Yesterday was the International Day for Cats, which cats of all breeds and sizes insist is silly because every day should be International Cat Appreciation Day. (I agree)
However, for we hoomins, it does serve as a reminder that Furkids of the domestic feline persuasion may be in need of a bath (probably). It’s a task that’s undertaken infrequently because the level of difficulty involved is up there with martial arts. That it wasn’t included in the ten labours of Hercules just goes to show you that even that Greek hero wasn’t game to take it on. This TEDdy talk is a step-by-step survival guide to one of the most dangerous challenges a feline purrent can face.
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Furkids love the frothy milkshakes at ko-fi.com/furkids. They want you to know they love licking up their frothy moustaches! You can treat them to their favourite frothies for $3/€3/£3. All proceeds go towards the new second-hand desk fund. The new computer is up and running – yay! Our heartfelt thanks to all contributors, with a very special kitty cuddle for their Aunt Suzanne for her generosity. 
Or, you could pray to the gods of the Cat Distribution System to grace you with one of the approximately 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000012786912786% of all cats in existence that actually enjoy (or, at least, tolerate) time in the tub.
Seriously, I’ve seen a few videos (mostly the short feature versions of the Dramecs “Daily Dose of Cats” videos) with kitties actually PLAYING in bathtubs, filled with water and even bubbles.
Again, though, that’s a *FEW* videos (each of the short versions I watch usually feature about 15 or so clips) of kitties who are more tiger-at-heart (tigers actually enjoy wading and swimming–helpful hint when faced with a tiger, don’t think you’ll escape via that nearby river or stream; if he doesn’t follow you in, there’s probably a different critter waiting for you–and one that’s not nearly as cute and adorable and a whole lot scalier) than stereotypical hydrophobic cat. (Some of the other cute kitties, though, are shown in kitchen sinks, with the faucet running–some are lapping at the water stream and others actually seem to be chillaxing as only a cat can.)
My Loula will happily go outside in light rain and frolic about the garden for a bit, then come inside to dry off. But getting in a tub for bathing? Nooooooo! 😂
For a little while in high school and then for a while in college I worked for a vet who’d grown up with my dad. Only rarely did I have to bath a cat but we had some steel mesh gloves that went up almost to the elbow to use with medium or bigger dogs that would bite. I’d prepare the basin with warm soapy water and have the spray nozzle set with water under pressure so all I had to do was grab it and squeeze the handle when the time came. Then I’d drape a towel over a large empty waste basket. After all that I’d put one of the steel knit gloves and head into the cat room. While holding the door to the cage shut with that hand I’d undo the latch on the cage and slip on the other glove and grab the cat tight with both hands. If lucky I could get at least one set of legs. Take it to the washing bin and dunk it in there and scrub as best I could with a soft brush, holding the cat down with one hand – again I tried really hard to get a firm hold on at least one leg. It would bit and claw at me but those gloves could withstand it.
As you say you’re lucky to be able to do much but the dunking made it possible to get a lot done fast. Then with one hand hold it up by a leg and use the sprayer for a rinse, then drop it on that towel covering the opening to the waste basket. When it fell down presto! The towel would wrap around it. I learned the hard way to keep the freaking gloves on as I carried it (wrapped up) back to its cage in the cat room – rubbing it through the towel. Then I’d release it into the cage.
I could tell some stories about dogs that were equally difficult to bathe. Sometimes you’d have to put one in one of the concrete dog runs. Those steel gloves could come in handy then too.
I remember my first spaniel Corky who hated baths. I learned to get everything organized next to the tub ahead of time. He liked being held and by the time he’d realize he was being carried into the bathroom I’d have him tight against my body. He was quite strong btw. After kicking the door shut behind me he’d look around in panic, realizing what was to come.
Funny, but he’d immediately jump into the tub and stand there. Only when I turned on the water would the struggle begin! (I’d get the line warmed up during prep) He’d fight like hell to escape but we’d get it done without him biting at or scratching me. Sparky never minded baths so much. Still, with both of them I found just dropping them off at the dog groomer place was the way to go!