Day 276: Ideally, you start them off with the concept while they're kittens. You introduce them to it by first putting a little warm water in the sink, and then add the cat. Don't force the issue, and do not make eye contact (closing your eyes is even better). Eye contact is perceived as a threat. Speak softly (even if you're being eaten alive!). Only leave them in the shallow water for a minute or two before drying their paws and letting them go. The next time you're feeling brave, make the water a little deeper and the encounter a little longer. Follow the same procedure: no eye contact, speaking softly. Over the next few months or a year, work your way up to using shampoo and the sprayer for rinsing. Eventually, you will be rewarded with a cat who actually enjoys having a thorough ten-minute bath as Merry did this morning. No fuss, no scratching, no biting, no plaintive meowing...just a nice, warm wash with kitty shampoo and getting dried off with fluffy towels. Tropicana Cat Wash has another satisfied customer!
No comments:
Post a Comment