can i give my 10 week old kitten a bath???

Question

can i just use any shampoo or is there a special cat shampoo or can i just bathe him with just plain water with nothing else???

Answer 1

You can bathe him if he's dirty. Buy a cat/kitten shampoo - human shampoo is the wrong ph. Dilute the shampoo before putting it on him. No shampoo on his face, and be careful not to get water in his ears.
When I bathe kittens I usually get the shampoo and two towels ready, then just stick them under warm running water in the sink. Hold him by the scruff (loose skin on back of neck) to control him. Rub shampoo in, then rinse thoughoughly. If he's struggling so much that you don't think you'll be able to rinse him thouroughly, don't use shampoo - just rinse with water. You will have to work quickly as the kitten wont like it - if he struggles a lot use one of the towels to restrain him (that's why you need two). Whatever you do be sure to not leave any shampoo residue. Then wrap in a dry towel to dry off. Keep him in a warm place until he is completely dry.

Answer 2

You can, but I only would if he is very dirty. Kittens are self-cleaning (not like an oven), and need to be taught to do it themselves. If you bathe them too much, they won't learn to lick themselves. Also, if they lick themselves and taste shampoo, they may not want to do it as much as they would normally.

I have bathed mine, when they were sick and had diarrhea, and I used kitten shampoo. I wouldn't use Dawn or any other dish soap, as that is VERY drying, and a cat's skin is very susceptible to dryness as is. Use a shampoo specifically for cats.

Put him in a shallow tub of lukewarm water, gently lower him in, use a cup or mug to slowly pour the water over him, pour some shampoo into a half cup of water, pour that over him, lather, and rinse him off again the same way. Make sure you reassure him, as he is NOT going to like it. And wear long sleeves, mine tore my arms apart the first time.

Afterward, towel-dry him or, if he'll let you, blow dry him with WARM air on LOW. Do NOT let him roam around wet, cats' fur isn't insulative like a dog's, and he will get very cold.

Answer 3

Bathing is fine at that age. Don't however use shampoo or dish soap. Use either cat shampoo which can be purchased cheaply at Wal-Mart or baby shampoo, the no tears, plain variety. It is best to acclimate your kitty to baths at a young age if you plan to do it when they're older.

Answer 4

Both my cats came to my family when they were just a few days old. We bathed them daily with warm water only. When kittens are less then a month old you need to make them potty, they do not do it on their own. So needless t sy we made a mess occasionally. Both were fine with just warm water and our hands loving them clean. Once the bath was complete we wrapped them tightly in a towel and held them for several minutes close with lots of kisses. Within time both cats would allow us to bath them once a month without any problems. We still bath them today.

Answer 5

It is perfectly safe to bathe him but make sure your house is warm when you do and that the water is neither too cold or too hot. As soon as you take him out of the water, dry him really, really good and then keep him bundled up in a towel that you have warmed in the dryer for awhile till he is perfectly dry.

As for shampoo, baby shampoo is really gentle for them. Don't use any kind of shampoo with flea meds in it.

Answer 6

I would pass on the soap until you get approval from your vet. Kittens are sensitive like babies and will absorb toxins from their environment, including any soaps that have frangrance, colors or harsh ingredients. Try nice warm water for now and a good washcloth scrub. As for the last comment -- dish soap, in particular, is very harsh!! Think about how it's designed to get hard oily lasagna out of a pan -- definitely wouldn't put that on a little delicate kitten. Have fun!!!

Answer 7

i don't know if giving a kitten a bath would be one of my first moves as the kitten's new mom/dad. most aren't keen on water and they're usually pretty clean little creatures. if you kitten isn't cleaning herself, you could try to just get a washcloth with some warmish water and give it a sponge bath witout getting the cat soaking wet.

when my cat (who has somewhat long hair) was a baby, she wasn't great about cleaning her bottom and i would do that for her.

Answer 8

there are various shampoos desirable for kittens in supermarkets,puppy shops that are risk-free.you merely ought to circumvent it entering into or around the eyes because it would desire to reason irratation. it may in all probability be a great theory in case you groomed him usually in order that any fur does not develop into disheveled with him being fluffy that could help and that's a great concept which you save his at the back of area rather trimmed.there is not any longer alot extra i will say rather whether i comprehend the place you're coming from because it always happens with our kitten too.i desire it rather is of a few use to you.good good fortune.

Answer 9

cats do not normally NEED to be bathed.only if they get into something that may be toxic for them to take care of themselves.(like tar or gas) or if they need to be dipped because of severe flea infestation. but if you have some overwhelming desire to give your cat a bath then by all means have at it! your kitten is old enough. and baby shampoo or flea shampoo is fine.

Answer 10

Yes, but be forewarned that it might get aggressive and tear you up. That happened to me before. I have never had a cat that was nice when being bathed. Only do it if it's too smelly or dirty. Otherwise I would avoid it since they would rather clean themselves.