Browse ›
A white-haired grandma in a quilted vest washes a soaked orange tabby cat in a sudsy metal tub in a backyard at dusk. 2 / 29

Grandma Filled the Old Metal Tub With Suds. Marmalade Realized Too Late.

AI imageorange tabbycat bathbackyard

Evening has settled over the backyard, a porch light glows by the shed, and Grandma Hazel is in the middle of a brave undertaking. Her glasses are pushed up on her white hair, her sleeves are rolled, and she is scrubbing Marmalade with a blue cloth in an old galvanized tub full of suds. The orange tabby stands with his front paws on the rim, fur plastered and spiky, wearing an expression of deep, patient suffering. Watering cans, clay pots, rakes and a basket of laundry crowd the yard around them, adding to the homey, slightly chaotic scene.

Most cats keep themselves clean through regular grooming and rarely need full baths. Exceptions include getting into something sticky or harmful, certain skin conditions, or mobility problems that make self-grooming hard. When a bath is truly necessary, use lukewarm water, a shampoo made for cats, and a calm, quick approach. Many products made for people or dogs are not suitable for cats, and some dog flea products can be dangerous to them. Drying the cat thoroughly and keeping it warm afterward matters, especially on a cool evening. If a cat needs frequent bathing, talk to your vet about the underlying cause.

Plenty of cats tolerate water better when it is introduced gently and early, but almost none enjoy it. Marmalade is putting up with this out of pure love for Hazel.

Once he is dry, warm and fluffed back into shape, he will probably pretend this never happened. Hazel, on the other hand, will remember it fondly.

More from this collection

All 29 →
A white-haired grandma in a quilted vest tucks an orange tabby cat into a grey pet bed with a soft cream blanket.The Dog Bed Was Never for a Dog. Grandma Had Someone Else in Mind.A smiling white-haired grandma in a navy quilted vest holds a vanilla ice cream cone as an orange tabby licks it.Grandma Bought One Ice Cream Cone on a Hot Day. It Didn't Stay Hers.
A white-haired grandma in a green quilted vest paints flowers at an easel in the yard as an orange tabby naps beside her.Grandma Set Up Her Easel to Paint the Garden. Her Best Subject Fell Asleep.A white-haired grandma in a green quilted vest reads a book aloud on the couch while an orange tabby sits gazing up at her.Grandma Started Reading Her Book Out Loud. Marmalade Sat Up and Listened.A smiling white-haired grandma in a cream quilted vest walks through a pumpkin patch behind a fluffy orange tabby cat.Grandma Went Out to Gather Pumpkins. Her Cat Took Charge of the Tour.A white-haired grandma in a green quilted vest holds an orange tabby at a window with a snowy yard outside.Snow Covered the Whole Yard Overnight. Grandma Lifted Marmalade for a Look.