My maine coon cat's fur is wonderfully thick and soft, but she's a bit of a handful and likes to get dirty, especially on her back and top part of her tail where she can't clean it herself really well. I've tried to take a wash cloth and clean her, but of course she runs and hides. Her tail especially will get mats in it. She hates brushing; in general, she's like a little ornery kid running around avoiding her bath. I love her but I'd love her more if she stayed clean!
jaylenemarie2007-01-28T20:36:44Z
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We use huggie's Clean Team wipes. They are safe and they wipe off most things espeically on cat fur. We have a high matience white kitty that hates everyone and that is what we always use on her because she lives in out crawlspace and gets really dirty.
My cat Olliver is part Mane Coon and he LOVES HIS BATH! I make bath time fun for him. It takes a while for the cat to accept the bath, but you can do this. Bath time for a cat is short and to the point. It is nothing like bathing a DOG! A quick five minute bath is all that you will need.
When the bath is drawn, only put a little water in the tub. If your cat does not like water, just a splash is better than a dunk! Up to the ankle is fine. Put the kitty shampoo in the tub while the water is running. Sort of like a "bubble bath". I have some toys in the tub for my cat. No rubber duckies for Ollie, he has some string I like to wiggle under the water. It helps distract him while I pull the knots out from his tail!
You might need help in the beginning. A second person to do the shampoo while you hold the "victim". Use very calm voices while in the bath. you do not want your cat to associate the bath with being BAD.
If your cat is docile, you can do the "BABY HOLD". This is you holding the cat like a baby and dunking him/her in the tub while your partner shmapoos. A cup to pour water over the cat is VERY helpful. It is a lot like bathing a baby... except the baby in this case can scratch your eyes out! Do not pour water over his or her head. A damp cloth and some soap works a lot better.
I your cat is a fighter, do not be afraid to take your cat out of the water to shampoo. Your floor is not going to like it, but your cat will. When your cat breaks for the door... and THEY WILL.. let them. Soap him/her up by the door and then right back in the tub for "fluffy". Use your cup to soak the cat and get the soap off. Each time the cat makes a break for it, just go with the flow. It not easy, but at least your floor will be clean.
I know this sounds really obvious, but, try not to run the water. The noise will frighten them and further the torture. The hand held "shower nozzle" is also taboo. Your cat will not like it at all. The cup and some quick splashes usually do the trick.
After the bath, use a de-tangler for cats, not humans. Your cat is going to be licking themsleves for hours after the bath. You will need to have something that is gentle on their stomaches. Brush your kitty as much as possible. It will help with the clumps that will form at the butt.
It takes a while for the cat to get used to the bath. Most coons like water... on their on terms. Make it as much fun as possible. Try bubbles, treats, kisses and hugs to ease the pain. Then when she is rolling over on her back in the mud outside, you will know it is because she wants to take bath!
I was told by my old veterinarian that some people had success with using an old window screen. If you place it at the bottom of the tub, the cat will dig its claws in when it gets upset and stay attached..."stuck." I tried this, but was unsuccessful because new window screens are more of a mesh, and have holes that are too small. So with that in mind, you might have success with a larger-holed screen. I like the idea from the poster who suggested two tubs of water and I intend to try it. I'm lucky that one of mine is a good groomer and he keeps himself pretty clean AND grooms the other. So then I need only minor wipe-downs and brushing. Good luck! Cats are so ornery and wonderful!
That is tough. Most cats HATE the water. One thing that you can try is to take the cat by the nape of the neck. This will help them to relax. Most of the time, it gives them that instinctive "relax" feeling like their mother did. It will disable their "front" feet. It's not like you can really wash them that way though. I always get someone (my husband) to help me. One of us will continue to hold the nape of the neck. I don't ever saturate the head. I start at the tail and work up. Wet them down well, lather them up and I use a large cup to rinse. I rinses quicker and you don't have to run water. The sound of running water scares them. By the time you've done all of this, you can usually get their face with a wash cloth. If you're not trying to wash because of a flea problem, washing them with Johnson and Johnson Baby shampoo is great. That way if you get some shampoo in their eyes, it will not irritate them. Good Luck!