How do I give my cat a bath?

Question

So last night, my curious kitty got into the trash and now her fur is all kinds of sticky and gross. I definitely need to give her a bath but I have no idea how. Do they use special shampoo? do I have to blow dry her fur? any suggestions will be super duper helpful. thanks!

Answer 1

Very carefully. For shampoo, buy some at the walmart or pet store that's specially made for cats. Cats (and Dogs) have different skin pH than people and babies, so human shampoo can irritate the skin.
If the cat is mostly co-operative, you can use the kitchen sink, and use one hand to hold the cat, and the other to wash and shampoo. Scruffing helps (grabbing the skin on the back of the neck, tightly so that the cat cannot move the head at all).
Otherwise, use the bathtub, especially if it has doors. Cats have the ability to turn into spring-loaded Slinky's. And when they are soapy, even harder to get a hold of.

Don't blow dry the hair (most cats hate the sound), just towel dry, and make sure you have a warm dry place the cat can hang out in. She will definitely lick and clean herself for the rest of the day, so that'll be normal.

Answer 2

There is special shampoo for cats. You can find it at Walmart or at a pet store. Cats do NOT like water, as you know, so unless your cat is extremely docile, do not put her in a tub or sink full of water. Use a spray bottle to wet her coat and then rub the shampoo in. Make it seem like normal petting--use a brush if you think it would help. When it comes time to rinse, get your cat to an area that you wouldn't mind getting wet (like a tile floor) and gently pour water over her back. That way she doesn't feel trapped. This may take a few tries, but be patient.

(If your cat is calm and likes water--some do--then feel free to give her a bath like you would give a bath to an infant.)

Be sure the water is comfortably warm--cold or hot water will freak her out! Also, don't wash her face with soap. It could get in her eyes and mouth.

Don't blow dry her fur, either. Use a towel to get a good deal of the water out and she will shake off most of the rest. Be sure the house is warm, though, because you don't want her to freeze her little tail off!

If your cat is completely uncooperative and it seems impossible to do this, you can take her to a groomer or a veterinarian. They are experienced with difficult kitties.

For future reference, there is also powder shampoo. You do it without water and it gets any grease out of her fur. You shake a little on and brush it in.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If it's an adult that has never had a bath, take it to a professional. Bathing kittens is easy, but an adult is a totally different story.

If you do it yourself, here are a couple of suggestions.

Even if the cat is an adult, buy kitten/puppy shampoo. It's tearless and gentle on the skin. It also rinses out a lot easier.

Definitely blow-dry it. You don't want your cat to be wandering around your house wet because it could catch a cold (upper respiratory virus.)

If you put your cat in a sink, lay a towel on the bottom of the sink before filling it with water. It help prevent the cat from slipping and sliding around.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Cats don't like to get their feet wet. Put your kitty on a board or tray with holes in it in the sink or tub. Use a wet sponge to dampen the fur. Then use an approved pet shampoo (or baby shampoo) to make the lather. After that, I use a spray to rinse my kitty. She still hates it, but doesn't fight me if I can keep her feet dry. Then I towel dry her the best I can and let her dry herself the rest of the way. I keep her in the warm bathroom with a large old blanket on the floor. She rolls around and grooms herself until she is mostly dry. She hates an electric dryer, so I doubt your kitty will allow it, but you can try.

Answer 5

Try cat wipes. They are specifically made to wash your cat and you don't have to fight her to get her wet. If you do decide to give her a bath, do it in the sink and make sure you hold onto her good. Use a gentle shampoo, like Johnson and Johnson. Then put her in a towel and dry her as best you can. Do not try to blow dry her, that would definitely freak her out past the limits of good kitty mommy.

Answer 6

You can get pet shampoo at WalMarts or the pet stores. Make sure the water is lukewarm and do not get water in the kitty's face as it will scare her. Also do her ears first to keep any fleas, if they are on her, from hiding in there. Fill the tub and then get the cat. Do not fill it while she watches as that may make her nervous. After doing this towel dry her off as best as you can.

Answer 7

We infrequently have bathed our cats and we've had 11 by way of the years. purely contained on the topic of a flea infestation or in simple terms earlier a cat coach, in all likelihood. Or in the event that they get into some thing incredibly messy. Cats sparkling themselves as you be conscious of. ultimate factor you're able to do for a cat is in simple terms brush them. That keeps the hairball difficulty down. canines, particular. Cats, no longer mandatory. And if a cat is given a bathtub, tell those women to make useful they use a cat shampoo a minimum of! sounds like they have too lots time on their palms. "desire some thing to do. I have been given it! permit's grab kitty and supply her a bathtub. She'll like it!" no longer.

Answer 8

Turn up the heat in the bathroom, run a shallow amount of luke warm water in the tub, use diluted baby shampoo (1:1 shampoo/water), gently submerge the cat in the water, she will try to escape so keep a hand on her front paws while washing with your free hand, keep her head dry and talk to her while you are washing her. Rinse with the water in the tub and towel her off--make sure she stays warm until she is dry. I would keep her in the bathroom so she doesn't hide from you.

Answer 9

Cats are very clean animals and bathe themselves. At the most, I would take a damp towel and wipe her down. I had a lonh hair cat once that I bathed and it was a chore and a half. Luckily we had a deep sink that he could not get out of. Cats ARE NOT good bath takers. (bathers?)

DO NOT blow dry her the sound of the dryer will freak her out and you may end up all scratched up

Answer 10

I use baby shampoo. Run a sink/tub of water (they don't like the sound and splash of running water) immerse kitty and shampoo. Be sure to rinse very well, remember, they lick alot and the same as you, don't like the taste of soap. Dry with towel and turn loose.