The first time we bathed our kitties was in preparation for a cat show. Needless to say we thought we did an incredible job and had the most beautiful kitties in the world! My husband and I were so excited and set out to Sacramento for the cat show.
First rings at the show were so disappointing; the judges didn’t even use my babies. But we were still having a good time being there.
I will never forget this one judge; who after choosing all the kitties; called Dan and I aside. She said that I had beautiful cats, however, I needed to learn to bathe the cats. She advised me to talk to some other Maine Coon breeders at the show. (By the way, the judge that gave us this advise later used Mozart as her best in show!)
Fortunately, two breeders took heart to helping us learn to groom our babies. We took down their ideas on grooming and put them into action for the next show.
This photo of Mozart shows the results from having a show bath. This is the day he became a one show grand! What a difference a good bath makes!
I have a good Greyhound comb. I have a pair of toe nail clippers. I have 2 towels per kitty. A medium pet cage. A professional grooming dryer (you can use a blow dryer). Towels are left in the dryer during bath so that they are warm and toasty for the cats when we pull them out of the water. Some of the animals have to have a harness (due to size, power and during breeding season; boys are big and whole males don’t like being touched near the back).
Percy soaking his silver coat in Woolite!
All of the shampoos are sitting out in the order we use them. Helps to keep things moving. My husband holds the cats and I add the shampoo and both of us scrubby the cats and talk to them (calming effect and they love the attention). After each application they are rinsed, rinsed, rinsed and rinsed again! You can not rinse enough!
What I use and the order they are used for a non show bath:
1. Cut the toenails front and then back. You will only forget this step once!
2. Goop (yes mechanic’s goop!) Apply to a dry coat. Work into the coat; especially into greasy areas (ears; tail area). DO NOT PUT ON FACE OF CAT!
3. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE, AND RINSE AGAIN
4. Dawn (dishwashing soap). Work into good lather. Scrub and talk nice to the cat. Reassure kitty that you are having a good time! You can work into any mats to help remove them.
5. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE, AND RINSE AGAIN
6. Kenic Supra odor control pet shampoo—I love this product! It smells nice and it helps remove mats really well! At this point you can wash the kitties face and ears and under the chin. I use a wash cloth and very carefully wash the ears (don’t want water in the ears).
7. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE, AND RINSE AGAIN
8. White Vinegar—I mix a cup of warm water and vinegar together. DO NOT GET ON THE FACE OR EARS. Keep the water running as you pour the mix over the back, tail, feet and belly.
9. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE, RINSE, RINSE UNTIL THE COAT FLOATS IN THE WATER! (and kitty doesn’t smell like a salad)
10. Wrap kitty in a warm towel (we have them in the dryer ready to use).
11. Put kitty in a cat carrier or buy a medium crate with door.
12. Spray on Miracle Coat Leave in Conditioner
13. Let kitty dry under blow dryer
14. Comb kitty out and let him run around and show off his beauty!
1. Depending on color of the coat:
2. Silver & Lite color kitties: Kenic Snowflake all breed pet shampoo
3. Soak in Woolite—kitties love this. Fill the sink with warm water and scrub into the coat the Woolite. Shut off the faucet and talk to kitty. Our kitties will just sit and enjoy the bath, they don’t even try to jump out of the sink!
4. Brown & Red color coats: Ring 5 Burnished Bronze Shampoo
5. Black: It’s Showtime Shampoo and Conditioner Bluing
This technique was a lifesaver when we first started to show our babies. I am so thankful that Gerry & Sherrie took me aside and gave us the tips on bathing our kitties.
We followed there advice to the last detail and at the next show we went to; Mozart become a one show grand! And that is a big thing to do! He was drop dead gorgeous!
RINSE! RINSE! RINSE! AND RINSE MORE!RINSING IS THE KEY TO A BEAUTIFUL FLOWING COAT!
The first time we bathed our kitties was in preparation for a cat show. Needless to say we thought we did an incredible job and had the most beautiful kitties in the world! My husband and I were so excited and set out to Sacramento for the cat show.
RINSE! RINSE! RINSE! AND RINSE MORE! RINSING IS THE KEY TO A BEAUTIFUL FLOWING COAT!
