Cats are known to be the most hygienic animals of all: they are self-cleaning, with most of them not requiring a bath their entire lives (or nine lives!) As a cat parent, you might think that since your furry companion is constantly grooming, you would never need to learn how to bathe a cat. True for some cat parents, but if your cat tends to behave mischievously, then learning how to bathe a cat/wash a cat should be on your list of things to do! Knocking over the food plate, running across wet mud, or getting into garbage are all activities your cat would love to engage in, and would lead to bathing your cat. Cats hate remaining dirty but also hate water and bathing - a recipe for a ‘cat’astrophe! When your ‘kitty is gritty’, you would need to bathe it!
Here is a list of events/instances, where you would need to wash your cat/bathe a cat:
- Long-coat cats need regular brushing and support to remain clean, despite self-preening. This is where knowing how to bathe a cat would be useful. Select the right cat brush to comb your feline’s fur well.
- Hairless breeds need regular washing and bathing, to remove excess oil from their furless skin. Ask your vet to recommend a good cat shampoo.
- Elderly, overweight, or arthritic cats would find it challenging to clean themselves regularly or properly
- You would need to step in with the right tools and shampoo to clean your cat in the event of flea/tick/other parasite infections
- Your playful feline could easily get into the dirt, smelly garbage, grease/oil, mud, or other substances. Imagine the scenario if you had a white cat! A good bath will keep your feline looking and feeling fresh and clean.
- Most cats dislike water - so bathe your cat only if necessary - this will keep anxiety away from your feline and you. The events mentioned above necessitate a good wash for your cat. Remember, however, that the same is not true for kittens. Groomers and experts do not recommend bathing a kitten less than 8 weeks old - pet wipes are ideal to clean a kitten.
Setting Up Your Cat’s Spa
Bathing your cat, as mentioned, isn’t exactly their idea of fun. To reduce confusion and the time it would take to wash your cat completely, we recommend gathering all the essentials before you begin. Set yourself up for success before you wash your cat. Here are some perfect tips!
- Cut your furry companion’s sharp nails before you bathe it. Preferably, do this a day before to reduce anxiety for you and your feline, on the day of the cat bath.
- Before the bath, comb out any knots or matting with a cat brush. Water will make it harder to remove these clumps and knots. A good brushing will calm your cat - it serves as cleaning and preening, things cats love.
- Brushing your cat’s pearly whites is essential to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Research indicates that most cats over 3 years old have a dental problem/disease. Use an anti-plaque spray/gel, post brushing. This activity should be done before the bath so that any mess can be cleaned up during the bath.
- Check whether you have all the cat washing supplies before you wet your cat.
- Play with your cat using their favourite toys. Tiring them out is a great way to have a more subdued and cooperative feline. Bath time will be a lot easier.
Cat Bathing Supplies
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Remember to gather all necessary supplies to ensure that bathing your cat is enjoyable and stress-free for you and your cat. Here is a list of what you would need for bathing and drying your cat.
Shampoo with Conditioner
Use a cat shampoo - one that will be gentle and good for your feline. It could be a shampoo that is good for both cats and dogs. Read the label carefully to ensure the contents are safe for your furry friend. Additionally, ensure that you follow the instructions for use - some shampoos must be diluted with water before use.
Cat Treats
Keep your feline’s favourite treatson hand while bathing it. The treats serve as a distraction, helping to calm your cat - making bathing time easier and even happier! Remember to reward your feline with an occasional cat treat during bathing to reinforce positive behaviour. Future baths would be much less stressful and ‘paw’fect!
Cat Ear Cleaner
Keep ear cleaning wipeswhile bathing your cat in case water accidentally gets into their ears. Immediate soaking out the water will prevent moisture buildup preventing ear infections. Additionally, ear cleaning lotion addresses the overall grooming required to ensure your cat is clean, happy, and comfortable.
Non-Skid Mat or Towel
Place a non-skid bathmat or towel on the surface of the bottom of the sink or tub. This provides a secure and non-slip footing, reducing their anxiety during a bath. A stable surface will make for a perfect bath - ensuring that your cat is less reluctant the next time around.
Cotton Balls
Cats hate water entering their ears - gently placing cotton balls in their ears prevents the discomfort of water entering their ears.
Ear Wipes
Use soft and cat-safe ear wipes to clean the outer part of their ears - removing dirt and moisture before it enters the ears.
