help me not die when i try to wash my cat

I tried to bathe my marmalade tabby last night and he went absolutely feral, scratching me up and hiding under the bed for hours.

His name is Oliver and he is 5. I am a vet tech so I know the theory, but in practice, he has zero tolerance for water. I used a regular bath mat, but he slipped and that seems to have made it worse. I am terrified to try again because I don't want to ruin the bathroom or get hurt. What is the safest way to get a cat into the tub without getting injured?

Oh no, sorry to hear that! Smudge is 9 and Sam is 4, but neither of them are fans of the tub either. I think the slipping is the big issue. Have you tried a proper non-slip mat? What mat do you use for the tub? might have some specific recommendations. My Sam gets way calmer when his paws have something to grip.

Hello Pat. I am sorry about the incident. I have a similar struggle with Ollie, who is 8 and diabetic. He is not as aggressive, but he is very sensitive to temperature. I always make sure the water is lukewarm, not warm. You can check Washing my diabetic cat without a fight for my step-by-step process, though I admit it takes patience. Also, make sure the room is warm so he does not get chilled after.

I am so sorry. Luna is 7 and she is a picky eater but also very skittish. I think having a second person is crucial. I always ask my husband to hold the cat gently but firmly while I do the washing. It is hard to coordinate, but it stops the flailing. Did you have anyone else there? Also, check Is he too aggressive to bathe? to see if you are pushing past his limit.

Thank you all. @CarolInOhio, I will look at the mat thread. @joan.webb, the temperature is a good point, I might have made it too warm. @denisek8, I was alone, which I think was a mistake. I do not have anyone to help right now, though. I guess I need to read the pinned resource on general grooming to see if I am missing something basic. Grooming 101: Pinned Resource

Totally understandable, being alone makes it a lot harder. If you can't get a helper, maybe try a spray bottle first to get him used to water without the full immersion? Also, make sure you have a good towel ready for after, since drying can be stressful too. Drying them out after the wash has some tips on that.