How do you bathe a cat?

Answer 1

I used to bathe mine in the bathtub because the sink was way too small. First I made sure I had everything in the bathroom with me ... a washcloth, a couple of bath towels and the cat shampoo. I ran warm water first; I added a little shampoo to make the water like bubble bath. Then, when I was sure the water wasn't too hot or too cold, I got the cat. Most times I had to have him in the bathroom with me with the door closed, because he was a smart one! He knew what the sound of that running water meant! Nine times out of ten, if I hadn't of done that, that ****** would've barricaded himself up somewhere where I wouldn't have found him for weeks!!! Be prepared for a struggle, of course. Approach him in a non-threatening way, and talk softly to him, stroking him; try your best to put him at ease, if that's even possible. It's a lot easier if you start him off when he's a kitty; that way he's used to it. Cradle him in your arms for a couple of minutes, still stroking him. He's probably gonna still be scared, so you might have to be prepared to wrap him in one of the bigger towels (so he don't scratch you) to dip him in (back feet first) into the water. Leave the water running, though not too fast, and splash some water gently over his body. Pour a little more shampoo over his body; I found that, if I used my fingernails to scratch him while I lathered his body, it calmed his nerves somewhat. Be on your guard, and block him in case he starts looking for an escape route over your head. Mine always did that, but when he read my body language and realized that he wasn't getting out without a fight, he tended to resign himself to his fate. It didn't stop him from trying, though. Important: when you finish the lather, gently nudge him toward the running water, and help wash the suds off with your hand. Once that's done, reach slowly backwards, wherever the bath towel is, still watching him and guarding him with your body. When you have the towel in your hand, hold it open. Mine used to take that moment as his cue. He'd look at the towel (a little suspiciously sometimes), but then he'd pull himself slowly up on the edge of the bathtub and allow me to wrap him up in it. Again ... make sure he doesn't scratch you getting out. Wipe off as much of the excess water as you can. I'd leave him in the bathroom, on top of the towel, for a little while, with the heater on. He'll of course use that time to lick some more of the water off. Of course, if there's no draft in the rest of the house, you can let him out right away if he's not dripping. Just be sure to appease him with a treat; if not, he'll probably act snippy with you and avoid you for the next few hours. He'll get over it.

Answer 2

Cats generally do a good job of keeping themselves clean, but for various reasons, there will be occasions you'll need to bathe your kitty. It's not as hard as you may think, once you both know the routine, so practice when your cat is young.

Answer 3

Most cats typically do not need help in keeping themselves clean. I give mine baths for certain reasons. Extreme hot weather, not being clean, or for my one kitty it seems to help her shed in the springtime. The not being "clean" is when one of my outdoor cats layed down in some sort of vehicle oil residue on the ground... also, my daughter's cat is older...and quite plump, thus making it difficult for her to clean by herself certain areas on her.
I live in a very hot climate, last summer the temperature soared to 119 degrees. Needless to say my daughter's oldest cat of 11 years was so uncomfortable. If I ever see any of my cats beginning to "pant" like a dog... it is time to gently place them in the bathtub with their cat harness on (or a ferret harness works great too). I wrap the harness leash around my wrist a couple of times and yet also control the cat, while petting/gently grasping the loose skin on its back shoulder area. Make sure the water is luke warm...not hot...not cold. I am lucky enough to have a shower head that is also a separate hand sprayer. I never use the shower head sprayer above the shoulder area...you don't want to get any water or suds in their ears, eyes or face. Calmly speak reassuring to your cat the whole time. Rinsing is very important too...make sure you get all the soap out of their fur. When bath is done, continue to keep the cat in the tub...reach for your oversized bath towel and drape it over cat's shoulders and back. I then wrap the cat snugly in the towel so no front or back paws can scratch me. The bath might be "over" yet to the cat they are just thinking about escaping still. Make sure you gently fluff dry your pet with the towel. This might take a second fresh towel to get the job done on a full grown, long haired cat. Also, make sure to have your home comfortably warm if it is in the winter...not that your cat might get ill, but it is just more comfortable for him/her, for they will stay damp for quite some time afterwards. I also have kitty treats available in the bathroom after I partially towel dry her. Sometimes though she is not wanting a treat until she gets to the "safety" of the front room...away from the bathroom.

A big word of advise also is... if you start giving your cat baths when it is still a kitten... it might accept them more readily. I have one cat though that I have given her baths periodically since she was very young... yet to this day it takes two people to accomplish that feat of bath time!
Good luck and remember...preparation is a key also...have everything readily available within reach when you place your cat in the tub! Also knowing that most domestic cats do not like water, do not use the tub stopper. Let all water drain out as you bathe your cat. I also use no mat or no towel for the cat to stand on in the tub...for if you do your kitty has a solid surface in which to escape from rather than a slippery bottom of the tub.
Good luck!

Answer 4

You don't bathe a cat. They clean themselves. I have had my cat for 7 years and not once have I given her a bath.

Answer 5

I have to bathe mine on a regular basis. He has really long hair and does a crappy job cleaning himself.
Anyways the best way to do it is in the kitchen sink with the sprayer. In some extreme cases you have to get an extra set of hands just to hold him while you spray/wash him.
He will try to scratch and get away. Its best to hold him firmly at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades as they seem to squirm less.
Do it quickly and expect him to ignore you for a while afterwards and he will be mad and hold a grudge.
Have fun

Answer 6

You don't!!!! If a cat is dirty he/she WILL clean him/herself. If your cat still seems dirty or smells, even after cleaning, you could look into getting bathing cloths or dry/foam cleaner that doesn't require water and is safe for cats. You can find it at most pet stores. When we first got one of our cats (he was a stray) he didn't seem to clean himself EVER. We were worried. Then, he started watching the other cat (we guess) or was taking after his owners own cleanliness and started cleaning himself obsessively. Now he is the cleanest cat ever. Sometimes when you use the foam or cloths on cats, it will make them want to clean themselves, so try checking that out.
Trust me--you DON'T want to find out what happens when you immerse a cat in water.

Answer 7

I have had to give my cat flea baths, Just speak in a calm firm voice and talk to your kitty, it will be fine. Of coarse no when mine sees the tub with water in it at flea dip time she screams blue murder but settles down when I put her in the water, my daughter on the other hand will get scratched up big time. Let Kitty know who is in control.

Answer 8

I usually get my cats in the water one at a time of course and I hold the back of their neck with one hand and the other I use a cup to pour water on them that way they won't be freaked out with a sprayer. I also talk to them in a soothing voice. Then I soap them up and give them a good scrub down and I rinse them the same way

Answer 9

very carefully. most cats will claw the heck out of you in order to not come in contact with water...you can try waterless or powder shampoos from a pet store that won't require that hassle. generally though...cats don't need to be bathed, unless they've rolled in something gross or got sprayed by a skunk. good luck!

Answer 10

I don't think it is a natural thing to do.

I have had my cat over 16 years and she is always clean.

My cat won't even let me put flea powder on when it was needed. What a chore.

Put the drops on and even that was a chore, but it worked