Cat Care: Bath and Medicine

If you've never owned a cat before you may have some questions on particular areas like, "How do I give my cat a bath," or, "How do I give my cat a pill?" Here are the answers to those questions.

When giving your cat a bath choose a small confined bathing spot instead of an open area. When you attempt to give a cat a bath their first instinct is to get away. While it would seem a large open area would be the choice location for a bath, having to chase the cat around the house is not a good option. By choosing a confined spot such as a small bathroom you're not giving the cat ways to escape. A good choice would be a tub enclosed with shower doors. You can get in the tub, close the doors and bath the cat with allot more control.

Have everything you will need to complete the job laid out and ready to go. Scurrying around with a wet cat in your hands is the worst thing you can do.

Comb your cat out especially if he or she has long hair. This will make it easier in the long run.

Trim your cat's nails to avoid as much blood shed (on your part) as possible. You'll thank me later.

Using a hand held shower head is also a great option. While the cat is in the enclosed tub, with you in there as well, use the shower head to wet the cat down and to rinse afterwards. Holding the cat as little as possible will save you from being clawed to shreds.

Oral medications can be a little tricky. If it is a liquid, use an eye dropper or a syringe and squeeze liquid between the teeth squirting slowly to allow the cat to swallow the medicine.

If it is a pill that you are giving your cat while holding the cat's head tilted back wrap your hand around the outside of the cat's head placing your thumb on one corner of the mouth and your middle finger on the opposite corner of the mouth. Push down on the lower incisors with the other hand and place the pill as far back on the cat's tongue as possible. Hold the mouth closed until the cat licks its nose. If the cat is not swallowing the pill try blowing a puff of air on the nose. This will trigger a swallowing action.

sources:
www.tlcpoodles.com
www.howstuffworks.com/how-to-care-for-a-cat
http://maxshouse.com/medicating_your_cat