Giving a dog a bath is usually an easy and fun task that the whole family can get involved with, but have you ever tried to bathe a cat? Unfortunately, most cats are not fond of getting baths, and this can make it very difficult to successfully wash your furry feline friend. Read on to find out all the tips you need to know in order to bathe your cat.
Does My Cat Need a Bath?
Not all cats need to be bathed. You may notice your cat washing himself on a regular basis, and she might keep himself clean on his own. Some cats are perfectly capable of cleaning themselves, but others may not be so lucky. In some cases, cats have not learned how to groom themselves properly, and may end up with sticky, matted, or greasy fur from a lack of attention to certain areas. Other cats, particularly those that are overweight, old, disabled, or very furry, cannot reach all of the areas of their coats that need to be groomed. If you notice that your cat’s coat has become dirty or full of clumps, it is time to give kitty a bath.
Getting Ready
Before bringing your cat to the bath, you should prepare everything you need ahead of time.
- Purchase a cat-safe shampoo from your local pet store, and be sure to choose one that is made from all-natural ingredients so it will not cause any unnecessary rashes or irritation to your cat’s skin.
- If your cat has sharp claws, you might want to consider trimming them a few days before the bath, to ensure that you do not get hurt in the process.
- Place a wet towel into the bottom of your sink, and start running lukewarm water. Be sure it is not scalding hot or very cool.
- Finally, it is time to bring your cat to the sink. Try to remain calm, even if you are nervous about the bath, so your cat will not sense any trouble.
Bath Time
You may want to ask someone to help you bathe your cat, particularly if you have never tried before. Remember that, if your cat tries to leap out of the water, the best course of action is to just let him leave. Struggling with your cat will only make him more afraid of bath time in the future.
- Place your cat into the sink, but not directly under the flow of the water.
Do not get shampoo or water in your cat’s eyes, and do not worry about washing his face or head. - Squeeze out a little bit of shampoo, and lather your cat’s fur, starting with his back and moving to his chest, stomach, and legs.
- Finally, use a cup or a spray nozzle to rinse all of the shampoo out of your cat’s fur.
- Remove your cat from the sink, and dry him off with a clean towel.
In no time at all, you will become an expert at bathing your cat!