Bathing your cat can be a challenge, as most cats are not fond of getting wet. However, with a little patience and the right techniques, you can make the process a lot easier for both you and your furry friend. In this article, we'll discuss some tips and tricks on how to bathe your cat effectively and make the whole process less stressful.

You can bathe your cat every 4-6 weeks to 3-6 months, it is completely up to your discretion on often you would like to bathe them but no more than once a month as you can be doing more harm than good. If they need a bath, lets say they have poo stuck all over their fur, then it is necessary to bathe them, but if they are clean cats then you do not need to bathe them as often.

1. Prepare the Area: This may seem like a no brainier, but you’d be surprised how many things you miss or forgot to bring until it’s too late. Pick a tube that has a sliding door so they cannot jump out, this will save you a lot of hassle.

Before you start bathing your cat, make sure to prepare the area where you'll be bathing them. Fill the sink or tub with lukewarm water (not too hot or too cold) and place a non-slip mat on the bottom to prevent you your cat from slipping (optional). You'll also need to have a shampoo specially formulated for cats, a cup or a jug for rinsing, and several towels ready for after the bath.

2. Cut Your Cat’s Nails: Especially if your cat is terrified of baths you will want to ensure you cut those bad boys as those daggers will leave a lot of marks, especially if your cat’s a jumper, one of ours is, we experience this a lot, they cling to my arm, jump on my back, it can be pretty wild. If you need help, read our article on How to Trim Your Cat’s Nails.

3. Brush Your Cat: Before bathing, make sure to brush your cat thoroughly to remove any tangles and mats in their fur. This will make it easier to wet and shampoo their fur and will also help prevent any painful tangles during the bath. You want your bathing process to be a breeze.

4. Introduce Your Cat to Water: Start by getting your cat used to the water. Dip your hand in the water and let your cat sniff it. Let them get comfortable with the water temperature before you start the actual bath.

5. Wet Your Cat: Slowly pour a small amount of water over your cat's back, being careful not to get water in their ears. Make sure to wet their fur thoroughly, but avoid getting water in their face.

6. Apply Shampoo: Once your cat's fur is wet, apply a small amount of cat specific shampoo, starting from the neck and working your way down to the tail. Avoid getting shampoo in their eyes, nose, and mouth.

7. Rinse Your Cat: Rinse your cat thoroughly, making sure to remove all the soap suds. Use a cup or a jug to pour water over their fur, avoiding their face. We have found from experience that the sound of the running water scares our cats more than the water itself. The jug works significantly better because they do not want to be under running water.

8. Dry Your Cat: Once the bath is over, use a towel to gently dry your cat. Make sure to dry them thoroughly, especially in areas that are prone to getting wet like their paws and belly. You will want to switch towels and use the new one to wrap them up like a burrito and ensure they do not have access to the litter box. Trust me on this one.

9. Reward Your Cat: After the bath, reward your cat with several treats to help them associate bath time with a positive experience.

In conclusion, bathing your cat can be a challenging task, but with the right preparation and techniques, it can be a less stressful experience for both you and your furry friend. Just remember to be patient, go slow, and keep your cat's comfort in mind throughout the process.

Tips & Tricks

If you have a cat who is just terrified of water and the whole bathing process like one of my cat, here are some tips and trips I use.

I go and bathe with them, you can wear a bikini or a T-shirt to prevent scratches if you’d like. Luna is a jumper, she will jump on my back, try to jump out of the shower, latch onto my arm and climb me to get away. The only way I have been able to calm her down is to hold her in my chest like a baby and wash her that way. She is then calm, lets me wash her and feels safe while not hurting herself from jumping all over the place while being slippery. I use a jug, I never put my cats under the running water because the found terrifies them.

If you need additional advice, you can ask us for help here!