The Basics of Bathing Your Cat

One thing about us humans is that we have a great propensity to clean our stuff, and this includes keeping our pets clean and fresh. Of course, who wants to play and cuddle with a stinky pet, right? But while this tends to be an easy job (cleansing and bathing) when it comes to dogs, the case is different for cats.

Yes, it can be frustrating to bathe your cat, and this is primarily because they hate water. Getting wet in water makes them shriek with fright and sometimes your feline friends make it look like they incurred a great deal of trauma. This is, of course, the last thing you’d want to experience with your cat, so it is best to learn how to bathe it properly.

Bathing is also a foreign activity for cats since their nature is self-grooming. They oftentimes lick their fur to get rid of the dust and dirt that they have incurred while frolicking throughout the day. 

While this is already sufficient for them, for us human owners, licking ourselves clean can be icky, so we find the urgency to give them a bath. This is, of course, the last thing you’d want to experience with your cat, so it is best that you learn how to bathe it properly.

But how exactly do you bathe your kitty? Here are some quick tips:

Timing is everything.

It is important to choose the right time to bathe your cat.

Rather than forcing your cat into a tub of water, you may want to wait until your pet is mellow and kind. Observe the time of the day when the cat is relaxed or isn’t in playing or hunting mode, as this makes it easier for it to submit to a bath. It is best to wait until they are in a calm and relaxed state before starting the bathing process.

Groom the claws.

Some cats hate bath time, to the point that they scratch onto their owner’s skin while trying to escape the fury of soap and water. To counter this, you may want to clip your cat’s nails first so as to prevent you from incurring scratches while bathing them.

In case you don’t want to clip their nails, you may invest in vinyl cat nail caps which you slide over their nails so that once they start scratching, there won’t be bloodshed.

Prepare your paraphernalia.

If you’re a first-timer, get ready with the things that you need to use for your cat’s bath. This includes:

• Cat shampoo
• Rubber mat (to prevent slipping)
• Towels (more than one in case of accidents)
• Washcloth
• Bowl or cup for rinsing
• Treats (for positive reinforcement)

Once you have all these ready, then it’s time to start the bathing process. It can be difficult to bathe your cat when you don’t have your materials ready yet, as you will be holding your pet most of the time. Thus, before bathing, you should have already prepared everything you need in the bathing area.  This would lessen the time of your cat’s exposure to water and make the process much smoother.

Start by brushing the fur.

Brushing your cat before bathing also makes the whole cleaning process faster since it removes dust, dead hair, mats, and debris. These particles become difficult to remove once the fur is wet, and this, in turn, prolongs the agony of your cat while in the water.  Also, it is important to brush your cat’s fur in the direction of hair growth as this helps prevent tangling and matting.

Moreover, brushing also gives your cat a relaxing massage that makes it more cooperative during bath time. Just be sure to use a soft brush and not one with hard bristles, as it may irritate your pet’s skin.   

Only warm water.

Just like us, cats also hate cold water. The sudden change in temperature can make them shiver and feel uncomfortable. Stick to using lukewarm water for their bath, as this is the most comfortable for them.

Use only warm water when bathing your cat. Warm water helps soften the fur and make your kitty more comfortable compared to cold water. Thus, they can stay calm and relaxed throughout the bathing process.

It is also best to keep them in contained bathing areas, such as the sink or bathtub. And yes, when starting the bath, be gentle. Do not ever shock your cat by dousing it with water.

Lather!

Once you have made your cat’s fur wet with water, it’s time to lather it with shampoo. Pour just the right amount of shampoo on your hand and lather it on your cat.  Make sure to cover all areas and avoid getting the soap in their eyes, ears, or mouth.

Gently massage your cat’s fur with the shampoo, as it also helps in removing loose hair. You can also use a washcloth for hard-to-reach areas such as under the chin and around the neck.

When the cat’s face looks scruffy, wipe it with a piece of warm cloth. You can also use a small towel or a sponge to reach difficult areas.

Rinse also with warm water.

After shampooing your cat, it’s time to rinse it with warm water. Warm water helps soften the fur and make your kitty more comfortable than cold water. Thus, they can stay calm and relaxed throughout the bathing process or hand them a toy they can play with. This way, they will associate bath time with something positive rather than negative. You can give them some edible treats after the bath.

Take the time to wash the shampoo off your cat, and make sure you do your strokes gently and comfortably. This way, the cat feels more relaxed because it’s as if it is getting a massage rather than a bath.

Towel dry!

Once you have rinsed off all the shampoo, it’s time to towel dry your cat. It’s important to make sure that you use a soft and absorbent towel, as rough towels can irritate and scare your cat. Gently pat down your cat’s fur with the towel until it is mostly dry.  

After drying, you may comb their fur again to remove any remaining tangles or mats that may have formed during the bath. Then, let your cat shake itself off if it wants to, as this helps in removing excess water from its fur. You can also wrap them up in the towel and give them a quick cuddle to make them feel more secure.

The best part: the treat!

After your cat has been successfully bathed and dried, it’s time for a reward! Give your kitty some treats or their favourite meal. This serves as positive reinforcement and encourages them to cooperate during the next bathing session.

Since it takes a lot of effort for cats to submit to a bath, you must hand them a treat for their decision to allow you to bath them.  This could be something they love like a small piece of meat or fish or their favorite cat treats. This is especially helpful for cats who are still not used to taking baths and need a little bit more encouragement.

Consider professional help.

If your cat really hates being bathed and it seems like an impossible task to do it yourself, you can seek professional grooming services instead. These professionals are trained on how to handle difficult cats during bath time, so your pet can still receive the necessary cleaning without being too stressed out.

Additionally, they also have the proper equipment and products to ensure a thorough and safe bath for your cat.

So don’t be afraid to give your cat a nice warm bath when needed. It may seem difficult at first, but with some patience and practice, you can make it an enjoyable experience for you and your precious feline friend. And always give them lots of love and treats afterwards for being such good sports!

Looking for accessories you can use to bathe your cat? Then check out our catalogue today!