What is the best way to bathe a cat?

Question

I've tried several things but nothing seems to be just quite right. What products and methods do you use to bathe your furry felines? I'm looking for a way that eases the cat's nerves and keeps you from getting all scarred up too. Thanks! :o)

Answer 1

Why are you bathing the cat so much? Unless it's a show cat or it was sprayed by a skunk, cats usually do a really good job of keeping themselves clean.

If you must, try the kitchen sink instead of the bathtub, easier on your back and more appropriate to the cat's size. Put a mat or a towel on the bottom so the cat isn't slipping.

Clip the cat's nails before you give him a bath, for obvious reasons. Also useful to know, if you didn't already: cats go completely limp if you pinch them at the back of the neck. It's a reflex, designed to keep them still when their mom carries them in her mouth. They never seem to outgrow it. So, although you shouldn't pick up an adult cat by the scruff of the neck, if you hold him gently by that spot they won't fight you.

Cat shampoos work fine. Remember to NEVER use a dog formula on a cat, especially not flea shampoos. The concentrations of chemicals in dog formulas can kill a cat.

Answer 2

Well, I'm not one to bathe a cat that isn't in extraordinary need. They keep quite tidy, and bathing can mess them up. But, I've bathed quite a few cats in my time and I'm rather proud of my "take it easy" method for avoiding lunging and screaming.

First, brush the cat. Thoroughly - get all loose undercoat out. Preferable to do the day before the bath so the skin isn't irritated.

You need a hose or some attachment on the faucet to control the water precisely. I prefer to do it in a sink at waist level. The tub is too low and puts you at a disadvantage. Start by turning on the water just lukewarm - I mean not warm enough for you to bathe in; not even pee-warm, but tepid - just a trickle so that there's a quiet hiss from the faucet and the cat can get used to the sound without seeing a lot of water flow.

Fill a large bowl or bucket with the warm water and add a generous amount of shampoo, and stir it so it's like very soapy water. My fave shampoo was Vet-Kem Hylyt. Any soap free hypoallergenic shampoo is nice since it doesn't sting the eyes and rinses easily without drying the skin. Add a thirsty sponge. Have a big towel nearby.

Now attach a chest harness and leash to the cat, and place the cat in the sink facing you. Tie the leash, with little or no slack, to the faucet, using a knot that you can release instantly in case of emergency (just make a regular half knot & don't pull the end thru). It's preferable to have all four cat feet on the bottom of the sink, not up on the edge. Firmly holding the cat's shoulders down with slight pressure can help. With your free hand, sponge the shampoo water onto the dry coat (the soapy water breaks surface tension better than trying to wet the coat first). Start with the neck and move towards the tail & underside. Then dab around the face if necessary. Then lather all over.

Then remove the soap bowl from the area and begin to rinse with the slowly running water hose. Keep the end of the hose touching the coat - never let the cat see a stream coming at its body. Start at the neck, go back towards the tail... do head last, with chin tipped up (may need fresh soapless sponge to get soap away from face without the cat flipping out). You can usually gradually up the water pressure without startling the cat while you're rinsing, and get it pretty high for a good rinse. Then wrap the cat completely in the towel, detach the harness, and take the cat somewhere warm & waterproof (a bathroom +/- space heating?) where you can towel it and let it go, damp, to groom itself dry.

I agree with those who suggested nail trimming first (preferable to do the day before!). If the cat freaks, you can step back and keep the claws off you (since the cat is tethered) and then come in on the shoulders to press it back down on its feet in the sink. I don't like creme rinses / conditioners / dips for cats, because the chemicals would be groomed off and end up in the cat's belly, and they generally don't give a desirable result anyway on most coats.

Answer 3

I give my cat a bath about once a month, simply because she loves to roll around in the dust on the balcony.

My strategy is this: I bring her into the shower with me. My cat dislikes being immersed in water, so I just sit down in the tub with the shower going and put her inside. She doesn't like it, but she tolerates it. It also helps that I started this routine when she was young.
Give your cat alot of reassurance, telling her what a good girl she is (or he is). Wrap your cat up in a towel afterwards to get the majority of the water off, then let the cat find a warm spot and she'll do the rest on her own. Just don't let them run around the house sopping when or your kitty will get sick.
It never hurts to give your cat a treat afterwards either, rewarding her for her trouble.
As for shampoos, definately buy a kitten shampoo because the stuff we use for ourselves can dry out your kitty's skin. I don't recall the brand I use, but it has a nice lavender scent to it

Answer 4

Well, it's true, not all cats are good at keeping themselves clean! The best thing you can do is run the water before you bring the cat in. Also, you can put a towel on the bottom of the tub so your cat has somthing to dig it's claws into. (Seems to help them feel more comfortable) Other than that, its not an easy task or a fun one for that matter. I've had a couple cats in my time that didn't keep clean, and I've known cats that just couldn't anymore due to health or age also. Good luck

Answer 5

Ace is a big fellow and only tolerates me because I feed and brush him. He'd claw me like the dickens if I tried to bathe him. I've had him only two years; he's middle-aged and he was a stray before his first owner gave him a home. When she passed away, I adopted him--my first cat. He spends most of his waking hours licking his fur, but last year, around this time, a vet's office gave him a good wash, trimmed his long hair and his nails. The lady said he had not seriously objected to it, and I guess it's time for another visit. At 71, I'm still learning how to live with a cat, and between you and me I really don't mind the trouble.

Answer 6

I've had to frequently bathe mine b/c the ppl I got her from had her in terrible condition. When I got her, she was covered in fleas, infested with worms, ear mites, and has ringworm. Now I don't know if it helps since I had to start bathing her the moment I got her at four weeks.(They said she was 10 wks) But the best thing to do is fill the tub with water before bringing them anywhere near it. It's usually the sound of the water that freaks them out. Mine is fine when I bathe her, but she does get a little fussy when I have to make her sit with her shampoo on if I've drained the water. If there's still water in there, then she's fine.

Answer 7

Use a special kitty shampoo. Don't use human shampoos beacuse those could dry your kitty's skin.

Fill the bathtub with a small amount (about ankle deep) of water. Put your kitty in there. Wet him down with the shower. Shampoo him (not his head and face though) Than rinse him off well with the shower again. be careful about getting water in his ears. Hold them down with your hand if you must. Also make sure you rinse EVERYTHING off. You don't want your kitty to lick it off and get sick later. Try to get the whole thing done as fast as possible cuz the kitty isn't going to be happy about it most probably.

Always have someone help you. Two people if you can. Your cat might freak out so you want people there just in case. Be as gentle as you can, you don't want to hurt the kitty! Be prepared to get scratched. Not all cats scratch and freak out, but it's a good idea to be ready in case your cat does.

After the bath, dry your kitty off with a towel and leave him in a warm spot. he will immediately begin licking himself all over. Make sure your kitty is somewhere warm after the bath cuz you don't want him to get sick while he's wet. Don't use a blow drier on your kitty. Most kitties are scared of them and it dries out their skin.


Good Luck

Answer 8

Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy Carefully!
Preferable with very heavy gloves on.
But seriously, make sure the water is warm enough. Remember that the cats normal body temperature is warmer than a humans.
Good luck
PS
I give my cats monthly baths..always have..and more often if needed.

Answer 9

My Mom started to become allergic to my cat when he got close to her face, I debated on wether to bathe him or not.. when I went to wal-mart I found this amazing catwipes (just walmart brand) and they're allergen reducers in the cat dander. It's so much easier to just wipe him down rather than bathing.

Answer 10

well cats do most of their bathing, but more then likly you would use no tears like baby shampoos. not sure so ask vet.