Tips on Washing a Cat

There are few things most cat owners look forward to less than giving their cat a bath. Most cats do not like water, and since many owners never bathe the cat unless they get dirty, bathing the cat can be stressful for the cat and painful for the owner. If you have a feline with a dirty coat in need of some scrubbing, there are a few things you can do to make it a more pleasant experience for you and your cat.

  1. Trim the Cat's Claws

    • A cat's claws make formidable weapons that they can use against you when they are upset. Few things upset cats more than getting wet. You can reduce the likelihood of getting scratched by keeping the cat's claws trimmed. You only have to trim the claws on the cat's front paws. Press on the top of one of the cat's toes until the claw pops out. Remove the tip of the claw using a pair of cat claw trimmers. You can use human nail clippers, but they must be very sharp or they will crush the claw instead of trimming it. Avoid cutting the dark part of the claw, which contains nerves and blood vessels.

    Try Washing Without Water

    • There are products available for washing your cat that do not use water. Disposable wipes, foaming cleaners, and dry powders that comb into the cat's fur are good for spot cleaning the cat or minor dirty coats. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Even if you do opt to bathe the cat, using these products can help remove any tangles or mats from the cat's hair before you bathe them. Water makes the tangles and mats tighten up, and it makes them more difficult to remove. Use a comb or grooming brush to get them out.

    Start Bathing Your Cat as a Kitten

    • Cats are much easier to manage during the bath when they're young. Getting the cat used to being bathed as a kitten makes for less trauma later on. If you make bathing a pleasant operation, the cat may even start to look forward to it. many cats never like being washed, but at least they won't freak out when you have to wash them.

    Bathing Tips

    • Lay a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub for the cat to stand on. This gives the cat traction, so it doesn't slip. Don't fill the tub full of water, a few inches suffices. The water should be lukewarm to avoid burns. When you lather up the cat, be careful not to get water or soap in its eyes and ears. Getting water in a cat's ears can lead to painful ear infections, and shampoo can make its eyes sting. If the cat's face is unusually dirty, you can wipe it with a wet cloth or wipes made for cleaning pet's faces.