Cats really hate water … and why they hate some people, too
By Gina Spadafori
February 2, 2007
When I saw the pet-washing cabinet at a pet-indutry trade show a couple years ago, I knew it wasn’t anything I’d use with my dogs or recommend to anyone else. You stuff your pet in the “spa” and then water jets and soap shoot out from all around. The spray is gentle, to be fair about it, but what animal would enjoy such hands-off treatment?
And now, someone put a cat inside the darn thing, and the video is the hottest thing on You Tube. From CNN:
A “Kitty Washing Machine” video on YouTube, depicting a cat in turmoil while undergoing a Pet Spa treatment, is making quite a splash, cracking up some viewers and distressing others.
But no one is more offended than the maker of the product.
“It’s going to destroy our image,” said Andres Diaz, the owner and inventor of Pet Spa, which markets and distributes a system to wash, de-flea and blow-dry dogs, cats and other small animals.“It’s definitely going to affect our image and our company,” he said of the video.
Diaz estimates that he sells 30 to 50 machines a year at $25,800 a pop – but he is worried that sales will plummet after the unflattering demonstration.
According to Diaz, the cat in the video was not well suited, behavior-wise, to be subjected to such a cleaning. He says some cats, like the one in the video, should be sedated and bathed under supervision at the veterinarian’s office.
“Somebody is misrepresenting what we really stand for,” he said.
Whatever. What I don’t get — never have, never will — is why people think scaring cats to pieces is funny.
The pet store near me has one of those Pet Spa things. I’ve never tried it nor do I ever intend to—I know that my dog would hate it. In fact, I can’t imagine any animal that would enjoy being closed into a box like that (even those who like water).
What I do like are the stores that have self-serve doggie washes that are just a couple of tubs with water sprayers and shampoo. It lets you wash your dog the way you want in a normal fashion, but there’s no need to clean up after. And the tubs are raised so you don’t need to bend over, and there’s leashes that attach to the wall so your dog won’t jump out.
Comment by Janine — February 2, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
I love self-serve dog washes, too. I’m lucky to live near a really good one. The owner has become a friend of mine and special-orders me the foods I buy for the pack.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 2, 2007 @ 5:09 pm
Many groomers keep seeking solutions to streamline their efforts and conserve on water and other supplies. We just had a new business that moved in and uses the device but also does tradional work. I think hands off isn’t the best solution but have seen the aggression and issues inside the doors of a grooming salon. Ultimately, responsible pet ownership and screening for the right pet professional is what is needed.
Comment by Diana L Guerrero — February 3, 2007 @ 9:42 am
Thank you so much for bringing to our attention this video is out there…unfortunately giving several people a good laugh. The CNN article is interesting too. So, what is humane use of Pet Spa?
Comment by Jennifer Miller — February 5, 2007 @ 10:54 am