How to Bathe a Cat

Bathing a cat is extremely difficult, but when you have a stubborn kitten in your arms, it can be a real challenge. Although cats can clean themselves, sometimes bathing them is essential if they’ve just played with smelly furniture or if their coat is greasy and in need of care. Cats need lots of love and affection in order to be trusted, especially if you’re giving them a bath for the first time. So, how do you bathe cats without spooking them or avoiding scratches? See Step 1 to find out.

Table of Contents

Prepare

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Determine the right time to bathe your cat. It is a fact that most cats do not need to be bathed, as they are masters at grooming and hygiene. However, if your cat has fleas, has just been playing in a slimy puddle, or if it just looks a little dirty, it’s time to bathe them. If the cat is too young, you should just wipe it with a wet towel instead of bathing it.

Consult with your veterinarian about the right time to give your kitten a bath. According to Animal Compassion Network, you should wait until your kittens are at least 8 weeks old before putting them in the tub. ^{[1] X Research Source}
One benefit of bathing cats when they are young is to help them get used to bathing if they are frequently soiled. Just remember that cats spend about 30% of their time grooming and shouldn’t be bathed more than once or twice a year, unless they’re really dirty. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Cut the cat’s nails. Even the gentlest of kittens will be a little resistant when you bathe them, especially if it’s the first time. To protect yourself from scratches, it’s a good idea to trim your cat’s nails so it’s less likely to hurt you while you’re bathing them. Although scratches caused by kittens are not as severe as adult cats, you can still get injured. Take this step to keep yourself safe, even if your kitten resists the action. ^{[3] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}^{[4] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}

You should not trim your cat’s nails right before bathing. Instead, do it the day before or at least a few hours before. A lot of cats get hot-tempered and angry after their nails are trimmed, and you need to keep the kitten calm before you start bathing.
If you haven’t trimmed your cat’s nails yet, extend the time between trimming and bathing – even a day. Nail trimming can be a new and intimidating experience for a young kitty, and you don’t want to make things worse by giving them a bath right after.

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Brush the cat’s coat. Before bathing them, you should brush their fur. The hair on the legs, belly, and top of the head are the areas that need brushing. This step is important to keep their fur from getting tangled and knotted. If you put the cat in the bath but haven’t brushed it, it will make the knot more tangled and cause unnecessary trouble. Don’t skip this important step. ^{[5] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Some cats really enjoy being groomed and see this as a relaxing process. However, some other cats are a little scared or agitated when brushing. If this step doesn’t help your cat relax, you should give it at least an hour or two to calm down before bathing. Rewarding cats after brushing contributes to better bathing.

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Don’t bathe your cat while wearing a tank top with bare sleeves and chest. Instead, wear a long-sleeve shirt with a thick fabric, so that the cat is less likely to scratch. Some say you even have to protect your hands, but this only needs to be done if the cat likes to bite and scratch. So you should always keep yourself safe, and wear long-sleeved shirts so you don’t scratch your arms.

You should also wear clothes made of thick cotton fabric so that the cat’s paws do not get in the clothes. Choose a hard fabric that is hard to penetrate by sharp objects.

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Prepare a cat shampoo. Kittens need a special baby shampoo, and cats with fleas need a shampoo that kills fleas, flea eggs, etc. For cats without fleas, regular cat shampoo can be used. Go to a pet store, see a veterinarian, or buy at an online retailer. If in doubt, ask the salesperson for information on the best shampoos. Do not bathe your cat with regular soap or shampoo, or you will injure or irritate their skin. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Do not use dog bath oils. It is necessary to use a type specifically designed to suit the needs of the cat.

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Get the kit ready to bathe the cat. When you are done with the preparation, pour water into the mug and prepare a towel to dry the cat. Prepare shampoo. It would be better if you had one more person to help! Instead of putting your cat in the tub and running off to find shampoo, you should have everything ready before bathing them.

You can also close the bathroom door so the cat doesn’t run out.

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Make the tub more appealing to cats. If your cat is unfamiliar with bathing and the outside world, it’s a good idea to help ease the fear of being bathed. You can put their favorite toys in the tub or basin, or turn the bathroom into a fun place so your cat won’t think it’s a scary place anymore. You can even play with your cat in a tub or basin without water at first, so that they feel comfortable in that environment.

When it’s time to bathe your cat, you can pop in their favorite toy, or a few bath toys, to make them feel comfortable. You can even let your cat play with toys in the dry bath at first.

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Bathe cats when they are calm. This is a very important point. Don’t bathe them right after playing for half an hour and making them angry, or after getting agitated when you discover a bug in the room. Avoid bathing your cat right before a meal, or they will become agitated and anxious, wanting to eat instead of bathe. Instead, choose a time when the cat is calm, resting, or just relaxing and doesn’t need anything ^{[7] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go To source}

Although cats will naturally get agitated fairly quickly, it’s better to start with a calm cat to make it easier for yourself and your pet to go through a bath without much difficulty.
You can also schedule a play session to tire your cat out and then wait half an hour for the cat to get tired and rest before bathing.

