How to Give Your Cat a Bath and Keep Them Calm

Giving any cat a bath is typically not easy, but is VERY important for you and your cat. This article will show you how to give your cat a bath so that future baths will be less difficult.

It is wise to give your kitten baths regularly so it becomes a well-known part of his or her life. If you adopt an adult cat however, things may not be so easy, but with a little patience, your cat will realize that its not so bad. Starting on the right foot will ensure quicker and easier baths.

Bathing your cat once a month prevents hairballs, feline acne, and allergens. It reduces hair that would otherwise end up around your house or on you. Cuddling and petting your cat will be more pleasant. Ever wake up with a cat wrapped around your face? A clean, nice smelling cat is much better than a greasy, smelly, shedding cat.

Aside from that, your cat will feel better, and obese cats may suddenly feel like they have more energy, promoting physical exercise.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat
• Bathtub with shower curtain
• Pet shampoo
• Large plastic cup
• Drain stopper
• Bathing suit (optional)
• A few towels

1. Fill your bathtub up with a few inches of lukewarm water, but no more than the depth of halfway up your cats legs. It should be around body temperature so the cat focuses less on the discomfort of being in water.

2. While the bathtub is filling, place one towel on the floor in front of the tub, and one up higher for drying. Place plastic cup and pet shampoo in the tub area. Put on bathing suit.

3. After your tub has a bit of water in it and the water is shut OFF, put on your bathing suit (or go naked!) and go get the cat. DO NOT make any signal or act differently than you would normally when handling your cat -- they can sense that something is different if you do, and may try to run away.

4. Holding your cat, CLOSE the bathroom door. This is usually when they will start to whine or suspect something. Still holding your cat, get into the tub with your cat and close the shower curtain or door as much as you can.
   
   *This is best if you have a magnetic shower curtain.
   *Make as little noise as you can as quickly as possible.

5. Lower yourself into the water to sitting or kneeling and gently allow your cat into the water. If your cat is relatively calm, let go of the cat. Your cat may try to get out of the tub or howl loudly.
   
   Restrain your cat as little as possible. Place one hand gently on their chest area, but in general, try to only keep them in an area, rather than holding them.
   
   *I like to put little floaty toys in the water. They don't always work, but sometimes they distract your cat into having fun.

6. If your cat manages to get out of the tub, do not yell at the cat. Keep the experience as low-stress as possible. Simply get the cat and try again. Use your body more to constrain the space in which the cat can roam in the tub.

7. Using the plastic cup, scoop water from the tub and pour on the cat avoiding their ears and face. This is more difficult than it seems because cats have naturally water-resistant fur. Pour water, ruffle the fur, and pour again. The cat does not need to be fully wet before shampoo application, and shampoo will actually help the wetting process.

8. Liberally apply the shampoo and scrub. If your cat has particularly thick fur, you may need to use more shampoo and/or water, and you may need to scrub more vigorously. Scratch their chin or ears to keep them happy.

9. "Pre-Rinse" by taking the water in the tub to rinse. Completely rinse by draining the tub, turning the faucet back on only a little bit, and rinsing with fresh water. Be sure to COMPLETELY rinse - this is the most important step or your cat may become sick!

10. When finished, gently squeeze or "massage" the water out of their fur. Allow them to shake. Take the towel and wrap them up, squeezing more water out. Allow them to shake again. Take the towel and rub them down vigorously to fluff their fur.

11. I do not recommend a hair dryer unless you live in a very cold climate. It will dry out their fur and skin, and frighten them more than the bath. Instead, try a high-absorbent sham (like for drying a car), or put your cat in a sunny area.
    
    Try to keep the cats away from their litter box, or you will have to do this all over again!

12. Give your cat their favorite or a special treat immediately after the bath, no matter how badly the bath went to hopefully associate good feelings with the experience.

13. The next day, when your cat is fully dry, brush your cat and give them lots of love!

Tips & Warnings

• Give your cats baths at an early age. If you adopt an adult cat, try getting them used to it by doing the routine with water only, once a week until they are calm.
• It is best to give your cat a bath after you have brushed throughly and clipped their claws for maximum cleanliness and safety.
• Timing is important; try to prepare a bath while your cat is napping so they are calm when you start.
• Pick the shampoo like you would for for a child: tearless, lathers easily, rinses well, little to no perfumes
• or fragrances. A high quality shampoo will last longer than a cheap one.
• BE PATIENT.
• A soothing voice goes a long way. Saying their name or "kittykittykitty" sweetly, in a deep tone and drawn out sounds may calm your cat further, or kissing sounds.
• Do not bathe your cat more than once a month unless necessary.
• Do not stick your cat under the faucet, unless they are comfortable with it. A hand-held shower head may be better.
• Avoid face and ears.
• Rinse the fur thoroughly to avoid dryness, or ingestion of the shampoo.
• There may be a LOT of fur in your drain or tub, and around the house after the bath. This is a natural stress-response. Be concerned only if there are bald spots on your cat.