How to Bathe a British Shorthair

According to The International Cat Association, the British shorthair is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cats. Imported from Egypt to Rome, the shorthair breed traveled with Roman soldiers to the British Isles. As the name implies, British shorthair cats have a short, dense coat of fur. Frequent bathing keeps the fur fresh and free of dead hair that causes matting. While your cat is still a kitten, introduce it to the bathtub. Give the young cat affection and attention during bathing to make it a pleasant experience for both of you.

Things You'll Need

  • Nail clippers
  • Cotton balls
  • Cotton swabs
  • Tweezers
  • Washcloth
  • Cat shampoo
  • Towel
  • Comb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clip the cat's nails before bathing. This prevents the animal from accidentally scratching you during the bath.

    • 2

      Clean the cat's ears with a moist cotton ball. Check the ear for dirt or excretions. Clean the ear canal with a cotton swab if you see any debris. Do not insert the cotton swab too deeply into the ear canal.

    • 3

      Pluck any long hairs around the ears with the tweezers. Pull out any hairs that extend beyond the edge of the ear.

    • 4

      Wash the cat's face with a warm, wet washcloth. Be careful around the cat's eyes.

    • 5

      Place the cat in a sink. Wet the cat's body thoroughly. Keep the water away from the face.

    • 6

      Pour cat shampoo onto the cat's back and work the lather all over the body. Do not wash the face with shampoo.

    • 7

      Rinse the cat to remove all shampoo.

    • 8

      Dry the cat with a towel and comb the clean fur.