how do I bath my cat?

Question

I really don't want to do it but she is sooo dirty, her white fur is beige

Answer 1

Evaluate if your cat really needs a bath. There may be other ways, such as brushing the cat, combing or even just rubbing down with a cloth.
Trim all nails before even attempting to wash a cat. It will reduce scratching.
Put a rubber mat in the tub or use a towel. Fill the tub no more than 4-5 inches high (depends on the size of the cat or kitten you are washing) with warm water.
Have shampoo and a small wash cloth ready. You also might want to have a helper - one to hold the cat, one to wash. Have two towels that you will dry your cat with ready as well.
Comb the fur thoroughly before you put the cat in the water, especially if the cat's a long-haired breed. Once long hair is wet and you have any knots in the fur, it will be next to impossible to get them out after washing.
Talk quietly to your cat and keep a good grip on the neck or shoulders. Sometimes the cats will try to get out of the tub. If they prefer to only have two of their feet in the water, face them towards the back of the tub and let them stand on two feet.
Choose an appropriate shampoo for the job. Check with your veterinarian to select the shampoo best suited to your cat's condition. Human shampoos are not pH adjusted to cat's skin and medicated shampoos may be too harsh or toxic.
Soak kitty from the neck down, using the wash cloth. You want to get the water down to the skin. Use a little bit of shampoo and with the water, wash your cat from the neck, body, legs, belly and tail.
Rinse thoroughly after shampooing, and then rinse two more times - you want all the soap out of the coat. You can put a little conditioner on the coat and let it stand for about 20-30 seconds (longer if cat can withstand it; it will make its coat softer) and then rinse out.
Have two towels for drying ready. Drain the water from around the cat and press as much water out of the coat before you wrap in the towel. Rub gently with one towel. The first one will be pretty soaked. That's why you should switch to the drier one and finish drying until the cat is just damp. It helps if you warm the towels in the dryer first.
Finish the drying:

Short-haired cats can finish drying themselves in the bathroom as long as they're away from drafts.
For long-haired cats, you will have to use a comb and the hair dryer to finish drying, provided your cat is not scared by the hair dryer's noise. Long hairs will matt more easily in wet fur and it can help to comb them as they dry. Keep the hairdryer at a distance and move it frequently so that it doesn't burn or overheat the skin.



Alternate Shower Techniques
Recognize that it may be helpful to wash your cat in a shower stall (if you have one with a door, not curtain). The cat is essentially trapped in the shower without you having to hold on. Make sure the cat has good traction (a small towel in the bathtub will help if you have no rubber mat) or you will have a panic-stricken cat that is likely to seek safety in height by trying to climb you like a tree.
Buy a hose adapter for your bathroom sink (try a waterbed store) and a hose long enough to reach over the shower door and back down to the shower floor. Or, get a handheld spray shower and a Y-adapter to connect it to your regular showerhead.
Hose your cat down, lather her up, hose down to rinse, then proceed with drying. Some cats seem to actually enjoy the massage settings on handheld showers, especially on the back of the neck and down the ridge of the back.
Some cats can be unnerved by running water. Try to run a bath when they are distracted and make sure to set aside rinse water in separate prefilled containers. this tend to cut down on the scratching also
Alternate Dry Shampoo Option
Dust the cat with cornstarch. Gently pet the cat to thoroughly rub the cornstarch into its fur. Let the cat clean itself with its normal grooming routine. This technique is far less traumatic than using water, and works especially well if the cat is greasy, however, use it for non-toxic dirt only. Do not use this technique if the cat has gotten into something poisonous.



Tips
Your cat has its own personality. While these are all good suggestions, be aware of your cat's reactions, and be prepared to adjust tactics accordingly.
Try giving your cat a treat after the bath; it might improve the tension for future baths!
The younger you start bathing your cat, the easier it will be as the cat will become familiar with it as part of its routine.
Brave souls may find it easier to put on old clothing and sit in the tub holding the cat (however the cat typically likes to be held) and letting someone else actually bathe the cat.
In order to reduce chances of getting scratched, you may decide to put your cat inside a mesh laundry bag before bathing her. Make sure that you are able to keep her head above water at all times--this is very traumatic for your cat, and will only serve to justify its fears about bathing. Use it only in urgent situations (i.e. cat covered in potentially toxic substance).
Another idea that some have used, which is not so cruel as a little funny, is to attach small doll socks to their feet. This will not eliminate all of the potential scratching, but will help. Keep in mind that the socks make it difficult for the cat to walk, so remove them when the bath is over.
Another useful idea is to put some tape around your cat's paws but not too tight! This will keep the cat focused on getting rid of what is on its paws instead of scratching you, or even getting out of the water!
When you have more time, run a very shallow warm bath (only a cm deep or so to begin with). Pet the cat, and give it a treat if it is food oriented. Continue at this depth until the cat does not panic and try to escape. Repeat daily, until the cat treats it as part of a routine, gradually increasing the depth until it is accepting standing in 4-5 ins of water. As a final step, have someone else reassure the cat whilst you use your hand to gently make waves in the water. This can take a week, or months depending on the cat, but it is worth the perseverence to know that you can safely bathe your pet when necessary.
If all else fails, take your cat to a reputable, professional pet groomer (i.e. PetSmart, PetCo) or a vet for their washing. They will be able to use techniques to keep the cat calm.
Some cats will do better in an empty tub (or sink) with water being poured on rather then being put into a tub with water already in it.
Start early in the cat's life. Train your new kitten once every few weeks by giving it a bath. When the cat is older there will be no problem giving it a bath.
Try using baby shampoo, it is safer than regular shampoo and if the cat splashes it will not burn their eyes. It also makes the coat nice and soft. This works with dogs also.
If you are giving your cat a flea bath, wet the area around her neck first. Fleas will try to escape to the dry areas of the cat, which can mean a mass exodus of fleas to the head and face while you are bathing. A wet neck will keep them off the head, and in contact with the water and flea shampoo.



