Drying a cat...

[Tanya]

Im going to give Oliver his first bath this afternoon. He didnt smell very nice when i first got him, but he couldnt be bathed coz he had cat flu! He is now a healthy kitty (and doesnt really smell anymore) and i think i should bath him.

Any suggestions to how i dry him??
Ive turned the heating on, so he doesnt get cold after his bath...

[Moli]

I would wrap him in a towel and rub him, till all the excess water is gone, then just let him sit and preen himself...

[Mags]

I have never bathed Cassie in 9 years as I have never felt the need for it.
I suppose in exceptional cases some cats get very dirty and need it....also for those who show their cats......

[yola]

I've had cause the bathe 2 or my persians (claggy waggies usually) . . . I usually try to do it in summer, but if I have to do it in the cold weather I do partially dry them with a hairdryer on a medium setting as their fur takes an age to dry off.

If you do use a hairdryer, make sure you keep moving it all the time so as not to scald kitty's skin with the heat.

[andrew021]

I also have never had an occasion to bathe Jet, she is nearly 3 years old.

There have been occasions when she has been soaked by the rain. I have a special towel I use for this. When she sees me with it she runs but i trail it on the ground and she chases it. I then throw it over her and continue to play with her while drying her down at the same time.

I do get a few cries of anger but she is used to it and generally accepts it.

[Tanya]

Oli had had his bath now (and didnt like it one bit!!) and is lovely and dry. I rubbed him wih towels gently, then let him lie on his blanket on the sofa to preen himself. We then fell asleep together, on the sofa, coz the flat was so nice and warm (after putting the heating on for him)!

His fur is lovely and silky, must be he Johnsons Baby Shampoo! :) Thanks for the advice everyone ;)

[andrew021]

What was it you used as a shampoo for the cat, Johnson's baby shampoo.

Just wondering as I have never seen cat shampoo in the shops and wondered what people use.

[yola]

Andrew - there are some pet shampoos on the market. I have a mildy medicated one that I use when needed. You do need to take care with human-formula shampoos, but as long as they're not used often then the cat should be OK.

One word of warning, tea-tree shampoo has in the past proved very bad for cats; deadly in some cases. This is definitely one to avoid using on cats.

[Mags]

Bathing a cat should not be done too often as it removes the natural oils from the skin. If you use shampoos not suitable for cats then you may damage the coat and skin. The oils that are in your cat's coat are there to help in waterproofing and insulation.

You should be able to find pet shampoos in your local pet store.....

[Tanya]

On all the pets we have had, we have always used Johnsons baby Shampoo, 'no more tears'!! There is no tea tree oil in it and it is very gentle. My kitty also smells beautiful now (as well as having a lovely shiny coat!) :)

[teenytiny]

I honestly didnt think you could bath cats :?

I know my cats wouldnt allow me to bath them. Ive never bathed them either. Their coats are lovely as they are and ive never noticed them smelling.

They do love being brushed tho ;)

[catlover]

Hi there, when i have to bathe my cats i put 2 towels in the tumble dryer so they are warm wrap the cat up like a baby and try to hold for as long as cat will allow then repeat with second towel this gets a lot of the excess water off. Hope this helps :)

[alexgirl73]

Hi there, when i have to bathe my cats i put 2 towels in the tumble dryer so they are warm wrap the cat up like a baby and try to hold for as long as cat will allow then repeat with second towel this gets a lot of the excess water off. Hope this helps :)

That is a good tip, will have to try and remember that for next time!