When/While I washed the cat, it ran off into the bushes in disgust.

[sitifan]

When I washed the cat, it ran off into the bushes in disgust. (My bold.)
Source: Ting-chi Tang, A Guide to Teaching Junior High School English.

Can I use "while" instead of "when" in the above sentence?

 

[Skrej]

No, but you could say "While I was washing the cat, it ran off.".

 

[sitifan]

No, but you could say "While I was washing the cat, it ran off.".

What's the difference in meaning between the sentences below?
1. When I washed the cat, it ran off.
2. When I was washing the cat, it ran off.
3. While I was washing the cat, it ran off.

 

[Skrej]

There's no practical difference between them. #2-3 allow for the possibility that you were part way through the process of washing when the cat ran off.
#1 allows for the possibility that the cat ran off as soon as you started.

 

[EngLearner]

1. When I washed the cat, it ran off.

Can version #1 in post #3 have the following meaning:

As soon as I finished washing the cat, it ran off.

 

[sitifan]

Can version #1 in post #3 have the following meaning:
As soon as I finished washing the cat, it ran off.

No. When I had washed the cat, it ran off.

 

[Tarheel]

No, but you could say "While I was washing the cat, it ran off.".

That makes sense.