smelly cat - should i give her a bath?

[funkiechicken]

Aww Gillian, shes gorgeous! and so well behaved!    x

If I bathed Nuggie he would have a similar type face (but not due to breed LOL) and ready to scratch my eyes out! 
He doesnt even like being brushed! 

[thekittensmittens]

OH gillian its that grumpy face that makes them so cute

[Gillian Harvey]

All mine are bathed and blow dried  Mind you they've mostly been used to it since they were kittens, being persians, it keeps their coats knot free. I noticed a hec of a difference when I stopped bathing for a while, their coats were nowhere near as easy to keep knot free - so it was back to the baths for them  My Suzie RIP, used to love the warm water  and she used to sit there as good as gold ( I know she looks grumpy, but she just had that sort of face, as you can see from the next photo lol! )

[jessica]

I would definitaly just wipe him down with a wet cloth. Baths are defo a no go!

[funkiechicken]

I half bathed Nuggie once after coming home with just one hind leg covered in what smelt like creosote??? I cant explain how, other than his foot fell into some somewhere.....

He is also long haired. But due to the nature of what it was, I filled a bucket, armed with Fairy Liquid and dunked his back end in and washed him faster than I've worked in my life. When he was done he ran off (half wet/half fluffy) and I made the school girl error of going to see if he was ok. I was promptly attacked. There was blood - and it was mine.
I would never have contemplated washing him in such a large area as a bath 

My other cat Tazi slipped into the bath once when i was in it. If it wasnt for my ninja-like reaction and flicking him back out in lightening speed with my foot, i fear my demise and injuries would have echoed that of Nightmare on Elm Street....

If you are brave, have a large thick rubber suit & gloves and a welding mask...then bathe smelly cat. If not use wipes

    

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I gave Napoleon a shower once after he had fallen into stagnant water and was alll green and drowned but I would only ever do it it in a total emergency and wipes would not have worked.

He was beside himself with the smell and soaked right through to his skin and think he hated the hairdryer most.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

All my lot have baths .... they don't exactly like it ... but they put up with it. If you don't feel up to it ... i'd go with the wipes.

[Rosella moggy]

I tried to bath Noni once.  The bath still has scratches to prove it.  Mine healed ........ eventually 

I'm a non perfumed baby wipe fan 

[Tiggy's Mum]

Fragrance free baby wipes might be a safer option... for you!

[thekittensmittens]

wait untill she drys and try brushing through with baby talc, it should get rid of the smell.
i do bathe my cats , one is very good, one is ok, one is a nightmare
unless shes matted id stick to talc or use a foam leave on shampoo(pet shop) so you can do her on your knee..unless of couse you want to bathe her

[Dawn F]

I've only either bathed a cat once and have to say would never try again!!!  if you wiped her with a damp towel or something do you think it would come off?

[Chard]

this morning i came downstairs to see what trouble my rescue cat Missy has gotten into as is my daily routine.

nothing particularly damaged other than a slight wet patch on the couch and my cats belly from tail to chin was damp and smells very much like shes found a muddy puddle and sat in it!

Shes a very long haired cat and doesnt mind grooming but im wondering if giving her a bath is a great idea or if i should take to a professional groomer?

any tips to washing a cat or rough prices of a pro groomer? ill include before and after pics!

Chard (and Missy the mog)