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Grandma in a green quilted vest gently bathes a wet grey Scottish Fold cat in a soapy galvanized metal tub in the yard. 7 / 27

Pebble Thought It Was a Normal Afternoon Until He Saw the Washtub

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Of all the things Pebble expected from a quiet autumn afternoon, a bath was not one of them. He sits in the old galvanized washtub in the middle of the yard, soapy bubbles floating around him, his normally plush grey coat flattened into wet spikes. His folded ears look even smaller than usual, and his amber eyes carry an expression of deep, dignified betrayal. Ruth kneels beside the tub in her green quilted vest and plaid shirt, one gentle hand cupping his back, speaking softly to him. Garden gloves lie in the grass behind her, and late sunlight warms the fence and the pots of herbs.

Most cats keep themselves clean and rarely need a full bath. Baths can be useful if a cat gets into something sticky or smelly, has trouble grooming due to age or weight, or if a vet recommends a medicated wash. If you do bathe a cat, use lukewarm water, a shampoo made for cats rather than people, and keep water away from the eyes and ears. Work calmly and quickly, rinse thoroughly, and towel them off in a warm, draft-free spot. For a dense-coated breed like the Scottish Fold, regular brushing usually does more for the coat than bathing ever could.

Pebble will be dry and fluffy again soon, and he will probably spend the rest of the evening grooming himself pointedly in front of Ruth. She will consider it a small price for one very clean cat.

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