Warnings
Watch out for cat claws if you decide to bathe your cat. Wearing a thick, long-sleeved sweater is one way to avoid getting scratched badly while bathing your cat. Be patient and gentle; it is natural for cats to fight the water because it simply doesn't feel right.
If you don't know how to properly hold a cat by the scruff, don't do it. Your cat may choke.
Don't put shampoo on their head. It could get in their eyes.
Be aware that you shouldn't bathe him frequently, this technique is just in case your pet is really dirty.
Although some cats may accept the bath without great complaints, they may get nervous or angry or too scared when you try to dry them. Be careful during this last phase-- shut the door of the bathroom or the cat will run away all wet, keep it calm or it will urinate, creating a big mess.
If you find your cat objects too much to a bath by hissing at you and trying to escape, then forget the bath. Use a wet washcloth instead. It removes the outer dirt, and cleans well. At your local pet store, you can find treated cloths that need no water to be used to groom the cat. They even have a pleasant scent.
Hair Dryers are NOT made for cats. The heat is too hot for their body. Do not use your hair dryer to dry your cat's fur.
Cats absorb chemicals through their skin, so they must be very well rinsed. Rinse until you see only clear water running off the cat.
Make sure to use specially formulated shampoo for cats. Your hair is different from that of your cat, and your shampoo will only irritate your cat's skin.
Do not use flea shampoos for dogs on your cat. They may contain ingredients that are harmful to your cat. Be sure to read the label on all products, and be aware that some flea products formulated for cats may still cause a reaction.
Do not bathe your pet any more than once every two weeks. Excessive bathing may remove protective oils from its fur, making it appear dull, and reducing the fur's natural efficiency against the elements.
Never use sinks that are freestanding because your cat might jump and slip from being wet and hurt itself.
Never get soap in your cat's eyes. As a safeguard, put 1 to 2 drops of eye lubricant into each eye just before bathing. You can use any human labelled eye drops that are indicated as a non-medicated occular lubricant, often used for dry eye syndrome. They are available as over the counter (OTC) products at most drug stores. Examples include Tears Natural II drops or as a gel (Genteal).
Similarily, do not get soapy water into your cat's ears. To minimize the risk of creating an ear infection (otitis externa), put a pledget of cotton in each ear. Don't forget to take them out at the end of the bath. The cotton may also reduce the noise and make your job easier. At the very least your cat may be pre-occupied with the cotton in its ears and remain distracted.
Always wash your towels after the bath; leaving wet towels in a hamper may rot them and it is more hygienic to clean the towels quickly.
Listen for sounds of unhappiness. These sounds include hissing, growling, breathing hard, sneezing, crying, and mewing.
Avoid using a blow dryer on a short-haired cat or kitten as it may burn them and/or cause more trauma. Short-haired cats can bathe themselves dry.
Never force your cat's head under the water!



Things You'll Need
Basic grooming tools - comb, brush, nail clippers
2-3 towels
Rubber mat for bottom of tub
Cat shampoo and conditioner
Hair dryer if a longhair cat

Answer 2

You or anyone who bathes a cat does it carefully. I've bathed my cat before, mostly just because and there was one time I had to ( a trip to the vet with a non-crate, non-car ride friendly kitty, will merit a bath ).

My husband has to hold her in the tub so she doesn't claw her way out of the tub hurting me (the washer) or herself. He holds her under the top legs, with his hands in her "armpits", so his thumbs are around his chest, and the rest of his fingers are around the back of her. If she can't move her front legs to get a grip on anything, you and the cat stay mildly stress free. I make sure the water is already at a lukewarm temp. and have everything ready before-hand, so it's not a longer process. I use a hand-held shower head and wet her down quickly, soap her up (everywhere except the head and genital area) and rinse her off quickly. We towel dry her to the best of our ability and if it's cool in the house I attempt to dry what I can of her fur with a blow dryer. If she's long-haired you may want to consider brushing her out before and after, if not, then just afterward. ONLY use a shampoo for cats/kittens. Do not use human shampoo it's too drying to cats skin.

