Furbabies
Cat Care Site

Bathing A Cat

While cats are generally very good at cleaning themselves, there may be times when you need to give them a bath - getting ready for a cat show, cleaning a dirty coat, giving them a flea dip.

Most cats dislike being bathed, so you may need someone to help you hold the cat. Make sure you clip your cats claws before you start the bath, especially if he/she is likely to scratch.

Comb the tangles out of your longhaired cats coat before you bath him/her. Bathing will only make the knots tighter and harder to get out later.

Use a shampoo specifically formulated for cats. Human shampoos can dry out a cats skin and coat.

The Bath

Get everything ready before you start. Have your shampoos, conditioners, rinses, flea-dip preparations close by, and a large towel to dry the cat afterwards.

Fill a plastic bowl or the kitchen sink with warm water, to about 10cm deep. Place a towel or rubber mat on the bottom to give the cat something to grip onto. Test the water temperature.

Hold the cat firmly as you put it into the bath. Make sure your cat is facing away from you, so you are less likely to get scratched.

Use a plastic jug or container (or spray hose attachment if you have one) to gently dampen your cats fur. Pour a little shampoo onto the cats coat. Massage the shampoo into the coat until it lathers.

Rinse the cat off using containers of water or a spray hose attachment on the taps, starting at the cats neck and working down towards the tail. Avoid getting water or lather into the eyes or ears.

Wrap the cat in a large towel to dry. Dry the cats coat with a hairdryer on low-setting if your cat will tolerate it. Longhaired cats in particular need to be thoroughly dried. Leaving the cat with a cold wet coat will increase the chance of the fur breaking. Brush your longhaired cats coat as you dry him/her to prevent matts and tangles forming.

Keep your cat inside until fully dry.

Bathing Alternatives

If your cat really protests at being bathed, but your still need to clean his/her dirty coat, try using one of the specially formulated dry cat shampoos available.

Dry shampoos usually come as a powder which you sprinkle through the cats coat, then brush it off. Use a towel to remove any excess powder.

There are also waterless shampoos available in liquid-form which you massage into the cats coat until it is damp and starts to foam. Then you dry the cat with a soft towel.

Dry shampoos are also great for between baths, when your cat is a little dirty but not dirty enough for the hassle of a full bath.

References

Edney A, Taylor D, 101 Essential Tips: Caring For Your Cat, London: Dorling Kindersley, 1997

Page S, The Complete Cat Owners Manual, Australia: Readers Digest, 1997

Taylor D, The Ultimate Cat Book, Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley, 1989

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