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Bathing a cat is often seen as a daunting task for many pet owners. Cats are known for their independent nature and aversion to water, making the thought of giving them a bath a challenging proposition. However, there are situations where bathing a cat becomes necessary, such as when they get into something dirty or when they have flea infestations. In this guide, we will explore the techniques, tips, and tricks to successfully bathe a cat, ensuring their cleanliness and well-being without causing unnecessary stress or harm. By following these steps, even the most reluctant cat can be safely and effectively bathed, resulting in a clean and happy feline companion.
This article was co-written by Brian Bourquin, DVM. Brian Bourquin is a veterinarian and owner of the Boston Veterinary Clinic, a veterinary and pet care clinic with two campuses in the South End/Bay Village and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in basic veterinary medicine, health care and preventive care, critical and emergency care, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. This clinic also offers specialty services in behavior modification, nutrition, acupuncture pain therapy, and laser therapies. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital (American Association of Veterinary Hospitals). Brian has over 19 years of experience in the veterinary industry and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University.
There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 140,748 times.
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.
Steps
Prepare
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Do not use dog bath oils. It is necessary to use a type specifically designed to suit the needs of the cat.
- You can also close the bathroom door so the cat doesn’t run out.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- You should gently apply the shampoo to your cat’s coat and entire body. Treat it as baby hair and avoid stroking the coat vigorously. Be gentle and gentle and your kitten will be more relaxed.
- Cats may really not like shampoo. Just reassure and help calm the cat by becoming calmer.
- Do not let the shampoo get into your cat’s eyes. You don’t want them to get hurt in the shower.
- Some cats are attracted to the faucet. If your cat is not afraid of the faucet and you are bathing them in the sink, you can use the faucet to rinse your kitten.
- Whatever you do, don’t splash water on your face. Doing so will frighten them.
Dry
- 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.
- If your cat has long hair, it’s a good idea to brush it after bathing to avoid tangles.
- 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.
This article was co-written by Brian Bourquin, DVM. Brian Bourquin is a veterinarian and owner of the Boston Veterinary Clinic, a veterinary and pet care clinic with two campuses in the South End/Bay Village and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in basic veterinary medicine, health care and preventive care, critical and emergency care, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. This clinic also offers specialty services in behavior modification, nutrition, acupuncture pain therapy, and laser therapies. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital (American Association of Veterinary Hospitals). Brian has over 19 years of experience in the veterinary industry and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University.
There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 140,748 times.
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.
In conclusion, bathing a cat can be a challenging but necessary task to maintain their hygiene and overall health. By following the necessary preparations, such as gathering the right supplies and preparing the bathing area, along with implementing effective handling techniques and ensuring a calm and soothing environment, the bathing process can become much easier and less stressful for both the cat and the owner. Additionally, practicing regular grooming habits, such as brushing and monitoring the cat’s coat and skin, can help reduce the frequency of baths. Overall, with patience, understanding, and proper techniques, bathing a cat can become an essential part of their care routine while strengthening the bond between the owner and their feline companion.
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