How to Bathe a Kitten with Lemon Detergent

One of the best things about cats is that they are generally self-cleaning. But all cats---especially kittens---will occasionally get into some sort of mischief that requires a bath. You should use shampoos formulated especially for bathing kittens, but if your new baby feline just rolled around in the leftover lasagna and all you have in the house is lemon detergent, you do what you can. The key to giving cats baths is to be as calm and gentle as possible. Bathing a kitten will go a lot easier if only one of you is upset.

Things You'll Need

  • Lemon Detergent
  • Warm water
  • Plastic or paper cup
  • Thick towels
  • Wash cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Line the bottom of your sink with a thick towel. Your kitten will feel more secure if she isn't sliding around on slick porcelain, and you will be happy to have some insulation between her claws and a metal sink.

    • 2

      Fill the sink with warm water. The normal temperature of a kitten is between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, so don't make the water too cool. It should be a little warmer than your skin, but not hot.

    • 3

      Put a squirt or two of lemon detergent into the warm water. No more than that, because detergents can strip the essential oils from tender kitten skin.

    • 4

      Place your kitten gently into the water. If she is not used to baths, she may freak out. That's okay. You are bigger than she is, and you are the calm one. Hold her firmly, but she will cope better if she doesn't feel like she's being restrained.

    • 5

      Wash your kitten with one hand as you hold her with the other. Always work in the direction her fur grows. Using one finger in short, firm motions will remind her of her mother's tongue and may calm her.

    • 6

      Use a plastic or paper cup to rinse your kitten off. Make sure the water is only a trickle so that the running sound doesn't scare her, and try not to get any on her face. If whatever caused the bath is on her face or head, you can clean it off later with a warm, damp washcloth. Rinse her thoroughly, because she is going to lick herself the minute you let her go, and you don't want her ingesting detergent.

    • 7

      Lift your wet kitten into a thick towel and wrap her well. Carry her to a warm place and blot her dry. Rub her with a corner of the towel in the direction her fur grows, if she will let you, but don't ruffle her fur with the towel the way you would a child's hair. Keep her inside and warm until she is completely dry.