My dear old (20 years old!!) Tisky isn't able to clean herself anymore. We brush her and brush her but there seems to be no end to her fur! She gains extra fur over the winter and then is unable to "shed" it over the warmer months. Even my daughter's boyfriend, Steve, gives her a good brushing every time he's here but she still has chunks of fur hanging off her skinny little body.
So I've been debating giving her a bath in the laundry tub for quite some time. I've held back because of her age - I'm worried it'll give her a heart attack! But yesterday I went for it. I put some warm soapy water in the laundry tub and in she went to her great surprise! One thing about having such an ancient cat is she can't get away from me anymore. She has arthritis in her legs and can't run. Perhaps the warm water was soothing to her limbs?? I can only hope.
I gave her as good a scrubbing as I could then drained the tub and turned on the water to give her a "shower" and rinse out the soapiness. She handled that a lot better than I thought she would - she only howled a little :[ I wrapped her up in a towel and hugged her close. She was not impressed but didn't struggle. Then I put her on another towel on top of the washing machine and gave her a good brushing.
After examining all possible escape routes Tisky settled down as she does truly enjoy a good brushing. Who doesn't??
She's still pretty shaggy but I'll brush her more today. It's a challenge getting to the underneath parts - her chest and tummy especially.
There, that wasn't so bad was it? Just a bit hard on one's dignity - I'm sure her facebook friends all had a good laugh at her expense (bad mommy!)
She went straight to her food dish when I put her on the floor so I guess she wasn't too traumatized! However she didn't visit me while I was in the TV room last night. That's usually our cuddle time. Luckily though with a brain the size of a pea I'm sure she'll have forgotten about it by tonight's TV time. I'll throw in a good long brushing and a belly rub too for good measure :)
I can't repeat what my cats just said!!
ReplyDeleteJane x
What a sweetie. and what a hero you are attempting a bath. I avoid bathing my cats as much as possible. Even paid a mobile pet washing service one time so someone else would have to deal with their claws.
ReplyDeleteOld kitties are sometimes hard to care for. Later today I have to go clip my Mom's kitty's toenails as they are long and she absolutely hates the vet, who is the only other person who can clip them. Your cat really doesn't look like she hated it too much.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried brushing with a Furminator? It will get the undercoat that causes matty bits. Quite expensive,but worth every cent.
ReplyDeleteJane x
I agree about the furminator! We could knit sweaters with the fur we get off our cats using it!
ReplyDeleteMy cats were in hiding the entire time I read this bath post. They are now looking at me with their "don't get any bright ideas" eyes.
ReplyDeleteYou baby boomers are the most selfish generation to ever exist. You destroyed your own children's and grandchildren's future with your short-sighted selfishness and immaturity. And then you expect them to pay for your retirement????
ReplyDeleteCan you baby boomers just hurry up and drop dead, please?
Haha @ FB friends. I feel for her, especially if she wasn't used to baths. Cats loss of dignity is a serious problem, but she handled it like a charm. At least she didn't shred your arm, and you didn't have to get into an armor. I hear that's what most people do when trying to force their cats into a bath. Maybe warm water does sooth her legs... you'll know next time you give her a bath if she looks at you resentful or just goes with it. She's a fighter, for sure!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she'll forget all about it by tonight! Just got caught up in my reading... DID you get the cabinet that you wanted put together yet? Or is that still up in the air?
ReplyDelete