Let him get slowly acclimatized to the idea of a bath by just getting his paws wet at first. Or put him in the bathroom with you while you’re taking a bath, so he gets used to the sound of running water. Give him treats when his paws get a little wet. You might even float one of his toys in the water.
My cat hates baths but has flees. I’ve attempted to give her a sponge bath, but she refuses to participate. She has completely clawed my arms and bitten me twice. She’s not a large cat; in fact, she’s rather small, but when she’s near water, she can lift a 35-pound body builder (67″). Any tips ? Archived post. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast.
Do cats need to be bathed?
Cats are excellent self-cleaning animals, so bathing them won’t be necessary very often.
Tiny, curved barbs on a cat’s rough tongue enable it to disperse saliva throughout the fur of your four-legged friend. Ultimately, this becomes a self-applied mini-spa treatment as each lap distributes beneficial natural oils throughout his skin and coat. These tiny spines also aid in detangling your cat’s fur, which explains why you frequently see your furry friend licking and biting at fur clumps to make sure everything is smoothed out.
However, regular washing can help prevent hairballs and lessen the amount of hair loss, whether done at home or by our skilled pet groomers.
How do you bathe a cat?
When bathing a cat, as with washing a baby, you should have everything you need within arm’s reach. Have these items at your side:
- Several towels to help clean and dry him
- A shower or bath with a handheld showerhead
- Special cat shampoo and conditioner
Human shampoo and conditioner have a different pH than cat shampoo and conditioner, so never use them on your pet as it could harm their skin or fur.
If your cat has long fur, you should brush him first to get rid of any knots or tangles before you begin.
With the water running through the showerhead at a medium spray level, set the temperature to warm.
Gently place your cat in the bath or shower tray while conversing with her and giving her lots of comfort and praise. Your pet will find using a showerhead from above much less stressful than lowering her into 4 inches of tepid water because she is more likely to be accustomed to being rained on!
If you believe your cat will be difficult to manage, use a harness or hold her in place by her scruff. Begin washing her gently using soft confident strokes. Because cats are adept at sensing stress, if you appear to be under stress, she’ll likely sense it too and be more likely to snap or try to flee!
Try not to overshame her because she probably isn’t as dirty as you think! Rinse well, then repeat with the conditioner. Take care to avoid her eyes and nose.
You should try to towel-dry your cat as much as you can after she’s cleaned. Some cats are petrified of hair dryers. If your feline companion isn’t, you might try drying her with a low heat and speed. To do this, you might have to confined her to a carrier. Alternatively, until her coat is completely dry, you could keep your cat in the warm bathroom. Making sure she is completely dry before entering other areas of the house is crucial. Damp cats are susceptible to becoming chilled, which can make them ill. For kittens, in particular, dangerously low body temperatures can occur.
FAQ
How do you clean a cat that doesn’t like water?
How do you bathe a cat without water?
How do I calm my cat down for a bath?