Tips on Cleaning an MC

So, I've had my Gabbie cat for a couple of weeks now and she's starting to smell a bit musty, so I think it may be time for a bath. Thing is, she shows no signs of being interested in water - I never even see her drink from her water bowl! I have attempted to bathe cats before (and have the scars to prove it) and with the size of Gabbie's claws, she could do some serious damage! Sooo...anyone have any tips on how to bathe her? Or should I just not and use a dry shampoo? Luckily, she loves to be brushed.

I also need tips on how to clean her ears - she gets a wax build up and they need to be cleaned once a month, according to the breeder.

Gabbie is 3 years old, so she should be used to these things - but as an ex breeding queen, I'm not really sure how much attention she actually got.

hi Caytlyn,

Neevie never showed any interest in water other than jumping on the side of the bath when I was in it and being very careful not to fall in. But MC's are known to not be afraid of water, some of them actually like it.
One day she was rather scruffy can't remember why, so I just had to - otherwise I just let her do her own thing she seems to manage quite well - so I just ran a bath about 15 cm deep for a start, about the same temperature as I do for me, because I read online that cats temperature is slightly higher than ours. Obviously you don't want to scold her but you don't want it to be uncomfortably cold either or indeed she won't like it. Then I just lowered her into it, ready for a fight like with all my other cats. Surprise: absolutely no problem! She was not happy, don't get me wrong, she looked very annoyed and she was weakly trying to get out but I could hold her in there with one hand, and lather with the other while talking softly to her (it was more "I don't think I like that very much, I think I'll get out now - no? really? let me try again..." rather than "NOOOOOO!".) Just be sure to have a towel ready to get her out, and be sure to dry her as well as possible, and keep her in a warm place while she dries herself more thoroughly. Also, another tip, have the bath ready, don't run it while she's there especially the first time, or the noise of running water and plumbing will spook her and then you'll have a fight.

That's something to try - if it doesn't work then dry shampoo would be better if you know of some - never heard of it myself, though, it's an interesting concept.

Also, have a camera ready to take a picture of that annoyed face and post it here afterwards! :rofl:

Hi Caytlin, Alekto has some good advice in cat bathing. My girl Ginger has a runny face, so I take a warm wet wash coth and wipe her eyes, ears, and nose. I think it feels like her mom cleaning her face. she sometimes gets annoyed and if she see me coming runs and hides. But once we get down to business, she is fine with it. I give her a full bath once a month, like Alekto says run the bath water first, get everything ready, shampoo, cup for rinsing and towels. She tolerates a bath but I can not say she take to it like a duck. She smells real good for a couple days but she is soooo soft. Don't forget to give her a good brushing before and after her bath and lots of cuddles. Good luck with the bathing!

Hey thanks for the tips guys. I am wanting to bathe the 2 MC's I am going to get and all tips and advice are greatly appreciated. I think I will do one MC at a time thought as having 2 MC's will be utter chaos lol!! :rofl:

I have only ever bathed show cats the others have all been fine with just being groomed a good brush & go with a slicker keeps them in pretty good shape but with show cat No1 we did bath him as had no option but once we got the shower started using that,it's a lot easier for both you & furry,the one thing that you need to do is make sure you get all the shampoo well washed out or it will dry on the cats skin & make it more itchy....... If you can shower then get furry into bathroom,start the shower going & they do like it fairly warm then get furry & slowly introduce it to getting wet {my shower is over bath so I put shower screen partly over so it helps block escape route { have friend who has the cubicle so she gets into swimming costume....!!!!} once wet turn shower head away & shampoo then rinse down.... I find by talking to them all the while & making it a bit of fun they seem to accept it,the one that we bathed we got used to just going into a small amount of water & had toys & played with him then increased the depth until there was enough to give him a proper bath but he too liked the shower once we had that facility,the two that show now are very obliging by standing with their front paws on the edge of the bath so their undercarriage can have a good rinse down,also comes in very handy if they have dirty drawers,MC owners worst nightmare but so easy when you can wash them down that way....... Depending what type of carrier you have but if you have the wire ones after giving them a good towel rub you could pop them into carrier & put hairdryer over them to help dry off,once again except for one we have always been able to use the hairdryer normally on ours & they love it but even Ruby who didn't think it was a good idea to start with has now found that actually it is a nice feeling....With the waxy ears get a wad of warm damp cottonwool & clean the waxy area just make sure it is well wrung out,water down the ear canal is not a good thing & I would do it whenever she looks as if she needs it again out of my gang i only have one that I have to do that too..... one thing before you try to bath/shower give nails a good clip,if you do them a couple of days before attempting the big wash there is less to go in but if it is only because of a slight smell & she loves grooming why not get some light powder & rub well into fur then give a good brush might be all she needs...sorry that went into an essay but good luck to you both I am sure Gabbie & you will build up a super bond {our first MC was an ex breeding queen} & photos please....xxx

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Originally Posted by AFK_Matrix

Hey thanks for the tips guys. I am wanting to bathe the 2 MC's I am going to get and all tips and advice are greatly appreciated. I think I will do one MC at a time thought as having 2 MC's will be utter chaos lol!! :rofl:

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Hi I would definitely do them one at a time! It the first one makes a big fuss, the second one might not be too eager to bathe!