Cats normally do not need help getting and staying clean.
They are fastidious about their cleanliness and spend much of
their day primping and preening. Cats learn from a very young
age to stay clean, as the mother always teaches their young the
art of bathing. Cat owners rarely need to give their cats a
bath, however, there are some situations where you may find it
is time to bath kitty. You never know when your cat will get so
dirty that they need a little extra help. If your cat is
afflicted with skin allergies or has a flea infestation, you
might need to bathe your cat. Sick and older cats may have a
difficult time keeping clean, too. You will find that your cat
probably resists getting a bath, but you can do it if you are
prepared.
Get Your Supplies
The best place to bath your cat is in a small, enclosed room. If
you have a sink in your laundry room, that would work perfectly.
A deep bathroom sink would also do the trick. The idea is to get
your cat in a small area to help him or her feel safer during
the process. Another idea is to use a baby tub and place it
inside your own bathtub. This might cause an aching back on your
part, but may be just the thing for your cat.
In addition, you will want to make sure that you have everything
you need on hand before you begin. It will be almost impossible
to stop what you are doing with a struggling cat to run and get
a towel or shampoo. You will need several old towels, mild,
non-irritating shampoo such as baby shampoo or pet shampoo, and
a cup for rinsing. You might even consider using a
turkey-basting tool to reach under the chin, around the neck and
between the legs. In addition, if your cat’s fur is matted, you
might want to consider cutting these mats away before beginning.
Get the Bath Ready
When you have gotten all of your supplies where you need them,
you will want to prepare the bath. Your cat will not like very
hot or very cold water, so lukewarm water works best. Think of
the temperature you would use to bath an infant. That is what
you need when you wash your cat. Next, fill up the tub or sink.
You do not need a lot of water when you bath your cat--just
enough to rinse the cat off. It is also a good idea to place a
non-skid mat or folded bath towel in the bottom of the sink or
tub before you begin filling it with water. This prevents the
cat from slipping around on the bottom of the sink or tub.
Ease your Cat into the Water
It is now time for the hard part. You have to get your cat and
ease him or her into the water. This may sound easier than it
is. Some cats may struggle with you more than others may. Only
you know your cat’s personality. The best way to go about doing
this is to lower your cat into the water. Do this by placing one
hand under the cat’s belly and one hand firmly, but gently on
the cat’s back. Lower the cat from its hind legs into the water.
If your cat is still struggling, you might want to wrap a towel
around your cat to prevent scratches. You might be surprised by
your cat’s reaction. Some cats will sit there quietly and let
you work. Others will be scared and will try to run from you.
You will get wet, but you may think about holding the cat’s body
close to your own while bathing so he or she feels more secure.
Never raise your voice or move too fast, as this can send your
cat into a frenzy.
Begin the Bath
After your cat is somewhat situated in the water, you can begin
to bathe. Work quickly, but gently. The best method for bathing
your cat is to start with the head and work your way down. Be
careful not to get water or shampoo in your cat’s ears or eyes.
You will only need a very small amount of shampoo. If you get
too much, you will have to rinse longer. If you are treating
fleas, then you will want to follow the directions on the flea
shampoo at this point. You can use vegetable oil if you need to
remove sticky substances from your cat’s fur. Use this sparingly
because this will leave an oil residue on your cat’s fur,
although it is harmless.