How To Give Your Cat A Bath

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Many people assume that because cats clean themselves by licking their fur, they don't need to groom their cat. However, even though cats are fairly self sufficient, licking isn't grooming. When a cat licks himself clean, he covers himself in saliva and ingests large quantities of shedding hair, which he then regurgitates on the living room floor. You can eliminate these problems, as well as eliminate the cat smell and excess cat hair from your home by grooming your cat on a regular basis.

Before-Bath Preparations

Most people know that cats have an aversion to water. Most cats don't enjoy taking baths, even if they are necessary. So, before you throw your cat in the tub, take a few minutes to prepare.

1. Lay a clean, dry towel and washcloth near the sink.
2. Prepare his shampoo by combining one part cat shampoo with five parts warm water. Do not use shampoo that's made for people because it will dry out your cat's skin.
3. Clip his nails so that he doesn't scratch you if he tries to claw his way out of the water.
4. Brush his fur to get rid of any loose or matted hair.
5. Place cotton balls in his ears to keep the water out.
6. Put a rubber mat in the sink and fill the sink with a few inches of warm water.

During the Bath

The key to successfully giving your feline friend a bath is washing him thoroughly as quick as possible to minimize his discomfort.

1. Use the sink sprayer to get your cat wet. If your sink doesn't have a sprayer, use a cup to slowly pour water over the cat until all of his fur is wet. Make sure you avoid getting water in your cat's eyes, nose, and ears.
2. Massage the cat shampoo/water combination into your cat's fur. Make sure you work in the direction that your cat's hair grows and avoid his face completely.
3. Rinse all of the shampoo off of your cat using the sink sprayer or cup. Make sure all of the shampoo is out of the cat's fur before you take him out of the sink. Any residue left on him could irritate his skin.
4. Use the washcloth to wipe your cat's face off, but make sure you only use water. Don't use any soap or shampoo.
5. Take the cat out of the bath. wrap him in the towel, and gently dry his fur.

After the Bath

Baths are stressful for cats so it's important to spend some quality time with your cat once the bath is complete. Make sure you brush his fur out as it dries so that it doesn't get matted. Then, spend some time cuddling and petting your cat until he is completely calm.

Sometimes giving your cat a bath can be just as stressful for you as it is for your cat. If this is the case, you should consider taking your cat to a cat groomer like The Pets Place Animal Hospital occasionally. This way, your cat gets the pampering that he needs and you don't have to worry about dealing with the stress on your own.

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4 September 2015