Cats can spend up to 50% of their awake time grooming themselves; kittens learn to lick themselves when they are two to four weeks old. Why then should you continue to bathe your cat? Baths exfoliate dead skin cells and eliminate extra oil and dander. It’s also a chance to teach your cat that handling, even in strange ways, won’t harm them. Cats will require care from house sitters and visitors, as well as contact with veterinarians and vet techs. Cats are better able to “generalize” positive experiences to similar situations in the future when the bath is enjoyable.
Positive bathing experiences are especially helpful if your cat ever gets into something really nasty or if you ever have to give medicated baths as part of a treatment plan for skin diseases like ringworm.
Prior to Starting
While cats with longer hair frequently require a little extra assistance with hygiene, some meticulous shorthaired cats may rarely, if ever, need a bath. Try to limit bathing to no more than once every four to six weeks as this can cause dry skin. As long as the kitten you adopt is at least 4 weeks old, you should begin giving it baths right away because they love them. Even brief environmental changes are harder for very sick or elderly cats to adjust to. Bathing them might stress them out, so in these cases, do as your veterinarian advises.
What You Require
You only need a few supplies for regular cleaning, such as:
- A basic grooming shampoo with a cat-specific label
- Numerous towels
- A rubber matting
- A washcloth
- A floating diversion, such as a ping pong ball
Dog products or human shampoo, even the ones made for babies, can be too strong, dry out the cat’s skin, and in certain cases even be poisonous.
Get Ready to Give Your Cat a Bath
Thoroughly brush your cat’s fur before giving it any moisture. You should dress in old clothes and be prepared to get wet.
The bathroom should be cozy and airtight. While the bathtub will work, bathing your cat in a waist-high sink might be more comfortable for you. Push drapes or shower curtains out of the way and move all breakables out of reach. To make the bath as relaxing as possible for cats, stay away from anything that might terrify them, such as strong smells, strange objects, and mirrors.
Before bringing the cat inside, gather your shampoo, several towels, and a washcloth next to the sink or bathtub and run some warm water. The ideal temperature for a cat bath is roughly body temperature, which is to say, slightly warm but not unbearably hot.
In the bottom of the sink or bathtub, place a rubber mat or towel. This will relieve the stress that comes with cats’ dislike of slick surfaces and their unsteady gait. Alternatively, place the cat on top of a plastic milk crate so that it can be gripped by its paws. This makes it easier for you to wash the cat from above and below as well.
Giving Kittens a Bath
Use the kitchen’s double sink, two or more large roasting pans, or a few buckets or wastebaskets placed in the bathtub for small cats or kittens. After adding warm water to each, carefully place your cat into the first container to wet it, with one hand supporting its bottom and the other under its chest. Compared to being sprayed, most cats are more receptive to this method.
Wet the fur completely, letting your cat stand on its hind legs and grip the container’s edge. After that, lift the cat out onto one of your towels and give it a washcloth that is damp but not soapy to clean its face before applying the shampoo.
Rinse the cat off by dipping it back into the original container after lathering. Remove as much soap as you can, sluice off extra water, and then give it a good rinse in more clean water containers.
Select the Adult Cat Spray or Dip Technique
Adult jumbo cats can be challenging to dunk and may find running water frightening. Alternatively, you can dip water using a ladle. In order to prevent your cat from seeing the spray, if your sink has a spray nozzle, use a low force and position the nozzle close to the fur.
Never spray in the face; instead, clean that area with a wet washcloth. To keep the cat from escaping, always have one hand on it. Don’t forget to rinse the cat’s stomach or under its tail; start at the neck and work your way down its back.
Cover the spotless cat with a paper towel. While longhaired cats might require two or more towels to remove the majority of the water, shorthaired cats dry quickly. Use only the lowest heat setting and move the blow dryer frequently to prevent burns if your cat is tolerant of or enjoys using it.
How to Keep Your Cat From Having Issues During a Bath
While some cats will genuinely love their bath, others won’t. Stay calm and avoid reprimanding your cat while it’s getting a bath. Try giving your cat lots of praise, asking for assistance, or rinsing off the soap and trying again the next time if they truly detest taking baths. Your best option for efficient cleaning by a professional is to hire a groomer who has experience working with cats, if washing your cat at home seems too difficult.
- Cut your cat’s claws one day in advance to avoid scratches. Avoid doing it right before to avoid teaching your cat to associate trimming with bathing.
- o get your cat to try fishing, try floating a ping pong ball or other interesting cat toy in the water. Playing in the water will make a cat less afraid of it.
- Avoid dunks and splashes of water on your cat’s face as this tends to irritate them.
- Expert groomers frequently use a figure-eight cat harness to secure the cat and free up your hands for cleaning.
