Washing The Cats

The cats have a vet appointment coming up and we have noticed that they are full of dander.  In fact we have noticed it for some time, probably about the last two months or more.  Winter is always a bad time for them anyway, but they were looking particularly bad, so that meant it was time to give them a bath.

I don't know how many people know the joys of trying to give a cat a bath, but it isn't pretty.  Phoebe is a little easier to deal with than Samson, just because he is a little smaller, and has shorter hair.  We try to do it as little as possible, just because of how hard it is to do.  And Samson has never had a bath.  I seem to remember trying dry shampoo with him at one time, but it didn't go well.  But it was time to bite the bullet and just do it.

Phoebe went fairly smoothly.  There were a few "howls" while she was sitting in the water, and I could tell she was ready to bolt the minute I let up on my grip of her.  But for the most part, she was pretty cooperative.  Samson was the problem.  Kris helped me with Phoebe, but for Samson I needed Kris and Alison to help.  When you think about it, it is kind of sad that it takes three people to give one 21 pound cat a bath.  In fact, it sort of sounds like a joke doesn't it?  How many people does it take to give a cat a bath?

I saw it coming and that is one of the reasons Samson doesn't get baths on a regular basis.  He fought, and squirmed, and did everything in his power to get away.  The floor was covered with water when we were done with him, and not just from dripping when we took him out of the sink.  Did I mention we washed them in the kitchen sink?  Well we did.  It was much easier that way because I didn't need to kneel down, and lean over into the tub.

When it was all over, both cats have fluffy, clean fur and smell nice and fresh for the upcoming vet visits, and it only cost a mess of water on the floor and just a couple of scratches.  So we're now good for another year.