Dave emailed us asking about this video that had been posted on youtube.

The video shows a 'pet spa' machine, used to automatically wash and dry pets, and a cat's reaction to it.

The person who submitted it to the site added to their posting:


So, as to whether it's a real machine and a real video, I'd say yes. The CBS news website has run an article on the owner of one of the pet spa machines.
As for the video, some cats do freak out when in an enclosed space, or when water is sprayed on them. I suspect the cat was a little more nervous than those belonging to the satisfied customers.

That's one furious cat!

That's nothing.

This one is better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WofFb_eOxxA&mode=related&search;=

Poor kitty.

Someone tell Disney that these people are stealing their plots...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032401/plotsummary

I have no idea how long trauma stays with a cat but surely inducing trauma to "clean" an animal that already does a really thorough job cleaning itself is typical thoughtlessness. I am sure people smell a lot worse to cats than they do to us. People are of course complete control freaks ("I want that can cleaned with soap and water, NOW!") whereas cats are much more laid back.

I can imagine, after being in there once, the emergency room visit that results from them trying to get the cat in there a second time.

This one is even better than any of them. I haven't laughed like that in a long time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9QwK5EHSmg

From the YouTube responses to that video:

"DanDierdorf:
Don't think anything of it, they look exactly the same if you hold them, wash them, and then get your arteries opened. They don't like getting washed. Period. No special reason to open yourself to being scratched, bitten, clawed or mawled. Too many peeps laught at humans and whine at animals."

I think that sums up the whole thing. If you want your pet cleaned, you either wash them by hand or by using a machine like that. Some pets won't like it either way. I know that I personally have a number of scars left over from cats that did *not* want to have their bath. If you can do the same thing without anyone (even the cat!) getting injured, why not?

Giving a cat a bath can be traumatic either way.

The pet store near my house has one of these.
Thought about taking my dog.
Uhh.. no.
It's very cheap to use, but it looks terrifying
for the animal.
I love how they wrote "SPA" on it...

Whenever I've had to wash one of my cats (due to them getting cold bonfire ashes or mud in the fur) I've done it by hand in the kitchen sink. If my cat trusts me it is more reassured by my presence and my voice than if it is subjected to a "pet spa". After the initial wetting down, the cat generally quits fighting and lets me get on with washing it. I keep a firm grip on the scruff, have all the shampoo bottle opened beforehand and I've not sustained any serious wounds.

the video's been removed... by DIsney!

Poor kitty? Give me a break! Traumatized for life? STFU!!! How is this cruel to cats or dogs that give owners war at necessary bathing times. And for those airheads who insist that cats don't need to be washed, please... go consult a veternarian. Cats lick themselves... including their asses. Which is a fecal matter bacterial sickness mess waiting to happen not only for the cat but for anyone that comes in contact with the cat. Oh, right... cat's saliva has magical qualities right? Cats need to be washed and bathed... this is a brilliant solution! Also for dogs that give you hell at bathing times.

@David B.

I guess Disney did take notice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVWNYY_pbuA
This is an animal cruelty ,I would put in the inventor and those who using this waterboarding-machine for an hour min.!

What is wrong with people?? I've been grooming cats for years and let me tell you, they don't react like that when I bathe them. Of course, wouldn't you react badly if a giant robot came over to you and started spraying soapy water all over you while you were just chilling on a park bench?! Have your pets groomed by a professional, and you will never have to worry about getting "mauled". Oh, and Jon, STFU. You probably are enamored with the way Michael Vick treated his dogs, too.