cat in the showerLet’s be honest, unless your cat is a descendant of an Asian leopard cat, or the web-footed fishing cat, he probably can’t stand bath time. Not every breed reacts the same way to water, and many Bengal cat owners have no problem coaxing their feline into the frothy bubbles, due to their water-loving ancestry. Most cats are fascinated by water faucets, or flowing streams;  BUT few can get through a warm bath without yowling miserably and giving their pet parent a few thankless scratches. Here are some helpful steps about how to handle your cat when it’s time for his regular clean up:

Basic Steps

  1. Make sure his claws are trimmed, recently capped or buffed down.  Avoid getting scratches by making sure your cat’s paws are tempered down and less weapon-like.
  2. Begin by brushing your cat’s fur, followed by a cleansing pet wipe with which you can wipe down his fur.  This will help remove some of the excess fur and loose dust/dirt that he might have picked up.  Give special attention to his eyes, ears, mouth and face since they will not be washed with shampoo.
  3. Fill the bathtub or sink with just over a gallon of warm water.  (It should be 2-3 inches deep, and neither too hot nor too cold, just a comfortable temperature so as not to alarm him.)
  4. Using a removable sink head or shower head, turn the water on warm with not too high of a current, or the cat will become more stressed. Starting from his legs and working up to his body, slowly use the shower head close to his body to get the entire coat wet.
  5. Once your kitty is happily soaked in warm water, add a dollop of shampoo (hypoallergenic may be best for cats with sensitive skin).  Use a wash cloth to help massage the gel into his coat, and rub him down evenly.  Be careful not to wash too closely to the cat’s face-  this should be accomplished during the rub down.
  6. Using the same gentle motions as before, rinse your cat thoroughly with warm water from the shower head. Make sure no suds or residue are left in his coat before you remove him from the bath.
  7. Pick him up with a large towel and pat him dry.  Try to keep him close while the fur is drying, so that he does not pick up dust/dirt/particles around the house on his wet fur.  End the time with a yummy treat to help him forgive you for inflicting the inconvenience of a bath!