9 Scratch-Free Tips On How To Bathe A Cat

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Even cats need a bath occasionally. But how do you keep your arms intact while undertaking this perilous activity? Here’s how to bathe a cat and remain relatively unscathed.

Cats are wonderful at keeping themselves clean, but sometimes they need a little extra help, such as when they have a flea infestation or they have gotten themselves really dirty.

But bathing cats can definitely be a challenge, what with their aversion to water and all. Here are nine tips on how to bathe a cat so you can make the experience less stressful for both you and your feline friend.

Choose the Ideal Time for a Bath

Choose a time to bathe your cat when she’ll be the most calm. Perhaps you want to play with her for a bit to tire her out before giving her a bath. This will make it easier for you to control her, as she’ll hopefully be more relaxed.

Related:Cat Grooming Basics You Need To Know

Trim Kitty’s Claws and Brush Her Fur

Your cat’s claws are powerful weapons that should be trimmed regularly. Don’t forget to give them a trim, if necessary, before giving her a bath in order to avoid scratches.

It’s also a good idea to brush your cat before the bath. This will work on removing loose hair, and you can work on removing mats at the same time. The ASPCA also recommends gently placing a bit of cotton in your cat’s ears in order to keep water out of them.

Related:Fun Facts About Cat Hairballs

Use a Rubber Bath Mat and Fill the Tub

A rubber bath mat placed inside the tub or sink where your cat will be bathed is a great way to keep her from slipping. After placing the mat down, fill up the tub or sink with about 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water (depending on the height of your cat). The water shouldn’t be hot, as it will burn your kitty’s skin.

Wet Your Cat

Next up is the part your cat will probably hate the most: wetting your cat. To make it easy, you can utilize a handheld spray hose. Thoroughly wet your cat, but avoid spraying the water directly into her nose, eyes, and ears. In the event that you don’t have a spray hose, you can instead use a plastic cup or pitcher to gently pour water over your cat’s body.

Time to Lather Up

The next step involves gently massaging a mild cat-specific shampoo into her fur. Opt for a product that’s made of natural ingredients, if possible. The ASPCA recommends 1 part cat shampoo to 5 parts water. You should work your way from the cat’s head to her tail, moving in the direction of the growth of the hair. Again, avoid the ears, eyes, and face.

Rinse Thoroughly

After your cat has been lathered up, it’s time to rinse off the shampoo with lukewarm water, making sure that all of the soap is completely washed away because residues can actually attract more dirt and they can irritate your kitty’s skin.

Wash Your Cat’s Face

To wash your cat’s face, use a washcloth that is soaked with lukewarm water (no soap). Simply wipe kitty’s face carefully and gently. If her face is really dirty, though, use extra-diluted cat shampoo and be especially careful around the eyes and ears.

Dry Her Off

Once you’re all done thoroughly rinsing your kitty, it’s time to dry your pet with a large towel first. You can use your blow dryer if she’s okay with the noise, but keep it on the lowest heat setting. Keep her in a warm place that doesn’t have any cold drafts in order to allow her body to warm up and dry off. And use a wide-tooth comb to untangle the fur on longhaired kitties.

Give Rewards

Your cat has just been through quite a lot, so it’s important to give her plenty of praise and a delicious treat as a reward for being such a good kitty! And at the same time, why not treat yourself… after all, you just survived giving your cat a bath!

How do you bathe a cat? Are there any tips you’d like to share that you’ve seen work? Please leave your ideas in the comment section below.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Product Review: Hurtta Cooling Vest

It’s getting hot out there, and when you’ve got active dogs, you’re always looking for ways to cool them down. That’s why Kevin Rober…
Global Pet Expo 2017: Tattoo-Inspired Collars For Bad-Ass Pooches

What are the cool pets at Global Pet Expo 2017 wearing? Why, none other than Angel Pet Supplies new Angel Inked Tattoo collars!
Puli

Bred for herding, the Puli is also a good watchdog but quite safe around his human family. He is energetic and fun-loving, perfect for an active family.
2014 Dog New Year’s Resolutions

New Year''s Resolutions feel like an impossible to-do list and we give them up quickly. But would you be more likely to keep them if they involved your dog?
DIY Towel Mitten for Dogs

Want to make something cute and eco-friendly that will keep your pooch''s paws clean after a hike in the mud? Check out this upcycled paw-cleaning mitten!
Engatzu Spaniel

Engatzu Spaniel is a hybrid breed, with two purebred parents: English Toy Spaniel and Shih Tzu. Read on to find out more about these rare designer dogs!
Golden Corgi

Corgis and Golden Retrievers are some of the most adored dog breeds on the planet, and their mixed offspring doesn’t disappoint, either.
Top 10 Polite Canadian Dog Deals (Eh!)

Celebrate 150 years of Canada being the nicest, most maple-syrup-coated country there ever was by covering your dog in Canuck-inspired gear, eh.
Best Dog DNA Tests

How Do Dog DNA Tests Work? How Accurate Are Dog DNA Tests?DNA kits have been all the rage the last couple of years- almost every other person has done one to figure out if they have relatives they don’t know or where their ancestors came from. But what about DNA tests for canines? While they are not as precise or as all-encompassing as tests developed for humans, dog DNA tests can provide you with plenty of useful information and at a pretty accurate level to boot. Companies claim an accuracy level of over 90% which is more than impressive. The way these tests work is always the same: to
Shichon

The Shichon gives you the small size of the Shih Tzu and the friendly disposition of the Bichon Frise. You can have the best of both in one lovable pup!
Alexandrine Parakeet

The Alexandrine Parakeet is a fun, playful, loving parrot that will make a fantastic companion to a responsible and a devoted owner.
5 Cat Hacks to Understand and Treat Cat Hairballs

The sound, the aftermath, the cleanup - cat hairballs are not fun. To minimize the mess, we''ve put together a few cat hacks that''ll help.
Types of Dogs You’ll Meet on the Campground

Summer time - when city dogs pack up their families for some adventures in the woods. Here''s the definitive list of every dog you will meet on the campground.
What Is Stomatitis in Cats?

Your cat may not be happy because she has stomatitis - a type of dental disease. But what is stomatitis and how does it stop your cat from smiling?
Cat Tail Injuries: What You Need To Know

A cat''s tail acts as an important appendage to her everyday life. That''s why you need to know about cat tail injuries and how to tell if your kitty is hurt.