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8/10/2019 How to bathe a Cat.doc
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For Beginners
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How to bathe a CAT
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How to bathe a CAT
Four Parts:Getting Ready to Bathe Your CatBathing
Your CatDrying Your CatAlternative Methods for
Bathing Your Cat
Although cats are equipped to clean themselves ontheir own, there are times when they really need a bath
whether they get into something very sticky or dirty,
or if their coat feels oily and in need of care. Bathing your kitty without stressing
it out can be difficult, but not impossible, if you follow a few key rules. Read on to
find out how to have a clean kitty in no time at all.
Part 1 of 4: Getting Ready to Bathe Your Cat
Bathe a Cat Step 1 Version 2.jpg
1.Trim your cat's nails. Even the calmest of cats may get a littlewild once he's covered in water, and he will fight back. To minimize the
damage he'll cause, you should trim his nails before you give him a bath.
Trimming his nails will probably excite him, so try to do this a few hours, or
even a day or two, before the bath so he has time to calm down before he
takes the plunge.[1]
Giving your kitty treats as a reward for getting
his nails trimmed will always make him feel
better and will calm them down
Bathe a Cat Step 2 Version 2.jpg
2.Brush your cat.You shouldbrush your kitty before you put it into the
bath. Do not skip this step. Brushing the
kitty will help remove any knots and
tangles in the fur, which will be much
more difficult to remove once your cat is
wet not to mention much more painful for him. If your kitty likes getting
brushed, then you can use the brush to
lure the kitty into the bathtub to make
him feel more at home.[2]
Sometimes you can even brush your cat as a
way to get him distracted enough to allow his
nails to be trimmed. This is a great way of
killing two birds with one stone.
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Bathe a Cat Step 3 Version 2.jpg
3.Wear protectiveclothing. Not only isit important to wash your cat but it is
important to be safe from any possible
scratches, minor or major. A jumper or along-sleeved shirt must be worn so that your
cat has no bare skin to scratch. If you don't have one, you could wear long-
sleeved gloves. It is also a good idea to wear clothing that isn't new. Be
careful and gentle when you rub his head and belly.
Bathe a Cat Step 4 Version 2.jpg
4.Get the right cat shampoo. Youcan get kitty shampoo from your vet or local pet
store. Check the instructions to see if it's rightfor your cat, and dilute it with water if it's
necessary. Using regular shampoo can not only
dry out your cat's skin but can be toxic for your
cat. Don't use dog shampoo in a pinch, either.
You're better off just using water than using a
product that can harm your cat.[3]
You'll also need a washcloth for massaging the shampoo onto kitty's body.
Bathe a Cat Step 5 Version 2.jpg
5.Prepare the bathroom.Before you can begin to bathe kitty,
you'll need to shut the bathroom door to
prevent him from escaping. You should
also lay down a rubber mat or towel in the
tub so your kitty doesn't slip and has
more comfortable footing. Additionally,
you'll need to place some towels on the floor because it'll get wet, as the
kitty will put up a fight.[4]
Additionally, have at least two towels on hand for drying kitty when the time
comes.
You won't have time to run out for anything while your cat's in the bath, so you'll
need to have everything ready in the bath in advance.
Bathe a Cat Step 6 Version 2.jpg
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How to bathe a CAT
6.Prepare the bath. Fill the tub with 4-5 inches of
warm water.Try to fill the tub before bringing your cat into thebathroom, since some cats can be unnerved by running water. Fill two
buckets or, ideally, two plant watering pots, which allow you to direct the
flow of water as you rinse the cat. This is so you don't need to run morewater during the bath, which might frighten your cat. If you have a
removable shower nozzle, then even better in that case, you won't need
to fill buckets with water and can use the nozzle throughout the bath.[5]
Do not use the shower head or faucet to bathe your kitty. This will make the
water pour down too hard and
fast and will scare your kitty in no
time at all. The bath should be as
gentle and soothing as
possible and shouldn't feel like awater attack.
Bathe a Cat Step 7.jpg
7.Make your cat
want to bathe. Thefirst thing you should do is tire your kitty out, so he is at his most mellow
before he enters the water. This will make him less likely to bite or scratch
you or to try to get away. Pick a time when your kitty is at his most calm
often after he is fed and feels satisfied. If he still acts hyper, play with him
as much as you can until he's worn out, not hyped up. Here are some other
ways to get your kitty adjusted to the bath before you start bathing him:[6]
Play with your cat inside his or her bath with a string, or with some other toy that
your cat likes. If you play with your cat in the bath, then your cat will enjoy
bathing and want to get in there again to play with you.