Eye Wipes
Cat wipes help gently cleanse the area around your cat’s eyes removing any discharge or accumulated debris, that could irritate your feline’s eyes. Use specially formulated and safe cat eye wipes to ensure the overall safety and health of your furry friend's peepers.
Towels
Have a load of towels ready to wipe off your cat. Cats prefer to be clean but also dry. Use soft and safe cat towels to pat down and dry your wet feline.
Using a pet dryer can be very helpful for quickly and thoroughly drying your cat after a bath, making the process more efficient and comfortable for your pet. You could elicit the help of another member of the family. This will help keep your cat calm and help you accomplish the task faster and more smoothly, making the experience less stressful for both of you. Both these - a dryer and an extra person - are not essential - but they can greatly enhance the bathing experience for your beloved cat.
The Step By Step Guide to Bathing Your Cat
The fact that a guide is required to bathe cats is ample evidence that cats dislike water and will do whatever to escape. However, once you have all your supplies, and have followed the steps to prepare for the bath, it is time to start bathing your cat.
- Using a spray or a pitcher, pour water on your cat from behind their ears (never from the front, as this will increase the risk of water entering its ears). It’s best not to wet your cat’s head at the start. Slowly and carefully wet the underside of your cat - you can gently lift it, by placing one hand below their front legs to tilt it slightly, allowing you to wet the underside.
- Once the fur is wet, take a bit of the cat shampoo on your hand, and spread it on the fur. Lather it up and wash every part of your cat properly. Make sure no shampoo enters your cat’s eyes or ears. Here is where the extra person comes in handy! One person controls the restless feline, while the other scrubs away. Read the label carefully as mentioned earlier.
- With the scrubbing done, it is time to rinse off all the shampoo. No shampoo should remain since it could irritate your cat’s skin. Use water sparingly, but ensure that your feline is completely shampoo-free. It is best to use a shampoo with conditioner - like Skout's Honor Probiotic Shampoo+Conditioner - so you do not need to repeat the cleansing process and ensure the judicious use of water.
- Use wipes to clean your cat's furry face, ears, and eyes. If you put cotton balls in your cat’s ears during the bath, remember to remove them now and wipe their ears dry.
- You will need at least 2-3 good-quality towels to dry off your cat completely. You could use a dryer on low and cool settings if your feline ‘allows’ it.
Remember to give your cat a generous amount of their favourite cat treats - this will reinforce good behaviour, and your cat will be more cooperative during the next bath. Snuggle your feline to let it know it did a good thing!
Keeping Your Cat Mellow
Ensuring your cat is happy, calm, and relaxed during a bath, will make it easier for you too. Start by keeping yourself calm - maybe you could have a pleasant smell wafting through the area, through a diffuser. Cats love the smell of catnip, lavender, honeysuckle, basil, and more. Even some calming music would help keep your anxiety levels low. If you are calm, it will help to calm your cat too. Ensure the water is neither hot nor cold - lukewarm water works best to wash your cat. Don’t forget the cat treats! Also remember, that unless your feline gets into mischief, they do not need a bath often. Bathing your cat often can make their skin dry and itchy. Hairless cats, however, need a bath every week to keep their skin moisturised and not oily. Long-coat cats need a bath once a month or once every two months. Regular combing is essential though.
How To Bathe A Kitten?
Kittens younger than 8 weeks, should not be bathed. Use kitten wipes to clean their fur, face, eyes,and ears. For kittens older than 8 weeks, use a gentle liquid to bathe them, ensuring water or lather does not enter their eyes and ears. It is important to dry your kitten completely so they do not catch a cold. Dab their ears to remove moisture and grime, but never use ear swabs as they could damage their eardrums.
You Did It ‘Paw’fectly!
Congratulations on learning and implementing a successful bath for your cat. You have a clean cat, who is also hopefully not upset with you! The trick is to remain calm, keep many cat treats handy, and follow the guidelines as mentioned. If you have a cat that does need frequent baths, they might just begin to love bathing. May you and your feline friend, live long and prosper
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I make my cat's bath time easy?
Prepare all supplies beforehand, use a non-slip mat, stay calm, and reward your cat with treats.
2. Can I bathe my cat?
Yes, you can bathe your cat, but it’s important to use cat-specific shampoo and make the experience as stress-free as possible.
3. Can I use human shampoo on my cat?
No, you should never use human shampoo on your cat as it can irritate their sensitive skin.
