Looking for suggestions

[sphynxmoms]

I think the people at the Humane society GREATLY exaggerated the fact that Yoshi & Neboo like baths! Neboo
was tolerant once I started messaging her with the shampoo but Yoshi was own right terrified and did not relax at all. I know this is an important weekly ritual so I was wondering if anybody has any ideas how to get him to relax a little? I am concerned because of how stress seemed to affect him a few days ago...not to mention he wouldn't come near me for a couple hours, not even for a treat! (which almost made me cry!)

 

[Helsinki]

Some cats prefer sinks, others tubs. Which are you using? How high is the water? A lot of cats prefer it to be at least as high as their bellies and will freak out if it's too shallow. You can also try lining the sink/tub with a towel for traction, and some cats find it calming if you drape a warm soaked cloth across their back. Treats throughout the process might help.

My cat is really good about baths but I find that she seems to be nervous if I have the vent running.

Another thing you can do which will help is make sure that *you* are completely calm throughout the process. If you're nervous, the cats will pick up on it.

You may want to let them settle in a while longer before you try again

 

[sphynxmoms]

Some cats prefer sinks, others tubs. Which are you using? How high is the water?

We did this one in the sink...the water was up to their bellies. I put my hand in the water to show them before I put them in and they both started freaking out and tried clawing their way over my shoulders to escape.(at separate time...I gave the baths individually) Neboo relaxed a little once I started messaging her but she still wanted out!!!

 

[Helsinki]

Maybe try the tub then next time and see if it's any better. I bathe Zoa in the tub and it works well - I could imagine her wanting to escape from a sink though (but never tried a sink personally). Also make sure the water is a nice temperature. I make mine about as warm as I would like to shower in (which isn't super hot, more like very warm; my skin is very sensitive).

People with difficult cats also find it helpful to trim the nails before bath haha.

 

[sphynxmoms]

People with difficult cats also find it helpful to trim the nails before bath haha.

Lucky for me we had kitty caps on, only because the scratching post I ordered hasn't come in yet lol! I just don't want to traumatize him!
He did eventually sit in my lap and let me rub him but there was NO purring...which is not like him

 

[Helsinki]

Lucky for me we had kitty caps on, only because the scratching post I ordered hasn't come in yet lol! I just don't want to traumatize him!
He did eventually sit in my lap and let me rub him but there was NO purring...which is not like him

It will get better with time let him build up his trust in you a while before his next bath. Dirty kitty is better than overstressed kitty, in my opinion. It's all going to be okay and he will forgive you

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Here is a link on some info you might find helpful on bathing.
http://sphynxlair.com/community/threads/bathing-your-sphynx-cat-and-why.2360/

I thinking waiting 2 plus weeks to bathe kittens is a plus just so they get settled in...it might take longer for older cats to adjust. Building trust is the key. Put the dirt aside and think about the bonding for now. Baby wipes do wonders.

Patti

 

[SphynxKid]

My boy is 7, and while tolerates baths, he doesn't like them. We do them in the sink with a full sink, but it takes me a couple of hours to track him down before the bath and he is still skittish AFTER the bath and isn't fond of me for a good few hrs after I torture him with the warm wster and soap, of all things!

The thread on baths @Catzzzmeow referred you to is pretty thorough and has some pretty decent info on how to make bath time less stressful for you and the hairless wonders! You are not alone! Even those of us who have been doing this for YEARS still struggle! :banghead:



Jen

 

[Helsinki]

Someone on here gave me the tip of putting some baby wipes in a ziploc bag and microwaving for 10 seconds (most cats do not like the cold wipes). It definitely helps!! Zoa greatly prefers the warm wipes to cold ones. That'll help for the spot cleaning before his next bath

 

[andreanar]

I bathe in the sink. I put a towel down for them to stand on. My girl doesn't like baths, so I talk to her softly and calmly the whole time. I used to put a smear of baby food chicken on the side of the sink for her to lick during the bath.

I would definitely wait a few more weeks before trying again. I use a warm wet washcloth to wipe my guys down in between baths.

 

[sphynxmoms]

Thank you all so much for sharing the article and ideas. I'm definitely going to wait a while before trying again...I don't want poor Yoshi to not feel well again!

 

[gothicmist]

I bathe them in the shower with me. I have a corner shower it has like a seat in it. I put down a wash clothes. Husband warms the towels in the drier and as soon as we are done they get warm towel snuggles.

 

[Zahismom1986]

I think the people at the Humane society GREATLY exaggerated the fact that Yoshi & Neboo like baths! Neboo
was tolerant once I started messaging her with the shampoo but Yoshi was own right terrified and did not relax at all. I know this is an important weekly ritual so I was wondering if anybody has any ideas how to get him to relax a little? I am concerned because of how stress seemed to affect him a few days ago...not to mention he wouldn't come near me for a couple hours, not even for a treat! (which almost made me cry!)

I think the people at the Humane society GREATLY exaggerated the fact that Yoshi & Neboo like baths! Neboo
was tolerant once I started messaging her with the shampoo but Yoshi was own right terrified and did not relax at all. I know this is an important weekly ritual so I was wondering if anybody has any ideas how to get him to relax a little? I am concerned because of how stress seemed to affect him a few days ago...not to mention he wouldn't come near me for a couple hours, not even for a treat! (which almost made me cry!)

I have had my Zahi for three years and he has never been a fan of taking a bath but I try to make it as soothing for him as possible. I make sure the bathroom is warm and that I have already ran warm water in the tub. After that, I place him in the tub gently and talk to him all thru the process. I try to work as quickly as possible and then treat him to a warm, fluffy towel afterward. I don't think he will ever love baths but he does tolerate them. Just keep trying and good luck!

 

[Kyla L]

I bathe them in the shower with me. I have a corner shower it has like a seat in it. I put down a wash clothes. Husband warms the towels in the drier and as soon as we are done they get warm towel snuggles.

This is what I do for our dogs. It is really easy because it is more like rain. Nigel is waiting for a good week at least until his first bath, but he will be getting his first bath in the sink.

I think a great piece of advice from when I had my DSH was that I would only ever wash him when he was not tired. He tended to get cranky when he was tired. It was usually a early morning routine. Each cat is different so they will all have their own phobias and issues. I would really work on gaining their trust. Rescues are usually very skittish to begin with especially when they are older. And one person may have a different reaction from them then another will.

A great example is if you take them to a groomer and they let the groomer do whatever they want to. Being calm and confident is a great way to keep your babies calm too!

 

[MollysMom]

Mine hated the sink and were practically clawing at the ceiling. They don't mind being in the tub. Having another person there to kind of hold them in place and pet them really helps too during baths.

 

[Almasheart]

I am a pet groomer and a new owner of a Smeagol. I bathe smeagol in my large sink at home. I always run the water before i bring him in the room. I will do his nails first while cradling him. He usually becomes vocal when clipping and using wipes on the base of the nails. When he is in the sink I do not turn on or run the water! I use a cup for rinsing and he is mostly calm, quiet and cooperative. At my work we are required to use restraint w/harness but I do not harness Smeagol at home. I just talk to and massage him. I do this 2x/week. I have been grooming for 30 years and can tell you when doing a difficult or scared cat the cup method (no running water) almost always does the trick. Despite doing that rarely do I do a cat who signs up for a bath! Another suggestion if your cat has already been imprinted negatively by the running water, try using a different location ( tub or sink) with the cup method at the new location.