Make the bath a place where you play with your cat with a certain item (like a
mouse on a string or some kind of "cat bathing" toy). This will inspire your cat to
look forward to bathing, instead of fearing it.Part 2 of 4: Bathing Your Cat
Bathe a Cat Step 8 Version 2.jpg
1.Maintain control of your cat.Talk to your cat in a calm, quiet voice while
washing. And make sure to keep a good grip on
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How to bathe a CAT
the neck or shoulders. Sometimes cats,
obviously, will try to get out of the tub. If they
prefer to have only two of their feet in the water,
face them toward the back of the tub and let
them stand on two feet. If you're really having
difficulty doing this, you can consider getting acat harness, as long as it doesn't hurt the kitty.
If you're nervous or excited about the process, your
kitty will know.
It's easier to bathe your cat if there are two people involved, especially if your cat
is rather strong and can kick and wriggle its way out of your hands. One person
should hold all four legs and hold the cat's jaw so it can't bite you.
Hold your cat firmly so it cannot wriggle out from your grip, but be sure you don't
hold it so tight that it can't breathe.Bathe a Cat Step 9 Version 2.jpg
2.Massage the shampoo onto your cat's face.Soakyour kitty from the neck down. Use a washcloth to wet your kitty's fur. Use
a little bit of shampoo and use the water to wash your cat's neck, body,
legs, belly and tail. Start from his head and work toward his tail, in the
direction of the growth of his fur. Wash the cat in a massaging motion, so
he feels soothed, not scared. Act like you're just petting and grooming your
cat and that this trip to the bathtub is nothing special.
Be sure to not get shampoo in his eyes, nose,
mouth, or ears.
You may need to hold him gently by his scruff to
maintain control over him.
Bathe a Cat Step 10 Version 2.jpg
3. Rinse
theshampoo from your kitty.Rinseyour kitty thoroughly using the washcloth and
the water in the tub. Then, drain the tub
and rinse two more times with water from the
bucket or warm water from the tap. It is
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How to bathe a CAT
essential that you remove all the soap
from the coat. You may have to keep
going for even more cycles until you
remove all of the shampoo from your
kitty's fur.
If your cat has a long, thick coat, this
process will take even longer.
Bathe a Cat Step 11 Version
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4. Wash your kitty's face with water.Washing your cat'sface with water should do the trick. There's no need to take the risk of upsetting
and hurting your cat by getting shampoo or soap in his eyes. Take a wet
washcloth and gently run it along your kitty's face, brushing the fur away fromhis eyes and nose, until his face, head, and ears are nice and clean.[7]
Don't ever force your cat's face under water. This
is guaranteed to make him panic.
Part 3 of 4: Drying Your Cat
Bathe a Cat Step 12 Version 2.jpg
1.Blot the water from your
cat.Let the water drip from the cat whilegently pressing as much water as you can
from the fur before you wrap your cat in
the towel. Rub gently with one towel.
When the first towel gets too wet to be
effective, switch to another dry towel. Don't stop until the cat is damp. Try
warming the towels in the dryer first, as many cats find this comforting.[8]
When you blot the water from your kitty, do it in a gentle motion, as if you're
massaging him. He'll feel more comforted this way.
Bathe a Cat Step 13 Version 2.jpg
2. Finish drying your cat.Short-haired cats can finish dryingthemselves in the bathroom as long as they're away from drafts. They will
appreciate a heat source (space heater or warm air vent) and a dry towel to sit on.
With long-haired cats, you will have to use a comb and more towels. Long hairs
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How to bathe a CAT
mat more easily when wet, so you may wish to comb the coat until it is completely
dry.
If your cat is not scared of a hair dryer, you can use a dryer
set on warm, not hot to finish drying your cat from a
distance. The hot setting on a hair dryer is way too hot for
kitty so don't ever use it.
You can also gently brush your kitty's fur to get rid of any
knots or tangles. This can be especially helpful for a long-
haired cat.
Make sure your kitty is dry before he runs into trouble. If
your cat runs off before he's fully dried and trots outside, he
can get even more dirty when all of the elements stick easily
to his damp fur.
