Member

Posts: 25
From:United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-23-2003 06:15 PM         

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Hey guys. I need a little help. How exactly do you bath a cat? I got a big long plastic box thing (like for a little box) and put medium water in it,(just right not to cold but not too hot) and i started putting watter on my hands and washing the cat. decided not to use shampoo because my cat is pretty clean. She hated it but i had to do it. Any advice? Also i hear about "nail clipping" how exacty do you do it, are we even supposed to do it or is a vet? I do not want to declaw my cat, its so cruel, but she always scratches me and it hurts. How do yo clip them, and should I? She is an oudoor cat , and it will probably stop the bird and mouse killing. I hope she doesn't scratch me while im tryn to do it.(i i decide t)
Write back please! Thanks... I'll keep you updated.

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DaKoTa

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 11-23-2003 07:24 PM         

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If she was pretty clean why did you give her a bath? I don't bathe my cats regularly but 2 of them were filthy when I got them and I did have to bathe them but it was the one and only time I ever did. They seem to keep themselves pretty clean.

For trimming nails, check out this site. There are detailed directions and photos on how to do it properly: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/cat_nails.htm

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Vanessa

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Member

Posts: 81
From:Fairfield, CT
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-23-2003 07:50 PM         

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I have never bathed my cats ever. The most I have ever done is take a paper towel and clean their paws off a bit of they were dirty. They were not happy about that much either.

As far as the nail clipping....Nern! what a great site! That explains it!

Make sure you get the correct clippers though. I usually just clip the tips off because I'm afraid of cutting too deep.
Don't expect this to stop the catching of bird and mice though.

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Member

Posts: 84
From:Hull, UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-23-2003 09:04 PM         

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There is no need to wash a cat, they do it themselves!!!! And there is certainly no need for shampoo, the shampoo will taste horrible to your cat and if it isn't a specific animal shampoo it may well be poisonous to your cat!
I would only avocate bathing your cat if it is covered in something it can't clean off itself like oil or something else sticky that may be bad for them to lick off their fur.
All kinds of skin problems can be caused by bathing a cat and if you hadn't already noticed cats dislike water and you will be stressing the animal unecessarily.

Great claw clipping site btw

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Member

Posts: 478
From:Dallas, Texas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 11-24-2003 07:28 AM         

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I have never bathed my cats either! About the nail trimming, we have never trimmed my cats nails, and we hardly ever get scratched, only if she doesn't like what we are doing to her. SHe is, however,always clawing trees and things, which I think may help keep her nails shorter!

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Member

Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 11-24-2003 03:34 PM         

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When you clip a cat's nails, they still tend to be long enough to scratch your skin, so it might not help you much.

I always wait for my cat to fall asleep on my lap and then do it, but if yours is an outside cat that might be more difficult.

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Member

Posts: 25
From:United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-24-2003 04:11 PM         

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Thank for all of your replys, they helped a lot. I appeciate it.

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DaKoTa

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Posts: 25
From:United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-24-2003 04:27 PM         

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Thank for all of your replys, they helped a lot. I appeciate it.

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DaKoTa

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Member

Posts: 260
From:MO, USA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-24-2003 10:17 PM         

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Hey there. We bath the pound rescues when we first get them into foster care. If you fill up a tub or a basin with some warmer water (their body temperature is higher than ours) and then gently pour water over her it should make it much easier on you. Cats are not scared of water they just dont like the splashing.
However cats do not need regular baths they are pretty clean by nature.

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Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-25-2003 10:16 AM         

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I think the scissor type are the easiest clippers to use. Also, they don't splinter the nail like human clippers or the guillotine kind can.

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Member

Posts: 17
From:Londonderry, NH USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-25-2003 10:53 AM         

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great website, thanks for posting it. we bought the guillotine type, and they seem to work well, but i was a little shy with it since i've never trimmed a cat's nails before. she doesn't seem to mind though, when she's asleep!

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