How could I get my cat to stop "Raskeling" out of the bath tub.

It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a platoon to bathe a cat. Get several strong friends and provide them with leather gauntlets.

Use Advantage so you don’t have to bathe her.

(What does “raskeling” mean?)

We were advised to use a bucket when we had to give our cat flea baths. Make sure the water is comfortably warm but not hot. Dunk him in feet first so the water comes up around his shoulders and give him a quick but effective scrub. You can’t do this alone. You need, at minimum, one to hold and one to wash.

We always did it in the bathroom, up on the counter or in the bathtub, with the door shut so that even if he bolted he couldn’t get far. My husband would actually climb in the bathtub, with the cat in the bucket, so he could keep a grip. We also had a big fluffy towel ready to scoop him in and pat him dry when we were done. Then we had to turn him loose and let him run.

Our last cat was a known tough case who had to be sedated at the vet whenever he was groomed.

I think she means “rascalling.”

@Jeruba: When did that become a verb?

What exactly do you lean by ’‘when water touches her’’? Are you putting her in a bath? A pool of water when the tap is running? Using a shower spray?

I have a rather sensitive cat, who is pretty jumpy about new things, yet I have found a good way of giving her a bath. I run the tub to below where her knees would be, and I make sure it isn’t too hot. Make sure of this- have it be above body temperature. Have all your supplies ready before bringing the cat into the bathroom- it is just complete torture for them to start dreading a bath, so when the tap is off, you can bring her in.

I use a mug and just quietly pour the water over her. She actually enjoys the shampoo, but sometimes she jumps out and sits right at the crack of the door, which is when I give in and put her on a towel and rinse her a bit. Then I gently bring her back to the bath, and rinse her with the mug of water.

Basically, try to be low energy and calm. It used to take our household to give a quick bath to a cat, but I do this completely on my own. When there are two or more people in the bathroom, in a rather scary situation for a cat to find itself, it gets worse with all the echoes of people conversing, yelling, falling, laughing.

@gailcalled, we live in an age when “and” can be a verb. I don’t condone them, I just interpret them and, when given the authority, repair them.

So nothing is mistaking any more? Neologisms of the world, unite

I’ve always heard the best way to wash a cat was to first capture the cat. Place cat and yourself in bathroom with the door closed. Put cat in toilet, close lid, sit on it, and BEFORE you flush three times to ‘bathe’ the cat, have your significant other open every door in the house, including those leading outdoors. Flush three times, open the lid, and stand back. obviously this is a humorous attempt at a very difficult job.

I’ve never tried it though. That’s why I have a dog, dogs like to be washed, or at least will put up with it without trying to shred your face and arms with its claws.

They make mesh bags you can put the cat in and they fasten around the cat’s neck. Thus you only have to watch out for teeth, no worry about the nails. A lingerie bag will work as well or even a pillow case. Mesh is better though as the water or dip flows through it freely.

@rooeytoo Yes, I like the pillow Idea, I might use it, thanks

I have given cats baths. That said, I don’t recommend it, although if you really must do it, I suggest @lamedb‘s suggestion.

I prefer to use a topical treatment such as one of these and reserve the baths for when the cat gets something noxious spilled on it:

# Advantage: Uses imidacloprid as the active ingredient, and is generally regarded as safe for cats and kittens over six weeks of age. Does not kill ticks. We personally use this product and have not seen a flea in our house for several years.

# Frontline: Said to kill both fleas and ticks; Frontline uses a synthetic ingredient called fipronil, which may cause a temporary sensitivity in the area of application.

# Bio Spot for Cats: Bio Spot combines permethrin and an insect growth regulator (nylar) to kill eggs and larvae as well as adult fleas. It is active for as long as three months, when used as directed. Bio Spot may also cause sensitivity to the animal, and should not be used on kittens less than twelve weeks of age, geriatric, pregnant, or nursing cats.

# Revolution: Its main ingredient is Selamectin, which is said to kill not only fleas and some ticks, but also ear mites, as well as offering protection against heartworm. Revolution stays in the bloodstream, and should not be used on kittens under six weeks of age. Since it is a systemic product, it may cause allergic reactions in some cats.

You will also need to treat the house. Page one of the link given above lists what you need to do.

DO NOT USE WARM WATER.

Seriiiously. Water that feels comfortably warm to us is literally scalding to them. Make sure it is at room temperature.

@delirium the normal body temperature for a cat is 101.5 degrees F. I don’t see how water at around 100 degrees F would be scalding to a cat.

@tinyfaery is right… Frontline & Advantage work the best. So then you don’t need to do the wash. Frontline & Advantage have a carrier agent that acts as a ball-bearing for the chemical… and it spreads the chemical as a thin layer throughout the cat’s skin surface… even though you only drop it on the cat’s upper back neck. If those two drugs are too expensive, you can get cheaper versions at the supermarket or drug store made by Hartz and Sargents. Make sure whatever you buy though is “3 in 1” or “5 in 1” because unless it has chemicals to kill both fleas and eggs, then it’s not worth using.

After using chemicals to kill a bunch of fleas (do it for two months in a row), you can then switch to more natural methods for prevention such as Neem oil, or some natural brand of repellent.

i scruff my 2 cats by the neck to bathe them works great.

I clear anything and everything that the cats can and will knock over. Get the towels and shampoos ready. Fill the sink with water. Get cat and gently lower it into the water. Always talk to the cat. I find that my cats love the massage function of the shower head.

Oh yes, ALWAYS clip the claws of the cats BEFORE bathing them. Reduces the trips required to A&E and requirements for blood transfusion.

I am with @psychocandy, the stuff works and you will not have to worry about flea bath. Your cat will thank you for it.

I have washed cats by myself without issue. I do it in the kitchen sink and before starting I put a loosely fitting sock over the head (per instructions of a peculiar little Japanese vet who made house calls when I lived in Japan—he came on the train). The sock seems to chill them out a bit. I make the bath quick and then wrap the cat in a towel and cuddle them dry.