Bathe a Cat Step 14 Version 2.jpg
3. Reward your cat.This is a must. If you want your cat to ever wantto take a bath again, you must give him a
positive association with the process. Give
him his favorite wet food, catnip, or other
treats. You can even give him an even more
indulgent treat that you save for
exceptionally rare occasions. If you associate
bathing with receiving delicious treats, your
cat will be clamoring for another go in the
bathtub in no time at all.[9]
You should also praise your kitty by petting
him, telling him what a good kitty he is, and giving him lots of attention when the
bath is over. He's likely to feel vulnerable and scared and your affection will make
a difference.
art 4 of 4: Alternatie !etho"s for Bathing Your Cat
Bathe a Cat Step 15 Version 2.jpg
1. Bathe your cat by
dipping him in buckets of
water.Use a couple buckets for separatebathing stations, even with cats that have
never been bathed before. Have the buckets
filled with warm water. Dip the cat in above
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How to bathe a CAT
his neck and using a wash cloth make
sure the cat is entirely wet, then soap
the cat down. Next, put the cat in
another bucket to rinse until soap is
gone.
Make sure to use warm enough water and to
dry your cat thoroughly.
This technique can be done outside if the weather is warm and sunny, and if care
is taken to prevent the cat from escaping in mid-bath.
Bathe a Cat Step 16 Version 2.jpg
2. Bathe your cat in the shower.Recognize that it maybe helpful to wash your cat in a shower stall (if you have one with a door,
not a curtain). The cat is essentially trapped in the shower without youhaving to hold on. Make sure the cat has good traction, such as a small
towel or rubber mat in the tub, or you will have a panic-stricken cat that is
likely to seek safety in height by trying to climb you like a tree. Here's how
you do it:
Buy a hose adapter for your bathroom sink and a hose long enough to reach over
the shower door and back down to the shower floor. Or get a hand-held spray
shower and a Y-adapter to connect to your regular shower head.
Hose your cat down, lather up, hose down to rinse, then proceed with drying. Use
a gentle stream, to saturate the fur thoroughly without terrifying the cat. Keepthe water pressure fairly low, so the cat is comfortable. Some cats actually seem
to enjoy the massage settings on hand held showers, especially on the back of the
neck and down the ridge of the back.
3. Bathe a Cat Step 17 Version 2.jpg
Bathe your small kitty in a sink or small tub.Somekitties feel more secure in an enclosed space and can also be easier to control
in one. If you have a small or scared cat, you can try bathing him in the sink or
in a smaller tub within your bathtub in a large plastic container that can
double as a tub, for example. You can still fell the small tub or sink with a few
inches of water, shampoo the kitty, and proceed as usual.
This can work with a larger kitty who likes small spaces, too.
Tips
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How to bathe a CAT
A.By putting a terrycloth towel in the bottom of your kitchen sink, your cat
can feel very secure by sinking his/her claws into something that remains
steady. By applying light to medium pressure to the cat's back and using a
calming tone, much of the anxiety is eliminated.
B.Clean your cat like it was your prized possession.
C.If you have a litter box in the same room as you are bathing the cat, removeit! If a cat escapes from the bath it may make a beeline to the litter box and
make a huge mess.
D.Let the cat know you are there to help. Keep the cat as calm and not
stressed out if possible making a bath easier.
E.Brave souls may find it easier to put on old clothing and sit in the tub
holding the cat (however the cat typically likes to be held) and letting
someone else actually bathe the cat.
F.If all else fails, take your cat to a reputable, professional pet groomer or a
vet for washing. They have experience and proven techniques to keep the
cat calm.
G.If you are giving your cat a flea bath, wet the area around its neck first.
Fleas will try to escape to the dry areas of the cat, which can mean a mass
exodus of fleas to the head and face while you are bathing. A wet neck will
keep them off the head, and in contact with the water and flea shampoo.
H.Cats' natural body temperatures are several degrees above a human's, so
what feels lukewarm to you will feel uncomfortably cold to a cat. It can be
less uncomfortable for a cat if you bathe it in fairly hot water and steam up
the bathroom so warm air is circulating. (Imagine if someone suddenly
tossed you into a tepid swimming pool. Or how it feels when you finish withyour shower and open the door, letting the regular air in. Feels freezing
against your wet skin, right?)
I.The earlier you start bathing your cat, the easier it will be. Over time, the
cat will grow familiar with the routine and fight back less.
