How to Bathe Your Kitten or Adult Cat

2024-06-23
How to Bathe Your Kitten or Adult Cat

Kittens learn to lick themselves when they are two to four weeks old and adult cats spend up to 50% of their awake time grooming themselves. So why should you still give your cat a bath? A bath stimulates the skin and removes excess oil, dander, and hair. It also offers an opportunity to teach your cat that being handled even in unexpected ways won't hurt them. Cats will need to be touched by the vet, handled by vet techs, or cared for by house sitters and guests. Making the bath a pleasant experience helps cats "generalize" the event to future similar situations.

Positive experiences with prior baths are especially beneficial if you ever find yourself having to give your cat medicated baths as part of a treatment plan for skin diseases like ringworm or if your cat gets into something particularly nasty.

How Often Should You Bathe Your Cat?

Some fastidious shorthaired cats may rarely if ever need a bath, while cats with longer hair often need a little more help with hygiene. Bathing too often can dry the skin, so try to avoid anything more frequent than every four to six weeks or so. Kittens accept baths most readily so start as soon as you adopt one, as long as it's at least four weeks old. Elderly cats or extremely ill cats are not as adaptable to environmental changes even when temporary. They may be stressed by bathing so follow your veterinarian's recommendation in these instances.

What You Need

For routine cleaning, you only need a few supplies, including:

  • A simple grooming shampoo labeled specifically for cats
  • Several towels
  • A rubber mat
  • A washcloth
  • Ping pong ball or other floating distraction

It's important to note that human shampoo (including those designed for babies) or dog products can be too harsh and dry the cat's skin, and in some cases may be toxic.

Prepare to Bathe Your Cat

Before getting your cat wet, brush its fur thoroughly. As for you, wear old clothes and expect to get wet.

The bath area should be warm and draft-free. The bathtub will do, but you may be more comfortable if you can bathe your cat in a waist-high sink. Move all breakables out of reach and push drapes or shower curtains out of the way. Avoid anything (strong scents, scary objects, or mirrors) that may potentially frighten your cat so that the bath is as pleasant as possible.

Assemble your shampoo, several towels, and a washcloth near the sink or tub, and run warm water before you bring in the cat. The cat bath temperature should be around body temperature, in other words pretty warm but not so hot that it's uncomfortable.

Place a towel or rubber mat in the bottom of the tub or sink. Cats hate the insecure footing of slippery surfaces and this will make it less stressful. Or, try standing the cat on a plastic milk crate so your cat can grip it with its paws. This also allows you to more easily wash the cat from both above and below.

Close the door to the bathing area, or you risk having a soapy cat escape.

Bathing Kittens

For small cats or kittens, use the double sink in the kitchen, two or more large roasting pans, or a couple of buckets or wastebaskets set in the bathtub. Fill each with warm water, then gently lower your cat (one hand supporting its bottom, the other beneath the chest) into the first container to get it wet. Most cats accept this method more readily than being sprayed.

Let your kitty stand on its hind legs and clutch the edge of the container as you thoroughly wet the fur. Then lift the cat out onto one of your towels, and apply the shampoo, using a damp but not soapy washcloth to clean its face.

After lathering, dip the cat back into the first container to rinse. Get as much soap off as possible before removing and sluice off excess water before thoroughly rinsing in subsequent containers of clean water.

Choose Between the Adult Cat Dip or Spray Method

Jumbo-sized adult cats can be hard to dunk, and running water can be scary for them. Instead, you can use a ladle to dip water. If you have a spray nozzle on the sink, use a low force, with the nozzle close to the fur so the kitty doesn't see the spray.

Never spray in the face; use a damp wash rag to wipe down that area. Keep one hand on the cat at all times to prevent escapes. Rinse beginning at the neck and down the cat's back; don't neglect beneath the tail or on the tummy.

Wrap the clean cat in a dry towel. Shorthaired cats dry quickly, but longhaired felines may need two or more towels to blot away most of the water. If your cat tolerates or enjoys the blow dryer, use only the lowest heat setting and keep the dryer moving to avoid burns.

Preventing Problems With Your Cat During a Bath

Some cats will truly enjoy the bath, and others will not. Remain patient and don't scold your cat during the bath. If your cat is really hating the bath, try plenty of praise, solicit some help, or rinse off the soap and try again next time. If bathing your cat at home seems too problematic, a professional groomer who is experienced with cats is your best bet for effective cleaning by a professional.

