{"id":610321,"date":"2024-06-14T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T14:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=610321"},"modified":"2024-06-20T13:25:09","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T17:25:09","slug":"how-to-give-your-cat-a-bath-dr-karyns-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/felines-weekly\/how-to-give-your-cat-a-bath-dr-karyns-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Give Your Cat a Bath: Dr. Karyn’s Tips (With Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, I\u2019m Dr. Karyn!\u00a0Read my introduction<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cats are known to be fastidious creatures, often devoting hours of their day to grooming, so it\u2019s not often that we have to give them a bath. However, sometimes this unfortunate task cannot be avoided, and while there are some cats who actually enjoy getting wet, the majority would prefer to stay well clear of the bathtub or shower. Grime or grease show up more easily on Clutch\u2019s snow-white fur, so he does receive the occasional bath, which, like most things, he takes in his stride with very little protest, making him an ideal model for a demonstration. Zelda, on the other hand, is a lot more flighty and doesn\u2019t even like being brushed, so I was less enthusiastic about taking her for a dip, but the cat litter stuck to her long furry trousers has put her in the line of bathtime fire.<\/p>\n

This does mean that I can show you how to bathe a cat, plus <\/i>how to bathe a cat that is likely to put up a lot of resistance.<\/p>\n

Preparation Is Key<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Cat
Cat bathing supplies: towels, shampoo, and a non-slip mat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Assume that your bathing session is going to be a disaster – by expecting the worst, you will hopefully be prepared for all eventualities. I have found that cats settle more quickly if you place them into a tub of water and get as much of them wet as possible – if they think they can escape without getting soaked, they will fight much harder to get away, so choose a deep sink or bathtub for your scene.<\/p>\n

You should choose a small, enclosed room, with minimal jumping or hiding spots, so the bathroom tends to be the obvious choice. Move any bottles, jars, or other objects from shelves and surfaces where they could be knocked over in the event of a mad scramble, and make sure the window is secure.<\/p>\n

I recommend trimming your cat\u2019s claws<\/a> before their bath to help minimize the damage they may inflict if the situation turns ugly. Make sure you have everything you\u2019ll need within reach of the basin\/tub, but you shouldn\u2019t need much in the way of supplies.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • a non-slip mat, towel, or bath mat to place in the bottom of the tub – the slippery surface can be almost as distressing as the water to your cat.<\/li>\n
  • cat-friendly shampoo – eg. Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo<\/a><\/li>\n
  • 2-3 large bath towels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Place one towel on the floor to soak up the water that will<\/i> spill.<\/p>\n

    Have a \u2018drying room\u2019 ready for your cat to chill out in at the end – make sure it\u2019s warm and free of draughts.<\/p>\n

    \"Zelda
    Zelda keeps her eye on the (closed) door.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Get the Water Temperature Right<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Whether you\u2019re using a hose attachment, faucet, or jug, it is vital to get the water temperature right. Remember that a cat\u2019s body temperature is slightly higher than ours, so the water should feel warm, but not hot. Make sure you run the water long enough to know it won\u2019t get hotter during the bath.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re using a hose-type attachment, be careful. While Clutch had no problem with the hose, Zelda\u2019s initial struggles caused a fumble that resulted in me squirting her with the shower hose. This did not enhance her experience!<\/p>\n

    Fill the tub so that it is deep enough to reach halfway up your cat\u2019s body. This will allow you to immerse most of them in the water right away.<\/p>\n

    Prepare to Get Wet<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Once you have checked you have everything you need, it\u2019s go time.<\/p>\n

    Pick up your cat with confident hands, but do not cuddle them tightly against you. When they spot the water, they are likely to try to escape, usually by clambering up and over you. Use the secure hold I showed you in the How To Safely Restrain A Cat video<\/a>; this will allow you to more easily maneuver them into the water without having to detach their claws from your clothes or skin!<\/p>\n

    Place them swiftly, but gently, into the water, being careful to keep their head and ears dry. This is when the worst of the struggling will occur, so be wary of teeth and claws, but try to maintain a confident, firm hold. Immobilizing the shoulders and guiding the hind legs to the towel or mat in the tub should enable you to keep them in the water.<\/p>\n