What You Need to Know about Bathing Your Cat

Many new cat owners have some misconceptions about cats and their needs. Too often, our culture equates cats and dogs. While we often assume that cats’ needs are similar to those of dogs, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As two unique species, cats and dogs have very different needs, and one of these pertains to bathing. People often assume that cats need baths, just as dogs do. But actually, cats are typically extremely fastidious when it comes to their grooming habits, and baths are almost always entirely unnecessary. However, there are a few important exceptions. Learn some ways that you can make the process less stressful for your adult cat or kitten.

When Should You Give Your Cat a Bath?

The answer, in short, is not very often. Cats spend up to 50% of their day grooming themselves, so not only is bathing usually unnecessary, but it also removes the cat’s natural scent, which is an essential part of what makes them comfortable. A bath can also be an incredibly stressful experience for your feline friend, and you might find that your pet begins to associate any type of handling with the negative experience of being bathed. This can prove to be a remarkably difficult habit to break. But there are a few important exceptions to this rule. If your cat is a hairless breed, like a sphynx, then baths are essential. Your hairless cat will produce excess oils in their skin, making a weekly bath essential to their overall health.

Other instances in which you may need to give your cat a bath could include if it has a particular medical condition. For example, a flea infestation on your cat may require a medicated bath to kill the fleas and their eggs and larvae. While most flea treatments are highly effective, in particularly bad instances of a flea infestation or if your cat is allergic to fleas, a bath can prove helpful. Ringworm, a particular type of fungus, could in severe cases require a medicated bath that will be prescribed by your veterinarian. In addition, there might be incidents in which your cat gets into something that will need to be removed from their coat, like motor oil, gasoline, potpourri, tree sap, antifreeze, or pyrethrin and permethrin flea-killing products. These could have devastating health effects if your cat licks them off of their coat, so a bath may be necessary to remove the offending substance.

Sometimes, cats may be unable to groom themselves for one reason or another. For instance, if your cat is particularly obese, it might not be able to reach around its body to properly groom itself. Similarly, if you have a cat with arthritis, it might not be able to move or bend appropriately in order to groom its entire body. In these cases, you may need to regularly bathe your cat in order to help keep it clean. Sometimes cats with arthritis enjoy the baths, since a massaging shampoo and the warm bath water can soothe stiff joints.

Not all cats are the same, so it’s entirely possible your cat might just love a good warm bath. If that’s the case, there’s certainly no reason you can’t give your pet the occasional dip in the tub.

How Should You Bathe Your Cat?

If it’s necessary to give your pet a bath, here are some tips to make the process easier, both for you and your cat. Gather all of your supplies before you begin and have them handy wherever you plan to bathe your kitty. Grab some particularly tasty treats, a pet shampoo designed for cats, some towels, and a pitcher or detachable shower head. It’s also a good idea to have a partner help you to bathe your pet, since it’s highly unlikely that your cat will sit still for the procedure. Put down a non-slip surface or a towel inside your sink, a small laundry basket, or another tub in your larger bathtub, so your cat doesn’t slide around and start to panic.

Fill your tub or sink with just a few inches of warm water (be sure to test it to make sure it’s not too hot). Hold your cat gently in place while your partner uses a pitcher or the shower head to get its coat wet. Lather the cat up with pet shampoo, and then rinse thoroughly with a pitcher or gentle, low-pressure setting on your shower head. Use towels to gently dry your cat off. If your cat is accustomed to a blow dryer, you can also use this, but don’t force it if your cat is not comfortable. The goal is to get your cat bathed and dried as quickly as possible and with the least amount of stress. Be fast and efficient, and reward your kitty with lots of delicious, tasty treats after its bath.

If your cat can’t handle a regular bath, try using a waterless shampoo to clean it instead. This method can prove less stressful for your cat and just as effective.