What is the best way to bathe or clean a cat?

Question

I adopted a cat from the shelter today and on the way home, he urinated in his carrier. His paws, tail, and underside were soaked. He was already scared enough from coming to a new home, meeting my dog and cat, etc, so I haven't bathed him yet- I just kind of wiped him up a little bit. He's starting to smell, so I need to bathe him. He's a large cat and very sweet, but still nervous in his new home. What would be the best way to do this?

Answer 1

If you can wait until tomorrow and go to the grocery store et. al they have dry shampoo made for cats that might be less traumatic for your new fluffy. They also make wipes for cats, but they are easier to find at a pet store.

But, if you have to, run a luke warm bath with baby shampoo only (no human shampoo, too strong for cats). Bring fluffy into the bathroom with baby shampoo, warm washcloth and dry towel that you don't mind using on a cat. Close door. You can run the water about as high as his lower belly but don't put him in yet. Get a tiny bit of shampoo on warm wet washcloth and gradually soap away, only using the water at the end to rinse. He may jump out, in which case, you may need to try to get a wet cat back in the tub. Make sure you dry him very very well when done as it takes a soaking wet cat a very long time to air dry.

Answer 2

Enlist the help of a friend -- bathing a cat is much easier with two people! If you have a sink with a sprayer nozzle, that's the easiest place to do it (also because it's higher up, so you don't have to bend over a bathtub. Put down a rubber mat or a towel in the bottom of the sink, so that his paws don't slide around so much. Get the water at the right temperature (warm, not hot!) Then one of you hold the cat while the other one wets him down and lathers him up. You need to use cat shampoo, not people shampoo, because it needs to be safe for him to lick any residue off his fur after the bath. When you've gotten him all rinsed off, have a dry towel ready to wrap him up in, and dry him off the best you can. He'll look all wet and scraggly for a little while, until he's dried off completely and has had a chance to do his own bathing (licking). Make sure he has a warm place to go, since he'll get cold easily with wet fur. Good luck!

Answer 3

I put my cat in one side of the kitchen sink. I hold her by the scruff because she stands up, but that way she cant bite or scratch. I use one hand to take a wash cloth with a little warm soapy water to clean her. I do her paws, back, belly and tail. I dont pour water over her head. Then once she is soapy, I just keep telling her she is a good girl, etc. then turn on the kitchen sink water with the sprayer (not on too high, but just enough so that it will rinse her fairly quickly).

I just plan on getting a little bit wet myself and Im sure to have a clean towel off to the side that I can wrap her up in when I take her out of the sink. (clean the sink first before bathing him). My cat doesnt mind the hairdryer either, but just towel dry him real good, he should dry pretty quickly.

Good luck!

Answer 4

We bathe our clinic cats once in a while ,and we bath cat for others if they need it. If you have a sink with a sprayer hose, this method works well. Scruff the cat, put it in the sink, get it wet with the sprayer, suds it up with shampoo (specifically for cats), let it sit as long as you can - preferable 15 miuntes but this really probably won't happen with a cat - if you get one minute in you're doing well. Rinse well, then towle dry. The cat will most likely dry himself off rather quickly.

Good luck, and if all else fails the vet and/or groomers can do it for you for a fairly low price (considering the way most cats behave near water...)

Answer 5

If you go to your vet they can give you tranquilizers (by pill) to give to your cat before they get a bath. That's what we do with our cats and its not a problem at all, no pain or fear for anyone =) They snap out of their little trance in about an hour-- but your vet can help you with all of that. If you dont wanna do tranquilizers i suggest you just go to the petstore and get a DRY bathing kit or pet wipes from the cat or pet section! Then once she is more accustomed to her new home just try giving her a bath the normal way, but be prepared for scratches.

Answer 6

With a muzzle!!! The sweetest little feline can turn into a kitty from hell. Believe me, my " sweet baby" bit clear through my fingernail. You can get the muzzle at the pet store, its designed to cover their eyes while their mouth and nose are exposed, and they cant open the mouth all the way, and cant see to bit or scratch. it gives them more of a calm, and even if they try to jump out cant go anywhere, and your less likely to be injured. Unless you have the rare kind that likes a bath, which I seriously doubt. they are few and far between :) and get a gentle shampoo thats specially made for cats by the way, any other kind will irritate the skin.

Answer 7

Do not bathe a cat unless it has fleas. Cats bathe themselves. He will clean it up. He'll most likely hide for a few days, so he'll have pleanty of time. Aside from bathing....do not leave your old animals alone with your new one. Kepp it in a seperate room (with litter ) and put the food dishes on either side of the foor so they can get used to each others scents. Also get it checked by a vet. A cat shouldn't pee in a carrier. (Mine has pooped in hers b4, due to motion sickness) Car rides shouldn't cause accidents.

Answer 8

Depending on how dirty the cat is, I've had good luck with a warm wash cloth in lieu of the bathtub or sink. When you gently wipe them down they don't seem to mind too much. They think it's closer to their idea of a bath intead of your idea of a bath. Keep them calm and talk in a quiet and reassuring way and you'll find them remarkably cooperative most of the time. You'll lose a lot less skin this way too! LOL!

Answer 9

Before you go to the hassle of actually bathing the cat try wiping it down with the bath wipes for cats (you can buy them at petsmart or petco) or even baby wipes if you have a small child in the house, it works good, and is much less stressful to you and the cat.

Answer 10

Since he is a grown cat, it will be very difficult, unless his previous owners bathed him regularly. I would take him to your vet, they have grooming services. He will hate you and the room you bathed him in. Can't you take a washcloth and clean parts of him every day? Cats will clean themselves and do not stink like dogs. Maybe keep him in a room of his own for a couple of weeks, so he can get used to the smells and sounds of his new home. You can change his blankets while he is cleaning himself. I would try anything but giving him a bath. Good Luck!