Top Ten Tips for How to Bathe a Cat

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We all know that the cats do not like the water and the bathing a cat can turn into a very stressful event. Although the cats constantly licks themselves and are very clean by default, sometimes we have to undertake the risk and wash them up. The best way to minimize the stress is to start bathing our cat when it is young. Whatever the little kitten learns in its young age lessens the later difficulties. During the first few months, a kitten is open to new things and eager to learn about the outside world. Later, the cats become very suspicious and not much enthusiastic about the changes. Thus, bathing the cat, who is not accustomed to it when young, appears to turn into a nightmare. In order to facilitate the whole bathing experience not only for the kitten, but also for us, there are ten tips, given in the article “Bathing Your Cat” written by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), that we can follow:

1. Perfect timing: Schedule baths when your cat’s at her most mellow. A play session with a cat dancer or other toy of choice can help tire out even the friskiest of felines.

2. Clip, snip: For your own protection, ASPCA experts recommend trimming Fluffy’s claws before bathing.

3. The brush-off: Next, give your cat a good brushing to remove any loose hair and mats. Now’s also a good time to gently place some cotton in her ears to keep the water out.

4. Stand firm: Place a rubber bath mat in the sink or tub where you’ll be bathing your kitty so she doesn’t slip. Fill with three to four inches of lukewarm (not hot, please!) water.

5. Just add water: Use a hand-held spray hose to thoroughly wet your pet, taking care not to spray directly in her ears, eyes and nose. If you don’t have a spray hose, a plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup works great.

6. Lather up: Gently massage your pet with a solution of one part cat shampoo (human shampoo can dry out her skin) to five parts water, working from head to tail, in the direction of hair growth. Take care to avoid the face, ears and eyes.

7. All clear: Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off your cat with a spray hose or pitcher; again, be sure the water is lukewarm. Take good care that all residue has been removed, as it can irritate the skin and act as a magnet for dirt.

8. About face: Use a washcloth to carefully wipe your pet’s face. Plain water is fine unless her face is very dirty—in which case, we recommend using an extra-diluted solution of shampoo, being very cautious around her ears and eyes.

9. Dry idea: You’re almost there! Wrap your cat in a large towel and dry her with it in a warm place, away from drafts. If your kitty doesn’t mind the noise, you can use a blow dryer—on the lowest heat setting. And please note, if your pet has long hair, you may need to carefully untangle her fur with a wide-toothed comb.

10. Good girl!: Your little bathing beauty deserves endless praise—and her favorite treat—after all this! And with such a happy ending, next time she may find that bath time isn’t so bad.

Before we apply all these tips, it is very important to calm down and relax ourselves. Our little pets can react strongly if we radiate stress. Because of that, it is very important to enjoy the process of bath and try to make some fun. Unfortunately, taking a bath cannot be a pleasant experience for every cat, but it is still necessary for its general health. If the cat protests or frightens a little, the firm, gentle movements during the bath or the slow shower with the warm water can soothe her. Above all, the kitten needs to feel safe and it is up to us to provide it to stay firm on its legs and in safe hands. It is that very thing the kitten expects. They need the owner who is caring, gentle and firm, the owner they can trust. Maybe the first bathing experience is the challenge for us – are we confident enough and can we provide all that care and protection for this tiny being.