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Older woman gently washes a wet gray Russian Blue cat sitting in a sudsy galvanized metal tub in a backyard. 25 / 38

Grandma Filled the Old Metal Tub With Suds. Sterling Already Knew What Was Coming.

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Out in the backyard, an old galvanized washtub has been pressed into service as a cat spa. Grandma Dottie leans over the rim with her cardigan sleeves pushed up, one hand gently supporting Sterling as she works soapy water through his coat. The Russian Blue sits in the shallow, sudsy water with his fur slicked down and a look of deep, dignified resignation on his face. He isn't thrilled, but he isn't going anywhere either. Potted plants, a coiled garden hose and a blue bucket fill the yard around them.

Most cats rarely need a full bath, since they do an excellent job of grooming themselves. Baths are usually only necessary if a cat gets into something sticky, smelly or potentially harmful, or if a vet recommends it for a skin condition. When a bath is needed, use lukewarm water and a shampoo made for cats, since human and dog products can irritate their skin, and some dog products contain ingredients that are dangerous to cats. Keep water shallow, avoid the face and ears, and rinse thoroughly. Afterward, towel-dry your cat well and keep them somewhere warm until their coat is completely dry. Russian Blues have a dense double coat that can take a while to dry, so patience pays off.

Sterling will probably spend the rest of the afternoon grooming himself back into perfection, as cats do. But a few minutes of gentle care from someone he trusts seems to have been tolerable after all.

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