How to Give Your Kitten a Bath Without Getting Scratched

Compared to most pets, kittens are fairly easy to care for. Their instinct to use a litter box and an insistence on keeping themselves clean make them lower maintenance than puppies. Though most cats never need a bath, it is not uncommon for a kitten to get itself so dirty that it needs some help from its owner. Bathing a feline can be a daunting and sometimes dangerous chore, but you can lower the anxiety for you and your cat by taking a different approach to the task.

Things You'll Need

  • Pet nail clippers
  • Cat treats
  • Towel
  • Lukewarm water
  • Kitten shampoo
  • Washcloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Play with your kitten to tire her out before the bath.

    • 2

      Fill a sink with a couple inches of lukewarm water and place a towel on a flat surface nearby.

    • 3

      Trim the kitten's claws with the nail clippers to lessen the chances of getting a serious scratch and to get your kitten accustomed to the routine. Offer a treat after each paw is finished.

    • 4

      Place the kitten on the towel next to the sink. Lather your hands with a mixture of one part kitten shampoo to five parts water and gently stroke the kitten in a manner that would be similar to how its mother would clean it with her tongue, but with your hands. Focus on heavily soiled areas. There is no need to immerse the kitten in the water or get it extremely wet and soapy. Praise the kitten and offer it a cat treat. Avoid getting water or shampoo in the kitten's eye, ears or nose.

    • 5

      Rinse your hands frequently in clean lukewarm water and use them to wipe the sudsy water off your kitten.

    • 6

      Wrap the kitten quickly in a towel and allow the kitten to dry off and warm up. Praise the kitten and give it another treat as you use a damp washcloth to clean its face.