An Easy Way to Bathe a Kitten

Cats are fastidious about grooming, and kittens learn this behavior early on. Occasionally, however, if your kitten has become especially dirty, you may need to bathe it. Young kittens in the process of weaning easily become encrusted with food at one end -- and with fecal matter at the other. Kittens chill easily, so bathe a kitten only if other cleaning methods, such as damp wiping, aren't sufficient. Never bathe a kitten that is sick. If you must bathe your kitten, make it a fun, easy and enjoyable activity so your pet will learn that a bath is nothing to fear.

Things You'll Need

  • Slicker brush
  • Cotton balls
  • Bath mat
  • Plastic cups
  • Shower mitts
  • Cat shampoo or baby shampoo
  • Soft towels
  • Heating pad
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the kitten's fur lightly with a slicker brush to remove any knots from the fur and prevent further tangling during the bath. Place cotton balls in the kitten's ears to keep them dry during the bath.

    • 2

      Line your kitchen sink with a rubber bath mat to prevent the kitten from slipping around on the slick surface.

    • 3

      Fill several cups with water that is comfortably warm to the touch and place them next to the sink.

    • 4

      Put a shower mitt on each of your hands; choose mitts made of soft terry cloth, not scrubbing mitts which may be too harsh for sensitive kitten skin.

    • 5

      Place the kitten into the sink. Wet its fur with a cup or two of the warm water by pouring it over the kitten's body while holding the kitten firmly, but gently, in place. Some cats are afraid of running water from the tap, so this method makes the process less frightening. Work the water gently into the kitten's fur with the shower mitts.

    • 6

      Pour a dime-sized amount of cat shampoo into the palm of one of the wet mitts. Lather the soap between the two shower mitts. Make sure the mitts are very wet so the soap is diluted.

    • 7

      Use the mitts to completely wash the kitten's body, making sure to lather its feet, tail, back, chest, legs and bottom. The mitts allow you to hold the kitten in place while getting the soap all over its body easily. Use caution when washing the face, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth.

    • 8

      Rinse the mitts in the sink, away from the kitten, to get all the soap off of them.

    • 9

      Pour clean, warm water over the cat, using the cups, to rinse away the soap. Use the rinsed, wet mitts to assist you in getting the soap off the kitten; start by carefully wiping any soapy water off its face. If the kitten will tolerate it, turn on the tap to a lukewarm, gentle stream and run the water over the kitten's back to help in the rinse; otherwise continue to pour water over the kitten using the cups, avoiding its head and ears. Never run or pour water directly on a kitten's head or face.

    • 10

      Wrap the kitten in a soft, dry towel and remove it from the sink. Remove the cotton balls from the kitten's ears. Carefully massage the kitten through the towel to absorb as much water from its fur as possible. Remove the damp towel.

    • 11

      Wrap the kitten in a clean, dry towel and place it on a heating pad that you have wrapped in a dry towel or blanket. Turn the heating pad to a low temperature setting. The pad prevents the kitten from becoming chilled while it dries off. Keep the kitten wrapped in fresh towels until its fur is dry.