the butt, little bit on the paws. Maybe start off with a washcloth that's wet. Rub it on their butt area, or right in the middle of the back. Calmly reaffirm them during this as well.
THREE:
Getting them used to the water, even gradually, will take time. The more they're okay with it, the more water you can introduce to their body.
FOUR:
If you can get them used to the water, yet don't want to completely bathe them, because you just don't know how to expertly hold them like a groomer or a vet would, then step three would be the perfect place to end. So! Step four, if you're really intent on trying to give your cat a bath, start off with small handfuls of water to the butt then up the body. Do NOT get mad at your kitty if they won't stay still. You'll make them anxious and you'll revert them back to being paranoid over water.
FIVE:
There's really not much more if you can get them calmly onto the sink and start cupping water onto them. The next step is just actually giving them a bath with the kitty shampoo. After the bath, wrap them up in a towel like a burrito. Reaffirm calmly that they did a great job. Drying them off would be better once they're calm.
A lot of vets or groomers will tell you that the best place to bathe your kitty will be on a sink and not in the tub, They're usually right.
However, the best way to get your kitty used to a bath is to start them off right when you adopt or get them. As kittens, they're easier to manage because they're smaller and easier to hold by the scruff. It's also best if you get your kitty bathed regularly. You can go once every 2 months just so they can get used to the feeling of getting bathed.
So...that's really all you can do to prepare your kitty!
If you take them to an experienced groomer, like we have at Catnip Inn, a bath wouldn't be such an issue. IF you have more questions on how the bath would go, you can always talk about it with your groomer on the day of your appointment.
Here's a link that might also help:
Well, folks, I hope you learned something today!
As always, be kind to each other, be kind to animals, love your pets!
Ciao!