J.Try not to bathe your cat too much in the winter, it may catch a cold.
Warnings
A.Make sure to use specially formulated shampoo for cats. Your hair is
different from that of your cat, and your shampoo will only irritate your
cat's skin.
B.Never force your cat's head under the water. To wash their head and face,
use a wash cloth.
C.Do not use flea shampoos for dogs on your cat. They may contain
ingredients that are harmful to your cat. Be sure to read the label on all
products, and be aware that some flea products formulated for cats may
still cause a reaction.
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D.If you find your cat objects too much to a bath by hissing and trying to
escape, then forget the bath. Use a wet washcloth instead. It removes the
outer dirt, and cleans well. You can find treated cloths at pet stores that
need no water to be used to groom the cat. They even have a pleasant
scent.
E.Make sure the outside air temperature is over 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 C)and at low humidity. Bathed cats can, and will, contract pneumonia, as
they are easily chilled. Keep a cat indoors in a warm family room for 12
hours after a bath if the weather won't cooperate.
F.Do not bathe your pet any more than once every two weeks. Excessive
bathing may remove protective oils from its fur, making it appear dull, and
reducing the fur's natural efficiency against the elements.
G.If you have more than one cat, it might be a good idea to lock the other cats
out of the bathroom/bathing area, especially if they are males. A yowling
cat can occasionally draw an offensive reaction from others, resulting in
injuries to you and the cat being washed, as well as making an
uncomfortable situation even more traumatic.
H.Watch out for cat claws if you decide to bathe your cat. Wearing a thick,
long-sleeved sweater is one way to avoid getting scratched badly while
bathing your cat. Be patient and gentle; it is natural for cats to fight the
water because it simply doesn't feel right.
I.Similarly, do not get soapy water into your cat's ears. To minimize the risk
of creating an ear infection (otitis external), put a cotton balla small wad
of soft material used to stop up a wound or an openingin each ear. Don't
forget to take them out at the end of the bath. The cotton may also reducethe noise and make your job easier. At the very least your cat may be
preoccupied with the cotton in its ears and remain distracted. If your cat's
ears are particularly filthy, gently wipe the insides with a warm, damp
washcloth with no soap. Cat's ears contain protective waxes and oils that
should not be removed.
J.Only bathe your cat when necessary. This technique is just in case your pet
is really dirty.
K.Although some cats may accept the bath without great complaints, they
may get nervous or angry or too scared when you try to dry them. Be
careful during this last phase. Shut the door of the bathroom or the cat will
run away and tear up your house.
L.Listen for sounds of unhappiness. These sounds include hissing, growling,
breathing hard, sneezing, crying, and meowing.
M.Cats absorb chemicals through their skin, so they must be very well rinsed.
Rinse until you see only clear water running off the cat.
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N.Never get soap in your cat's eyes. As a safeguard, put 1 to 2 drops of eye
lubricant into each eye before bathing. You can use any eye drops that are
indicated as a non-medicated ocular lubricant, often used for dry eye
syndrome. They are available as over-the-counter (OTC) products at most
drug stores.
O.Avoid using a blow dryer on a short-haired cat as it may burn them and/orcause more trauma. Short-haired cats can bathe themselves dry.
P.If you are unsure if your cat will fight back, it is always a good idea to wear
gloves when washing it.
Q.Never use a sink that is freestanding. Your cat might jump and slip and
hurt itself.
R.If you don't know how to properly hold a cat by the scruff, don't do it. Your
cat may choke.
S.While you may be tempted to use a solvent to dissolve industrial stains like
engine grease or flypaper, don't do it. Harsh solvents are bad for your cat,
are difficult to apply effectively to a struggling cat, and evaporate too
quickly to do a thorough job on the stain. The vegetable oil technique above
works very well for sticky and grease-based stains, and it has the
advantage of being totally safe.
T.Excessive bathing of your cat will lead to increased susceptibility to
illnesses such as colds.
U.Don't put shampoo on their head. It could get into their eyes.
Things You'll Need
Shampoo Conditioner (optional)
2 towels
Brush/comb
Your cat
A bath
Warm water (not
lukewarm, but almost
hot!)
A jumper, a long sleevedshirt or long sleeved
gloves
2 or more people
Treats (optional)
A toy (optional)
A calm bathroom with
the door closed
Soap
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