Cats do a good job of keeping themselves cleaned and groomed, but you will at some point need to bathe your feline. If your kitty still has his claws, this can seem quite intimidating – but It doesn’t have to be so challenging for either of you.
Table of Contents:
Pre-Bath Advice
- The key to successful cat-bathing is preparation. You must make certain you have all necessary items at your fingertips.
- THIS IS A TWO PERSON JOB. You will need to keep at least one hand on your cat AT ALL TIMES, so it will be difficult to complete the process without a helper.
- Ideally, this process should be done in a double sink, or a single sink that has a spray attachment. If you do not have either a double sink or a single sink with a spray attachment, then consider using two large Tupperware containers, each one being about the size of your sink.
- Line the floor around you with old towels; this will be a messy process and you don’t want to make things more difficult by slipping on a wet floor.
- If your cat has claws, it is recommended that you wear long sleeves. Also, if your cat is prone to biting, consider wearing a pair of sturdy gloves.
- It is NOT recommended that you wash your cat in the tub. Generally, cats are afraid of water and to them, the tub looks like an ocean of certain death.
Washing the Cat
What You Will Need:
- Lots of old towels
- Double sink or single sink with spray attachment
- Plug for the sink
- Rubber mat for the sink
- Two cups
- Soft washcloth
- Cat shampoo
- Cotton balls
- 1 or more dirty cats
- Bandages and antiseptic (for you, afterwards)
Washing that Kitty:
- Prepare your work area; arrange towels on the floor and place all your gear within easy arms reach.
- Place the rubber mat in the sink and fill with about three inches of body-temperature water (just enough to come up to your cat’s belly. DO NOT overfill! Cats are very sensitive to water temperature, so it is important that you check the temperature, using the same method you would for a baby bottle: pour a bit on the underside of your wrist—it should feel neither hot nor cold.
- Put some shampoo in one of the cups and fill with the water from the sink (this will prevent the cat from being shocked by a sudden dose of cold shampoo).
- If you are using a double sink, fill the other side with body-temperature water, relatively the same temperature as the first side.
- Pick up your cat, stroking him and talking to him soothingly so that he doesn’t become too suspicious over what is about to happen.
- Making sure you have a firm hold on your cat (this may require gripping the scruff of his neck) lower him gently but quickly into the side of the sink with the 3-inches of water.
- In all likelihood, YOUR CAT WILL IMMEDIATELY TRY TO GET OUT. All kidding aside, if he has claws, this can be a very dangerous situation. A panicked cat can do some serious damage. Keep a firm hold on your cat at all times. This is why it is important for another person to assist you.
- If your cat is not too stressed, place a small cotton ball in each ear. Cats can get ear infections if their ears get wet. If you are unable to get the cotton balls in, or if your cat repeatedly shakes them out, make sure you’re extra careful not to get the ears wet.
- With the empty cup, gently pour the sink water onto your cat.
- Pour the diluted shampoo solution on him and massage into his fur. NEVER put shampoo by the face, eyes or ears.
- Wet the washcloth in the clean sink water and gently run it over his snout and face. Again, do not use shampoo on your cat’s face.
- If you are using the double sink, using cupfuls of clean water, rinse the shampoo thoroughly from your cat, draining the water if it becomes too deep. If you are using a spray attachment, check the water temperature, and make sure the pressure is not too great. Place the nozzle close to your cat’s fur so he doesn’t get the “spray” sensation. It is very important that you rinse ALL the shampoo from your cat—their skin can be very sensitive and shampoo residue will make them susceptible to skin infections and irritations.
- Once your cat has been completely rinsed, lift him out of the sink using a soft towel. Try to keep him wrapped in the towel, blotting excess water (DO NOT RUB with the towel as this can be very irritating to an already edgy cat). Repeat several times with dry towels.
- Once you have blotted away the excess water, keep your kitty in a quiet, warm, draft-free place until he is completely dry and relaxed once more.
- If you’ve gotten any scratches in the process, clean them thoroughly with soap and water, treat them with antiseptic and bandage them. Check any scratches or bites frequently for signs of infection.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Cats keep themselves clean and do not need to be bathed frequently.
- NEVER attempt to bathe your cat by yourself. Even if your cat is used to the process, cats can be unpredictable and accidents do happen. Always have another person assist you.
- If you have a long-haired cat, you may want to use feline conditioner to restore the luster to his fur. Apply after the shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
- If you have significant reluctance or fear over the prospect of bathing your cat, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian for assistance and advice.
- For cats that have rolled in motor oil or engine grease, Dawn can be used to break through the oil in the fur. It will take time, so be prepared to keep the cat warm during and after the cleaning process.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
dry and damp cat wipes as well as spray on no rinse cat cleaners can be bought at pet supply stores for cats that are only mildly dirty or are very fearful of water immersion
dont wash above the neck to prevent getting soapy water in eyes nose mouth ears etc, you can use a damp washcloth to gently wipe down the head later
many cats are agitated by the sound of running water, some cats may be less stressed by a bath if you rinse them by using a large cup to pour water over them rather than a sprayer.
buy cat safe shampoo at a pet supply store or grocery store (if available) and do not use dog shampoo as it may contain chemicals toxic to cats. use shampoo sparingly so you can fully rinse it out.
sometimes simply getting a cat a little wet with a spray bottle or wet washcloth will be enough to encourage the cat to bathe itself more thouroughly possibly eliminating the need for a full bath
flushable wipes for humans (available in the toilet paper aisle of your local grocery store) can be useful for poopy cat butts and are easily disposed of with no mess
trimming a cats claws with nail trimmers made for cats a day or two before bathing can really save you from scratches (as well as preventing much scratch related damage to your furniture and carpets. also a hair catch for your drain is a good idea as baths often are left with a lot of shed hair in them that can clog your drains
hi i want to know is when you wash your cat and the other ones are hissing at each other what does that mean and if they r hissing at you too what can i do for them to stop diong that?
I bathe my cat quartly. I am allergic to cats and this reduces the dander and it keeps enough space in between so his natural oils are not disturbed. Weekly I wipe him down with unscented baby wipes.
Heres some help
12 year old and tapwater VS cat and claws. BAD
BUT i have a glass shower so i put MeiMei in after filling it about two inches.
worked perfectly! no scratches (exept the ones from trying the sink)
USE SHAMWOW TO DRY KITTIES! YOU DONT HAVE TO RUB CATS DRY VERY much
Bathing cats
Vets and grooming teams do have an advantage: tranquilizers. They also know how to administer them and how to handle that cats.
If you still want to undertake this task, here are two possible points to consider:
1. Good eye protection for yourself is in good order.
2. Shut the bathroom door. Should the cat get away, at least you won’t have to chase them around the house.