the Internet knows, surely

[rm]

What's harder, washing cats or herding cats?

Discuss.

Comments

[skitty-kitty.livejournal.com]

Washing cats. With herding, at least you can use a shepherd's hook to keep yourself as far away as possible from the claws.

[thornsilver]

It depends on an availability of Kevlar outfit.

:P

[nekosensei.livejournal.com]

Washing cats. Herding cats is easy if you tuna. Catnip also works too.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

This.

[msp-hacker.livejournal.com]

It depends on whether you can wash one cat at a time or not. If you can, then washing. If not, herding.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Washing cats, probably (if you've got a good working relationship with aforementioned moggies, it is just possible to cajole them into going where you want them to: that said, I've not tried to wash a cat).

[gina-r-snape.livejournal.com]

Herding cats, for sure. Though, kittens aren't that difficult to bathe when they are really easy.

Trying to bathe one of your home bound beasts, were you then?

[pocketmouse]

Washing cats. I say this because you use the plural.

Unless, of course, you a. throw them into a pool and call that washed, or b. outsource the washing job to the cat. In which case herding them becomes harder.

[nekosensei.livejournal.com]

Or putting them in the shower, turning the water on, and then closing the door. My husband did that to one of our cats once, who turns into a hellbeast any time you do something to her she does not want.

[yendi]

A good firehose can handle both.

[fruitsgrow.livejournal.com]

A+.

[amberite2112.livejournal.com]

i have tried both, and washing, even one at a time, can be rough.
those claws, they act like velcro, you see. and there's nothing worse than a pissed-off, cold, wet cat that won't/can't let go of the front of your clothing.

[shield-toad111.livejournal.com]

Herding cats. With washing, you at least only have one cat to control, so it shouldn't be as hard. Also, there are always pressure washers... *evil grin*

Also, is this a one person job or can you have help?

[sunhawk.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure washing cats involves herding cats into the bathroom to start with :X

[pin-drop.livejournal.com]

I think the availability of tranquilizer drugs is also a point to consider: I imagine stoned kitties would be a lot easier to wash. (Though not to herd, probably.)

[trillian42.livejournal.com]

I had to wash mysterious goop off this one (icon) last week, while he was stoned, and it was still very difficult. He had an amazing amount of flail in him, even when so drugged out that his third eyelid was up.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Washing is more dangerous.

Herding may be more difficult.

[graene.livejournal.com]

Having dipped cats for ringworm as a production line process on more than one occasion, herding 14+ cats is harder. At least, if you've got the ideal bathing set-up. OTOH, if you're just talking two cats who disagree with the need and an average depth kitchen sink...yeah, I'd rather herd the masses.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Washing, for sure. My mother's cat once nearly electrocuted her during a bath.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

Herding is, in general, a chasing operation. Much better to lure the cats where you want them. Most think it's great fun to chase cat treats.

what works

[newwaytowrite.livejournal.com]

If you have two cats that will wash each other.

No herding required.

[laura47.livejournal.com]

WASHING.

HAVE LOST ENOUGH BLOOD TO PROVE IT.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

Odd you should say this as I found a DIY automat pet wash in NJ tonight.

Washing cats is close quarters contact with an animal that would rather turn you into confetti cut paper than get wet.

Herding cats is just getting a lot of dirty looks as you walk around giving orders.

This is not expressly funny, but it does show what can happen when you wash a cat : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dSToExy4yA

( Its a video fo a cat being cleaned in a automatic cat washing machine ... and being very angry about it )

I would never ever EVER use one of these machines.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

Herding. I have cats that will sit patiently and be washed, even by children. But getting these guys to go anywhere together? not happening unless I tuck one under each arm.

[gracilejenn.livejournal.com]

Today, I bear the fresh wounds of a cat-washing incident, so I'll vote for washing. the herding part was a breeze.

[kaffy_r]

Wash--
Herd--

AAAHHHHHaaahahahahahahahahahah

Sorry, sorry ... I'm dealing with three be-flea'd and wormy cats right now, and the mad chases, fear, yowls, &tra? A Universe of Cat and Cat Owner Misery.

So thanks for the laugh.

[imaginarycircus.livejournal.com]

I think I would need more information to judge. I mean cats covered in tar would be harder to wash than herding a bunch of cats sleeping in a pile. But herding cats in a wide open space would be harder than washing one small cat in a contained space. And if there were no gravity and we had to herd the cats I would give up and get drunk.

[ravenskye8.livejournal.com]

Successfully herding cats is nearly impossible, where washing a cat is certainly do-able...

That being said, you are a lot more likely to end up bruised and bleeding from washing a cat than from attempting to herd one...

*has the scars to prove it*

[labellerose.livejournal.com]

I will leave this an an exercise for the student. ;)