All she does whilst in the tub is meow like there's no tomorrow. Then after the whole bath incident, she licks herself dry for what seems to be hours! That's normal though.

Answer 3

I bathe my cat a couple times a year -- or when he really starts to stink. It's a challenge for sure, but very doable, and I have never been injured or needed a second person to help me.

I fill the kitchen sink a few inches with warm water and have a plastic cup and his shampoo ready -- along with three towels (one for the floor, one where the sink meets my stomach, and one for him).

I place him in the sink and of course he struggles at first, but I keep one arm wrapped around his entire body, leaning into him and sort of pressing him against my ribs (you have to be gentle but firm), and the other hand on the back of his head/neck until he relaxes.

I have to keep my hand on the back of his head for the ENTIRE BATH (if I ever let go, he's out of there faster than lightning). And I use my free hand to wash him. If at any time I sense he's tensing up or getting ready to pounce, I hold him against me again until he calms down.

I use as little soap as possible to make rinsing easy and fast. And before I know it, we're done. I then drain the water while he's in the sink and grab that last towel and drape it over him. I wrap him in the towel like a baby until he's not sopping wet anymore, and that's it. A clean cat again!

Don't be afraid... you are much bigger than he is and a lot stronger. Have the attitude that you're the one in charge here. Just keep a firm grip on him and wear long sleeves if you're afraid of getting scratched.

Answer 4

first brush her a lot---preferably in a bathtub that is dry, with a large pitcher of lukewarm water and some baby shampoo close at hand.

When she's relaxed, and brushed, pour the 1/3 of the water gently over her and if start with the shampoo. She will likely not be very happy, and may try to escape---make sure the door is shut.

It'll take time, but suds her up slowly and coax her back into the tub Use the remaining 2/3 of a pitcher of water to rinse her---or have 2-3 large pitchers of water on hand when you start

Or---take her to a vet/groomer.

If you do this slowly, gently, and with lots of patience and sweet talk, you might get a second opportunity to bathe her sometime in the future---but don't count on it. Good luck

Answer 5

I would take her to a groomer. You will need 2 people to wash a cat. One to hold her, this should probably be you and one to wash and rinse. you need a handheld sink or shower spray to rinse. You need to do this in a room where you can close the door and she can't get away from you when she is lathered up. Use cat shampoo from any store or baby shampoo. Wet cat, lather and rinse real well. Do not get too close to the eyes or get water in her eyes. She will freak out and bolt. Towel dry and leave her alone for a while, she will be really pissed and lick herself dry. You will feel bad as she will look like a little drowned rat when she is wet. But if she's that dirty she does need a bath.

Answer 6

Hmm, tricky. I would suggest taking the cat to a groomer and having them do it, then you dont have to worry about getting clawed. If that is not an option, try grabbing them by the scruff of the neck and do it in the sink with luke warm water. I have two cats, one doesnt mind baths and the other goes ballistic, and usually will settle down when grabbed by his scruff. Good luck

Answer 7

Don't, she will hate you, and be scared of you when you are in the bathroom with her.

To clean her fur though, simply moisten a small towel, just a bit, and wipe your cat.

Think about it like you're a mama cat, and she's the baby cat, and the towel is a tongue. Use it in even strokes, while relaxing with your cat. Your cat should love this, and be cleaner as a result.

Answer 8

Be very careful following Andris's advise on shaving a cat. It must not be shaved down to the skin and it needs to have at least 1/4 inch of fur (unless it's that hairless breed). My friend had a kitten fall in a bucket of paint so she shaved it, and after it died, she consulted a vet and he replied that a bald cat loses the necessary oils and the skin cracks and becomes infected.
They are vulnerable to chills after you bathe them, so take care that your cat remains wrapped until it's completely dry.

Answer 9

I would just use bathing wipes. That's what I do. You will need 2 or 3 of them to get the job done. My cats hate water, but tolerate wiping with a cloth.

Answer 10

nicely cats do could desire to get occasitional baths I provide my indoor cat a tub as quickly as a month;they do nevertheless get a sprint grimy even indoors!!reliable success they hate baths.close the bathing room door,placed merely a sprint of water and don't placed them interior the bathing room on an identical time because it quite is working they get to stressful additionally convey a toy or treats or nutrition to maintain them occupided some.as quickly as back reliable success!!! : )

Answer 11

dont turn the water on too high and move very slowly. if she doesnt want to stay, try scruffing her. if that doesnt work, you could get an old screen and prop it up in the tub for her to cling to. sometimes, that's all they need and they'll stay perfectly still the whole time. i know it sounds crazy but that's how we did it in vet tech school. if that doesn't work, you can try putting her in a mesh bag (like one used for washing lingerie). this way your hands and arms will be mostly protected because she wont be able to get a good swing at you and youll still be able to get the shampoo on and off of her. if none of these work for you, call a groomer.