Though there are some exceptions to the rule, most cats do not like water – this makes the task of bathing them very difficult. Cats are very clean animals by nature so they do a pretty good job of keeping themselves clean. If your cat gets into something he shouldn’t, however, or if you are just trying to reduce the amount of dander in your home, you may need to give him a bath. In this article you will receive some practical tips and tricks for bathing your cat.
Before the Bath
Before you actually put your cat in the bathtub, there are a few things you should do. First, do a little grooming work to prepare your cat for the bath. Get out a comb or brush and give your cat a once-over – this will help to remove any loose or head hairs from his coat. It will also give you a chance to work out any tangles or mats in your cat’s fur. This is also a good time to trim your cat’s claws – after the bath, he may not be calm enough for you to do the trimming. Finally, get all of your tools and equipment ready. Once you get your cat into the tub you will have to work fast because he may not tolerate the water for long. Having all of your tools on hand will make the process much easier for you. Gather your cat-friendly shampoo as well as a clean washcloth to use in washing your cat’s face. You should also get a big, fluffy towel ready to use in drying your cat. You might also want to throw on a long-sleeve shirt to protect your arms against scratches during bath time.
How to Bathe Your Cat
Once you have your supplies gathered it is time to prepare the bath. Fill your bathtub with a few inches of lukewarm water – about 3 to 5 inches should be enough. You don’t want your cat to struggle to stand and you do not want his head to go under the water. Make sure you test the water temperature to make sure it isn’t too hot for your cat – it should be warm, but not hot. Next, pick up your cat and place him in the tub – this task could be fairly difficult depending how scared your cat is of the water. You may even need to enlist the help of a friend or family member to keep your cat in the tub.
When you finally have your cat in the tub, use the spray nozzle on your shower hose to wet down your cat’s fur. If you don’t have a spray hose, use a cup to pour water over your cat’s back until his coat is thoroughly wetted. Make sure you avoid your cat’s head during the process – you don’t want to get any water into his nose, ears, or eyes. Next, squeeze a small amount of shampoo onto your cat’s back and work it gently into his fur. Again, be sure to avoid your cat’s head. Instead, dampen a clean washcloth and use it to clean your cat’s face. Once you have the shampoo worked into your cat’s coat, rinse all of the shampoo out until the water runs clean.
After you’ve rinsed out all of the shampoo it is time to dry your cat. By now your cat is probably going to be in a bad mood so you may need to take extra precautions against getting scratched. Take a large, fluffy towel and wrap your cat up in it. Gently massage your cat inside the towel to get rid of as much moisture as possible. After you’ve dried your cat as much as you can with the towel you may be able to let him air dry the rest of the way. If it is cold in your house, or if your cat is shivering, you may need to use a hair dryer on the cool or low heat setting to dry him the rest of the way.
Bathing your cat may not be an easy task but, with the right preparation, it can be done. Follow the steps described in this article to give your cat a bath.
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