Take a shower

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Prepare to bathe the cat. The most common places to bathe cats are the wash basin or the sink, because bathing cats in a small basin is easier and more manageable. Therefore, cats should not be put in the bath because it will make it difficult to bathe them. Although some people like to fill the sink with water and then “dip” the cat, this will only frighten them, so this should only be used as a last resort. Instead, you should put the cat in the tub and slowly pour warm water over them. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

You can place plastic pads on the bottom of the tub so your cat won’t slip.
Some people like to fill the tub with warm water at about 2.5cm to allow the cat’s paws to get used to the water before bathing. If you want you can do this to prepare your cat. If the cat is really afraid of water, then you should be close to them to make them less afraid.

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Keep the cat calm. The cat has the ability to cling to everything to stay away from the bath. Just lay them down gently, with one foot, then put the others down. Return the cat to the sink. You can gently hold the front shoulder and use your other hand to wash the cat’s hair while holding the bottom. Talk to your cat in a gentle, friendly way and your kitten will feel calmer and more reassured. If you start to lose your temper, the cat will sense that you are nervous and will imitate your reaction.

Cuddle the kitten while holding its back or shoulders tightly. If the cat takes its front paws out of the tub, you can keep them in this position instead of putting their whole body in the tub.

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Add water to the pot. While the cat is lying in the kitchen sink or basin, gently splash warm water with a cup until the coat is completely wet. Pour in the water slowly and gently, and cuddle and stroke the coat so that it feels calm. If you have a helper, he or she can control the cat by holding the shoulder while you flush. The water should only be half to a full cup at a time, and avoid splashing water on their faces. ^{[9] X Research Source}^{[10] X Research Source}

Alternatively, you can fill the sink with water and put the cat in it. If you do this, put the kitten in warm water first until the paws are completely wet, praise them, and then dip them deep into the water. If you do, however, fill the tub with water while your kitten is in another room, because some cats are terrified of the sound of running water.

Dry

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Pat the cat dry. First, you can use a towel to dry them before wrapping them. This will absorb the moisture and keep the cat from feeling wrapped in a wet towel. Just gently patting their face, body and coat will make them feel a little more comfortable before being placed in the towel.

Some people even use a hair dryer set to the lowest setting to dry the cat. You need to do what’s best for your cat. Some like the dryer and others are terrified. If your kitten likes a hair dryer, you can set it to the lowest setting and gently dry the coat as if you were drying your hair, taking care not to panic.

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Cover the cat with a large towel to dry. After bathing, you should quickly dry the cat. Be aware that small animals can experience a drop in body temperature due to damp fur, so it’s important to dry them quickly, before using heat to dry them. The towel can make the cat feel claustrophobic, and possibly a little spooked, but it’s important to dry them. Your kitten will shake the water out of its coat on its own, just like dogs. ^{[11] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

If your cat has long hair, it’s a good idea to brush it after bathing to avoid tangles.

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Reward the cat. Then cuddle, cuddle, and kiss them. Your poor kitty just went through one of the worst. Most cats hate water! (However, there are two breeds of cats that are not afraid of water: the Turkish Van and the Bengal. ^{[12] X Research Source} ) Even once your cat is used to bathing, the initial experience is still not easy. easy, and you need to be aware of that.

If you reward your cat after a bath, it will associate bathing with good things and will want to bathe more.

Advice

Dry your cat in a permanent place, or hide important papers. If they are released, they will dry on their own with paper instead of a towel!
Remember not to bathe your cat too much. Water will dry out their skin and fur! Twice per week is maximum!
Bringing your cat’s front paws above the water allows them to feel in control. You can let them put their feet on the sink or tub. This will also keep water from getting to your face and ears.
Note: If you start bathing your cat at a young age and incorporate fun bathing ideas (like food or rewards), they’ll be more interested in bathing as they get older.
If you don’t qualify for cat shampoo, you can use Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and Shower Gel!
Grabbing a cat’s nape (the flesh at the back of the neck) can help them relax when they’re submerged in water.
Cats will become agitated when exposed to water. Just calm down and apply shampoo to your cat’s fur. Then cuddle to help them relax.
Using rubber gloves will help when you’re trimming your cat’s nails.
For cats that often bite their teeth in your hands while bathing, use 2 old gloves, or buy 2 new ones. After showering, put the gloves in the washer and dryer for next time use. (Separate cat bathing gloves and meal prep gloves.)
You can also use nylon or a harness to hold the cat.
If your kitten is afraid of bathing, talk to them in a gentle voice to make sure nothing bad happens.
Grasp the cat’s nape the way a mother cat takes her kittens away. They will immediately stop. This action will not hurt them.

Warning

If you have multiple cats, chances are the other cat won’t recognize the cat you’re bathing and purr, because you’ve washed away their identifying scent. Bathe all cats if possible. In any case, it will take days to regain the characteristic cat smell.
Never put soap on your cat’s face, but if it does, wash it off quickly and if irritation persists, take it to the vet immediately.
Bathing can pose a serious health risk to cats. They can easily catch a cold, from exposure to water and lose heat as the water evaporates from their fur. If your cat is too dirty, consult your veterinarian. Either contamination is harmful to the health of the cat, skin contact or if soap is swallowed, also need veterinary advice.
Make sure you and your cat don’t leave soap stains!
Avoid getting soap on your face, but if it does get medical help.

Steps

Prepare

Take a shower

Dry

Advice

Warning

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