  • Clip your cat's claws a day beforehand to help prevent scratches. Don't do it immediately before or the cat will associate clipping with bathing.
  • Try floating a ping pong ball or another fascinating cat toy in the water to entice the cat to try to fish it out. A cat who plays with the water will be less likely to fear it.
  • Don't dunk your cat’s face or splash water on it; that's what gets cats upset.
  • Professional groomers often use a figure-eight cat harness to tether the cat in place, which leaves your hands free to clean the cat.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.

Related Article

How Long Should Kittens Stay With Their Mothers?

How Long Should Kittens Stay With Their Mothers?

Kittens need their mothers for more than just milk. Find out how long kittens should stay with their mothers and why.
15 Adorable Persian Cats Names

15 Adorable Persian Cats Names

Pick the perfect Persian cat name from this list of top options, including names that describe your cat's beauty and or regal personality.
Can Cats Eat Blueberries?

Can Cats Eat Blueberries?

Learn all about the potential health concerns, benefits, and safe ways to feed blueberries to cats.
Cat Food Ingredients to Avoid

Cat Food Ingredients to Avoid

When checking the nutrition content of cat food, look for ingredients that are not healthy or show it is of poor quality. Avoid these 3 ingredients.
10 Obscure, Little-known Canine Facts in Honor of National Dog Day

10 Obscure, Little-known Canine Facts in Honor of National Dog Day

With National Dog Day upon us, it's time to celebrate everything about our favorite pets—even the weirder stuff. Here are 10 obscure facts about dogs you probably didn't know.
Why Is My Dog Scooting Across the Floor?

Why Is My Dog Scooting Across the Floor?

If your dog is scooting its rear end across the floor, it may be impacted or infected anal glands. Learn how to identify and prevent this problem.
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Wounds?

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Wounds?

Dogs lick their wounds in response to pain or irritation, but in most cases, the licking of wounds should not be allowed.
What to Give Your Dog If It Has Diarrhea

What to Give Your Dog If It Has Diarrhea

If your dog has diarrhea, you'll want to quickly fix the problem and get your dog's poop back to normal. Find out what's safe to give your dog.
Keeshond: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Keeshond: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Learn about the keeshond dog, also known as the Dutch Barge Dog. This fluffy spitz breed was bred to guard, but also makes a friendly companion.
How to Train Your Cat to Accept Mirror Reflections

How to Train Your Cat to Accept Mirror Reflections

Cats and mirrors can be a source of amusement or a trigger for aggressive behavior. Learn how to soothe an upset cat when it attacks a mirror.
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?

Why Do Cats Like Catnip?

Catnip can make some cats react in interesting ways. Learn why cats like catnip so much, why only some cats react to it, and why others seem immune.
How to Stop Cats From Biting and Scratching

How to Stop Cats From Biting and Scratching

Cats learn to bite and scratch as kittens and may need to be retrained when they grow older. These behaviors can be changed with time and patience.
How to Stop Your Cat From Chewing Electrical Cords

How to Stop Your Cat From Chewing Electrical Cords

Cats are known to pounce and attack inanimate objects, like electrical cords. Learn how to prevent your cat from ambushing objects that may harm it.
What to Do if Your Cat Is Peeing in the Bathtub

What to Do if Your Cat Is Peeing in the Bathtub

If your cat is peeing in the bathtub on a regular basis it means there is a problem. Find out if it is a health, behaviorial, or other type of issue.
Old English Sheepdog: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Old English Sheepdog: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Learn about Old English sheepdogs, a hard-working breed with much more to offer. It's known for its adorably shaggy coat and friendly personality.
Bernedoodle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Bernedoodle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The Bernedoodle is a hybrid dog breed created by crossing Bernese mountain dogs with poodles. Learn about their fun-loving personality and common health issues.
6 Egyptian Dog Breeds and Their Rich Histories

6 Egyptian Dog Breeds and Their Rich Histories

Some of the oldest dog breeds, like salukis and basenjis, date back to ancient Egypt. These six canines had their start in the land of the Nile.
Understanding Dog Growling

Understanding Dog Growling

Get information on how to interpret dog growling and how to keep it from escalating to dog aggression.
How to Train Your Dog to Live With Another Dog

How to Train Your Dog to Live With Another Dog

When you add a second dog to your household, it's natural that there will be an adjustment period. Learn how to get two dogs to become acquainted.
How to Train Your Dog to Be off the Leash

How to Train Your Dog to Be off the Leash

Letting your dog off the leash can create dangerous situations. Learn how to train your dog so you can trust it to play off the leash.