How To Bathe Your Cat

Most cats absolutely hate water, so why would someone want to bathe their cat? Cats can get just as dirty or flea infested as dogs and although most cats are excellent at grooming themselves, there are times when there is just no other option besides giving your cat a bath. As long as you do not bathe your cat more frequently than once a month, you will not damage his hair or skin.

Before you begin bathing your cat, you will need to gather a few supplies. At the minimum, you will need two absorbent towels, a pet safe shampoo, a pet safe conditioner, a sponge, and a sprayer attachment for your sink or bath. If you don't have a sprayer attachment, you should have a jug that you can use to scoop clean water over your cat's body. Ideally, you should also have a non-slip mat to help your cat feel more secure.

If you decide to bathe your cat in the bath, you may have a harder time holding on to him if he becomes frightened, it is usually easier to keep him contained if he escapes in a bathroom than in the kitchen.

Place your non-slip mat in the bottom of the sink or bath. Add two to three inches of warm water and gently place your cat in the bath. Talk to him quietly and reassure him. He will most likely settle down within a few seconds. Once he is calm, begin to wet him down. If the sprayer attachment scares him, you may have to pour water over him using a jug. Do not pour water on his head. You will clean his face later.

Once your cat is wet, squeeze out a palm sized dollop of shampoo and thoroughly massage the shampoo into his coat. If you use slow, calming motions, he may even actually relax and enjoy this part of the bath.

After the shampoo is sufficiently lathered, it's time to rinse your cat off. Be sure you get the entire shampoo residue out, as it can really irritate his skin if it isn't removed.

Now, work a palm sized dollop of conditioner into your cat's coat and then rinse it out. This step is actually optional if the cat has short hair. However, conditioner will not hurt a short haired cat, so, if he is not too upset, you may still want to use it.

Once your cat's body is clean, dampen your sponge and use it to carefully wipe down his face. Pay close attention to the area under his eyes.

Finally, wrap your cat in one of the towels and blot most of the water from his body. Replace the wet towel with your other dry towel and continue to blot his coat dry. After the second towel is damp, your cat should be dry enough to finish the job himself. If you have a longhaired cat, you may want to see if he will tolerate a hair dryer on the lowest setting. However, be sure to keep the dryer moving constantly so you do not burn his skin.

Disclaimer:  This article is supplied for informative purposes only. Seapets Ltd has done its very best to make sure that the above information is up-to-date and correct, but takes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the following of this advice. As always, it is recommended that you consult with your local vet regarding any concerns that you may have for your pet.

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